Almost Completed Nursery

(The pics in the frames were actually of Ave when she was a couple of days old, I'll replace them when I can get some pics of him!)

Finally, here are some pictures of the nursery. (It was super difficult to get the right lighting for the BRIGHT orange paint!) We still have things to hang and last minute touches but all that will come in time.

Going on 36 weeks!

Well, after a long day Wednesday, going from one appointment to the next, it seems things with baby are progressing as normal. We had an ultrasound, which was very interesting. He was so squished in there, the doctor had a hard time measuring everything! But it does seem he is measuring on the larger side at about 6 1/2 lbs. but nothing overly concerning. This was the best picture he could get, which amazed me! We didn't have an ultrasound this late with Avery and never had a 4D ultrasound. It is incredible that you can actually see his face!

Tea Time!

Avery has entered the pretending phase with full force. She pretend plays all the time and is getting quite good at it. Her favorite "game" these days is playing tea party. Even though she is quite bossy at her own games and we can't quite remember all of her rules, we enjoy joining in the fun!

Would You Like Some Coffee With That?

Every morning, our paper is delivered to our driveway and Avery loves to go get it for me, which I love...too early to frighten the neighbors! Last week, she went and got it for me as usual but this one morning she opened it up and started "reading" it. I wonder what she found so interesting???

34 Weeks!

Time is flying, we are already 34 weeks along and 6 weeks to go! We are READY, well we think?! At my doctors appointment this week everything is still looking healthy and normal. I do have to go for an ultrasound on the 23rd because I have been measuring on the "larger" side, so for precautionary measures they want to check fluid levels and measure baby boy (name STILL undetermined). When we go on the the 23rd we have an ultrasound first, then a check up, and after that a tour of the birthing center, so we will be busy in the next few weeks getting things squared away.

The Ravine

Last Monday, we decided (very last minute!) to go to The Ravine in Paso Robles, which is a great waterpark about an hour away. So at ten o'clock on Monday morning we threw our stuff together, jumped in the car and headed up north. The park was great and it was 95 degrees in Paso Robles, so it was the perfect day. We floated the lazy river, and played in the wave pool, and there were tons of kiddie waterslides so Avery was completely entertained and after we lost count of her going down the same slide 30 times, needless to say, we were all worn out by the end of the day.

Avila Farm

Last weekend was a beautiful, LONG weekend. Ben got off early Friday and didn't go back to work until Tuesday afternoon! Unheard of, I know! So we tried to take advantage of the gorgeous weekend and stayed busy with all sorts of things we have been "meaning" to do.

Well, our first was the Avila Farm, about twenty miles from us is a little "farm" near Avila Beach with all sorts of stuff to do. There were lots of animals for Avery to feed and fresh fruits and vegetables all grown right there and fun little shops. They also do tractor hay rides where they take you to pick your own fruit! We can't wait for october when we can go get our own pumpkins.

Water Bug

During the move so many things ended up being piled in the garage because we didn't know where to put them or they didn't have a place. Well, it has been kind of fun because it is like Christmas all over again when we find new things! This week's mystery item was Avery's swimming pool that we haven't set up since last summer in Montana. It was worth every minute, we were entertained for hours!

It's crazy to look back at how much she has changed. Avery's first swimming experience was at twelve weeks old, we took her to Fairmont Hot Springs and from that point we knew she would love the water. She has been in swim lessons since she was six months and is becoming more and more daring when it comes to water. Now she fearlessly jumps in head first!

June 07

Two Years Later...

Ice Cream Truck

The aftermath...

Avery's first experience with the ice cream truck was a disastrous mess! Of course she picked out a bright orange and pink push-pop. But she loved every minute of it and now she can hear the ice cream truck music a mile away!

First Cookout

Siama's very successful marshmallow...

Ave showing off her sticky hands

She was having so much fun!

We had our first "cookout" in our backyard since it has been finished while all the girls were here. We cooked hot dogs and smores over the fire and just enjoyed the beautiful night! Everything was so nice and beautiful UNTIL daddy taught Ave to throw snails in the fire, what am I going to do with two boys around here?!

Beach Days

Ave at Avila Beach building sand castles with Aunt Amanda

Nana & Ave at Jilama Beach

Nana & Siama playing in the water with Ave at Jilama Beach

Oh, what a long day at the beach can do to you?!

Ave at Grover Beach (Aunt Miss took this) Love it!

While everyone was here we spent a few days at the beach. For the most part, we had wonderful weather and we saw lots of dolphins and seals! Ave just can't get enough of the ocean, doesn't seem to matter how cold it is, she loves it! She must take after Aunt Amanda in that sense, she was the same way, they were both soaked by the time we left and covered in sand. It could have been 20 degrees out and Amanda still would have gone swimming! We have really been enjoying living so close to the beach, and it is wonderful that these will be some of Ave's first memories.

Visiting Solvang

While mom and Siama were here we took them to Solvang, a little Danish village about thirty miles from us. Considering we weren't up for tons of walking we decided to rent a surrey to ride around on. That was interesting, we all had to peddle and Ben was in charge of steering. Even though we did more laughing than sightseeing it was great fun anyway! It was a beautiful town and we really enjoyed riding around and visiting all the little shops.

Ducky Towel

Avery new favorite "outfit" is her ducky towel from Auntie Miss. Miss bought her the original ducky a couple of months back but it has been so used she had to buy her a second one! Avery loves it and sometimes refuses to take it off. Some days I can't get her out of it until noon. She walks around quacking like a duck but the funniest part is she thinks we think she is a real duck!

Well, after a long three weeks packed full of family fun we are back to our normal routine. In a matter of three weeks, both of my sisters, my mom and a good family friend came to stay with us. I was starting to feel like we were running a bed and breakfast, and sharing the house with five women at once was no small task for Ben! But we really enjoyed the company, and had so much fun with everyone!

I had my 29 week check-up on Tuesday. I have my check-ups every two weeks now and everything is progressing well and baby boy is healthy and growing BIG, as am I! I had a couple of tests and lab work done this week which all came back perfect, so now we are just getting things ready, and trying to pick a name!

Avery has changed so much over the past two months. Her language has dramatically improved and she is fully potty trained! Hallelujah! She has really enjoyed all the company and there was always someone to play tea party with.

Ben finished our lovely back yard weeks ago and we have really been enjoying spending time out there! The only thing left is the planter bed along the fence, but for now Avery has her own personal sand box.

Day at the Beach

Digging "the hole".

Packing sand for a castle.

Avery and her friend, India.

While Ben was working so hard on the yard, Ave and I decided to "get out of his way" so we went to the beach with some friends from church. There were so many kids, Avery had a blast! They dug a hole so deep when she was in it, you couldn't see the top of her head. It was so funny to watch them! She just followed the bigger kids around and did what they did. By the time we got home Ave was a sandy mess and I burned so bad I couldn't walk the next day! But we had a great day.

Our Backyard...in Progress

Daddy's big helper, well she made a big mess anyway!

Can I tell you how dirty she was when they were done?!

After Ben removed two loads of dirt to level the yard.

After the wall is finished.

This is where the grass will be.

The finished patio! He did such a good job.

About two weeks ago, our backyard was a slanted pile of dirt. We began the process of creating something we could enjoy, despite it being so small. It has been quite the intense and complicated process but we are almost there! Ben has been working so hard trying to get it done before my sister gets here on Wednesday. And his work has been much appreciated and well worth it, all he has left is to lay the sod. Then we will work on the flower beds as we have time. It is looking so nice! I can't wait until it is completely done, it will be so nice.