Avery's fall weekend...

Our neighborhood rec center had a Fall Festival this weekend. We only got to go for a short time before Avery's naptime, so she didn't wear her costume, but she seemed pretty intrigued by all the other kids all dressed up. And she didn't seem scared of this monster at all...


There was a magic show in the rec center's gym, where apparently dunking is prohibited. Otherwise Avery would have definitely shown off her skills. Jon also claims his college gym had a rule like this which is why he never dunked...

After the magic show, Avery got to paint her very own "pumpkee". This is her new favorite word....

And she stopped the sing the "itsy bitsy spider" on the way out...

Avery was so proud to try on her dad's shoes later that day. Whenever she sees this picture she immediately says "daddy shoooes"....

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great day at the pumpkin patch!!! We met our friends Sarah and Beau (and their son Rory), and lucked out with beautiful weather! This was such a different experience than the trip last year when Avery couldn't even sit up on her own. This year she was running all over the place and really enjoyed herself.

Here is Avery in the hay maze. We let her lead us through...and she really did find her way out on her own! Smart girl!!



Avery loved the chickens. She was saying "bawk bawk" all day...

She also had fun watching the goats...

We took a hayride out to the field to find our pumpkins. Avery got to choose them of course...

She was also determined to carry one by herself. Too bad they were all about as heavy as she is! So we stopped and bought her a mini pumpkin on the way out, which she gave to Chloe when we got home....

Avery was really sweet with Rory, and she didn't freak out this time when we held him...

She even leaned down and gave Rory a kiss....

Here we all are at the pumpkin patch...

Grandma Kathy visits

Avery had a great weekend with her Grandma Kathy. We read lots of books, went to the farmers market, spent some time at Powells, had some great things to eat, and went on walks around the neighborhood.

Here are Grandma Kathy and Avery on a walk to the park during one of the few dry moments this weekend (Avery walked the whole way there and back without the stroller)...


Avery loves the swings. She calls them the "weeeeeee"....


She also loves to go down the slide, which she calls the "shide"...

This was a first - Avery now wants to walk across the bouncy bridge on her own without holding our hands!! What a big girl...

On the way home we stopped to watch the ducks. She loves to say "quack quack"....



And what visit from Kathy would be complete without books?! Here is our little reader and her Grandma with some of Avery's favorites...

And to top it off, Avery got to watch a "show" (this might be her most frequently used word since we started letting her watch a few minutes of sesame street once in a while - she's a TV junkie already!). She also learned to say "football" during this Patriots game!!

Avery update

I know, I know, I've been slacking. We have been very busy and had a couple of tough weeks. Also, the battery died on our little camera and our camcorder, so until I order new chargers, we're down to one camera. We did get the cute shots below though.

Avery has been super busy lately. She's learning at least one new word a day. Her favorites are "bubble", "outside", "milk", "meow", "woof", "nose", "teeth", "hot", "wa-wa" (water) and "shoes". She really loves to dance, and is starting to grasp games like Ring Around the Rosie. Oh, and she's trying really hard to learn how to jump. Apparently it's harder than it looks!

Here is Avery reading in her room...


Avery loves grilled cheese sandwiches!

Like the saying goes...kids don't need toys, they just need pots and pans....

Family Hike....

We had a great time on this hike last weekend. We went out really early before it got too hot. The trail went along the Columbia Gorge and went past 3 waterfalls. It was beautiful...

We even got to walk under a waterfall. Here are Jon and Avery and Trot...



Trot was so afraid of this bridge...

Another hiker stopped to take a family picture for us...

Trot got to swim...

Avery did great on the hike. Whenever the trail flattened out, she walked by herself. And whenever she saw one of these little logs, she got so excited about the bench that was just her size...

Avery update

It's been awhile since I've posted pictures, so these are some updates from the past couple weeks.

In Olympic style, Avery wore my gold medal from Hood to Coast around during the closing ceremony (note: everyone gets a medal - I'm pretty sure our team was in about 800th place)...



She also loves to play peek-a-boo behind a pair of huge sunglasses...







She's found a new place to sit...

She's been giving lots of hugs lately...

Yesterday, Jon ran in the Nike+ Human Race. It started on the soccer fields on Nike's campus. Here is Jon smiling before the start...

Avery and I cheered from the sidelines. Here's Jon about halfway through....

While waiting at the finish line, Avery practiced the balance beam skills she learned from watching the Olympics.

After the race, there was a free concert. We hung out in back and watched....

Avery danced to the music. I wish we had the video camera, this was hilarious...

Avery waved goodbye before we walked home....

Here's another new thing Avery has picked up...She loves to stand on her head...

Whenever we open the fridge lately, Avery is underfoot getting ready to start her new hobby - taking everything out of the shelves and (hopefully) putting them back...

Avery's first day of school is tomorrow. She's going to the Nike daycare which is just 2 buildings over from mine. We're all so excited. We all got to meet her teachers and classmates at an open house on Friday. And Gramma Connie sent her a new backpack for the big occasion...

Since she's starting a new school, she's obviously a big girl now; and she loves being a little mom, pushing her baby doll all around the house...