So did you notice the time has expired on our "where to move" poll? A decision has been made! Stay tuned- I'll post the results in the next week or so, once we've made some phone calls. =)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tailgate Time
The first football game of the year was yesterday! Dave organized a great tailgate. Avery and I were tailgaters but didn't go to the game with Dave... we had lots of fun despite the heat. Good thing we brought the popper, Avery pushed it around that field forever, and also loved following Dominick (pictured below) while he pushed it too. Go Blue!
So did you notice the time has expired on our "where to move" poll? A decision has been made! Stay tuned- I'll post the results in the next week or so, once we've made some phone calls. =)
So did you notice the time has expired on our "where to move" poll? A decision has been made! Stay tuned- I'll post the results in the next week or so, once we've made some phone calls. =)
Beach Birthday
Sorry I haven't been updating you recently- we've been at the beach! We flew down to Destin last Saturday (despite Hurricane Faye heading straight for the pan handle) and actually got quite lucky with the weather. It was a beautiful sunny day on Sunday, when the hurricane was supposed to be the worst, and we only had a bit of rain the whole time we were there. Whew! I hope the Gulf Coast is as lucky this week. Mom, Dad, Katie, Dave's Dad, and Dave's Stepmom were all there to greet us, and we had a great time hanging out on the beach, swimming, eating yummy food, and letting Avery be the center of attention. Here are several pictures that pretty much sum up our trip:
Family pic
Granddad's bonding
Ahh... naptime in the shade with Mimi
She had an adorable beach chair just her size... but a little trouble getting into it on her own. Here she got in- and was quite proud of herself- but she was backwards =)
Fun swimming!
Avery and Taz became big buddies
Another day on the beach... lots of playing and digging, without eating one bit of sand. Then we were all sitting and watching Avery when all of a sudden, she looks up mischievously, grabs a huge handful of sand, and LIGHTENING FAST shoved it in her mouth. It was pretty hilarious after we got over the shock. Here we are trying to clean it out/wash it down. HA 
Chasing birds was Avery's favorite activity
Avery's beach fan club 
Avery loved walking and digging in the sand
Aunt Katie was super fun to dig with
Family pic
Granddad's bonding
Ahh... naptime in the shade with Mimi
She had an adorable beach chair just her size... but a little trouble getting into it on her own. Here she got in- and was quite proud of herself- but she was backwards =)
Fun swimming!
Avery and Taz became big buddies
Another day on the beach... lots of playing and digging, without eating one bit of sand. Then we were all sitting and watching Avery when all of a sudden, she looks up mischievously, grabs a huge handful of sand, and LIGHTENING FAST shoved it in her mouth. It was pretty hilarious after we got over the shock. Here we are trying to clean it out/wash it down. HA 
Chasing birds was Avery's favorite activity
Avery's beach fan club 
last birthday pics
Here are a few final birthday pics. Scott and Carla sent a cookie bouquet... Avery decided to take a huge bite from Mickey's ear. YUM
Birthday girl in a birthday suit!
Birthday girl in a birthday suit!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Birthday Video
Here is a (sort of long) video of Avery's birthday events... first playing with Nana and the balloons... then her cake, opening presents at the party... then playing before school when she got wrapped up in the balloon... then opening presents with Daddy on Tuesday. Enjoy!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Birthday Party #1
We had Avery's 1st Birthday party yesterday! So fun! About 20 people came over on this beautiful Saturday afternoon for cake and ice cream. Avery was adorable in her dress and party hat and behaved like a one year old should. She loved her cake, loved her presents, and loved being outside with lots of friends. Here are some pictures!
It was mostly other urology residents and their kids of various ages, plus Bob and Katie, Dave's Mom and Jim, and Susie and the twins =)
lots of water table action
Kitty cat cake!
Happy Birthday to Avery, she was relatively confused.
Yummy cupcake!!
Really great presents too- she is obsessed with her new popper!
The monkey hat is perfect for the zoo
Super fun toy and she can even hide her blankie inside
Belle of the Ball
Mom and Avery
It was mostly other urology residents and their kids of various ages, plus Bob and Katie, Dave's Mom and Jim, and Susie and the twins =)
lots of water table action
Kitty cat cake!
Happy Birthday to Avery, she was relatively confused.
Yummy cupcake!!
Really great presents too- she is obsessed with her new popper!
The monkey hat is perfect for the zoo
Super fun toy and she can even hide her blankie inside
Belle of the Ball
Mom and Avery
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Fun filled week
So, I've realized that Avery would rather be out on an adventure than sitting at home, so we've had a week full of activities! On Wednesday, we checked out the children's museum here in Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. It was nice! She's obviously too little to get a lot of education out of it, but their preschool area had a huge water table and a super fun baby playground, so she had a blast.
Then on Friday, we had a play date with Susie, Grant, and Hunter, and Jess and Kaitlyn. Why didn't I take any pictures?! GRR. We went to Urban Toddler, which is a great play area/store with lots of cool stuff to play with. I had so much fun catching up with the girls, and the kids ran us ragged going from the "market" to the "fire station" to the "theater" to the "art room" to the infant play area. I know that place will be a lifesaver in the winter when we're stuck inside.
Then on Saturday, Dave and I were totally spontaneous and unlike our normal selves by taking Avery to the zoo on a Saturday in the summer like at 1pm. Usually we avoid places like that at their most crowded times, but we thought, "what the heck". The weather was beautiful (like 75 and sunny) and we've been wanting to check out the Toledo Zoo. It was really fun! Toledo is about 45 minutes south of Ann Arbor and we'd heard great things about their zoo. Again, Avery is kind of young to get THAT much out of it, but she seemed to get a big kick out all the animals that moved. I mean, I rhinocerous that is 20 yards away sleeping beside a big rock just looks kind of like a big rock itself, but the lions, giraffes, polar bears, lions, meerkats, seals, monkeys, fish, and birds got a big smile and lots of pointing. And of course she was most fascinated by all of the other kids there =)
This is looking at the lions- big kitties- you know she liked those!
Birds are cool.
Here's a shot with the alpacas for Aunt Katie's benefit. If Aunt Katie ever comes up here to visit, we know where we'll be going!
The polar bears were AWESOME, at least to Dave and me. They were playing like kids! We went underneath to see them jump in the water, and they were chasing a ball and slamming into the glass where everyone was watching them. It was exciting! Avery was a teensy bit freaked out by that =)
Nice giraffes
Getting sleepy
Group shot
We'll definitely be heading back to all of the fun adventure spots we explored this week. Maybe with Nana and Daddy Jim when they come to visit on Wednesday!
Then on Friday, we had a play date with Susie, Grant, and Hunter, and Jess and Kaitlyn. Why didn't I take any pictures?! GRR. We went to Urban Toddler, which is a great play area/store with lots of cool stuff to play with. I had so much fun catching up with the girls, and the kids ran us ragged going from the "market" to the "fire station" to the "theater" to the "art room" to the infant play area. I know that place will be a lifesaver in the winter when we're stuck inside.
Then on Saturday, Dave and I were totally spontaneous and unlike our normal selves by taking Avery to the zoo on a Saturday in the summer like at 1pm. Usually we avoid places like that at their most crowded times, but we thought, "what the heck". The weather was beautiful (like 75 and sunny) and we've been wanting to check out the Toledo Zoo. It was really fun! Toledo is about 45 minutes south of Ann Arbor and we'd heard great things about their zoo. Again, Avery is kind of young to get THAT much out of it, but she seemed to get a big kick out all the animals that moved. I mean, I rhinocerous that is 20 yards away sleeping beside a big rock just looks kind of like a big rock itself, but the lions, giraffes, polar bears, lions, meerkats, seals, monkeys, fish, and birds got a big smile and lots of pointing. And of course she was most fascinated by all of the other kids there =)
This is looking at the lions- big kitties- you know she liked those!
Birds are cool.
Here's a shot with the alpacas for Aunt Katie's benefit. If Aunt Katie ever comes up here to visit, we know where we'll be going!
The polar bears were AWESOME, at least to Dave and me. They were playing like kids! We went underneath to see them jump in the water, and they were chasing a ball and slamming into the glass where everyone was watching them. It was exciting! Avery was a teensy bit freaked out by that =)
Nice giraffes
Getting sleepy
Group shot
We'll definitely be heading back to all of the fun adventure spots we explored this week. Maybe with Nana and Daddy Jim when they come to visit on Wednesday!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Chatting with the cat
I couldn't resist posting this video of Avery chatting with Dawkins. I didn't even get the best part- when she was crouched down face to face with him blabbering away. She's too funny with her stuffed kitty that she carried over to play with him. You can also hear her versions of "kitty" and "this"- the two words she can say besides mama and dada. She was obsessed with getting behind the camera and watching Dawkins through the viewfinder- a budding videographer I guess! Anyway, I think she's a genius and wanted to share =)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Benton Harbor/Saint Joseph, MI
We had fun this past week on Michigan's west side! Dave did the Steelhead Half Ironman in Benton Harbor/Saint Joseph, MI. A half ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a13.1 mile run (which is a half marathon). Crazy eh?! This weekend, it was so windy that the water was too "trecherous," so they replaced the swim with a 2 mile run. So it was technically a "duathlon". The waves were pretty huge, so I was glad they opted on the side of safety and got rid of the swim. He did a great job, along with our friend Chris Brede who came along and did the race as well. It was right on Lake Michigan, on the beach, so Avery and I had fun watching for the guys as they transitioned from event to event and also playing in the sand and people watching. We took the jogging stroller so it was nice to have a place to carry all of our stuff. It was pretty hot so I wanted to have plenty of supplies- sunscreen, drinks, snacks, bathing suits, towels, hats, our sweet $1 Wal-Mart bag of sand toys, etc. Here we are waiting to see Dave finish the bike and go out on the run:
Then we went out to the beach for a while. She had so much playing in the sand, I never even took her down to the water. I didn't want to get her all wet and then have a few more hours to wait, in case it made her more tired or fussy. I was keeping the water in my "back pocket" =) Here she is digging around. See the wind? Also check out her super cute teensy New Balance tennis shoes. 
This was her favorite move- standing and digging with both hands- full force.
Here she is before taking a little mid-race nap. Check out the sleepy eyes.
And then back to the sand, I'm glad I remembered to pick up a shovel and a rake! Especially since she's been shoveling her farm animals around since she's been home. Ha.
Here is Chris, Avery, and Dave after the race. We were so proud- can't you tell by Avery's face?!
The race was on Saturday, which was nice since it gave us Sunday to hang out and relax. We took her down to the water this time - she loved it! She wanted to walk further out and wanted to sit down as the waves would come up. She's very brave =) I know she will have a great time at the beach in Destin later this month.
We're so glad Chris and Allison were there to play with us. Here is a picture of Chris and Avery- they are BIG buddies.
Avery did great at walking on the sand, though it did bring another level of difficulty. She is all over the place these days. My new motto is "Avery, come back!"
I like this pic- she's big into pointing these days. Click on the picture and it zooms in.
Daddy's girl, as usual!
Then we went out to the beach for a while. She had so much playing in the sand, I never even took her down to the water. I didn't want to get her all wet and then have a few more hours to wait, in case it made her more tired or fussy. I was keeping the water in my "back pocket" =) Here she is digging around. See the wind? Also check out her super cute teensy New Balance tennis shoes. 
This was her favorite move- standing and digging with both hands- full force.
Here she is before taking a little mid-race nap. Check out the sleepy eyes.
And then back to the sand, I'm glad I remembered to pick up a shovel and a rake! Especially since she's been shoveling her farm animals around since she's been home. Ha.
Here is Chris, Avery, and Dave after the race. We were so proud- can't you tell by Avery's face?!
The race was on Saturday, which was nice since it gave us Sunday to hang out and relax. We took her down to the water this time - she loved it! She wanted to walk further out and wanted to sit down as the waves would come up. She's very brave =) I know she will have a great time at the beach in Destin later this month.
We're so glad Chris and Allison were there to play with us. Here is a picture of Chris and Avery- they are BIG buddies.
Avery did great at walking on the sand, though it did bring another level of difficulty. She is all over the place these days. My new motto is "Avery, come back!"
I like this pic- she's big into pointing these days. Click on the picture and it zooms in. 
Daddy's girl, as usual!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Sorry I'm late!
We've been so busy the last week or so I haven't had a chance to update the blog! Here's a run down of what we've been up to:
Mom was here and Avery had so much fun showing off all her new tricks. They really hit it off and we can't wait to see Mimi again soon. We went back to art fair with Mom, and Avery was a dream baby, like last time. Here she is snoozing with her leg up in the seat with her, as usual =)
She even let Mom cuddle on her all weekend- she never lets me cuddle her!
It was really fun showing Mimi the water table. 
Then we left for Nashville, Mom going home, and us going to interview again with Urology Associates. The position they need him for would be in Hendersonville, a northern suburb of Nashville, so we wanted to check it out in more detail. It was nice! Let me know if anyone has any thoughts on that part of town- positive or negative. Here we are with a self portrait on the flight. Hmm... I wonder where Avery got her eyes? HA
Then we were back in Ann Arbor for one day before leaving for Indy. I decided Avery really needed a haircut, so she went to the salon for the first time. Here's the before shot:
During (before the meltdown)
And after:
She did pretty well! Definitely screamed bloody murder during a portion of it, but they said it was better than most =) She looks great!
The next day we left for Indianapolis to interview with Urology of Indiana. We stayed with our friends, the Suh's, and Avery had her first co-ed bath. So cute!
She had so much fun playing with Vivian and Beckett, and definitely enjoyed all of their fun toys. I really appreciate being able to stay with them- staying in a house with another 11 month old is WAY easier than being in a hotel! Dave and I got the grand tour of Indy and really liked it. Shoot! We were hoping for an easy decision, but that's definitely not going to happen. Also let me know if you have any thoughts on Indy- more the south side of town in Greenwood, that's where they need Dave.
Anyway, now we're leaving again today for Benton Harbor Michigan, Dave is doing a half ironman tomorrow. Avery has a bit of a cold and we're all super tired from travelling, so wish us luck! Bye for now =)
Mom was here and Avery had so much fun showing off all her new tricks. They really hit it off and we can't wait to see Mimi again soon. We went back to art fair with Mom, and Avery was a dream baby, like last time. Here she is snoozing with her leg up in the seat with her, as usual =)
She even let Mom cuddle on her all weekend- she never lets me cuddle her!
It was really fun showing Mimi the water table. 
Then we left for Nashville, Mom going home, and us going to interview again with Urology Associates. The position they need him for would be in Hendersonville, a northern suburb of Nashville, so we wanted to check it out in more detail. It was nice! Let me know if anyone has any thoughts on that part of town- positive or negative. Here we are with a self portrait on the flight. Hmm... I wonder where Avery got her eyes? HA
Then we were back in Ann Arbor for one day before leaving for Indy. I decided Avery really needed a haircut, so she went to the salon for the first time. Here's the before shot:
During (before the meltdown)
And after:
She did pretty well! Definitely screamed bloody murder during a portion of it, but they said it was better than most =) She looks great!The next day we left for Indianapolis to interview with Urology of Indiana. We stayed with our friends, the Suh's, and Avery had her first co-ed bath. So cute!
She had so much fun playing with Vivian and Beckett, and definitely enjoyed all of their fun toys. I really appreciate being able to stay with them- staying in a house with another 11 month old is WAY easier than being in a hotel! Dave and I got the grand tour of Indy and really liked it. Shoot! We were hoping for an easy decision, but that's definitely not going to happen. Also let me know if you have any thoughts on Indy- more the south side of town in Greenwood, that's where they need Dave.Anyway, now we're leaving again today for Benton Harbor Michigan, Dave is doing a half ironman tomorrow. Avery has a bit of a cold and we're all super tired from travelling, so wish us luck! Bye for now =)
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