Birthday Girl

My baby girl turned 2 years old on September 29th.  At the time she was loving some Micky Mouse Clubhouse (what 2 year old doesn't).  Insert "hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog" into your head- you're welcome!!!  So we went with a Minnie Mouse theme to celebrate.

Custom Cakes by Natalie- you cannot go wrong!!

My 1st time using a Cricut- go me!!

Gigi brought her tumble toys for our guests to enjoy

My lil Minnie

Even though we asked for no gifts- home girl racked up!

For the past two years I've asked our guests to bring donations for the Ronald McDonald House.  Once again we were able to deliver a truck full of house hold supplies and snacks for the families who are staying there while they have sick children at Brenner's Children's Hospital.  I hope to find an equally rewarding place to let Addison be a part of at her birthday celebrations.

And of course we had to visit the big man himself- Ronald :) She was much better with him this year than last. 

2013 visit to Ronald McDonald House

2012 visit to Ronald McDonald House

2 years of Avery Rae

Summer Vacay 2013

Well I packed up everything but the kitchen sink and we heading East to Swansboro for our annual beach vacation at Joe's parents house.  They live on the water in a small town right outside of Emerald Isle.  The smell of the ocean and the breeze is therapeutic. Of course the day we packed up to leave Avery woke up with a snotty nose and acted a little fussy most of the day, so I was crossing my fingers that she wouldn't be sick on vacation and that it was only teething.  Do we EVER really know what's wrong with out young kids?  Allergy, cold, virus, teething, upset stomach??  That is so frustrating and I feel so badly for her because she still can't tell me what hurts.  To make matter worse I kept her awake all day so she'd sleep in the car.  Homegirl was passed out before we even pulled out of the driveway.

Anyway, back to vacay!!

When we got in town Friday night we stayed at Joe's brother's house.  My other brother-in-law and his wife's family were staying at my MILs house for the weekend, so there was no more room at the inn for us.  It was good to spend some time with my youngest nephew, Jamison.  I swear he has doubled in size since I last say him.  He is the cutest little chub chub and so good. Avery of coursed loved holding "her baby" as any 21 month old girl would.  The next day we went to Mimi's house to visit with the whole family.  This is only the 2nd time all three of the kids have been together. So of course we had to snap a gazillion pictures.

Of course hitting the beach was top on my list the first day we were there. This our view as we head down the boat.  Not bad eh?

Avery LOVEed loved the water, eating sand, boats, and sea shells.

Joe's parents still own a lot in the beautiful neighborhood called Cannons Gate, so we went to the pool over there a couple of days that week as well.  She was a little timid in the water, but loved playing on the steps.  We will definitely be needing some swim lessons this winter.

More to come--- my computer is acting crazy, so I needed to publish before I lost it all

I can't stand it...

...she's just so darn adorable :) 

21 months

3 more months until birthday #2.  Didn't we just celebrate her 1st birthday?  My goodness.

I've been a "stay at home mama" for the past couple weeks now and I've loved every minute of it.  We play, shop, go to the gym, and snuggle (when she lets me).

Here are a few snapshots of our summer so far.. 

Playing with Laila in the pool

yellow polka dot bikini

slide!!!!

swing :) 

Holding my 1st baby, cousin Brayden

Pool time with Brayden

Ok back to being 21 months old.  

~ Sleeps 7:30pm-7:00am most days

~Take one 2-hour nap during the day

~ LOVES the pool and lake.  We are going to the beach next week and I'm sure she will LOVE that too. 

~ Favorite foods right now are: blueberry eggo waffles, hot dogs, fruit snacks (this list is sounding so healthy right?) strawberries, black beans, hummus and ketchup (yes that's a food in our house). 

~Talks, talks, talks... The girl repeats everything and speaks her own phrases.  Our favorite right now is, "I;m doing it!" 

~LOVES her iPad.  

~Taken a new interest in Minnie Mouse, but still loves Elmo. 

~Time-Outs are occurring more often.  Little lady likes to hit her mama and sometimes pushes down her cousin Laila.  Please let this just be a phase. 

20 Months!!!

Fun Facts @ 20 months old...

~ Weight: 23lbs 7oz (53%tile)

~ New interest in Minnie Mouse.  "Me Mouse" 

~ Want to dip anything/everything in ketchup or salsa.  And by dip I really mean just eat handfuls of the actual dip.

~ Does not like watermelon. 

~ Says several two and three word phrases. 

~ Still sleeps like a champ.  One nap a day about 2 hours.  Sleeps approximately  from 7pm-7am.

~ Taking first ever antibiotics for possible sinus infection. 

~ LOVES the swimming pool.  Jumped off the side into me. FEARLESS

Last, but not least...

~ Mommy has less than two weeks left of work before she's home with her baby girl ALL summer :)

Memorial Day Weekend

Thursday morning Daddy left for a wedding up north in Delaware.  He was out of town until late Sunday night.  This was the longest he's been away from us since Avery was born.  We all missed him, but I'm sure he was livin' it up child and wife free :)

On Friday we went to dinner with my family in Kernersville.  My aunt just celebrated her 25+25 birthday, so we thought she needed to be embarrassed with a Spanish version of "Happy Birthday" and an awesome sombrero.  Avery was not a huge fan of the hat.  

She was however a huge fan of the salsa.  And by huge fan I mean handfuls of salsa in the mouth.  No need to chips here people, those are unneeded calories.

Saturday we packed up everything but the kitchen sink and headed to Lake Norman.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL, dare I say, PERFECT.  We hardly ever hang out on the top deck on my parents dock because it's always too hot.  Well this weekend was perfect to be up there.  The even more perfect part about being up there is it's all gated, so the kids could play and we didn't have to watch them 100% of the time, only 99.9%.   The amazing thing to think about is this time next year there will be a house on the lot, so we won't have to drive home each night.  AND most importantly there will be a BATHROOM (sorry TMI).  Saturday afternoon we have a shrimp boil. Avery thought the shrimp and kielbasa were delicious.  OR maybe she liked the cocktail sauce and anything and everything she dipped into it.  Either way how stinkin' cute is the face covered in cocktail sauce.

serious cuteness!!!

On Sunday we headed back to the Lazy 5 Ranch.  This time Grammy, Christopher and Aunt Toni went with us.  Aunt Daisy and Grayson came from Charlotte to meet us.

On Monday we headed back to the lake WITH DADDY!!!  We had another beautiful day of fun in the sun.  Then of course Tuesday came and we headed back to work... boo!!