Bath Time

Remember when Evan hated bath time?

Remember when you had to bathe him with one hand because he was too small for the tub?

Now he loves his baths. He totally kicks his legs and splashes around.

And he fills out the whole tub.

Mmmmm...clean, snuggly baby.

"the frog"

Banana Phone

While grocery shopping, I will hand Avery a banana and say, "banana phone".

She takes it and talks on the banana phone.

I think it's funny.

Big Sister

Lately, Avery wants to "ol" Evan. She will put her arms out and say "ol?"

The she looks around all proud.

One day while I was feeding Evan, she came over to me and put her mouth on my knee like she was drinking. She looked up and said "aaaahhhh!" (just like Jimi taught her to do when she gets done taking a drink).

This video cracks me up. It pretty much summarizes how Avery felt about Evan the first few days. She really wants to care about the new little bundle, but Backyardigans is on. She's so conflicted.

Christmas!

Christmas Eve:

Building a tower with Uncle Lance

Avery got to sit at the kids' table for dinner. She has some cool cousins!

The traditional Christmas jammies...

Grandma made Avery a cozy blanket and pillow.

Time for bed!

Christmas Morning:

Avery's dream came true.

Her cabbage patch's name is Berneice.

Kind of cute since it is her great grandma's name, but that is no name for a dolly.

She also got a kitchen, complete with a handmade apron.

She is so spoiled! What a fun day.

Here she is first thing in the morning, minutes after waking up.

It was so fun to watch her.

Nursery

Today was Avery's first day of nursery. I was more than ready to be free of a restless toddler during sunday school and relief society. Plus I only have 2 more months of attending class child free.

I took her to the nursery room and walked in with her. Puzzles were laid out, so I ushered her to them, turned around, and walked out. She started to follow me, but Amanda swept in and kept her distracted. I peaked in on her and she was totally happy! I hummed around the hallway for a few minutes, then slunk off to sunday school.

Before relief society, I went back to see how it was going. She was rocking a dolly, feeding it a bottle, and wrapping it up in a blanky. I just started crying. I can't believe how big and sweet she is.

H is for Happiness

...and happiness is the West Desert

... dogs and kids are suddenly happier than ever while in the West Desert.

...squealing with delight, prancing around, tongues lolling out...

...running around aimlessly,

raggy-muffins playing in the dirt, glorious dirt... (who is her mother? why doesn't she do something with that hair?)

...finding a water "hole". I'm not so sure they were supposed to be digging this hole, but at least they were able to quench their thirst after all that frolicking.

...the culprits fleeing the scene.

It is a favorite place for us to be.

The Kelvingtons were there, but since they have their own blog now, I guess I didn't feel compelled to document their existence. (Woo hoo for both husbands' extended days off!)

A Haiku

Sunday afternoon

dinner at the Kelvingtons

cousins hanging out

You Are in Luck

If you are a big fan of blogs updated daily, you are in luck. Jimi had to go to Toronto again, so I will be updating once, maybe twice daily until he gets back.

Today I put Avery down for a nap and the little darling didn't wake up for 4 hours!

She has the bed-head to prove it.

But before the marathon nap, she was blowing spit bubbles. Whenever she does this it cracks me up. Eventually it leads to a spit beard. I especially like it when she does it in public, like at the grocery store or Target.

It is always accompanied by that noise. I guess it makes for better bubbles.

Playing With Calvie

Here's a sweet little video of Avery and Calvin playing blocks.

Girls

I am home now, but I have one last Fallon post.

All the little girls being read a book (sans Avery)

On Sunday, the little girls put on an impromptu talent show. Abbey sang a song about peanut butter and jelly

Mylie sang a song about ducks

Morgan "wrote a talk" and passed it around for us all to read

Kailyn made up and told us a story about a princess

Ashley sang us a song (complete with an original tune and lyrics)

there were "the biggest splits in the world"

and the finale was a dance to show "everyone did a good job".

Then Ashley the MC informed us that it was the adult's turn. Grandpa broke out the harmonica, and the little boys didn't look back.

On Monday, Grandma took all the little girls and had a tea party while the big girls were treated to a pedicure from Mary.

I was drooling in my chair.

Boys

The girls outnumber the boys 3 to 1 of the grandchildren. Here is the newest little addition, Kim and Aaron's Dallin. He is so cute and teeny weeny!

These are the other two rebel rousers. They are so funny! Wyatt (the blond) enters the room stomping on a toy or giving an indian burn. I told him every time he "beats me up" he gets a hug and a kiss.

It is so funny to see how different boys are than girls. I don't know what these two are (fake) laughing at in this video, but it sounds hilarious.

Stuff, Stuff, and Stuff

Grandma Larsen has this bear in her back yard.

Avery was afraid of it for about an hour. She wouldn't touch it and shuttered when we set it near her. Eventually she warmed up to it though. See? It's nice.

on the way to St. George...

Ok, you two...I'll turn this car around right now. I will. I'll do it.

On Sunday, Avery discovered how cushy this blanket is. She kept falling back and rolling around in it.

She is wicked fast at climbing the stairs. Usually she waits at the bottom for me to come chase her, then squeals as she climbs up. It's a game we play.

This is her saying "Piper" and dancing.

And some other tid bits...

Her comfort item is hair. She loves to twirl my hair or her hair, or anyone's hair who is holding her. She has to wrap her arms around my neck to reach, so it's a win-win situation.

Over the past couple of days, we have welcomed 3 new molars to the world, and there is 1 more trying to make it's way through.

Happy Birthday Avery!

One year ago, Avery popped her little head out of my kangaroo pouch (via c-section of course).

She used to get so worked up about things. But she has gotten used to the idea of life out here in the harsh, cruel world.

Now next to nothing bothers her. She is the happiest, most easy going baby. She loves being out and about. The only thing that she hates is getting her clothes changed and applesauce.

Life is so much more fun with Avery in our family.

grocery shopping

putting on chapstick

tongue clicking

Christmas

camping

filling the dishwasher while she simultaneously empties the silverware onto the floor

mornings

cartoons

making dinner

being followed around while I vacuum

bath time

birthdays

Her birthday party was so much fun. It was the perfect day (sans being locked out of my house for a couple of hours after church...although lunch and air conditioning at the Weedman's was quite lovely).

I didn't want it to end. I kept the poor eye-rubbing child up past her bedtime just to prolong the day. sigh.

I bought some dollar store decorations and had them all put up the night before. Of course when Piper came down in the morning to go outside, I had to coax her through the scary gauntlet of pink flowers and hangely-do's.

She totally went for it when presented with her own cupcake. She is definitely a double-fister when it comes to eating.

Today at her 1 year well check, she weighed 22 pounds. She hasn't gained an inch since her last check. So keep shoveling it in, Avery!

Jamie and Andy gave her a super cute dress, which she tossed over her head.

She got a book (you're 1 now, time to start learning them ABC's),

and puzzle/blocks. Trust me, she liked it. This sneer is not disdain for lame presents. I promise she woke up and played with them all day today.

But the biggest and best surprise of the day is she just up and walked. Squack on her birthday, in the middle of her party she up and walked. It was so cool. I love her!

Notice how she shrugs off help from Jamie? She was so proud of herself and didn't want/need any help from us, thank you very much.

Then we headed down to the park to play around.

I should have known she was not going to stay dry. I eventually took of her cute party dress and let her play for real. I don't know why that cold water doesn't bother her. I can barely put a toe in it.

The three of them are probably discussing how good dinner was.

I found a Rachel Ray recipe of Mack and Cheese Florentine and Chicken Meatballs that you simply must try. It's a hit with the adults as well as a self feeding finger food 1 year old. Spinach and all.

I think she knew today was her birthday because she was a little bit more sassy and independent than usual.

Jamie's belly.

We tried to get an angle that really showed the volume and mass going on in there.

That's Jimi's birthday present in the background.

More on that later.

When I said it was the perfect day, I meant it. Even the sky produced a rainbow, especially for the birthday girl.

Then we walked laps around the water rainbow until she was good and dry.

Avery's the best.

I mean it.

I love her so dang much.