Family Fun Day

We had a family day today and went to the mall in Grapevine. Luke tries to take one day off during the week since he works on Sundays. It was a lot of fun! Avery loves shopping. We went to eat, shopped for some fall clothes, and let Avery ride the carousel with Luke. We also ran into a NFL player while there which made Luke's day. He says the carousel with Avery actually made his day...so sweet. It was a good day!

All ready to go...watching Dora.
Giving the big elephant a hug
She wanted every toy in store
Looking at the fish
Riding the carousel with daddy
So sweet
Looking at the alligator in front of the Rainforest Cafe
I thought she might be scared when it roared, but she laughed
Luke, Avery, and Chad Johnson. ( top 5 NFL receiver)

Play

We went to all 3 services at Richland Hills Church this morning for a blessing/commissioning for Venture(the new church plant.) We had to go on stage for each service and Avery did great. The best part for her was the play time in between services. The church has an awesome play area. I decided that I could take her up the big kid play tower, which is huge by the way. She enjoyed it till about the middle and then got a little scared so I had to climb it while holding her the rest of the way! Won't try that again, that's a Daddy job. :) It was a fun day! We are blessed to be a part of such a great church.

Climbing on the slide
Playing with her buddy, Avery Kate

She looked so big walking around :(
"Peek-a-boo!"
When got to the end of the this huge slide, Avery was a little scared. Hence the half smile, half cry.
Climbing with mommy


"Hi Daddy!"

Story of my life...trying to keep up with this little girl!

TEXAS

Our little UT fan was showing her team spirit yesterday! We love some UT football games arond here.

Girls Just Want To Shop!

I've trained this girl well! She loves to shop with mommy! We went shopping all day today while daddy was in Abilene at the ACU lectures. The mall, Old Navy, Ulta, Kid to Kid, and TJ Max all in one day. We went from 9:30 to 3:30 and Avery was so good. (with no nap by the way) She just rode in her stroller and waved at people passing by. We went out looking for shoes for her because all of the sudden her shoes aren't fitting anymore. I mean seriously, we just got new shoes for her birthday and it's like her feet grew a whole size over night.I can't believe that! Of course we didn't find what we were looking for, but some other goodies instead. I am teaching Avery how to bargain shop; it's more exciting when you can get a lot for cheap. We spend all day, $40 and got lots of fall clothes and socks for Avery. When we got home she was still in shopping mode and has been carrying around this bag all afternoon. She will NOT part with it and screams if she thinks I might take it. She is finding all kinds of things to put in it and carry it around. Shopping practice I guess. :) Daddy is going to have his hands full and his wallet empty with this girl. Ha!So excited about my shopping bag
On a mission
Adding some more items to her loot
"Let me see, what do I have in here?"

Halloween Sneak Peek...

Avery and I went out today and picked out her costume for Halloween. All the stores started selling out of them already so I figured we better. I begged Luke to let her be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader for Halloween. I found the costume and everything; it was so cute(not the skimpy things they wear) He refused...guess I better get used to that. He loves the cowboys so I thought he would naturally love my idea, not so much. He rarely ever refuses on anything, in fact I can't even remember when he has. Oh well, I found a super cute costume that is Daddy approved. Avery helped pick it out too. I won't show you pics yet cause it will spoil the surprise. Just think, my little lady in black and red... have a guess?? Can't wait till Halloween! I was just looking at her picture from last year when I was going through fall stuff. Brought a tear to my eye. It seems like last week she was in her pumpkin costume. Babies grow up way too fast!

Sweet Friends an Prayer Requests

Avery is so blessed to have so many sweet baby friends to grow up with! Our good friends, the Jordans, who also go to Venture with us, are expecting their second little boy this fall. Casen, their oldest boy is Avery's little friend; he is the sweetest little thing ever. I think we might have to have an arranged marriage for Avery and Casen. ;) I am asking for prayers for this sweet family, they found out last week at a doctor's appt. that the unborn baby, Liam, has fluid on his brain, also known as hydrocephalus. Please, please pray for Liam and his mommy, daddy, and big brother. I can only imagine the heartache they are going through. God is good and I know He will see them through this. The God who so carefully knit Liam together in his mother's womb has a plan for his life. You can follow their story from Leah's blog link on the right of my blog. Please remember this family in your prayers!!

Casen, Avery and Casen's mommy, Leah, looking at the ducks.
Avery with her friends Avery Kate and Casen.

Today was a big day. A very special little girl turned 13 months old! I can't believe that. Where is the time going?? She just gets more adorable and more fun every day. I also started a new job today. I have not been working at all for the last year and have LOVED that. I decided to go back to work as a NICU nurse just one day a week. I think it will be good for me to keep up with my nursing skills and good for Luke and Avery to get to spend some special time together( he is keeping her on the days that I work) It is such a blessing that Luke can stay home with her and that I have the flexibility with my job to work once a week. It was a great first day back and good for me to meet some new people. I was dying to see this little girl when I got home though! It was the longest I have ever been away from her. She did great and loved playing with Daddy all day. I just ate her up when I came home and gave her probably a million kisses. I brought home a present for her for being such a big girl and she was thrilled.

So happy about her new purse!

Checking out the goodies.

I seriously could eat this girl up with a spoon!

Laura and Blaine got engaged!!

My sister got engaged! Woo Hoo! We went down to Abilene on Saturday for the big event. She had no idea and just thought we were there to visit. Blaine had "Laura, will you marry me?" on the marquee at the Paramount movie theatre in downtown Abilene. It was really sweet; we were all hiding and came out after he had popped the question. The ring is so pretty!! I am so happy for them, I can't believe my baby sister is getting married! I think I know a certain little cutie pie that is pumped about being a flower girl next summer. :) Love you Laura and I am so happy for you and Blaine.