Avery's 1st Birthday

Today couldn't have been more perfect. It was such a special day for us from the time Avery woke up this morning. I started off the day by singing Happy Birthday to her. She loved it so I kept singing it over & over again. I would say, "1" & she would hold her finger up. It was so stinkin' cute.




We started off the morning with a nice breakfast. I made her pancakes with a little butter & a tad bit of syrup. She loved it! She dove in & made a sticky mess but it was so much fun to watch her lick her fingers & enjoy every single bite!







I got her dressed in her cute little Birthday outfit that the Stafford's gave her & took a few pictures of her before we headed out for the afternoon.






My friend Alyssa came with us & helped me get a bunch of fun pictures! She is the best! We headed to the square in our town that is just beautiful at this time of the year. We took several pictures together there. Avery couldn't seem to get enough of these balloons...






















We made our way to the "Kupcake" store! This is where the fun began! I had to capture EVERY SINGLE second of this little adventure so enjoy all the fun pictures of my little "cupcake" in action. The sweetest thing about this was on her first bite she said, "MMM"...

Let's just say after the sweets she was wired for a bit & then once the sugar high wore off she got fussy!

























She got in a better mood when family arrived for the evening. I had a cute little table with the cupcakes for this evening although we didn't share one with Ave since she had already had one. Sorry cutie! The family enjoyed pizza & cupcakes & playing with Avery on her special day. We filmed everything so I can't wait to see it on video!











Today was so special but I can hardly wait for her big party on Saturday. She will get all of her presents from us & the family there! I have been working so hard on it day & night. It's going to be fun. I have alot to do tomorrow & have a full agenda so I am getting up early to run all my errands. Let the fun begin! Be back Saturday for some more Birthday fun pictures! Thanks for all of the sweet Birthday wishes to my little DIVA... it means the world to me!

Happy Birthday, AVERY!!!!!

Happy Birthday Avery!



... Stay tuned for more fun pictures of our fabulous 1st Birthday!

A year ago today

A year ago exactly today I was spending the entire day relaxing anticipating the arrival of my Avery. I remember it like it was yesterday. I woke up so calm & just layed in bed with a huge grin on my face thinking about how I couldn't wait to see my baby girls beautiful face. I remember holding my belly & feeling her hiccup throughout the day & push around in my belly almost as if she knew she was about to arrive in this precious world. I stayed in bed for several hours just watching my favorite shows. I did a little nesting that day & cleaned making sure everything was ready for us to bring her home. Finally I got a nice warm bath & got cleaned up & ready to go & Chad picked me up. He filmed us leaving the house; watching it brings tears to my eyes. We left around 5pm to go to the hospital but dropped into McAlisters for a nice dinner before. We checked in the hospital at 8pm & were ready to see our baby girl; she arrived the next morning on June 3rd at 9:59am.


It's hard for me to believe that a year of life has past by before my eyes. I don't even have words to express the love in my heart that I have for Avery. She is my everything. I feel so truly blessed that God has given me the ability to stay home with her full time; wake up to her every morning, put her down for naps, feed her every meal, sing to her, teach her new things, run with Mommy, play... it's been so amazing & like nothing I ever experienced. I don't go a day without thanking Him for this job.

This morning just like a year ago, I woke up around the same time but this time to a sweet adorable little face. She was so precious & perfect in so many ways especially today as I was reminded of last year during this time. I cried for about an hour, all through my shower, & 1/2 way through my make-up & then figured I better stop or else I wouldn't get the mascara on, ha! She looked at me like I was nuts, & I just kept telling her how special she was squeezing her SO tight! I realized today that she has my chin. It just made me cry even more. I love it!



So here we are today, having the most perfect day the day before her 1st Birthday! I can't wait until tomorrow I have some fun things planned with just her! A cupcake is involved so we shall see how that turns out! =)


Mommy loves you Avery. You are the most precious gift from God to your Daddy & I. Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives & finally making our lives complete. Until your Birthday...

Memorial Weekend- Part 2

Sunday evening we celebrated my brother's 31st Birthday at my parents house on the lake. Us girls enjoyed some shopping in the afternoon while the guys fished. We made our way back to my parents to grill! Anyone that knows my brother knows that he loves fishing & hunting. Tiffany had this cake made & it couldn't have been more perfect!






We had some delicious food for his Birthday. We enjoyed steaks, baked potatoes with sea salt-(the best), asparagus, salad, & yummy Rick's Bakery cake! Oh, & of course our family secret punch! We are serving at Avery's party Saturday too!





Some pictures of our evening together as a family...





















So the evening ended hilariously! We were all on the dock enjoying Aaron's Birthday dinner when Tiffany (his wife) took off her favorite ring that our friend Melissa gave her & it flew off her finger right into the water. Let the pictures do the talking...

We were really enjoying our steaks & the night air...

When Tiffany & my brother took off running to the bottom of the dock- check out her sad face...

Aaron tried to "fish" around for it with one of his fishing poles...

...No luck so he took his shirt off...

The guys came down from dinner to hold his feet, it was kind of deep!

And under he goes to capture this ring!!!

The ring... finally! Tiffany's favorite ring was saved!

We all died laughing and had a kick out of it the rest of the evening. I am sure people heard us across the lake & were wondering what the heck went down!

Needless to say, we had a great Birthday celebration that evening. Happy 31st Aaron! I love you brother!