What we did today!

We woke up early today & went to the gym. I did about 45 minutes of cardio & something new that our boot camp instructor has taught us that I just love. You basically push the treadmill without it being on while at a 3 incline. It is such an intense moment for me as it really builds my heart rate & makes me sweat! I have been trying it alot lately because I have found I am burning TONS of calories. In between some of my weight lifting I will do this & it's great to get my heart rate up... try it!

After the gym we took a long nap. It was so nice. I just layed with Avery & held her thanking God for an amazing year of life with her. It's so neat to just lay there & stare at them & think of how perfectly they were created. I saw the little peach fuzz on her ear & just giggled about how perfect even that was! AW!

This afternoon we made our way to Melissa's house to see baby Grayson! They are doing perfect. Momma looks fabulous, & Grayson is beyond perfect. His little face is breathtaking & his lips are to die for! I love spending time with Melissa & getting to see her as a new Mommy. She is totally cut out for this. It's so neat to think that last year she was holding my new born & now I was holding hers today & she was running around with Avery around her house. So special... I didn't catch any pictures but will the next time I am there sometime over the weekend.

Us last year a year ago with Avery:

This year with Grayson:


Chad & I have really been trying to have a healthier lifestyle here lately. I am so excited because today he got a gym membership with me so he is going to start attending classes with me. We are going to get in shape together! Tonight he grilled chicken for us & we had veggies with it. Avery enjoyed eating what we had as well. She just LOVES chicken!

Avery's little plate!

Sweet hands!


We say, "Where's Avery"... & she covers her eyes!

Momma & Daddy's meal!

Finally, the day ended with laundry. Ave enjoyed going through all of my clean laundry & throwing it on the floor. I finally put her up in the basket & let her sort through it with me. I am having so much fun these days with her. She is getting so big & having the most fun personality. I love just watching her play & enjoy snooping around the house!



Besides the gym, visiting friends, laundry, & dinner... I have been slowly trying to get her Birthday stuff together. I am very embarrassed at what you are about to see. This isn't the 1/2 of it. The rest is in the garage in a box! I have all kinds of things to do to get ready for this & am making a trip to a local shop Friday to cut out all of her extra little goodies that you will later see! I want DETAIL! I am a party planner at heart. I love this kind of thing & to have an excuse to do something fun- WHY NOT? She only turns 1, once! Not to mention I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS look for a deal & have even started as far back as 6 months ago purchasing some of this. So it's slowly been adding up!

I am excited to focus her party around bright colors of course that match her room, but also around this cute little zebra! I want little baby splashes of zebra throughout the party!

By the way, is my niece not perfect? She is just adorable & had her 9 months pictures taken & I had to share one. I want to pinch her!!!! SO CUTE!!! Our family is so blessed!

Rainbow Tuesday!

Today was another beautiful day! I enjoyed the morning at my parents house. They needed some help while someone installed a few things so we hung out & enjoyed being away from all the noise in town. It is so relaxing! Ave ate outside & had such a beautiful view of the lake. We were being silly! She had food ALL over her head!





My mom watched Avery while I taught a class this afternoon so before she came over I had her dressed up so cute, (we don't normally "play" in bows, promise), & had to snap some pictures of her playing in my magazine rack. She loves this thing to pieces & everyday gets a kick out of pulling things out of it. I just let her & reload it back up. It's so cute watching her play with it. She is so enthused by the smallest things. It is so neat watching her learn, play, & grow. I love how interested she is in EVERYTHING! The last picture cracks me up because she was OVER me taking pictures of her & gave me these "eyes" along with her little runny nose!





This evening I taught a Body Pump class & after I got home I saw this beautiful rainbow. It rained so bad for several hours. This rainbow was just beautiful & makes you realize that the Lord is so real when you see things like this.

I forgot to post some adorable pictures of my baby girl 12 days before her 1st Birthday after church on Sunday at my parents house. She was looking so beautiful in this adorable dress that our friends up North sent to Avery for her baby shower. I was so tickled when she finally fit into it. It's just precious!

GIVEAWAY!

UPDATE: They have extended the contest to Friday June 4th!

Okay so I already did a post today on our fun day at the pool, but my husband is BEGGING me to do another post on this final backyard makeover.We are in need of 200 more votes to win. I BEG you to have your co-workers, friends, family, anyone vote! We will get this huge dream come true!!!

Now I don't want to seem as if I am bribing you but I do feel that if you are gracious enough to take the time to do this for me, that the polite thing to do is to give you a chance to win a little treat!

Please leave me a note & let me know you voted & I am going to do a giveaway for a $25.00 gift card to Chili's! I will do the drawing by the end of the week & get the winners information!


Here is what I need you to do:

STEPS:
1.) Click on link to go to the website
http://knwa.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=16716&s=3531427&i=1&r=448612
2.) Register (it's very fast & easy)
3.) Click on the VOTE TAB & look for our house with subject line, "In need of a patio" & then click, "VOTE".

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Avery's 1st time at the POOL!

It's POOL TIME! I am loving it. I remember last year wishing I could take her to the pool but she was so tiny & young. This year, it's on baby!

Today was Avery's 1st time in the pool! Our pool finally opened so today we enjoyed a day of play time in the sun. My sweet friend Alyssa came to enjoy some sun too! I lathered her up with 100 proof baby sun screen, a hat, a cover up, swimsuit & we headed out the door. We live down the street from the pool it's in our neighborhood, so we just packed the pack n play & some toys & put her out of the sun when we weren't swimming. It was the PERFECT day!

















Also, I have had some VERY sweet e-mails from friends asking about my gilrfriend Melissa & her baby. They are doing fabulous & thinks couldn't be more perfect! I got to see them yesterday & will be seeing her again tomorrow so I will let her know you all have been praying for them. It means a lot!

PICTURE overload- RECAP!

SO much has been going on lately. I have been keeping myself super busy & away from the computer. I have to say it's been nice. I hate getting consumed with this everyday & loosing my focus on day to day "life"! With that, I am SO sorry for the enourmous break, but I want to thank you all for your sweet comments. All is wonderful with us, just livin' this busy fun-filled life & preparing for Avery's Birthday which is in 12 days! UNBELIEVABLE!

Okay so here are TONS of updates & pictures! My family has been deseperately wondering where I have been & want updates, ASAP! So here is my life the past week!

Between friends having babies, me teaching classes a ton, & being super busy with my little gal- I decided it was time to throw a girls night in the mix!













So, what has Avery been up to?

Ave has been enjoying being a big girl & eating all kinds of goodies- and making huge messes of course too! This past week she wasn't feeling well so we went to the doctor & found out she has allergies & a slight ear infection. We have been treating it with allegra & she seems to be doing much better. I had a long talk with the doctor on introducing her all kinds of foods... maybe this was a big mistake? BYEBYE baby food, hello big girl!







My girlfriend Kim turned 30 this past week! We enjoyed a nice dinner date out of town at this little quaint restaurant with some of her closest friends. It was just perfect!











Another thing keeping me super busy lately is preparing for my big Garage Sale! SUCCESS! I made some good money & sold some junk. I needed to clean out this house! We all had a blast. My 2 sister in law's & friend Alyssa all did the sale together. The kids had a lemonade stand & us adults had fun laughing & enjoying the morning/afternoon!

This guy was SO SO SO nice & made us girls laugh! He was my best customer & was excited to have his picture made with one of the items he bought. I can't wait to go visit him at his wing place! He promised us some free wings!

Mamee watched the babies all day for us Mommies!



I almost sold this little guy in the garage sale. He is getting a little out of hand lately. Maybe because he is jealous of Avery? He barks at everything. He is my little guard dog & freaks when he see's or hears the slightest noise. People walking their dogs run from him because he will growl & scare them off. He is small but can be mean. Don't let the cute little "in the bag" picture fool you. I couldn't find him & had to snap a picture. He curled up in this bag & it made me smile. I didn't sale him, but boy I want to some days.


So I am a little camera happy lately. I won't lie! I just love my new camera & can't stop this addiction! My Avery is turning 1 in 12 days.. I can't stop snapping pictures before she officially turns ONE!











We have really enjoyed the park here lately too! We love walking, getting outside, & smelling the fresh air. Being with my husband & Avery is medicine for this soul!









And speaking of pictures, I am by no means into "photography" & would never have the patience to do it for a living, but LOVE LOVE LOVE taking pictures on my new camera; but only for FUN! These are a few pictures I have taken here recently! I think capturing the most simple things turn out to be beautiful!








I hope each of you are doing very well. Thanks again for stopping by & checking in. I promise to keep you posted on some fun new changes going on!!!!!