What a Weekend!

To begin this post I would like to thank all past, present and future Presidents for the day off from work. A three day weekend is glorious! On that note, I would appreciate all days off from work that we reflect, thank and/or honor something or someone (i.e. MLK, Columbus Day).  I'll start my letter to Obama after this post.

A three day weekend meant a lot of wonderful friend and family time. Saturday started off with a dress-up session for me and Avers.

My mom's good friend, Cathy Cunningham, bought Avery the cute headband and amazing tutu! The dress-up session should really be called a fashion show, because we took those accessories right off the runway and into the real world!

Next up was a trip to Barnes & Noble.  I still had a gift card from Christmas that I was looking forward to using on some non-baby related books.  We ended up with four between Jeff and I.  Who knew Greg Graffin was not only a professor at UCLA, but an author as well?!  Not me!  Anyways, since Avery's bedtime is 6:30 p.m. I can get back into one of my favorite pastimes...reading!  First up is A Walk in the Woods, a NY Times Bestseller.  After B&N we went to Verizon to get cases for our new iPhones (yay smart phone!).  Even though Avery can't read yet and doesn't quite appreciate Words with Friends, she enjoyed herself on the trip and flashed us a few smiles...

We had our good friends, the Vanderveens, over for pizza Saturday night and despite Avery accidentally confiscating Will's elephant, it was a great night.  Will, John and Erin's 18 month old son, loves to bro-rock people instead of the traditional wave, high-five, hand shake or blowing of kisses.  He loves it so much that even Belle got a few bro-rocks thrown her way!

Belle in all her glory.  Love that cat!

Sunday morning was spent in UTC helping put together Jeff's new office (yay Jeff!) with GranCin and Grandpa Wayne.  In between hammering some nails and eyeballing the level of pictures, Avery took a nice nap in GramCin's arms and got in some good play time on the floor.

Note: Two elephants!

Sunday afternoon through Monday morning were spent at Grandma and Grandpa Manzi's house for a long overdue visit (and sleepover) with them and special guests Uncle Bren and Auntie Michel!

Grandpa Time!

A neighborhood stroll before dinner!

Kisses for Auntie Michel!

A great top-off to the visit was Avery rolling over all by herself!!  Such a monumental milestone for our baby girl!  We got it on video, so check out my mom's facebook page if you want your heart to smile.  :-)  Also on video is Avery doing one of the things she loves most...squats!

The rest of Monday was a quiet family day just the three of us.  We relaxed, rolled over some more (well, just Avery really) and went on a nice long walk.  Perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Funny picture time!

In the words of my Grandpa Manzi, "Chunk a Cheek"

Well on her way...

to sitting up...

rolling over...

and having good chats with Mom and Dad!

Jeff and I make a point to relish each day throughout all her stages, because she is growing up so fast and, stating the obvious here, will never be a baby again.  It boggles my mind to think that just over 4.5 months ago she was a tiny little peanut we brought home from the hospital...

and now she's a little girl pondering the meaning of life!

Funny picture time!

Not sure how I feel about this whole "bath thing."