"I love..."

"JUUUUIICCCEEE!"

Yes, it's true. The first time my daughter said the word "love" it was in regards to apple juice. If it wasn't so crazy hilarious I would have been seriously offended.  

Avery drinks milk or water 90% of the time. It's only when we eat out, go to party or have a treat with Grandma and Papa that Avery is allowed to indulge her apparent love for the sweet juice.  

For a treat one night after dinner last week we gave her a small cup of apple juice. She took one sip, looked up as if she saw Santa Claus and Elmo walking though the front door and screamed "I LOOOVE JJJUUUIIICCCEEE!" 

Never once has she said anything like this, so her extremely enthusiastic "love" reference had us rolling on the floor.  

You know what else has us rolling on the floor? Avery's mad jump roping skills. 

FVT

Coronado

Have I ever mentioned how lucky I feel to have such generous, loving, fun and active in-laws?  Well, if I haven't, here it goes..."I feel so lucky to have such generous, loving, fun and active in-laws!"

Jeff's parents took the family to Coronado for the weekend.  It was a perfect mini-staycay and I know we all wish we could still be there.  We spent hours in the pool, hanging out, eating good food, going on walks and exploring the hotel.  The cherry on top was Uncle Fred, Uncle Brennan, Aunite Moosh and Cousin Helen visiting with us on Saturday and having a mini birthday celebration for Avery (I swear - that's the last one!).  Here are some pics from the weekend:

Lounging by the pool.  That's my girl!

New love for Avery...bike riding!

Thank you, Vanderveens, for letting us borrow the bike seat.  We're getting one this weekend!

Cousin Helen - what a happy baby!

Balloons and another cupcake.  She's so lucky.

Photo shoot with Uncle Fred.

Priceless.

Uncle Pat, Jeff, Uncle Fred (the fab family photographer), Wayne, GramCin, Auntie Moosh & Cousin Helen, Uncle Brennan...and of course, Avery on her way out of the photo.

It was a wonderful weekend spending time with family that we love so much!

FPT

"Ummm, Dad...  How do I say this?  I think you're a wee bit too big for this slide."

Happy Birthday, Dear Avery...

…happy birthday to you!

Like I've said in years past (well, technically just one so far...), Avery’s birthday celebrations have been a whirlwind of fun.

Here’s what we’ve been up to!

The weekend before Avery’s birthday we made a point to spend some quality time together as a family and focus on the wee little one.  And, what better way to do that than to take advantage of this beautiful summer weather?!

Beach babes!

Afternoon activity - pool time with the pool babes!

Our special "birthday event" involved the three of us trekking up to Irvine to visit Pretend City Children’s Museum…and OMG – best destination ever!  Pretend City is a magical place for children featuring a kid-size interactive “town” which includes a grocery store, restaurant, house, garden, bank, performing arts stage and town center among others. Needless to say, Avery had a blast and didn't want to leave.  And, in all honesty, neither did we!

Cutest fire woman this side of the Rockies.

She loved the grocery store.

Liked loved it.

Pretty much her favorite place...

Here she is making a sandwich at Daphne's Greek Cafe.  Ha!

On Avery's actual birthday, we woke her up with kisses, balloons and a few gifts...oh, and a beautifully horrendous, but heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday."  (You're lying if you say you can hold a note at 7:00 a.m.)  After a full workday (booooo for working on birthdays) my parents came over for cake with the birthday girl. 

You're two!!

Letting Papa do the work on her new tricycle.

Our silly birthday girl!

Happy birthday, beautiful!

FPT

Totally cake wasted.