4th of July weekend

Chris had a three day weekend so we took the opportunity to go up to Douglasville and spend the weekend  with his parents. We spent both Saturday and Sunday on the boat at Lake Allatoona- even Bailey and Holli got to experience the fun! The weather was absolutely beautiful, a little hot, but still so nice. Avery is such a water baby and loved floating around in the water with us. She also really enjoys riding on the boat; she is full of giggles and it even puts her to sleep sometimes. :)

Bailey is not so fond of the water.... Chris would have to pick her up and jump into the water while holding her. She is not a graceful swimmer as she tries to climb on top of the water rather than swim in the water. It's actually quite hysterical. The way she enlongates her neck to keep her head from getting anywhere near the water makes me think of a swan- not the gracefullness of a swan, but the long neck! She didn't last too long on Saturday. That night Christopher and I bought Bailey a life jacket. We tried it on her and she completely froze. It's like she forgot how to walk! We couldn't wait to try it out on Sunday and we were STUNNED at the difference it made. Bailey actually swam with her paws under the water and even tried to play fetch in the water. We couldn't believe it! (Ed caught it all on video, so I'll post it when I get it!)

Avery and Grandmommy hanging out on the boat

Both Bailey and Holli are petrified of the water. They couldn't stand it when we were all in the water and they were left on the boat! 

Napping on the boat on Saturday, July 2nd

hanging out on Grandmommy and Poppy's new living room furniture

blurry, but cute!

Bailey learning how to swim with a life jacket on!

Family picture on the boat! Happy 4th of July!!! :)

July 3rd... wearing her patriotic bathing suit and refusing to nap!

As soon as we started our ride back to the car, Avery fell asleep- what a sweet picture of Avery and her Grandmommy

Monday, July 4th, was our travel day, but before we got on the road back to FL we made a stop in Newnan to see our friends, Mario and Katherine and to meet their precious 4 week old, Colin. It was so great catching up with them and I'm so glad that we got to meet Colin while he was still in the newborn stage. He was SO tiny and looks just like his daddy, Mario. Avery has a little bit of hair envy-- the boy has a head full of dark hair! Seriously, he is so cute! 

Chris and Mario were in PT school together... here they are 2 years later with their kids!

We made it back home before all of the 4th of July festivities, but honestly, we stayed home. Avery was exhausted and truthfully, so were we! We put Avery down for the night and then we watched the New York fireworks on t.v. then went to bed ourselves. Next year we will make it a bigger deal since Avery will be older and will be able to enjoy it.


We had such a wonderful time getting to relax and spend time with Ed and Cheryl. It's always so nice to go home and we always enjoy going out on the boat. It's one of our favorite things to do! :) Of course, the weekend went by way too fast, as always, but we are so thankful for the long weekend and time with family and friends.

Can't believe I don't have any pictures of Ed.... I do have video of him though- I'll post that soon!

Easter 2011

We had such a wonderful first Easter with Avery Nicole. I'm seriously loving all of these "firsts" and am overflowing with so much joy as Chris and I get to experience these things with eachother and with Avery.

Our small group had an Easter party on Saturday complete with an Easter egg hunt for all 20+ kids that were there. Obviously Avery did not participate, but she did get to be a part of the big group picture with all of the kiddos. What a fun memory (for Chris and me, since she obviously won't be remembering it *wink*)! Brad and Amy were so sweet to have us all over to their house and we enjoyed some delicious food and great fellowship with eachother. We are so blessed to be a part of this small group and look forward to the many more memories we will make with them.

(Don't forget you can click on each picture to enlarge them!!)

On Easter Sunday we went to our home church here in FL. Avery hung out in the nursery with her friends while Chris and I enjoyed a really wonderful Easter service. Our pastor's message was really great and was followed by the cardboard testimonies. If you've never heard of this or seen it done I encourage you to research it. The idea is that on one side you write one of your struggles and on the other side you write how God has saved you from that pain. A number of our congregation participated and I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire building. God works in each of our lives and uses different circumstances to ultimately bring us closer to Him. Those that shared their cardboard testimonies on Sunday had suffered from a great deal of pain in their lives, but in the end they have found faith and hope in God and have turned their pain into a means to glorify our God. It was so impactful.

After the service we went to my parents house where Avery got to have her first Easter egg hunt! She was very interested in how the eggs tasted. hehe. After her Easter egg hunt we all changed and headed to the marina where my parents rented a pontoon boat for my sister's 23rd birthday and Avery's half-birthday- both of which were on Monday the 25th. Aunt Tara also went with us and we had a very fun and relaxing 4 hours out on the water. Chris took his paddle board and it was so fun watching us all try it out. Bailey also got to go out with us and we put her in the water to try and improve her swimming skills.... she is absolutely TERRIFIED of the water and was shaking all over. She prefers to be on the boat instead of in the water.

...Avery with her Easter goodies....

...isn't our little bunny so precious?...

{family pictures}

...I love my baby girl oh so much....

....Avery with her Aunt Amanda...

...Avery with her Great-Aunt Tara (aka. Aunt TaTa)...

...I loved, loved, loved her Easter dress-she is so beautiful!...

...Mimi, Avery, and Granddaddy...

...mommy's favorite....

...Avery's first Easter egg hunt...

...Easter goodies from Mimi, Granddaddy and Aunt Amanda...

....Aunt Tara trying out the paddle board for the first time...

...she did it!!!...

...sister, sister... (ewww, I'm so pale next to her!)

...even Bailey tried out the board...

...happy birthday!!!...

...Avery's first time on a boat....

...love them....

There are a lot of pictures from our time on the boat, but I guess they are all on my parent's camera. I'll have get them and post them later for you all to see!

It was a wonderful Easter weekend and I'm so glad that we were able to celebrate Amanda's birthday as well. I hope you all have a wonderful time with family or friends as you celebrated our risen Savior.