Gobble Gobble!!!

On behalf of the entire Alcala Family, we want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We feel as though we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Hope you all eat lots and get to spend some quality time with those whom you love. Our plans for this fun, holiday weekend include Thanksgiving dinner in St. Louis with the Pancoast side of the family on Thursday. On Friday, my mom, Erica, Avery and I are gonna load up and head back to St. Louis for some Christmas shopping. Can't wait!!! Finally, on Saturday, we are headed to Effingham to celebrate my Grandparent's (my mom's mom and dad) 60th wedding anniversary. What an exciting event. That is where we will get to see the entire Dunaway side of the family. So, needless to say we will get to spend some quality time with all kinds of family and this will be such a great opportunity for Avery to meet ALL of his extended family members from his Mommy's side of the family.

I must mention that we miss Daddy like crazy. He is back in Florida working his bootie off as this is his "crazy, busy" time of season. He will be working Thanksgiving Day, but rest assured, he will enjoy a fabulous meal...compliments of the country club. We will still miss him tremendously.

As I mentioned earlier, Avery's cousin Rylie came to visit this weekend. She is very enjoyable to have around. She wants to help in any way that she can with Avery. She is super excited about her baby sister who is "on the way" and wants to practice by helping with Avery. She is now a pro at diaper changing and entertaining. We have kept super busy this weekend with Avery and Rylie. We did lots of baking, went to the mall, got Christmas pictures taken of the two of them, went out to eat, they took a bubble bath together in Mimi and Papa's big tub and we had a slumber party each night. (As for myself, I haven't felt this sleep deprived since I was 9 months pregnant.) Only kidding, we have had a blast.

Avery is now pulling himself up onto tables, his crib, Rylie's trampoline, climbing stairs, the list goes on.



He has made his way up onto Rylie's trampoline. He hasn't mastered the "jumping" thing yet.


Avery and Rylie taking a "bubbly" together. Neither of them were ready to get out.

At the mall. Avery is driving the race car while Rylie holds on for dear life.

Out to dinner.........shy all of a sudden.........not for long, though.

Eventhough Avery has been put to bed for the night, he will go to sleep when he's ready. He's trying to figure out how to open the window shade..........hmmmmm???

Just checking in from the ol' Midwest. Have I mentioned yet that it is cold as H*LL here? Well, it is, and I often ask myself "How did we ever live in this crap?" I will admit that there is about 1-2 days a year when I think "I would like to see snow on the ground," then, I wake up and realize......"nope, I don't miss the winter weather AT ALL." Avery is simply adorable in his winter jacket, but by no means does he want to wear it any more than necessary.

Anyhow, enough "cold" talk. We are going to pick up Rylie today and she is going to spend the weekend with us. Rylie is my brother, Ryan, and his wife Holli's little girl. She is 3 years old going on about 15 years old. They are expecting another little girl in early March. Watch out Ryan, you are soon to be surrounded by not 2, but 3 females. Your life as you knew it is DOOMED!!! Ha, just kidding. Looking forward to the weekend.


Ryan, Holli and Rylie pose for a family pic.


Here is Rylie and Avery in July 2008 in St. Petersburg, Florida. It will be interesting to see how they interact with one anther now that Avery is crawling.

Not so sure of this winter weather!!!

We sure are enjoying our time up north with family and friends but MY OH MY, we are not liking this winter weather. Avery just loves to snuggle to keep warm. This past weekend we helped (watched) Mimi put up their Christmas decorations while Papa went to the SIU football game.

Anyhow, a couple of updates I must mention about Avery. He is a professional crawler already. He is scooting all over Mimi and Papa's house as if it were his job. Way to go son.....keep Mommy busy. He also has started his very own vocabulary. He says "da da" very loud and clearly. He misses his Daddy, that's for sure. Last night we called Daddy on the phone so he could hear it. I think it melted his heart. Wow, whoever says babies grow fast...... they are CORRECT!!!



Avery and Papa snuggling........actually Avery is snoozing while Papa holds him



Getting ready to go to dinner with Mimi, Papa, Aunt Lana, Uncle Bob, Tom and Karen....gotta bundle up, its COLD out there.


Avery loves to play hide and seek. Yep, we found him....under the Christmas tree

Lunch with Megan

Yesterday was a fun-filled day. We woke up in time to see Mimi off to work, have breakfast with Papa, then see Papa off to work. After all that, we snuck in a quick nap....much needed after a full morning of breakfast and sending people off to work (tough life that Avery and I live.) Then, we got dressed and headed to Effingham to visit one of my bestest friends for lunch; Megs. Let me give you a brief history of Megs and I. We initially met in the Spring of 1998 during Spring Break in Florida. We then went to the Illinois State together, lived in the same dorm freshman year, joined Tri Delta together and have been close ever since. Megs and I both have alot in common and know pretty much everything about each other (sometimes I think we know more about each other than our husbands know about us)??? Scary, I know. Anyhow, needless to say, lunch was great and we got to chat and catch up while she entertained Avery at T.G.I Fridays.



"Now, that I'm a professional crawler, I've gotta get this standing thing down pat."


Avery and Mom relaxing after a nice lunch.

"Megs, you are great entertainment, will you come visit us soon?"

Illinois....here we are!!!

For those of you who don't know, Avery and I are visiting the midwest. We arrived this morning in St. Louis and are now at "Mimi and Papa's" house. (A.K.A. My parent's) For my birthday, I asked Rico to buy a plane ticket for Avery and I to visit friends and family in Illinois for "a few days" while he is tied up at work during his "busy season." Rico is the Food and Beverage Director at a private country club in Sarasota. Therefore, his busy time of year (A.K.A "season") is October - April. Within that busy time, his BUSIEST of BUSY times is the entire month of November. He is busy with several events including weddings, brunches, golf tournaments, dinners, etc.

Being the PERFECT husband that he is, he did just what I asked and bought us a ticket to Illinois.......during his "busiest time." With that said, Avery and I are here for 3 weeks. It will be awesome to see friends and family and let Avery meet several family members that he has yet to meet. On the downside, we are away from daddy for quite a while and saying goodbye at the airport this morning was.........well, let's just say........ not fun. Watching all 3 of us hug and kiss each other while crying had to have been a sight to see...... wouldn't want to do that everyday...... Anyhow, we have made it here safely. We'll be staying at mom and dad's house while making several ventures out to see as many people as possible. Avery was a trooper the whole day and a joy to travel with. We just talked to daddy on the phone to tell him good night. On that note, we are off to bed.

Our little Go Getter

Avery is becoming quite the "go getter." He had mommy and daddy all over town this weekend. We went to the park, to church, out to eat with Jamie and Jadyn, and to the beach. (1st time at the beach). He just loves to be around people. He really enjoyed swinging. He wasn't sure about all the sand at first, but quickly got used to it. We went to the Ale House for dinner where he enjoyed a full rack of ribs and a baked potato. (In other words, Gerber chicken and Gerber sweet potatoes) YUMMY!!!

"Faster, mom!!!"


"Oh, dad, you are just so silly with that camera."

"Jadyn, are you hiding my socks from me? I can still see them."