We're Back!!!

For all of you faithful followers of our blog....we are BACK. We have been having technical difficulties (and still are) but we are back in order. The pictures are still small (working on fixing this), but in the meantim, here' what we have been up to...........NICE WEATHER. Finally, some of that perfect Florida weather and sunshine that we all live for. We have spent our days outside and now with the time change, we are spending our evenings outside too!!! We live in a great neighborhood and have kids all around so we take FULL advantage of that.

Rebecca bathes Josey for us..........yes, in Avery's little pool.

Of course, it is beach weather. So, Avery and mommy went to play at the beach and have a picnic.

Following the chick in the bikini......"wait, come back, I'm over here."

Sand castles are a MUST!!!

"Mom, put the camera down and HELP ME."

"I'm Watching You Two"

The other day we had a playdate with Jadyn.....(although, you can't really call it a playdate, cuz Jadyn and Avery play together EVERDAY) but, it sounds more enticing to give it a fun name. Anyhow, Jadyn came over in her jammies and spent the day with Avery. The older they get, the more they want to do what the other one is doing and of course, the more mischevious they become.


Avery and Jadyn having lunch together. Of course, they MUST have the same thing on their plates, otherwise, they won't want to eat what they are given. Todays lunch menu consisted of Turkey Dogs, blueberries, yogurt and water.

After lunchtime they were playing in Avery's room. While I could hear them, I couldn't see them. Upon entering Averys room I see 2 little feet poking out from behind Avery's rocking chair.....there they were. Hiding behind the rocking chair playing with the night light. (as I quickly and quietly run to get the camera)

***BUSTED*** They both peek up to see they have been caught, all while cheesin' out for the camera.

You had to be there......

These pictures are definately ones that need the following disclaimer: (You had to be there.) The pictures just don't do it justice, but I'll continue anyways. Let me brief you on Avery's "t.v schedule." ....which is minimal. He is allowed to watch one cartoon when he wakes in the morning while drinking his milk, and one cartoon in the afternoon after waking from his nap. So, yesterday, in typical fashion, he woke from his nap and proceeded to the couch to watch "Thomas the Train."


Ahhhhh, sitting so contently and enjoying the "chu chu" as he calls it.

While he watches "Thomas" I was putting away laundry and heard "ah, oh, football." "ah, oh, football." I came in from the other room and found him in between shelves on the t.v stand. Like any good mother, I grabbed the camera instead of assisting him with the retrieval of the ball.

"Help, please, help please." He innocently cries out. All the while, mommy is still snapping photos.

Cute, funny, but even funnier to witness this in person.

Meeting up with the Girls

Below are some pics with some friends from college and my cousin. It sure was great to see everyone and catch up and of course visit memory lane.

Lauren holding Caliana....."Lauren looks like a natural at this "baby thing."

At lunch with Megan, Abbie, Avery and the twins. We literally sat at "Champs" for 3 hours and had some of the best girl talk.

Jill, myself, Katie, Megan and Lauren enjoying some tacos and maragaritas.

Chatting over some guacamole and babies.

Megan, Jill and I at the Pacers Game.

The Rest of our Trip to the Midwest

The last leg of our trip to the Midwest was spent in Indianapolis where we visited Megan and met her twin girls Caliana and Cameron. We had a great time and even were able to meet up with my cousin, Abbie and a few girls from college.


Here is Caliana watching a soap opera on T.V.
Caliana and Cameron both watching T.V as Avery stands by wondering why they won't get up and play.

Another shot of Caliana.............what a cutie and so content.

Cameron posing in her bouncy seat. Say cheese.

Cami and Cali playing on their mat.....they share quite well.

Bike Day at the Park!!!

Beautiful weather + kids full of energy + multiple parks at our fingertips= A great day at the park. Avery and I packed up the power wheels and headed to one of the local parks and met Jadyn and Jamie....and of course her power wheels as well. Basically, the kids had a date at the park to ride their bikes and Jamie and I had to accompany them since they don't have a license yet. See below for a play by play during their date. It's kinda like the show "The Bachelor" but there is no video footage, just photos.

Jadyn and Avery switch bikes to show one another "I can share with you, no problem."

Avery getting ready to take Jadyn on a bike ride. "Hold on, babe, this may get rough."

Jadyn says "Boys don't ALWAYS have to drive, I can drive too."

"Whoa," says Avery, "You're a CRAZY driver. I like your wild side."

Cruisin along........

Driving off into the sunset. They were tired. Time for dinner.

Avery walks Jadyn to her mommy's car. "Thanks Jadyn for a great day. Perhaps Ill see you again soon."

Down the slide.............wooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

***NOTE: Sorry for the small pics....couldn't figure out how to make them bigger***

The FREEZING Midwest Welcomes Us!!!

The last few days have been spent at Mimi and Papa's in their neck of the woods. We just left sun and sand to come to cold and snow. However, I must be honest, I hoped and prayed for snow while we were here....and WE GOT IT!!! We had a great time at Mimi and Papa's house....we always do. "There's no place like home" is the best way to describe our visit. Its always so cozy, plenty to do, plenty of space for AAA to run around and of course Avery gets more attention than he knows what to do with. If you don't believe me, see below.



Avery has Mimi jumping on the trampoline with him "Jumpy, Jumpy, Jumpy Boy"



And I quote "plenty to do".....Mimi and Papa have more toys than Avery has time to play with. Here he has Papa helping him ride horsey

After a day full of playing, Avery was pooped. We literally found him hiding under their sofa table trying to fall asleep......"night, night, momma"

One of the days we loaded up and went to the mall to do some shopping and so mommy could spend tons of quarters on the rides for Avery. Coat and stocking cap on.....its COLD here.

And.........THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR..........Avery in the snow!!!

While at the mall we bought Avery snow pants, boots and mittens so we could get him out in the snow to see what it was all about. He LOVED it...until he fell face first. YIKES!!! That was cold.

Now we're headed to Indianapolis to visit Megan and to FINALLY meet her twin girls. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to the Midwest.

A day of shopping and fun

One of the days the guys went golfing while the girls went for lunch and shopping at St. Armand's Circle. Richie and Jill Fulkerson (friends of my parents and my former high school teacher) came to Sarasota for the day.

Avery and I playing at the park at the marina. Beautiful weather!!!
Mom, Avery and I at the marina on a nice walk....had to walk off all that lunch we ate.

Mom, Jill and Avery enjoy the view

Some ice cream after lunch is a MUST.....Avery snoozes after a long day of shopping

Lunch at Cha Cha Coconuts...one of our favorites on St. Armands.

The Excitement of the gifts

Avery and Jadyn enjoy Jadyn's new playdoh on Avery's new table.
Jadyn and Avery open their gifts from each other.

Time to eat breakfast casserole....on the new table that is just PERFECT for the two of them. Sorry, couldn't do candlelight....it might melt the plastic table.

Long story.....but here I am with my new chain saw I got for Christmas. I'm attempting to cut the flatscreen T.V in half....only in attempt to make it flatter than it already is (wink)

Mommy gets a new chainsaw (yes, a real one) and Avery gets an entire new workbench from Mimi and Papa.

Oh what fun it is.....

Outside trying out Avery's new power wheels. Watch out, he doesn't even have a license yet
"Gotta wash those hands before Christmas breakfast."

Rebecca and Brianna come over to watch Avery open presents.....and help of course.

Now Avery assists Mimi in opening her gifts. Papa opens a new Elmo toy for the bathtub....wonder if he'll share his toy with Avery?

"Catch, Papa." Papa always help with trash detail,but this year he had an assistant, Avery.