Cousins and Pumpkins!

We had a busy week last week. First off it was our wedding anniversary- 9 years! And then we had cousins come visit from Philadelphia. We were happy we were able to get together with Lilli and Mia. Avery sure loves hanging out with them. They have a great time running around and dressing up together.




Then Grandma Jan came to visit. We got to do a lot of fun things including visiting the Louisburg Cider Mill pumpkin patch.




Of course, Avery picked up the weirdest looking pumpkin. We made it cool looking though. We'll post that picture with Halloween stuff.


As you can see from the pumpkin photos, Griffin was a little tired. When we got to the play area though he perked up- he liked climbing on the tires.


And of course, we had to do the corn maze.

Avery was our leader. Last time it took us forever to get out of here. We didn't have to callo 911 or anything, but it was hot & sweaty. Today, we entrusted the instincts of our 5-year old and it worked! Record time.

We're Number 1! We're Number 1!

We're number one and a week overdue. Griffin turned one last week and we had a nice little party.

He enjoyed receiving his bouncy horse and his squeaky giraffe.



Come party time he wasn't quite sure what to do with the whole candle thing and singing, so Avery & Chris had to help.


And when it was time to eat the cake he just couldn't believe it. He picked at this thing for quite a while.


At one point he put his face down to eat it "piggy style" but people sort of gasped and it made him cry. He got a hang out of it after a while though.



And of course he had to get cleaned off.



And here he is with Avery testing out his new personalized chair. He hasn't been using it for sitting, but for climbing and boy things.


Stay tuned...cousins and pumpkins are coming in the next post.

Chicken and Hot Air Balloons

What do these things have in common, you ask? Well, nothing usually, but yesterday we visited southeast Kansas to have dinner at Chicken Annie's (world famous) near Pittsburg and to see some hot air balloons launch at Columbus Days in Columbus, KS. We have tried to visit hot air balloons several times this year but it's been too windy. We got lucky this time though.

Once Griffin realized that big balloons were blowing up right in front of him, he did the equivalent of a "holy cow" in baby speak- it was like "whoompf" and this is what his face said.

Avery was totally concentrating on the action- as usual. She's the observer.

This guy was seriously 10 feet away from us. We were able to get so close. We had no idea that they would actually take off until a lady said, "you may want to back up in case they take off."

And Griffin was like "what?!?!?!"

And then they took off! Right above us!

And then it was time to let go of some energy and make friends with strangers. Usual stuff.

We had a great time and had great traveling weather. Avery loved her chicken at Chicken Annie's, although Grandma Elley, now on a gluten diet, was pretty disappointed that she couldn't eat the fried chicken.... Boo.

The Month of Avery

As September ends, we thought we'd give you a little summary of birthday activities that occurred last week.

Avery loves to receive packages. She received one from Grandma Jan and loved the presents in it.
She went to work right away to test out how good the present really worked. It works. We have stamped things everywhere now.

On the actual birthday she gets presents from mom & dad. She used to love ballet, so we're just sending her a subliminal message, reminding her that she used to love it. She fell for our trick.

The look on her face when she opened the door to find....

A bike! She's already really good at pedaling. Good thing for a helmet though- we've had a few minor falls.

And of course you have to blow out a candle and eat cake on your birthday.

At her birthday party, my friend, Becky made a beautiful cake. It turned out yummy and just perfect. Thanks, Becky!

Spotted! Cinderella waiting to eat another Cinderella... If you look closely on the left you can see part of Grandma Jan. She joined the birthday party by Skype.

A little friend time with the boys.

It's so sad when friend time is over.

Spotted! Snow White in a cake coma after the party hanging out with her new snuggly guy, Rainbow.

She'll share, don't worry, Griffin.

Spotted! Snow White and Griffin having a great time swinging together and singing songs.

Spotted! Rapunzel getting hugs from her little brother.

Spotted! Rapunzel acting wacky with Grandpa Gary.

I think Avery would say she had a great birthday. Looking at these pictures reminds me that she is getting so big and that the past 5 years have just flown by.

Now it's time to prepare for busy month #2. Stay tuned!