Armstrong weekend

Well, we had another wonderful weekend with family. This time, my inlaws all traveled to Borger to visit us. Casey's parents came from Colorado and his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew came from Albany. Avery loved the company, but mostly enjoyed all the extra attention. We started with the Borger Homecoming parade. Avery loved the firetrucks and loud noises, but wasn't too impressed with the rest of the parade. Maybe next year she will understand the whole thing a little better.
Saturday was a perfect day for golf. Here is the golf crew ready to play. My mother-in-law, Janice, Hegan (Casey's friend), Casey, my brother-in-law, Shawn, my father-in-law, Danny, and my little nephew Boone.

My sister-in-law, Angela, and I went along to watch for fun. Avery had to take a short power nap after we arrived, but was then ready to walk all over the place with Boone.

Casey and I went to an event at a nearby ranch called Hope Extravaganza which benefits the American Cancer Society. There were auctions, charity games, steak dinner, and a concert with dancing which included a couple of different bands. We had a blast and the weather was perfect for the outside party. Casey's parents and sister and brother-in-law went with us.

Here's a picture of me and Kevin Fowler after the concert. It was so fun and Casey and I danced almost the whole time he was singing. The dance floor was right below the stage where Kevin Fowler was playing so it was really fun.

More School Days

Today Avery was off to school again. She seems to be excited when we are getting ready (probably mostly because I was excited and school is always associated with the word "go"). So we got ready early and were playing before time to leave.

While we were playing I decided I would try and video her saying her animal noises, etc. Well, as we all know, kids can be silly and when I pointed the camera in her face she became not as cooperative. I don't think she understands that you are supposed to look at the camera when someone is filming you, but hey - she is only 14 months old! It's still fun to watch and such a sweet reminder of how precious my little angel is everyday.

Avery's "bay-ben"

So we recently got rid of the pacifier. Yipee! However, it was about 2 weeks of rough nights that seemed to last forever. Everytime she woke up in the night and wouldn't go back to sleep I was tempted to just give her the pacifier back. Somehow I resisted and thank goodness we are back to sleeping through most nights. Her new bedtime comfort lately has been her pink lovey that she calls "bay-ben" (blanket). She cuddles with it when she sleeps and we are thankful that she has replaced the comfort of the pacifier with the little blanket. I couldn't resist but post this adorable picture of her carrying around her 2 favorite things as a 14 month old - her "bay-ben" and shoes. What a girl!

Here's another picture of her enjoying her blanket. Actually, I don't know who is enjoying this more... Avery or her Daddy? He loves it when she falls asleep with him.

Into Everything

So like all children, Avery loves to open all the cabinets and pull things off the shelves. We have not "baby-proofed" this duplex since it is only temporary and she has just started really terrorizing the cabinets. Take a look at some of the things little miss innocent has gotten into the past few days. I must admit that sometimes I do not stop her if she is happy and not hurting anything. Here she is with the "not me" face and gestures. Oh, and by the way, please try to not get too jelous over our 80's inspired linoleum we have in our kitchen and bathroom!
Here we have Avery pulling every plastic bowl we have out of this cabinet. Her poor hair is so long is just hangs in her eyes.

And now for my personal favorite.... the scattering of the feminine products in the bathroom floor. I mean what else can I do but let her play while I blow-dry my hair as long as she's happy!

Fun Weekend

We went to Abilene for the weekend. It was a whirlwind of a trip trying to see everyone. Friday night we made it to Abilene just in time for the fair and rodeo. Avery loved watching the horses and cattle at the rodeo, but mostly just wanted to climb all over the chairs. Here are a few pics from the weekend. It went by way too fast but was great.

Casey and I went to a wedding for some friends on Saturday night while Avery stayed with my parents. This is a picture of me and my friend Blandi.

We took family pictures with my side of the family on Sunday. Avery looked precious in her new dress.

This is my little brother Lance with us during picture time.

Trying to get a 1 year old to smile while looking at the camera and sitting still proved to be exhausting!

Avery walking

Here is the video of her walking down the hall. Today is the 3rd day that she has taken steps. We are excited that she finally decided to let go of the coffee table and her push car and walk like a big girl. She is still falling alot and crawls half the time, but we are enjoying watching her learn.

The Bup (Bug)

This morning I was trying to get some video of Avery walking. Yes, we are FINALLY walking at 14 months. We went outside because the lighting is better, but then of course she wouldn't walk. All she could do was sit and stare at the "bup" (bug/cricket) on the ground. She was so cute I viedoed that and had to put it on here first.I'll get the walking on here later.

Go Bulldogs

Avery looked so cute in her red Borger Bulldog t-shirt and paw print bow. She was excited to go to her first high school football game. Borger vs. Caprock (a school in Amarillo) We went with Hegan, Shawna, and Hazen Lamb.

Avery loved looking around at all the other kids, listening to the band, and watching the football players run onto the field. She wasn't too interested in watching the players during the game but perked up when the crowd cheered. It was quite chilly so you can't see her Bulldog pride shirt. I had to buy a sweatshirt to stay warm. Looks like I will get good use out of it living in the panhandle.

This is Avery's friend Hazen. He is just a few months younger that Avery and they enjoy playing together. Avery can imitate his name and is all smiles when we talk about going to see Hazen. It was impossible to get a picture of both of them looking at the camera so this is as good as it gets.

The poor baby did not understand why she could not climb all the way up and down the bleachers repeatedly during the game. She wanted to climb all over the place and was not happy with us when we wouldn't let her. Life is so rough!

After all the screaming and crying, she finally gave it up in the second quarter. She woke back up to watch the band play at half-time and then we went home. She went straight to bed after her first night at the football game. We'll have to work on the entertainment for Avery, but it was such a fun night.

First Day of School

Avery started "Kid's Day Out" today at our church. She goes on Thursdays from 9-3. I was so excited for her this morning and she clearly had no clue that today was going to be any different from other weekdays. She was such a big girl meeting Ms. Ida and Ms. Amber. She is the youngest in her class (and the only one not walking alone yet) but seemed to like the other kids. I hope that she will be encouraged to walk with the other "big kids" in her class. I got her interested in a toy and then snuck out with no tears. I know she will have so much fun. I have been running tons of errands, cleaning house, and using the computer amazingly faster than ever before without chasing her around too! Of course I can't wait to go pick her up already! Here are some pictures from her first day of school.

This huge looking bag is actually her lunchbox and doesn't look as masive when Munchkin is not holding it. She thought it was fun to carry it all by herself.... for about 5 seconds, then she wasn't interested in carrying it anymore.

She even had time for a little reading this morning before we left for school. Good thing it doesn't start until 9:00!

A cold front blew in yesterday and it was still a little chilly this morning so Avery wore her cute jacket to school.

Bye bye "night night"

Awww, she is being so sweet here cuddling with her baby and sippy cup. Well.... let me report that the poor thing is not having such a "sweet" week. Her allergies are just driving her insane with a runny nose and cough that sounds pitiful. PLUS, being the mean parents that we are, we took away her "night night" which is what she calls her pacifier. The first day after we didn't give it to her at night she searched the house calling out "night night." I felt awful. The poor baby loved that pacifier. But we decided since she was about to start Kid's Day Out it would be easier on everyone if she learned how to go to sleep without it. So we are now working through the difficult first nights without the best thing that ever happened to getting her to sleep. So wish us luck and hope that she soon forgets about her "night night!"