HaLloWeEn 2010

This year for Halloween Av was a rainbow trout...She still doesn't quite have a grasp on Halloween but she sure caught on quick to candy! and boy was she on a sugar high that night!! she couldn't get enough. We just did a real quick walk around the ward Trunk or Treat and then hung out at Grandma and Grandpa Packers to help hand out candy, but I think Av ate more candy then she handed out. I had a fun time making her costume and I think it turned out pretty cute

Grand Canyon-Toroweap Overlook

We took a 3 hour drive on back roads (Arizona Strip) all the way to the Grand Canyon. We thought it was only going to take about 2 hours, so about an hour and a half into the drive I'm trying to keep Av awake so she doesn't fall asleep right before we get there and then have to wake her up...turns out I had to keep her awake for a whole lot longer than I planned. Then once we finally got there, it started to get really windy then came the thunder and lightening. Needless to say (if you can't tell by the look on her face in the picture above) Avenly didn't like it much! I'm sure it didn't help that she was completely exhausted. It was an adventure anyway, and it was nice just to get out and do something different as a family :)

freezer jam and stroller rides

Justin and I bought a bunch of fresh peaches, most of which we've eaten, some I've frozen for smoothies, and the rest I decided to make freezer jam with. So while I'm busy in the kitchen Av decides she really wants to go for a walk, I mean really wants to go. She's crying hysterically pointing at the closet that we keep the stroller in, "walk, walk" she says over and over. So finally I told her she could take her baby for a walk around the house. We strap her baby in and I go back to making jam. Next thing I know she's back in the kitchen getting into cupboards and drawers, which she does all the time so I don't pay much attention to it. Once I'm finished and I can finally give Av my full attention I find her taking much more than just her baby for a walk :) silly girl...at least she kept herself entertained!

{recent pictures}

one of these days i will sit down and catch up on all things Avenly...but until then here are some recent pictures from the last few months

all grown up

I took this pic of Av about a month ago and i just can't get over how grown up she looks in it...so i just had to share!

{it's official, she's on the move}

I think it's safe to say, she's walking. Over the last few weeks Av has gotten more brave, taking more and more steps each day. Now, she rarely ever crawls!! She is also learning some sign language. Since she doesn't talk very much, I decided I had to be able to communicate with her somehow! She has caught on really quick, and pretty much always uses the signs correctly. One year olds are definitely fun, but also very challenging. Avenly knows what she wants and certainly has an opinion on just about everything, but the lack of words right now makes things frustrating for her. So I think she really likes to be able to sign some things...and so do I!