Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Joyous Occasion in May


Being entirely to far behind on blog posts... I bring you back to May! The end of May to clarify if that makes it any better. An event that had the family traveling. Traveling and staying overnight for the first time as a foursome! 

Preparations had to be made to keep everyone happy.


Speaking of keeping everyone happy... can I just say thank goodness for cartoons at all times of the day!



The event that had everyone excited involved a rehearsal. That's how big this event was! After the rehearsal, there was wind down time as well. 

For some of us... for others it was "push great grandpa around" time.




Even though the kids never seem to want to wind down, it's okay! 

Because that's why there are aunts and uncles around!




Thanks to those aunts and uncles...

A husband and wife can actually pose for a picture!

Alone!

Like it was... once upon a time...




A time before, well, a time before a queen size bed had to be shared with a little gremlin.




Pretty please with yourself eh, Levi?

I thought so.




Alright... let's let out the reason for all the excitement...

I'll tell Avery first...

"Avery... your auntie Steph is going to get married!"




"Listen, I'm serious! She really is!"




"She's going to take the plunge and marry a really awesome guy."



"That IS exciting news! I know!"

"There she goes!"



"It's okay. Don't be nervous! She'll do fine, she'll repeat the words right, he'll say 'I do' and they'll both ride off in to the sunset."




"Oh, Avery... it's okay! She's in good hands! Er.. or... are those tears of joy?"




I had some of those also! You and I are some emotional saps! 

How's Levi doing?



Stone. Cold. Levi.

A real man. :)

He wants to get on with the celebrating.

Bottoms up Levi.




Looks like you're not alone, buddy. Uncle Brad is going to join you. 




Wait a minute. I don't remember taking a picture of Brad having a drink...

That's not really my type of picture. Hmmm...

Ah Hah! Now it's starting to make sense...




 Let's get that camera back. Thanks Levi. Family pic! Everyone in your best pose!





Yeah, that's as good as it gets!

"What's the matter Avery? Sick of your ma and pops? 
Who else you think your gonna hang out with?"




I should have known!




While you're gone... more pictures!

It's so nice to have everyone together for such a wonderful reason!




All the different parts of the family are always in different parts of the land! 




Wait a minute... 

no kids!

Say Cheese!




Where are the kids?

Who's with them? 

It's Dave and Steph! Cutting a rug!




All my pictures of Dave are fuzzy! 

It's a good thing I have great pictures of my gorgeous Sis!




What a great day! Not complete until I can pick on my lil sis a little however!




The next morning was a slow start...




Eventually, we got it together however.




We enjoyed a little more time with family before we all parted again!

Well, some of us enjoyed it. Others under the age of 2 started a downward spiral.

This was the beginning of Levi's with a still happy Uncle enjoying his limited time.




Lastly, because it is so rare since we've been blessed with Avery... another picture of me and my own bride.

Even more rare... was the smile on the ride home! It must have been during a rare moment of silence. 



Overall, a great weekend! 

We welcomed a new brother in to the family and shared a forever awesome moment in time with a sister we love dearly!

Who can ask for more!?! Not us! :)



Sunday, July 17, 2011

Big Blog Post for Such a Big Girl!

Recently, a young lady in the Z family turned in to a very big girl by doubling her age to the mighty number 2!



Before her official day actually arrived, Mommy had a surprise for her to enjoy in front of a camera...




Avery, needless to say, was excited at the idea of it.




Go ahead, Avery. Have at it.




Smells good, doesn't it?




Don't just stare at it! 

Eat!




Ummm... okay. 




This is how you want to approach it, huh?




Can I make a suggestion? 




That's exactly what I was going to suggest!




Now you can make some progress!




Actually, I'm getting kind of jealous now.




How is it?




I thought so. I'm really jealous now!




Hey, why don't you try eating a little more than the frosting?




There you go! Go to town!




Keep going...




Go Avery! 
It's your birthday! 
Go Avery!




Alright, I'll stop the singing. :) 

Really, though... you seem pretty composed. 

Let loose!




Wait! Not that loose! 




There you go. Back to hand to mouth.




That's better! Shovel it in!

You're eating the whole thing today!




What!?!

You don't think you can do it?




C'mon! 
First of all, you're Daddy's girl. 
Second of all, the cake is small!

Get to it!




That's my girl!





I knew you had it in you!

Second wind!





It won't be long now!




Just make sure...




that you get...




...every...




...last..




...finger licking...




...bit!




Good work!





Yeah. I know...


This is the part where the shame kicks in. 

LOL!





I won't let you go out like that on a post about your birthday though!

How about a different cute pic of my girl?




Is that better,

Beautiful?





I thought so! 

Happy Birthday Gorgeous!