Friday, December 30, 2011

Fall Festival

Our amazing therapy clinic had their Fall Festival the weekend of Halloween. Pony rides, bounce houses, face painting, firetrucks, police cars....what's not to love? Avery wanted none of it! The bounce house was a little full and overwhelming for her and she's never wanted to step foot on a firetruck, but the pony ride I thought was a sure thing....nope! She did want to do the face painting and talked about a getting a butterfly the whole time we stood in line. As her turn came and she sat down in the chair, the lady asked what she wanted. "A dragon" was her response without hesitation. Didn't see that one coming.

We did get to visit with some of the volunteers from Canine Assistants and some of the dogs in training.  (This is the company we are on a waiting list for a therapy dog) Avery would have spent the whole afternoon with them.  They had one dog that was going to be graduating and given to a family in 2 weeks and a new puppy who had just started his training. When we told them we were told it would be about 5 years, they said they tell that to everyone and they know a family that just got a dog after 2 years. Keep your fingers crossed!

Avery and the new puppy in training....he looks on top of his game, right?

 Notice his ease of distraction in the next series of photos. The last is my favorite as you can see he is in trouble :) At least he has 18 months of training to learn you don't mess with Avery's baby dolls!










Give Thanks


SO much to be thankful for!!!! This little cutie reminds me daily of the many blessings in my life!










Getting some "Aunt Carrot" Turkey Day snuggles


....and Uncle Todd snuggles


Avery pulled her baby up to the kids table to eat with them :o)


 Sooooooo thankful for my Mom! I couldn't survive without her and her daily support!!! Love you Mom!!! Thanks for all that you do!!


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream

Rewind to October....We surprised Avery with taking her to the Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream show. This one focused on the Disney princess stories. She was so excited to see the "movie" and she managed to talk Daddy into a Tangled doll.

*I didn't want to lug around the larger nice camera, so please excuse the poor point and shoot images*







Apple Pickin'

The drive up north, traffic and line to get in, were all well worth the fun and memories! This was our first adventure apple pickin' and we will return next year! Tripp teased me at how unfun this little adventure would be on the car ride up and while we sat in traffic....but once we left, he admitted it was a fun adventure that he'd like to make a new tradition. Avery loved it as well. We went with the smallest peck you could purchase because I knew the 4 year old attention span wouldn't make it through the medium or larger size. I was right. She picked two small apples and exclaimed that she was done :) We did end up filling up our tiny little peck and even hit the general store for some cider and apple fritters.
















She had a little conversation with one of the apple tree limbs and it left a mark beside her left eye


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

It (was) Fall Y'all!

Every Fall I take Avery out for a photo shoot. This was my favorite shoot we've had. She was so in to it! Picking where she wanted to sit, picked her shoes (adorable with her dress I might add) and she was so playful and cooperative. I got so many great shots that it was hard to choose my favorites. Here are just a few....

Cuteness warning...
















I mean, seriously? Does it get any sweeter?







Of course, Ivan had to get in on the shoot as well :)