Party Girl Avery ...

So far this summer has been really busy busy busy ... that's the main reason why I haven't blogged in some time now. I know, I know, I have a lot of catching up to do, especially about my new living arrangements that you might have heard about, but that will all have to wait for now (since my photo-biographers have been just too busy to take any pics of me in my new surrounding).

Anyway, some of the other things keeping me busy are all my friend's birthday parties. My friend Lily just turned two and had a nice party at a Waterpark ... it was just awesome!!!

Avery playing in the water with everyone at the party ...

... Mommy ruining my fun time in the water

(I could just stay in there all day long) ...

... Mommy trying to make it up to me with birthday cupcakes

(and yes, that's good ol' Nick flexing his big muscles for me ... what a hunk!) ...

... Avery enjoying the Birthday cupcakes ...

... Avery really enjoying the Birthday cupcakes!!!

And then there was Adrian's 3rd birthday party which was at a really grownup location ... it was as if the ground turned soft, bouncy, and moved unpredictably below my feet. I felt like I was learning to walk again (which wasn't that fun the first time around) ... so if that's what three year olds like to do, than I hope I never get that old.

Daddy and Avery going fast down an inflatable slide

(do I look like I'm having fun, Daddy?) ...

Daddy and Avery playing some B-ball (sort of) ...

... with the birthday boy and other party guests ...

... Avery exhausted ... or possibly in a sugar coma!

The Great Outdoors ... part 2 ...

Avery worn as an accessory, once again ...

So, to pick up from the end of part one of the big vacation, the family and I ventured on to greater, bigger things (literally) ... here we are hiking mammoth rocks that seems to have landed from the planet Mars and tried to reach back towards their home planet!!!

Avery along for the ride ... which has been sort of a really long hike ...

... one rock, two rocks, ten rocks ... hey, where did we go ...

I don't really even remember!!!

Avery relaxing at the hotel with Daddy ...

... hey, why doesn't the doggie like to be petted???

So, what do you think came first ... the rock or the building???

Mommy goofing around with Avery

Good thing I like road trips or this car ride would really suck

(not just for me, but for everyone involved) ...

Long time, no see Avery ...

How Avery spends most of her free time in the summer

I know, I know ... you're all probably wondering "Where the heck has that cute little Avery been??!!?!" Well, with the summertime heatwave breaking all sorts of records, I've been trying to keep as cool as possible and unfortunately, water just doesn't mix well with computers.

Here's a video of how I've been trying to keep cool ... give it a try yourself, I guarantee you'll like it as much as I do ... trust me.

The Great Outdoors ... part 1 ...

Avery investigating all the new wonders in the wilderness

A few weeks ago, we packed up the car, headed North for the highway, and said "Goodbye, big city lights ... hello, starry nights!!!" One of my best of best friends invited us all up to their cabin in the wilderness for the weekend ... how could one refuse such a great getaway from the blasting summertime heat rays.

There was oh so much fun stuff to see and do ...

Avery having fun in her own peanut-sized chair ...

... and having even more fun in the hammock with Mommy ...

... and just a ton of fun playing with Noah ...


... and even getting to sit up close at the table and eat a country cooked breakfast

Fun baby feeding time with Mathew, Noah, Avery, and their Mommies

Although hanging, playing, and exploring around the cabin was way fun, the best time was had by all during the big hiking adventure. This was not a hike for the tame hearted ... only the few and brave would make it back from this dangerous excursion ...

Beginning of the hike ...

... the views were really grand looking over the scenery we had just traveled ...

... Mommy needed a break, so Daddy took over "resting" on my chariot as we continued upward

Boy o' boy, that hike was so demanding that I barely remember it much at all ...

Why Avery doesn't remember much from the strenuous hike ...

Watch for Part 2 of Avery's wilderness adventure ... coming soon ...

Little Secrets ...

Avery sneaking away to her secret Rock Star life ...

All of you out there in the blog-o-sphere probably think you know who I am and what I'm all about ... well, get ready to have that image totally blown away ...

See, I have this little secret ... I like to hop onto my motorbike, let my hair down, and just fly into the wind ...

Avery starting up her motor bike ...

... and here she goes ... preparing for a full standing balance on the seat ...

... look out Evel Knievel ... here come Little Miss Daredevil Avery!!!


Look ma, riding backwards is sooo easy!!!

Happy Daddy's Day, Daddy!!!!

Avery and Daddy goofing around at home

I'm just so lucky to have such a great and fun Daddy like mine ... I love you Daddy!!!!

Milk wins hands down ...

Avery performing her "taste-off"

One night out at dinner last week I got a little curious about all these "brown bottles" I always see Mommy, Daddy, and others drinking from, so I thought I would finally give it a try myself.

Now maybe I'm biased, but I don't think there isn't anything truly better than a "white bottle" ... and I should distinguish from the very different types of "white bottles" ... one from Boobie was always the very best, with one from the refrigerator carton a close second, and the instant power/shaker variety can be referred to as bottom barrel dead last. Thus, for this "taste-off", refrigerator milk would have to do against this "brown bottle" elixir.

And as I could have guess ... my "white bottle" milk clearly beats this brown sludge of a liquid hands down ... it's not even close. Too bad that's what most adults choose ... "brown bottles" over "white bottles" ... I guess that just leaves more for me and all my baby friends!!!

Sailing the treacherous deep blue waters ...

Daddy helping Avery navigate through the treacherous deep blue waters

It seems that I have officially graduated from the "kiddie pool" and now have transitioned into sailing the deep blue waters (the ones that flow in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard, that is). Since this was my maiden voyage, Daddy came along to help me navigate the treacherous waters that lay ahead ... although, he mostly swam along the side of my craft since there was only room for one captain on this adventure ... me.

Daddy explaining to Avery the finer points of navigation

Along the route, one could hear all sorts of animal movements off in the distance. I could even see with my own two eyes things that thrashed about in the undertow that I would never dare image. I don't know what I would have done if my trusty sidekick was not always there to see me though ...

Daddy battling with the forces on nature to calm the waters for Avery

As all good things eventual come to an end, so was our adventure. So I do now declare victory upon circling the perimeter of these vast waters and hereby claim that these waters shall now be referred to as "Avery's Cove" from this point forward.

What a fun adventure with Daddy!!!

Uhhh ohhh ...

Ohhh nooo ... what has happened to our sweet Avery now?!!??!

Uhhh ohhh, why is that spoon in Avery's hand ... and is that the same noodle up her nose now that was previously on the corner of her mouth??!!??

The plot thickens ...

... aah haa ... we should have guessed this was the beginning of the story!!!!

Good hygiene is important ...

Avery brushing her teeth ... all 4 of them

If there is one thing that I have learned from Mommy so far it is this ... a girl has to have good hygiene. Mommy takes excellent care of her teeth, so I wanted to do the same as soon as possible ...

Avery showing Scout-No how to brush your teeth

Avery attempting to share her toothbrush with Scout-No

Grandma has retired from watching me?!??!!?

Avery with Daddy at Grandma's party

So I'm not exactly sure what will happen after this past weekend ... it's all a bit confusing to me still, but then again, I'm just a baby. Maybe if I explain what occurred, one of you out there might be able make sense of it all for me ...

It all started last weekend where Mommy, Daddy, and me got all dressed up and went to a party that was in Grandma's honor. It started out as a grand fun time ... eating, dancing, and partying while Grandma seemed to be enjoying her special moment with all of her friends and family.

Avery enjoying her place setting at Grandma's party

Three generations of blonds

Avery dancing with Mommy (with some help from the staff)

So as the fun night went on and on and on, from the conversations I could overhear it slowly dawned on me that this wasn't just any ordinary party for a great Grandma, but more of a retirement party?!??!!?

So what exactly is Grandma retiring from anyway ... her only job is to cater to my every need from time to time. Am I that hard to deal with??? Does that mean Grandma is buying the boat and sailing away to go bye-bye forever?!?!!?

Grandma getting her retirement recognition

Avery with Grandma and all her fellow new retirees

Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, and Daddy with Barb (another fellow new retiree)

Note that I took this last photo (since my usually personal photographers where all in it).

So, in the end I guess that's what makes life interesting ... things constantly changing. Hopefully I'll still see Grandma from time to time. I guess I don't know what else to say ... quite frankly, I'm still in a state of shock right now that Grandma had to retire only after one year of service ...

Walking Hard ...

No way, I'm really doing it!!! Check me out!!!

... or maybe I should call this blog "Hard Walking" instead?!!?!?

In any case, I'm finally really doing it!!! But don't take my word on it, you be the judge ... watch this video of me cruising all around (with just a few hiccups) and tell me what you think ...

Next up: asking for the car keys!!!

Avery showing off her sweet upright skills

My 100th blog posting ...

Avery taking a well deserved relaxing break from blogging all the time

Woo hoo!!! I did it ... I reached 100 blog postings in my first year (of life in general and starting up this way fun blog).

I just want to thank all of you out there in the blogosphere for spending your time reading, participating, and commenting on my blog throughout the last year ... you guys are awesome!!! I can't wait to read, re-read, and then re-read yet again as I grow up over time and look at this over and over again throughout my life.

And look forward to another year of blogs about my kiddie adventures and high-jinks ... I look forward to writing them!!!