summertime part 1 August 6, 2010

We’re having a fabulous summer!!  Right after Ryan finished school we went to visit his family in St. Joseph, Michigan. 

We had a great time…

 

 Kilwin’s ice cream was definitely one of the highlights of our trip, mostly for Ryan (ok, ok, for me too…)  He’s holding up his fingers to show how many times we had been to Kilwin’s while we were in Michigan.  Just in case you were wondering, we went to Kilwin’s 9 out of the 10 days we were there.  But don’t worry.  We took a few walks.  And just in case you were wondering, Kilwin’s sells all sorts of other tasty treats, like orange, lemon, and limeade, fudge, chocolates, and caramel apples.  They’re all absolutely wonderful, just in case you were wondering.  We highly recommend Kilwin’s.

 

 Sunsets over Lake Michigan.  Breathtaking, serene, majestic, awe-inspiring…every time I saw one my heart leaped at the thought that such a beautiful God would allow silly little humans the chance to see just a tiny bit of His glory.

 

 Family.  So thankful for the time we were able to spend together!!  While we were there, we got to celebrate Ryan’s parents’ 40th anniversary, and had some family pictures taken on the beach.  We especially loved hanging out with our niece, Abigail.  She’s on the top  right of this collage.  Isn’t she a doll??  She was born 5 months before Avery, and when we were visiting last summer, she was still so tiny!  I love all the changes that take place in the first few years of life.  She has such a happy, spunky personality.  It was also super fun getting to see what Avery will be like in a few months.

 

Father’s Day!  My husband is such a wonderful Daddy to both of our kids…and I’ve especially loved watching him be such a super sweet Daddy to our little girl!!  She loves him so much already.

 

Sandcastle fun on the beach

 

Someday, I want my garden to look a little like this…

Lovely Life April 27, 2010

Hi friends!!!  I’m back!  What in the world have I been doing for the 4+ months since my last post about Bert the Christmas tree, you might ask????  Well… I have been living life.  Taking time to fully recover from the difficult pregnancy and delivery that brought our sweet little girl into the world.  Learning to be a Mommy of 2.  Reading to Jack (and teaching Jack to read!)  Treasuring each new discovery Avery makes.  Gardening.  Reading the gospel of John and loving what I’m learning about my Savior.  Realizing over and over how good God was to give me Ryan.  Starting to be a friend again, and making some new friends.  Life has been sweet and beautiful lately.  Sometimes I find myself closing my eyes tight and wanting so badly to hold on to these precious moments, because I know they will pass so quickly.  But then I open them again… and I love what I see.  And I pray that I will live each precious moment with purpose…for Jesus.   Here are a few glimpses into my little world lately…

 

adorable giraffe (from Anthropologie!!) courtesy of Avery’s Aunt Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

And just because I couldn’t decide…here are a few more of Avery 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Tree Named Bert December 14, 2009

This is Bert.  Isn’t he cute?  Jack named him.

 

 

 

and here are a few Avery pics just for fun…

 

This is one of my favorite faces

 

and also…

Did you know that there’s a flower called the Yuletide Camellia?  I love it.  This picture doesn’t really show how deep the red is, but it’s beautiful.

Avery’s New Hat December 2, 2009

This post is dedicated to my Aunt Ellen, who got Avery this ADORABLE hat!    I especially love the fact that the flower is the size of Avery’s face.    We love you, Auntie!!!   Thank you so much for adding to our small but growing collection of girly embellishments.

 

 

 

 

My sweet Aunt Vera held Avery during the photo shoot

 

Comfort and fashion…together at last.

My 2 Month Old November 22, 2009

Here are a few of my favorite Avery pics from the past few weeks…she’s 2 months old as of Tuesday!  At her doctor appointment, we found out she weighs 7 lbs, 13 oz, so she’s gained exactly 2 pounds since she was born.  Since she had a hard time gaining weight in the beginning, that was very encouraging for this mommy!  There’s finally some “chub” on her cheeks.    She’s only in the 5th percentile, and the size of many “just born newborns” (my friend Cristy had a baby boy this week who weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz!) but we’re not complaining. 

Previously mentioned chubby cheeks

 

She loves to raise her left hand and wave…or praise the Lord…either one.

 

Such a sweet face

 

She also loves to watch her bouncy seat “friends”

 

First smiles!!

 

 

 

Our friend Dave took these at Jack’s birthday party

 

 

 

Oh how I love this girl.

My 5 Year Old November 21, 2009

Last week my little boy turned 5!!!   It feels like a big milestone.  I almost can’t believe it.

 

Jack chose to take his dad and his 2 friends David and Isaac ”golfing” with him for his birthday.  David’s dad Dave came along and took some awesome pictures…thanks, Dave!

  

He’s so cute

 

 

 

 

 

 Love this guy.

 

 Such characters

 

 Jack: “This is the best kind of day…putt-putt golf with your friends, happy meals for lunch…” (insert sigh of contentment here)

 

My sweet boy

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice… November 3, 2009

Today I made my first girly splurge purchase for Avery…and I’m sure it won’t be my last!  There’s a little secondhand kids store near our house, and they have a whole wall of flowers and bows that you can mix and match with stretchy headbands…too much fun!  I think the girl behind the counter got a kick out of how excited I was about the whole concept.  Avery is excited too…she can hardly contain herself, as you can see.  In other news, I think she might have really smiled at me this morning. 

 

 

 

Halloween Fun October 31, 2009

Lombardi Ranch

 

Jack & Avery’s pumpkins

 

My little Anakin Skywalker strikes a serious pose

 

We had a fun evening with our friends the Kellers!

 

Here’s what Avery did during her 1st trick-or-treating experience…

 

The loot

 

May the force be with you.

One Month with Avery October 17, 2009

 

Here’s how much Avery loved her first bath

 

Chatting with her big brother…he’s so sweet with her!

 

Relaxing…she loves having her hands up near her head

 

Some of Avery’s biggest fans…Baba and Deda (my grandparents)

 

Resting with Dad

 

Resting with Mom

 

Avery goes to the pumpkin patch!

 

Jackson Moses Dean and Avery Elaine 

 

Our family of four!

 

Avery in her swing

 

Avery’s 3rd bath was a much calmer experience for everyone involved.

 

Today on her 1 month birthday, Avery got to go to her first tea! Some of the ladies in my family got together to celebrate and honor my grandmother, and we had a wonderful time. There are 4 generations represented in this picture.

 

Avery sleeping peacefully in her great-grandmother’s arms

She’s Here! September 30, 2009

Avery Elaine Anthony

Thursday, September 17, 2009

5 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches long

 

 So tiny and new

 

“She’s massive little!” — Jack

 

Such a sweet and gentle big brother already

 

I couldn’t stop telling her, “I prayed and prayed for you!”

 

 

 

 

So thankful for the gift of Avery Elaine…