Wait for it...

summertime part 1

Michelle — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:24:48 +0000

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

Michelle — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:01:07 +0000

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

Michelle — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:30:58 +0000

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

Michelle — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:33:05 +0000

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

Michelle — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:04:19 +0000

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

Michelle — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:55:56 +0000

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…

Michelle — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:12:32 +0000

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

Michelle — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:25:01 +0000

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

Michelle — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:56:44 +0000

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!

Michelle — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:45:46 +0000

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…