What is the fascination?

With Tim Horton's coffee cups?

When my coffee came double cupped one day she was "all over" the extra cup

 

Clearly loving being just like her mommy.........

 

And looking pretty darn cute doing it!!

A Few More Summer Pics.............

Summer days shared with friends!

 

 

Avery was battling a cold but Claire managed to capture this smile while out on our morning walk

How cool is this little guy? Or girl?

Claire captured my favourite picture so far this summer!

Evan's favourite past time.............

Awenda Provincial Park.....

....... is where Avery turned 9 months old! Her current list of accomplishments include: clapping her hands, playing Itsy Bitsy Spider, pulling herself to standing, rolling over, crawling backward, saying "mama and dada" and showing you her toes when you ask her.  Of course she always accomplishes stealing our hearts!!

Claire and Evan enjoyed exploring the rocky shoreline of Georgian Bay

Catching a "Pike" was the highlight of the fishing trip (unfortunately mommy missed getting the shot)

 

And Claire enjoyed the sunshine, beach and maybe a smore or two.........

An 8 Month Old.....And an 8 Year Old

On July 12th Little Miss Avery turned 8 months!

She is a spunky little ball of fun

It's no wonder that she captures the hearts of all that meet her!

Celebrating Evan's 8th birthday at GWL of course!

Some Mommy and Avery time relaxing by the pool

She's like a fish in the water and loved her splashing time with Daddy

So cute!

I dared Evan to stand in the "Lottsa Water Drop Zone" on his birthday

He obliged.......here it comes!!

The day was finished off with a yummy dinner and a GWL birthday cake in the Antler Shanty Dining Room - the perfect end to a fun day!!  Happy Birthday Evan - We love you big bunches!!!

Such a Love-Hate Relationship

With Mr. Cow.....................

 

 

Oh my sweet girl...............

This day has been anything but easy so far.  Details I don't even want to mention, suffice to say it was just lots of little things that compounded until my cheery mood was quickly turning sour.  Regardless of my "eyore cloud" I was determined to take Avery outside for her 7 month old photo shoot.

I'm not sure if she woke up on the wrong side of the mattress or if she clued into my less than jovial mood but lets just say this photo shoot did not turn out like I had hoped.

My poor little Avery was anything but happy.......but regardless, I think she is still beautiful......frowns and all.  Happy 7 Months Little Avery............love you to the moon and back!

Life should never be that serious.........

The "best one" of the morning!

Victoria Day Weekend Fun!

We had a wonderful weekend filled with friends, hiking, trips to our favourite bookstore........and even watched while Claire and Evan took their first polar bear dip of the season!!

The AFTER Pics.......

Have I ever mentioned how awesome Adam is!

He took an old, bare-bones laundry room (think uneven concrete floors and cement block walls) and turned it into this.................complete with heated floors!!  And now I have my own little oasis and spa tucked away from the children.  Thanks honey for all your hard work!!!!

Do Two Posts In One Night......

make up for two months without posting?  Sure hope so!!  As a continuation of my last post I am happy to report that I am done jiggling Avery on my lap and she is finally asleep in her crib for the night.....or at least the next couple of hours.  And although I should probably be getting to bed myself I just felt like I needed some "grown up" time doing something I enjoy.....not that I don't enjoy drool, poop, crying, homework, cooking, cleaning, dog walking, and driving assorted children everywhere......just saying!

Having Avery enter our family has morphed us from being a busy household to a crazy busy household times ten!  Some of the things I've learned over the last few months are:
1.  There is never enough sleep....I mean NEVER!
2.  It is possible to breastfeed a baby in 5 minute intervals throughout the day between serving snacks, teaching colours to toddlers and wiping runny noses.
3. Babies are much more adaptable than we give them credit for......thank goodness Avery is one laid back little lady!
4. It is possible to do 5 loads of laundry a day......it helps if you flip the last load at the 3am feeding.
5. Adding a puppy to the family when you have a newborn and work full time may not have been the smartest decision but I still wouldn't change a thing.....LOVE you Willow!!
6. Menu planning is a godsend!!  And the kids are happy to be eating something besides chicken fingers.
7. Teenagers can rise to the challenge and accept responsibilities quite well if given the opportunity.
8. I've started thinking about retirement alot more seriously.....and then I realized that we'll be retired and Avery will only be 10!!
9. I'll always feel disappointed that we didn't finish our adoption but yet I feel our family is now complete. It is a relief that the stress of waiting and wondering for the last 6 years has lifted.

AND THE FINAL THING I'VE LEARNED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS IS:

10. I like crazy busy households full of kids, noise, and the occasional pitter patter of muddy paw prints across my kitchen floor. I like holding my daughter at 3 a.m.  as she snuggles with me holding my finger with her little hand.  I like being home with my children, being the first to hear about their day. I like feeling that the hard work I do makes our house feel like a home. I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, here are a few "catch up" pictures from the last couple months. We have a busy summer planned and I can't wait for it all!

Just a regular day in the life of Avery....always happy and smiling

Easter Weekend at Chappell Farms

Running on the hay bales rock!

For the longest time Willow thought this was her dog house. 

Avery about to try her first real meal!

What a face!

Multiple uses for Avery's Bumbo and one too many snowy days with nothing to do!

Never to out done by his sister....Evan strikes a pose!

A Chub-a-lish-ish Baby

 Avery ~ 4 months

5 Months

My computer has recovered from its black-screen-of-death thanks to my computer savy brother in law.  I realized that I've been way behind on updating Avery's pics. I'll post more in depth shortly as I'm currently typing with one finger while I jiggle a little one on my lap.  Until then.....enjoy the cuteness!