Bananas

I realize I am WAY behind on blogging and I will catch up soon but this was too funny not to share. Last night a few minutes before bed Avery asked for a "nana" (banana). I cut some up and gave them too her. A few minutes later she asked for more. My "hungry" girl went through two bananas. Here is what she was doing while I wasn't looking.

Dog Dog

Avery loves "Dog Dog." Anytime she hears one bark she bends down and listens, barks back and spends the next few minutes saying "Dog Dog." She loves her dog books and dog toys, but she is really afraid of real dogs and stuffed animal dogs. Well, we took her to the mall yesterday to play in the children's play place. Right next door they have a toy store that is full of stuffed dogs. This is what happens everytime we take her.


I guess if you sneak up on them they are less scary!

When we're helping we're happy...

We installed a new dishwasher last night and we couldn't have done it without Avery's help. Here is a little clip of her handy skills (sorry it is tilted, I can't figure out how to turn it) She also has a pacifier in her mouth. She never took a pacifier as a baby so I put them in her toy box to play with with her babies. Now she has decided they are fun to chew on. Every few days or so she will find one and spend the day chewing on it. She looks so silly with a tiny baby pacifier in her mouth.

Tissue Holder

This is for my lovely sister-in-law Kellie. Sorry it is so late and that I am not good at giving sewing instructions.

You will need to cut your linning 6 3/4" x 8" and your outside fabric 6 3/4" x 7.


Put your right sides together and sew your 6 3/4" sides together using a 1/2" seam.


Find your center and pin then sew your side seams using a 1/2" seam. Remember to leave an opening so you can turn your right sides out.



Now is a great time to turn it right side out and iron.


Now find your center and fold each end into the center and iron. Then stitch using the width of your foot.



Kellie I hope this helps. I am sure I left out steps. Have fun with the achievement day girls.

Oh Avery!

Here is a picture tour of our last week and I think it will leave you saying "Oh Avery." I have been left speechless lately.

It started with my little artist expressing herself by writting on her stomach with a pen. I have no idea where she found the pen.




Avery has learned how to climb. She also loves the telephone and pens (as you have seen) We have a file box by the cabinets which makes it all to easy for Avery to get at the phone. I moved the box but Avery still finds a way to get at the phone.




Avery has learned how to open the dishwasher and likes to unload the dishes.


Avery likes to pull EVERYTHING out of the cupboards and then play in them. Oh, she makes such a mess.



Last but not least. Avery went into my bathroom last night. Opened the drawer got out the fingernail polish went into the kitchen and dropped it on the floor. It of course broke. I was to mad I couldn't take a picture of the polish while it was still all over. Here is a picture after I tried to clean it up. Of course I am out of nail polish remover so I can't get it all off. Oh Dear Avery!

Avery and Her Blankies

I made Avery a minky and satin blanket before she was born. It has since become her constant companion. So much so, that I have a hard time finding a time to wash it. Well, we were in the fabric store the other day and walked past a piece of cheetah patterned fabric. Avery grabbed onto and wouldn't let it go. It was really soft. The ladies at the store ended up cutting her a small piece to keep. She played with it for days. So, I got to thinking...it is high time that Avery had a new blanket. If I made her another blanket similar to the one she has then we could switch off blankies while I washed one. It has back fired on me. Avery has to have both of them now. She loves to cuddle up on the chaise with an animal book and both of her blankets. She sure is a silly girl!

4th of July Fun

This year was Avery's first real experience with Independence Day, and we had a great time at the parade in Bethany with our friends. Avery loved waving her flag, clapping for everyone, and picking up candy. Of course, she called all the horses "dog dog." We enjoyed a barbecue that afternoon, where Avery was happy to spend some time swimming in the kids pool (her new love in life). Later we watched the fireworks show at UCO, but Avery was more interested in the glow-sticks we tied around her wrists and ankles. It was a long, hot Oklahoma day, but we made some great memories.

Brandt and his Ph.D.

Brandt graduated with his Ph.D. on June 25. It was a pretty exciting day becuase we finally feel like we are making progress here in Oklahoma. Two more years and Brandt will have his M.D. Avery and I are Proud of You! Here are some pictures of Brandt after his dissertation defense, and the family with Dr. Paul Kincade, Brandt's mentor.

Summer Trip to Utah and Avery's Party

Yeah, we had a two week trip home to Utah in the middle of June. It was so lovely to be in the mountains with the 70 and 80 degree weather. We had a wonderful time with our families and had so much fun at Avery's first Birtday party.


Avery mowing the lawn with Grandpa Van Ausdal.


My mom was so great to take Avery outside to spend time on the soft grass. Those of you who live in Oklahoma know what I mean.


Spending time with Grandma Esplin and her fun cousins.


Avery and Luke exploring. Avery is so lucky to have 4 cousins her age.




Avery at her party waiting for her cake.


Avery was so methodical eating her cake. She took small little pieces and didn't even get it all over her face. To bad, maybe next year!


Avery has always loved cards. She is still playing with this one.

One Year Birthday

Can you believe it, Avery turned one on June 7 (Yes I am a bit behind on my blogging)! Avery at a year is running all over the house, using everything as a telephone and telling it "hi," and learning new words every day. She is a chatterbox. She calls all animals "dog dog" or "birds," and all children of any age "baby." She sure is a lot of fun! Here is a look back at her first year.

Avery and Bedtime

We have tried to stick to a night-time routine with Avery, and this may be proof that it is working. It's so amazing how fast children can learn.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a very full Memorial Day weekend. It started on Thursday when Brandt took me to the Lion King. Which was fantastic. It was followed up by some great food for dinner at a friends house. Friday,Avery and I went to the zoo with Hope and Lacey. Avery loves Hope. See spent more time looking at Hope then any of the animals. Saturday morning Brandt went golfing with a few friends. He then came home and started his homemade rootbeer for a BBQ later that night. At the BBQ Avery got her first taste of a swimming pool and I think I have a fish on my hands. Sunday we celebrated Brandt's 29th Birthday. Avery helped Dad blow out the candles and eat his cake. Monday we went to the zoo as a family and Avery rode a carousel. She was not sure what to think about it. She also had her first taste of dippin dots. Of course she loved them. Later that night we went to Hafer park and had another BBQ. Avery loved being out at the park and seemed to really enjoy herself. To top of a crazy few days Avery and I went swmimming with some friends on Tuesday. I think we are going to relax for the rest of the week.