This fall and winter have been incredibly fun so far! We are in our new house and Avery is loving all the festivities that come along with the seasons. She did have a bit of a rough time several weeks ago when she fractured her right arm (no cast needed thankfully!) and then immediately came down with a nice case of the croup. Needless to say, she got a little pampering for about a week... you know, lots of one-on-one time with mom, being read as many books as she wanted, being rocked in the middle of the night for as long as she wanted and getting to eat meals in the livingroom while watching PraiseBaby DVDs. I'm still battling the spoiling we gave her that week. :)

Here she is during that time watching PraiseBaby... she's normally only allowed one a day, if that, but that week... well, she was in charge. Life's tough, huh?

Her recovery was quick. These little guys can bounce back from anything! Avery decided it was time to get outside and be helpful. She's helping her Daddy prune the cannas back for the winter. Just some cute pictures
You can see her teeth here a little. We're up to 6 now; progress is slow and steady. :)
Helping Mommy with the laundry. Her gift is definitely unloading the hamper. The Captain and Aunt Tara came to visit with Kellan and Parker. They're moving to Paris in January!!!! We are so excited! Take a look at the rolls on this sweet girl! I'm very sad Avery missed this stage so I'm enjoying it vicariously through Parker. :)Kellan and Avery getting clean after a long day of playing. Not sure about the look on Kellan's face.We had Christmas with the Spencer family a weekend early this year. Pawpaw is reading a Christmas story to the girls on "Christmas Eve".
Avery loves the Christmas trees! We can touch, but only with one finger (surprisely it works for both Avery and Roselyn most of the time!)Avery helping in the kitchen with Christmas Dinner.She found a hat and some cookies in her stocking at Pawpaw and Grandmommy's house. I'd say they're pretty proud grandparents, wouldn't you?
This was just too cute to pass up! Don't you just want to squeeze him?
You're seeing right... the focus is on Kanyon's new "J's". Yes, you're reading correctly Kanyon has his own Michael Jordan basketball shoes now too. In fact, all 3 Spencer babies have their own. Coming from a baseball family myself, I really don't understand, but to each his own! :) It is pretty funny to see them on. This is Avery "Christmas Day" at Brad and Gwen Ann's. She and Roselyn racked up the presents and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
I'll end with a sweet picture of Avery in her Christmas present from Pawpaw and Grandmommy. She loves riding around in her wagon!

It happened... it really, really happened!

Well, if you haven't noticed by the familiar pose in the first picture (maybe there are some boys out there who don't immediately recognize it), my baby sister, a self-proclaimed "old maid" at the ripe old age of 24, has gotten engaged! She may have thought it would never happen, but I never really doubted it. I mean, seriously, it's not like there are many guys out in the world who would pass up a blonde, long-legged, 6-ft model-type... oh yeah, who has a heart of gold, impeccable moral standards and is intelligent. It was just a matter of finding a guy who wasn't too intimidated to talk to her.

So a big CONGRATULATIONS to Nate and Brenna! I'm excited for both of you and Nate, I am proud to have you as a part of the family... I just hope you know what you're in for! :)

Nice job on the ring, huh?

I know, I know... it's about time.

I have good excuses, but no one wants to hear them so I'll just refer to a little bit of Ecclesiatiscal wisdom. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"... and had Solomon written this in the 21st century he would have continued, "a time to blog and a time not to blog." I have had a prolonged stint of the latter... sorry.

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Here is the promised and belated picture of my sweet new niece, Parker Marie Davidson. She takes strongly after her mother in looks and stature (can you believe scrawny little Tara was a chunk of a baby?). I just had to show her off.

Avery has blossomed (I think I say that every time). She is beginning to get her little routine down around the house. One of her newer ones makes good use of a cradle my Nanny made for me when I was a baby. Avery will climb in that cradle to do many of her daily activities... reading, brushing her hair, sometimes pooping (no picture of this one, sorry).Mr. Potato Head glasses fit perfectly... almost.
Pawpaw and Grandmommy got Avery a rocking horse for her first birthday. Doesn't every kid have a picture similar to this one? I know Clay does! :)Who could resist this shot?... Pinchable!These are Avery's 1-year pictures. If you want to see the fancy comparison of month-by-month photos, you'll have to come and visit us. Maybe I'll get really bored one day and Avery will take an extra long nap and I'll post them.This is one Sunday morning before church smelling the mums... Clay thought she looked like a Kennedy kid... I thought she looked precious.Here is the only birthday party picture I have of her so far. I got so wrapped up having fun, I forgot to take many pictures. Don't worry though, Doodle has it covered. I'll have some soon! It was a beautiful day to have a little outdoor celebration and I think Avery (and the rest of us) enjoyed ourselves.After her party we went to the Pumpkin Festival in Paris where she had her first pony ride compliments of Nana. She loved it. I'm not sure if she even realized she was on a horse though because she was so distracted and amazed at the pony that kept following behind her.
Again at the Pumpkin Festival.

Avery and Roselyn were Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss for Halloween. Their costumes were pretty cute I have to say. We couldn't get many great pictures because Avery suddenly disliked her wig and kept taking it off, but I think you get the picture from these.
Welp, see you soon... maybe.

I guess it's about that time to post our latest news on the blog. It hasn't really been a secret, but I haven't posted yet because a picture to go along with the news is much more fun... so here's the picture. Can you guess the news? As a lot of you already know, we're expecting again! YAY! I went to the doctor last week and confirmed it (I never feel like it's real until the doctor tells me so). I didn't know how far along I was before I went, only that I was probably due in March or April. Our due date has officially been set for April 15th (Happy Early Birthday Chris!). On the sonogram, if it's hard to orient yourself, you can see 2 little legs sticking out of the bottom right side of the baby and it's head is on the top left. It looks just like a little teddy bear to me.

Avery is very excited about her new little brother or sister. She will be almost 18 months old when it is born. She is already practicing being sweet and giving kisses with her Cabbage Patch baby.

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On to the picture part of the blog. Avery loves her new big bath tub and has recently discovered how much she likes her sticky letters. They stick on the bathtub walls and stick on her. She thinks it's great.

We were so blessed to have Kory, Jaymie and Kanyon AND Eric, Amber and Ayelan Green come to Paris to visit a couple of weekends ago. We all went out to the lake for the afternoon and had a wonderful time. Here are a few pictures.
Avery inspecting Kanyon.
Lake days make you hungry!
Ayelan and Avery holding hands... Awww.

Relaxing with Pawpaw and a good book after a long day at the lake.Roselyn came over to play a few nights ago and we introduced her to one of Avery's favorite games... Riding the Cruisers train! My Dad used to loop his belt through the diaper box handle and pull us around the room. I was little, but I remember how the carpet felt moving under me when he would do that. I think it's a hit with both girls.

We'll be back with more pictures soon. Kellan and Parker are coming to visit this weekend!

We're back!

Well, after almost 2 months of having no internet (lightning struck our apartment and fried my connection... no kidding), we are back on track. This is good because I've been in trouble from several different people for not updating the blog. Believe me though, we've been busy. We are settling in to our new house in Paris and Clay is diligently working to get the office up and running. I will be so glad for him when he can relax a little!

Avery is growing like a weed and getting SO fun to be around! Since I've been gone from the blog she started crawling (~8.5 months), took her first step by herself (~9.25 months), and is now trying to get around walking on her own. She can probably go about 6-8 feet before she gets off balance and crashes. :) Enough writing though... on to pictures...

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This is a pretty old picture, but our good friend Cassi Rash took it and sent it to me just before we moved. I thought it was pretty cute. We didn't want to hurt those little eardrums with all the shotguns blasting.

Avery is developing a love of books. This is one Linda Ford gave her. She just points and babbles like she's reading everything it says.
Our friends at church threw us a going away party and dummy-me, I didn't get a group shot. It was at a park though and Avery had a great time!

Her Daddy loving on her.
After the party we went to Cassidee's house to play.
Avery loved all of Cassidee's toys!
Everyone needs a good bath after an evening at the park. Well, moving day came before we knew it and we were so blessed to have some incredible friends come help us with the move. Here are Brenna and Kendra helping to keep Avery busy while we were loading up.
Here's the male moving crew, sans my Dad, who did more than his fair share of lifting that day! It's a tough looking picture until you see Avery. I have to give all these guys and my parents a huge thanks because we lived on the 3rd floor of the apartment building... no elevator.
Us saying good-bye to #3023!
Avery is loving her new home! She has so much more space to explore and we can go outside anytime we like!
Avery got a pool on our first run to Walmart... I made sure it was big enough for a Mommy too!

Loving outside!

Rosie Jo came over the other day and swam with us. If you look in the back of the picture, you'll see Clay mowing the yard. It doesn't sound fun to some, but it's a nice break from an apartment parking lot for a backyard.
My newest niece, Parker Marie Davidson, was born August 21st. So we had to make a trip to Abilene to see her. She is BEAUTIFUL! This is horrible, but I don't have a good close shot of her. You'll have to wait for it. Kellan and Avery had some good bonding time together while all the adults were doting over the new one. Here they are chilling in front of the TV.
And enjoying a little night swim!
Here are all 3 cousins ready for church Sunday morning. We had a great time and I wish like crazy that John Mark and Tara were a little closer so we could see them more.
Avery looking sweet for her 10 month picture...

... Avery trying to escape from her 10 month picture.
Feeling cool and sporting and after-bath mohawk.
Aunt Nancye gave Avery her very first baby doll and as you can see, she absolutely loves it.
She has learned to give baby kisses and she will rock her baby when I sing "Rock-a-Bye Baby" to them.
That's about caught us up for now. Later.