Mike brought some fun stuff home from the Seahawks game this weekend. Avery really likes her new football, "Set.Go.Throw! Football! Go!"

Avery got a swingset from her Gma Dee and Gma Bob for her birthday, and after Mike spent a mere 3 hours setting it up (!) Avery got to test-ride the slide, wheee! Thanks so much Gma and Gpa (and Mike) :)

Avery's birthday party! We had a bbq for Avery's birthday party last Saturday. We were luckier with the weather this year - it was a beautiful sunny day. Avery had a lot of fun running around with her friends and blowing bubbles. Mike and I had fun too, but we're thinking Avery should have birthday parties only every 5 years or so from here on out :)

Also, I have a funny story to relate. Last night, Mike and I were reading Avery bedtime stories and for some reason she only wanted me to read the books. Every time Mike would pick up a book, Avery would take it away saying "no, mom mom!" Since Mike was looking pretty sad about this, we said "Can't dad read a book?" So, Avery generously handed Mike a book, but as soon as he started to read she grabbed it out of his hands, plopped down on my lap, looked back at Mike and said, "Sorry, dad." !

Avery's skit part 4.

Here are the first two installments of Avery's birthday skit. The other installment were taking too long to load - so I will try to post those soon. We had such a fun time in California with "Mama Nell", "Papa Harvey" and the rest of the gang. Avery will occasionally say "Mama Nell go?" I assure her we'll see everyone again soon :)

We had a great time in California, and the sunshine was a welcome break from the rain and thunderstorms in Washington. Avery had wonderful time, as always, with her CA fan club and learned to say quack quack quack from her aunts and uncle (although the title "aunt quack quack" goes to Anna!). She gave everyone lots of kisses, and we're hoping this is a passing phase or we might have to lock in her in her room until she's 21 or so. After Mike went back home to go to work, Avery and I hung around for another week and a half. New Year's Eve was kind of a bust for both of us: Avery went to sleep at 7pm and I went to sleep at 8pm! And thanks to mom and dad for the wonderful birthday steak dinner, cooked to perfection by dad. We can't wait to see everyone again (but it was nice to come home and be with Mike!).

Happy Thanksgiving! Mike, Avery and I traveled down to Utah for Thanksgiving and spent a fun-filled weekend with the Cusworth side. Highlights included Thanksgiving dinner with the Florences, watching movies in "uncle Scott's" private movie theatre, gourmet scrambled egg concoctions with cinnamon toast at Leah and Hank's, frisbee at the park, the children's library in Provo (pictures below) and the Chinese Buffet. Oh yes, and "friendly" games of Rook :) On our way back we stopped at Rod and Dee Dee's for lunch, yum. Total driving tally that day = 18 hours. whew!

Avery with her cousins in Weiser on our way back to WA.

Sister twins

Waiting in line to see Santa

Stacking blocks with Grandpa.

Last week we went to a popular waterfall, Snoqualmie Falls, about 30 miles out of Seattle. The falls were incredible, but I think Mike was more impressed by his sighting of Omar Vizquel, the shortstop for the Giants.

We went to a Seahawks game with Mike's boss and his son. Because it was a little rainy, we made sure Avery was warm and dry in three layers of close and a trashbag. She did surprisingly well, especially when Joe (Mike's boss) was holding her.

For Halloween, we dressed up the pumpkin costume with some fairy wings. We carved a pumpkin while waiting for Mike to get home from work, and then Avery went trick or treating at our neighbor's house. She held her first trick or treating prize (a tootsie roll) tightly in her fist for the rest of the night.

Happy Halloween! To take advantage of one of the last sunny days I think we'll see in awhile, Avery and I hit some of the local pumpkin farms on October 30th. Of twenty or so pictures, Avery condescended to look at the camera about three times. And here they are!

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