Las Vegas 2011

June is off to a busy start! Greg and I just got back from our 2nd trip together to Las Vegas. Last year we went to celebrate his 40th birthday, and this year we went for an equally as momentous an occasion - to celebrate the 15-year wedding anniversary of our very close friends, Marco and KC! Congratulations to the Zachs!

All children were secured at home in the care of grandparents, so we adults hit the Strip and stayed out past bedtime. It's a well known fact that the best dancing in the club occurs post-bedtime!

Instead of spending our hard-earned money gambling, Greg and I splurged on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. It was amazing to experience our first sighting of the Grand Canyon from the air in a $3 million chopper!

We also ventured out into the Mojave Desert to visit Valley of Fire State Park. The sandstone rock formations are really worth seeing.

Back at home, Miss Avery had Meme at her beck and call. Avery subsisted on chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese in between trips to the swimming pool. I believe the term is "spoiled!" I guess that is what grandmothers are for. Thank you for letting us get away Meme! And what are you doing next April!?!?!?

The Hokie Pokie

Avery treated us to her interpretation of the hokie pokie one night recently just before bed. Clearly, she inherited her father's dance moves!

Dog Training 101

Avery loves to help Daddy down at the dog kennels. She assists with the many dog chores, such as handing out "tweats," filling water buckets with "atorns" and rocks, and helping throw the retrieving dummies. Here she is training Turbo. Her dog commands are "whoa" and "give it to me!"

Avery does a really nice job of filling the feeders with a scoop of dog food. "I no spill, Daddy."
Surprisingly, she doesn't.

Dog training is hard work! Time to take a break and let Daddy take over!

Warrior Dash

This Sunday, Avery and Daddy spent some quality time together while I trekked up to Mountain City, GA, with my friend Travis to compete in the Warrior Dash. The Warrior Dash is a 3 mile "adventure race" like no other. The course involves about a dozen obstacle that include such elements as mud, fire, mud, a swamp bog, mud and more mud. Upon completing the challenging course, we were rewarded with warrior helmets, a medal, and of course, free beer!

Every warrior should finish a long day with a big chomp on a turkey leg.

I apparently got a bit of mud on my face. I had a few scrapes and cuts, too, but nothing a warrior can't handle.

When I got home, my fan club helped model my warrior helmet.

I hereby designate Warrior Dash 2011 as a success! Thanks to Travis for letting me talk him into participating with me!

Easter 2011

The Easter Bunny visited Avery at Meme and Pa's house this year. Heather, Luke and Jay also joined us to celebrate the holiday, which meant that Avery and Luke got to hunt Easter Eggs together in Pa's beautifully landscaped yard. It is worth noting that Heather and I did not coordinate the kids' Easter outfits! It was mere coincidence that they could have been pulled right from the pages of J Crew for toddlers.

Pa chose to keep a low profile during the egg hunt.

The little ones indulged us with some photo ops as they examined their egg hunt loot!

I helped Avery count her eggs: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 8, 9, 10, 8, 9, 10. I knew 3 wasn't in her repetoire, but apparently she's not a fan of 6 either.

After a delicious Easter dinner, we relaxed on the patio by playing bubble machine. As my Dad likes to say, "Look at all the f'ing bubbles!"

Avery loved sleeping on her specail "Princess Bed" and looks forward to seeing Meme and Pa again soon!

"Me Do It": Bubbles Version

Avery has always loved bubbles, but hadn't mastered the art of blowing them herself until last weekend.

Her Daddy gave her a tutorial and after a few attempts...

She did it!

In case you spotted it, I am aware that there is a ketchup smudge on Avery's cheek in these photos. That's because we're showing you our real unedited selves here on this blog. Well, that, and Daddy was responsible for wiping her face after lunch!

Catchphrases of My Two-Year Old

Let’s face facts. Avery has never been a calm, docile child. She’s always been spirited and a little bit stubborn, with just the right amount of sweet and loving thrown in to fool me into thinking I might want another child some day. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now that she’s two, to our chagrin, Avery has learned how to verbalize her every desire. This makes for some interesting moments (stand-offs) around our house, so I thought I’d share a few of her catchphrases for your amusement (or apprehension of what’s to come if your child has not reached two years old yet). Here they are, in no particular order:

“No want it!” in response to anything that is not her idea. This includes, but is not limited to getting PJs on, putting a jacket on because it’s 40 degrees outside, or changing her out of a poopy diaper.

“Pick you up!” Indicating that, in addition to the purse, set of car keys, and bag of groceries that I am carrying, I should also pick up a 28 lb toddler who has two perfectly good legs of her own.

“Me do it!” Translation: Mommy, how dare you even think about helping me into my highchair 3 feet of the ground? Clearly, I can do it myself.

“Mommy do it!” This phrase is most typically used when anyone besides me tries to play with Avery, make something for her to eat or drink, change her diaper, or dress her. Clearly, Avery has designated me and only me as her slave for life.

Good thing she’s so cute…and that there is a no returns policy on 2-year olds!