The Simpsons

Where in the world is Mistie Simpson

2010-12-06T18:26:00.002-07:00

Most of you won't likely see this post because I assume most of you have quit checking some time ago. I certainly don't blame you. Don't take it personal. I haven't even wrote in my kids journals for four months. I haven't wrote about our new house, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and if I don't get on the ball I will miss Christmas as well. I was so good about it for Avery I worry Clara will grow up and think I didn't care about her holidays and milestones. My life has been crazy. I can't seem to catch up. I watched Family Stone last night and decided I need to stop being crazy and cherish my kids. I always cherish my kids, but with a gut wrenching mix of anxiety. Have any of you seen Family Stone? I love that movie. Duane asked me last night why I loved it so much and I couldn't really answer. Just do. I love the house. I love that they have snow for Christmas. I love the family. I love that they all get together for Christmas. I want my family to be like that in the future (minus the breast cancer of course). Some day I will have all that. The house, the family, the Christmas. I'm starting my clinicals for school tomorrow. Add another dash of gut wrenching anxiety to the mix. Oh please let me get through clinicals. Its making my stomach turn just to think about it. My kids are upstairs screaming for me so that's the end of my post. Last time I left them to themselves for too long Clara ate the gingerbread houses. I am going to try to be better about posting because I want to print out my blog and use It as a journal of sorts. Has anybody done that? Where is the best place to get it done?

Laguna Beach

2010-03-27T17:35:00.002-06:00

Here is the adorable little cottage we rented at Laguna Beach for the end of April. I am so excited to get to go on vacation. Its been a long time coming. I am already planning another trip somtime next year so I can take Avery to Disneyland.

2010-03-27T17:32:00.001-06:00

Clara thinks this is so funny. I will look back and they will be holding hands in the car and Clara will just giggle.

Ice cream and snot

2010-03-27T17:23:00.003-06:00

Avery is such a nice girls to share her icecream....................................

with a snot nose Clara.

I love my kids.

Clara in her new ride.

Avery helping Duane with the Wainscotting he did in Claras room.

2010-02-16T14:22:00.001-07:00

2010-02-01T14:33:00.002-07:00

Busted! Clara is really growing fast. She can crawl, she has two teeth coming in and she is pulling herself up to things. I was just saying Sunday that we need to lower her crib before she starts standing up. That very minute I heard Clara up from her nap. This is what we found. I would have posted a better picture, but it had an orb in it. Thanks to Becca that stuff scared the crap out of me.

Avery is becoming quite the artist.

Potty training time. She insists on Dora pantie's, princess shoes and her Barbie laptop.

It's been a long winter.

2010-01-28T07:13:00.002-07:00

Avery and I are tired of winter. We want summer. I'm one who likes the snow, but this year is a little different with a rambunctious 2 year old. There have been many times she will get bundled up and go outside to eat snow, sled, ride her trike, or just walk around the neighborhood, but they are few and far between. SUMMER OR BUST!

Avery LOVES "mateup".

Clara has a tooth!

2010-01-10T21:13:00.001-07:00

Duane and I went for a walk for the first time with the TWO of the kids in the jogger. Worked out great. They stayed toasty warm. Clara eventually fell asleep.

Cabin fun

2010-01-08T21:25:00.002-07:00

Duane and I really enjoy playing at the cabin. Problem is we only go a couple of times a year. What a waste! I have so many memories of Yost as a child. The best ones of course included my Grandpa. He was the BEST! He was the one who taught me how to build a "rats nest", find the best pinion pine christmas tree, snow sled behind a truck like a champ and gather a shit load of pine nuts. Duane and I have decided this is the year we are going to play at the cabin alot. We hope to build the same memories with our kids.

Avery eating snow

More snow eating

Gavin Dean "cracking ice"

Christmas Day.

2010-01-08T21:10:00.002-07:00

Christmas was modest this year, but memorable none the less. With our limited budget we decided to do more activities and less presents. I enjoyed spending the time with my kids and hope that I built some memories with them. Some of our activities included gingerbread house building, sledding, Christmas cookie making, various crafts, many nights of the Polar Express movie and of course driving around and looking at lights,. Avery said to me one night in bed after Christmas was said and done "Mom, I want to go see lights again." With that comment I feel it was a success. The older girls spent the first part of their Christmas break through Christmas morning at our house this year. That's always the best time to have them. Duane and the two older girls got Flip video cameras, Avery got her "dame" she had been telling us Santa was going to bring her (I tried desperately to use the "Santa won't bring you presents if your naughty" bit, but she still confidently insisted he would and continued on her naughty merry way)Clara got a few toys and books and I got a new cell phone. I really enjoyed Christmas and my family this year.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-25T12:54:00.002-07:00

The girls got to open their traditional Christmas eve gift of new pj's. After that they headed over to their Uncle Scott's for a pajama Christmas eve party. Avery was so excited to open Grandma and Grandpa Simpson's presents to her. She kept grabbing them and saying "another pesent!". The "r" in present is silent when Avery says it.

The girls stole my camera and of course did fashion shots of themselves.

Santa's cookies

2009-12-25T12:49:00.002-07:00

The girls made sugar cookies two nights ago for Santa. Avery wanted to do everything by herself and would not anyone help. She kept saying "just a little bit" and then dumping a whole shaker full of sprinkles on her cookies. Below is a sample of "just a little bit" of icing. Hope Santa does not have sugar diabetes!

Avery's cookies

Gingerbread party

2009-12-12T17:34:00.003-07:00

The goods

Meg helping Ry with her house

Ry's house

Anthony and his "art"

Ava with her helper Nikki

2009-12-12T17:33:00.004-07:00

Nikki finishing where the kids left off

Avery and her house

Olivia. Better late than never

Becca did some pimpin on Olivias crib

Clara in the hat Tiff brought.

New stuff

2009-12-06T15:43:00.005-07:00

I have been desperately wanting to try a few new products lately. I have seen both Ella's organic food and Aden and Anais burpees all over the net lately and have really wanted to try them. I broke down and bought the burpees the other day and while shopping for Christmas at Toy's R Us ran into Ella's Organics and picked up a few. I picked up some for Clara who I have not started solids yet and a few for Avery for snack time and on the go. I tried several on Avery who pretended to love them by saying "Good in my belly" while handing the package to Duane. I know that means "I don't like it, take it away!" I decided Clara was ready for solids so tested a couple of banana ones out on her. SHE LOVED THEM. So the moral of the story is Avery is too old for something like this, but Clara loves them. I am thinking about doing something like this on my own for next summer.

I bought some different brands to get a variety.

Clara's new burpee/bib. Love them.

2009-12-06T15:39:00.002-07:00

Trying it out on her own. This will come in handy for when she can hold things on her own.

Bliss.

Gone within a matter of minutes.

Happy baby.

I love Christmas!

2009-12-04T23:32:00.003-07:00

Here is a craft project Avery and I did. They are suncatchers. They make me smile.

Duane, Avery, Clara and I met Dean and Mckenze at the Zoo to check out the lights. Dean had 3D glasses that made all the lights look like snowflakes.

Duane borrowed Shawnaes ear warmers.

Brynn chillin.

2009-12-04T23:30:00.005-07:00

This bird was checking who was naughty or nice.

Avery does anything Gavin does including licking fake lollipops made out of lights.

Yost Christmas Party.

2009-12-02T09:07:00.002-07:00

The umpteenth annual Yost Christmas party took place in Yost Utah the Saturday after Thanksgiving. What a great time. As Avery gets older it only gets funner. Me and my family had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, decorating the bird tree, opening presents and just plain running around the cabin. Heres Aunt gloria holding Clara, amazed at how big she had gotten.

Erica and Ethan. Thank goodness for Ericas help at the cabin with my kids. She held Clara so I could watch Avery and helped Avery so I could hold Clara.

Headed to the infamous bird tree secret location (only the birds know!)

2009-12-02T09:01:00.002-07:00

Avery and Cooper getting a game plan.

The whole gang. Notice Avery bawling in the front.

Santa brought Avery some magnetic dolls with clothes to dress them up. She LOVED them. So did the other little girls at the party.

The end.

Avery + Dustin = Love

2009-11-28T21:23:00.002-07:00

Avery LOOOOOOVES Dustin. Here she is with Dustin wearing her "dasses" swimming at the pool the day after thanksgiving. She made Dustin play the same games OVER and OVER again. He said to me later "Avery's games get a little repetative huh?!" She thought he was awesome.

Happy Holidays.

2009-11-26T00:07:00.002-07:00

The holidays are here and I couldn't be more excited. I asked Duane to get down our tree this weekend while Chelsea and Morgan were hear so we could ALL be involved in the decorating (which really means so I could sit and watch while Chelsea and Morgan helped Avery...they are such good girls). Avery mostly took off the ornaments as the girls were putting them on. Very productive.

Clara loved watching.

Avery's group of ornaments.

This post is for Avery who is at my moms scrolling through the blog.

2009-11-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Bizzy.

2009-11-08T13:48:00.002-07:00

Duane and I playing at the park with Avery. In case you can't hear over my laughing she is saying bizzy, aka dizzy.

We love her!!!

2009-11-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Aunt Rosie's annual halloween party

2009-11-02T19:08:00.002-07:00

Me and Avery.

Duane and I headed to a different kind of Halloween party than Aunt Rosies.

Clara's costume is a crab. It's hard to tell, but it was soo cute.

Homecoming

2009-10-19T20:25:00.001-06:00

Morgan went to Homecoming this past Saturday. Here she is at her moms all dolled up and ready to hit the town. Morgan and mom

Morgan and dad

Morgan and Lance

2009-10-19T20:14:00.002-06:00

My burning bush started to burn this year. I have been waiting 3 long years, but each year the leaves just get brown and fall off! Does anybody know anything about this species? I really want the beautiful red color everyone else has.

Avery and I made cookies Monday night. She had a great time. The red around her lips is some of the left over damage from falling out of the jeep. The scabs finally fell off and left us with little scars.

Enjoying the fruit of her labors.

My pan started looking very messy.

Can you tell which one Avery made?

2009-10-16T07:32:00.002-06:00

I got Avery some new finger paints and let her go to town on a pumpkin. I didn't want to let her cut this "baby bear pumpkin" because I'm going to use it for pumpkin pie! YUM!

2009-10-06T13:13:00.002-06:00

This is Avery's first day of gymnastics. She LOVED it. I was so proud of her. She did very well. She started out cautious but was comforatable with it in the end.

This is my only attempt at decorating for halloween. This is a calander with pockets for treats. I of course don't feed Avery candy so the pockets are filled with organic dried vegetables.

This is a toddler "spook alley". She loved it.

All Avery wants to do when we go to the park is "fing high". She can do this for hours. No matter how much I beg her to go down the slide, she won't budge.

Ready for a disaster.

The many smiles of Clara

2009-10-06T12:57:00.002-06:00

This baby non-stop smiles. I can't help but laugh at her goofy smiles. All I have to do is talk to her and she grins so hard her eyes practically disappear.

This is what I'm talking about. The dissapearing eyes (and chin).

Scooter

2009-09-26T11:27:00.003-06:00

The circle that we live on has lots of kids. The street is littered every night with bikes, scooters, balls and any other toy you can think of. Avery runs up and down the street trying out all the toys. She loves it and so do I. This circle is the best. Here is her first attempt at a scooter. Not bad for just turning two.

This computer is #$%^&*( me off.

2009-09-19T17:49:00.001-06:00

The next few posts are discombobulated because my computer keeps shutting down. Bear with me.

The newest member of Black Diamond Gymnastics.

2009-09-19T17:34:00.003-06:00

I took Avery to an open house for Black Diamonds Gymnastics. They are based in Park City and just opened up a gym in South Jordan. I was so hoping with all of my heart that she would like it. SHE LOVED IT! All the instructors commented on how good she was (of course they didn't do it for business purposes!). I knew she would be a natural. She went through the gym 5 times. Literally. We drug her out crying. I signed her up for the tumble bugs class (24-36 months). She is so excited.

This guy was trying to get her to stay in the middle. Yeah right dude! She was all over the place jumping like crazy, not paying any attention to what he was saying.

Gateway

2009-09-19T16:27:00.004-06:00

Avery and her dad at the fountain

Avery washing her bunny named Bunny.

checking out the stuffing machin

Gateway

2009-09-19T16:27:00.003-06:00

Avery and her dad at the fountain

Avery washing her bunny named Bunny.

checking out the stuffing machin

Gateway and Build A Bear.

2009-09-19T16:08:00.002-06:00

This Friday Duane, Avery, Clara and I made the treck to Gateway to build a bear at Build A Bear. Avery was completely uninterested in building a bear (or bunny in our case). She LOVED the fountains and insisted she take her shirt off like the other boys.

We found parking at Gateway on the backside that was free. The landscaping was awesome and it had several fountains that Avery loved.

Avery loves Claras o

Candy Coma

2009-09-15T20:35:00.002-06:00

Avery had her 2 year old check up today which included her shots. I brought Duane along to do the dirty work. Her crocidile tears and her tight grip around his neck while crying "owie" made him feel uber guilty. To make it right to her he stopped at the gas station and bought at least $10 worth of candy. It worked. She had her mouth so stuffed with licorice she didn't make a peep.

Blast from the past.

2009-09-08T21:34:00.002-06:00

Yep, that's me and my bro. My hair is AWESOME! Even more awesome in my brothers outfit. Thanks mom.

My clothes are home made. You don't even know!

I mastered the frisby at age 2.

I was an animal at baseball.

My Aunt Gloria took these pictures of me. They are still some of my favorites.

A night at the park!

2009-09-08T09:18:00.004-06:00

Avery has been asking for a bike so we broke down and bought her one. It took her no time at all to figure it out and has been riding it like crazy for sometime now.

2009-09-07T10:13:00.002-06:00

NaeNae arrived Friday and was excited to see all the grandkids. She couldn't help but have Clara and Brynn give her a fashion show. Heres Clara in the Eskimo look.

Heres Clara sporting the look from Jamaica.

NaeNae can't stand Avery's hair in her eyes so she made us pull it back. It lasted for only seconds.

Clara fresh and clean.

2009-08-25T09:27:00.002-06:00

"Dara talk NaeNae phone". Translated this means, Clara talk to NaeNae she's on the phone. This is why Clara doesn't get any rest.

We can't wait for NaeNaes return. Avery needs a haircut in a bad way.

She looks bitchy doesn't she?

Avery and Clara's new cousin Brynn.

The boys hard at work.

2009-08-09T15:13:00.002-06:00

I haven't forgot about my blog, I have just neglected it a bit. Got stuff on my mind ya know. Safety first for Avery. Gettin good use out of Lissie's Radio Flyer before she has to give it back.

I meant to post the before picture to this one where Avery was holding Clara very sweet like. This is how she disposes of Clara when she's finished holding her.

Heres Avery's cousing Camden. Her Uncle Jeb intervened so that Avery could have a turn on Camden's fish.

Avery chillin on Mel's boat waiting for her dad to wakeboard. Thanks for the good time Rick and Mel.

Are you kidding me!!!

2009-07-28T15:27:00.001-06:00

Just went to post two weeks worth of adorable pics of my family and accidentally deleted them. I can't stop thinking about it. It's making my stomach turn!!!

Time flies...

2009-07-25T19:23:00.002-06:00

Clara has grown like a weed. It wasn't that long ago she looked so tiny in her dads arms, but now she looks huge. She is already fitting into clothes at 1 month that Avery couldn't fit into at 3 months.

I took Avery and Clara to meet Papas and Kenze last weekend. We all had a good time (except Gavin who was sick of watching Avery).

Avery didn't want to ride the little four wheeler with Papa, she wanted to ride with Gavin on his four wheeler.

Duane and I took the two kids to the splash park on Poineer day for some water fun. Avery had a great time.

Our little picnic.

Lifesavers

2009-07-11T08:35:00.002-06:00

If it wasn't for Chelsea and Morgan helping me out I don't think I could have made it through my first week with both babies and no Duane. I took the girls swimming but had to hang with Clara so the girls took control of Avery.

Avery would not let the girls rest for more than two seconds. Heres Chels doing Ring Around the Rosie for the umpteenth time.

I think the girls liked Clara.

I can't keep Avery away from her. HELP!

Great 4th weekend.

2009-07-05T21:24:00.002-06:00

Heres Clara's cute little hair line. It looks a little likes Papa Jeffs. Lighting fireworks in the backyard. Avery didn't love it. We moved to the front sidewalk where she seemed a little more comfortable because of the distance.

BBQ at Katies. Avery loved blowing bubbles.

Clara's bathtime.

MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY

2009-06-29T20:18:00.003-06:00

Clara's a thinker

Heres Avery helping out with getting Clara dressed by dragging her clothes around and ripping them off the hangers.

Got gas?

The 1,280,887 kiss of the day.

So tiny looking in Duanes arms

"Mommy baby crying, mommy kiss baby foot, mommy kiss baby hand, mommy kiss baby head, mommy ooh baby poop, mommy, mommy, mommy". Does this sound familiar to anyone.

Here she is.

2009-06-27T13:58:00.002-06:00

Clara Taylor Simpson made it into this world at 1:15 am on 6-25-09. She was in such a hurry that she didn't even wait for a doc (only a couple monkey residents who were completely crapping their pants while the nurse was screaming for a doc to come into the room). She weighed in at 7lbs 6oz and 20 inches long. She made a pit stop to the nursery for a funny looking tummy, but they deemed her A.O.K. She loves sleeping during the day and partying at night, looooong and slow nursing, and relieving herself in her diaper. We love her.

Lets compare

2009-06-27T13:56:00.003-06:00

The majority think Avery and Clara look alike. What do you think?
Avery Bella Simpson

Clara Taylor Simpson

Avery Bella Simpson

Clara Taylor Simpson

Some run.

2009-06-13T13:38:00.002-06:00

Duane, Becca and Greg ran a 10 miler a couple of weekends ago through Imigration Canyon. Avery and I headed out of the house just in time to watch them all cross the finish line. Once again the three of them beat their time goals by just minutes.

Concert on the beach.

2009-05-31T12:54:00.002-06:00

Duane, Avery and I headed to Daybreak to enjoy their summer concert on the beach. We packed a lunch, enjoyed free cream sodas, and played in the sun and sand. We want to do lots more of these activities this summer.

2009-05-18T21:00:00.001-06:00

Avery hit the discovery center for a second time. This time she brought Gavin and had another awesome time. Here she is making her own comic strip with stamps and colored pencils. Tempted to venture into the fountain at Gateway. She never made it but Gavin did.

Chelsea's soccer game. She's the one on the right. GO CHELSEA!!!

2009-05-18T20:59:00.002-06:00

Chillin in her car with her fancy glasses and awesome necklace. My mothers day gift.

NaNa and Avery chillin in her cardbaord house.

Bustin out the pool.

Avery insisting NaNa "baf" with her.

Discovery Center

2009-04-27T09:41:00.003-06:00

Becca and I took the kids to the Discovery Center Friday. I had wanted to go for a long time but always found an excuse not to. We had a BLAST! Oh yeah, the kids had a blast too. We can't wait to go back again and hit some of the exhibits we didn't get to.

2009-04-27T09:39:00.001-06:00

Avery shoving her way into the cockpit of the helicopter.

Becca getting her groove on. She tried to play Brahm's lullaby, but struggled. I quickly changed the song to Mary had a little lamb, something a little more appropriate for her age level.

In the Dog House

2009-04-27T09:13:00.002-06:00

Avery is getting big enough she can open and close doors and gates. These two went missing for a bit when we heard them yelling for help. They had locked themselves in the dog kennel. Katie is telling Jack to say sorry to Avery for hitting her.

The onlookers.

Salt Lake City Marathon

2009-04-27T09:02:00.002-06:00

Duane and some of his pavement pounding friends ran the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon this year. Duane was so nervous the night before he made himself sick. There was nothing to be nervous about because they all did AWESOME!!! They beat their goal times by minutes. I waited at the finish line to cheer them on. Becca slipped by me somehow but I did get to hoot and holler for Greg and Duane (next time Jackie). Duane and I hosted a small get together after to celebrate the victory. Don't they all look so fresh for just finishing a 1/2 marathon! Duane and Greg are already talking a mini triathlon. WHAT! Angel brought candy to bribe all the kids to like her. It worked.

Tea Party

2009-04-27T08:56:00.002-06:00

I bought Avery this little tea set at Downeast for a killer deal. She pours tea for hours and hours constantly asking me for refills. Her NaeNae is in the background promply drinking the tea when Avery tells her to.

Easter Weekend

2009-04-12T13:54:00.002-06:00

It was a great Easter for 2009. Avery about had a stroke when she saw the baskets on the table. She immediately started running around pointing at them and jabbering something serious in an excited tone. I made her go get the girls up before I would let her dig in to her basket. The kids opened their baskets, I made breakfast, then the girls headed outside for an Easter egg hunt. Avery loved it...mostly the "nanny", or candy.

Here she is patiently waiting for the girls to hide her eggs.

2009-04-12T13:43:00.001-06:00

Easter/Shawnaes 50th b-day bash

2009-04-12T13:24:00.003-06:00

We combined easter and my mothers birthday this year. We celebrated at Shawnaes with a little shindig. Myrna provided eggs, some with money, some with notes, and some with boobie prizes. Gavin sold snowcones for a dollar, notice in this picture that Avery has three cups. Thats right, we shared three. It was her favorite part.

South Carolina

2009-04-12T13:03:00.002-06:00

Jeremy and I packed our bags and headed to South Carolina for a Radiology conference. The first couple of days were horrible weather. It wasn't until the last full day there that it got sunny. Jeremy and I headed to the beach to play. We were told by a toothless man that if we looked close enough we can find fossilized shark teeth washed up in the sand. Sure enough the toothless man was right, Jeremy and I both found one. We got a good three hours outside of the conference to play. Good enough for me.

Alright Jerolyn, heres your belly shot you have been bugging me about. This is as good as its gonna get.

Jeremy and I dodging seashells

Jeremy and I checking out the hotties

2009-04-12T12:53:00.005-06:00

Jeremy and I soaking up the sun

Say cheese
Jeremy and I taking a break between one of our classes

Mmmm..... seafood.

Jeremy and I hanging out on the Pier

Avery's new ride

2009-03-30T21:04:00.002-06:00

This little pink number was for Easter, but I have a problem with waiting. We busted it out last week when the weather was nice. It said for ages 2-5 on the box so I thought for sure it would be just right, but not for shortie. We had to jimmy-rig it with a dog leash and pull her around.

Grandmas and granddaughters

2009-03-25T20:51:00.002-06:00

These little piggies are Avery's and her friend Taylor's. Mel's (Taylors grandma) are the fat piggies. This painting party took place during Mel and my mothers coffee date. Melanie just happened to be watching Taylor the same time my mother had Avery. I can't believe the grandmas would paint two little girls toenails red while hanging out on white carpet.

2009-03-16T11:59:00.002-06:00

Here are a couple of pics from Averys shoot that I never got around to posting.

The above is one of her dads favorites.

This was taken on my shoulder because she wouldn't let me go.

This one was at the very beginning before she really knew what was going on. She was good for the first 5 minutes and then it went down hill from there. We have never once had a good photo shoot.

The two seconds we had to take a picture before she ripped her barrette out.

Annual Pokie sliegh ride.

2009-03-02T21:35:00.002-07:00

The family all gathered in Pokie for our annual sliegh ride. We consumed lots of hot chocolate, chili and hot dogs. Avery insisted her sisters pull her around in her sled the Holmes family kindly purchased for her. We decided to stay at a hotel in Pokie this year and let the kids swim until they dropped. Shawnae forgot to tell us that she read a review saying the pool was cold and man was it correct, but that didn't stop the kids from swimming. Fun was had by all. My little bro Jeb and Ma.

Duane, Chelsea and Morgan.

Avery and her daddy wrestling in the snow.

2009-02-27T08:49:00.001-07:00

Here a couple of pictures to tide you over. I promise I will get better at blogging soon.

What a wonderful dad.

2009-02-08T16:16:00.002-07:00

Avery and her dad played with homemade play dough while I cleaned the house (finally).

We took Avery to the park Sunday morning before it started to rain. Avery and her Duane love to wrestle. Here she is shoving Duane off the balance beam and enjoying every minute of it.

Follow the leader.

2009-02-02T08:20:00.002-07:00

Avery is hanging with NaeNae again this weekend. Somehow Avery got her hands on the camera and took some self portraits. She can't smile very well because she has a split lip.

Avery and Jack innocently playing in the mud.

The mud got the best of Avery's shoe.

Avery taking a snack break after a hard day at play.

Avery got a booster.

2009-01-25T19:32:00.002-07:00

Avery has refused to sit in her highchair for I don't even remember how long thanks to NaNa. We have been letting her stand but it made Duane nervous so here is how we are solving it. A booster.

What a weekend.

2009-01-25T19:19:00.002-07:00

I cooked us a no bake cookie treat Sunday night with Avery's help. She loved scooping and pouring so I decided to let her do it until her heart was content. She played in oatmeal for at least an hour. I can't wait until its summer so she can do it outside next time. This is how Avery loves to wear my headbands. I think she is wicked cool.

We started off the weekend with a little swim with Rylee and Jack. Avery refused to get off my lap for the first half and hour, but it wasn't long before she got the hang of it. These three are almost impossible to keep up with (especially that little Rylee).

Here's Ry going in for a kiss

Quit your bitchin!!!

2009-01-22T12:00:00.002-07:00

Here it is. The post of the month. I will try to be better about posting. Gavin and Avery love to play in the hot tub. Here Gavin is styling Avery's hair. He loves giving her "hair do's".

Watching Avery.

2009-01-04T09:16:00.001-07:00

Avery found the swing for the new baby (for those of you who don't know, yes I'm knocked up-this is my official announcement). She insists on swinging in it for hours. I'm afraid she will break it so I tried to hide it from her, but when Duane was left to babysit this is what I came home to.

Duane and his girlies.....they love him.

2008-12-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas to All

2008-12-27T09:06:00.002-07:00

Avery chillin in the new outfit NaNa got her.

Avery loved sledding. When her run was done she would wine because Duane didn't get her for her next run fast enough.

The girls helping Avery open the rest of her gifts. Avery reading quietly (NOT).

Rockin her new horse. She almost flipped it over several times because she was getting so crazy.

Jingle Bells

2008-12-22T14:16:00.001-07:00

To grandmothers house we go.

2008-12-19T11:53:00.001-07:00

I know the pics are small but snapfish won't let me save them to my computer. Avery is at my mothers this weekend and has found a new love........sleigh riding with Gavin. Gavin is such a good cousin. He is so patient with her (except when she touches him first thing in the morning, before he has had a chance to wake up).

Yes, I'm still alive.

2008-12-15T09:34:00.002-07:00

Avery and her dad have so much fun together while I'm at work. Here is a sneak peek at what they do.

This is one of the many things they do in the evening when I'm not home. Here is an awesome fort they hide in and read by candle light.

Chelsea and Avery made delicious sugar cookies last weekend. The above cookie is the one Avery made.

Avery accidentally dipped her fingers in the frosting. Yum!

Annual Yost Christmas Party

2008-12-03T21:21:00.001-07:00

Thats all I have to say about that.

OUCH!

2008-11-24T08:30:00.003-07:00

Avery had a rough week last week. She fell and hit the bridge of her nose bruising both eyes. This is a couple of hours after it happened. They got worse. Then she gouged her self with her fingernails. I clip those little suckers every week, but they grow so fast and are strong just like mine that it seems like every week just isn't enough. I sent the poor thing home with my mom and won't be seeing her until Thanksgiving. Ahh, I love me some sleep.

Merry Christmas

2008-11-09T18:51:00.002-07:00

Wahoo, we put up our tree! I am so excited for Christmas this year, I couldn't wait another moment to put up our tree. The girls were here this weekend and eager to help. Avery made it a challenge, but we prevailed.

Duane the director

Look what I can do!

2008-11-09T08:54:00.001-07:00

Be Safe Blogging

2008-11-04T09:12:00.004-07:00

I just read this article on KSL about blogging and it made me think about Mistie and how she loves to Blog. I know everybody gets a lot of joy doing this so let's just be safe doing it. I thought I would hack into Mistie's and post this!!

Here is the article that I read, please read and be safe.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4699330

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T22:05:00.003-06:00

Avery had an awesome Halloween. It started off at my work. The department had a party for the kids. It was great to see all the little kids and big kids too. Avery crashed in the Bateman's truck on the way home and woke up just in time to get ready to hit our circle. She really got the hang of things and before the neighbors could answer their doors she was holding out her hand for candy.

Lovin some candy. This was the first time (at my house, I'm sure her NaeNae has snuck stuff to her) she has had candy. She was spinning all night.
Trick or Treating her own Dad.

Avery's big sis Morgan.

Leading the way to more candy

Avery's big sis Chelsea

Let me start by apologizing to Becca.

2008-10-20T14:52:00.002-06:00

Bec, please don't be mad I didn't do Olivia's hair. I do have a good excuse, just look at my kid, she has no hair therefore I don't have any experience doing little girls hair. If it makes you feel better, I didn't even have time to do mine. Okay, now that that is taken care of, here goes my post. Katie and I made plans to go to the petting zoo today. We headed out so early that I realized Lynly would have time to meet up with us, so I gave her a buzz. What a surprise, when we got there they were having a little Halloween Carnival. The kids got their faces painted, tattoos, animal balloons, horse rides, carriage rides, and did a little craft. We stopped for a sec to eat lunch and then finished up. We had a blast.

Avery HATED her tattoo. She promptly picked it off the instant she got it.
Olivia protecting her balloon dog from Jack.
Avery people watching. She wouldn't keep up with the group because she preferred to watch EVERYBODY!
Jack checking out his tattoo.
Rylee and Avery taking a lunch break.

2008-10-20T14:41:00.002-06:00

Olivia was a little shy at first, but with time warmed up to everybody.
Avery showing off her face paint.
Here's all the kids and Lynly ready to take a carriage ride.
The clown had to hid behind us because the kids were terrified. Olivia had a death grip on my shirt. In fact she flashed by boob to the whole Lehi population.
Mmmm...lunch.

Blue Boar Inn getaway.

2008-10-19T14:28:00.002-06:00

Duane and I spent the weekend in Midway Utah. We stayed at the Blue Boar Inn instead of the usual Homestead and we LOVED it. Duane golfed with his family while I took in the beautiful fall scenery. We did a few seconds of shopping and drove around trying to find a small cabin to buy. I did miss my baby girl and was excited to come home, but the small vacation was awesome.

We had a five course breakfast and let me tell you it was UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Here was the adorable room we stayed in. We had a awesome view and the room was so cozy.

Living it up in Idaho.

2008-10-13T20:01:00.002-06:00

Avery loved the snow. Here she is in her fashionable "get up" playing in the record breading early October snow fall.
Avery and her PaPa.

Bye Bye for 7 days.

2008-10-12T15:06:00.000-06:00

Bye Bye for now my little pink stink. Have fun at NaNa's.

I've been tagged.

2008-10-09T07:36:00.005-06:00

Here are the rules:
*Link to the person who tagged you
*Post the rules on your blog
*Write six random things about yourself
*Tag six-ish people at the end of your post
*Let each person know he/she has been tagged
*Let the tagger know when your entry is up

Thanks to my good ole' friend Jerolyn for this one.

1) It drives Duane crazy when I try to stick my finger in his bellybutton. He covers it up super fast and cries "dooooooon't".
2) I want to move to Vermont and live in an old farmhouse.
3) I think I died in my former life in a plane crash. I have reoccurring dreams about horrible plane crashes. I hate them. By-the-way, I will be driving to Vermont.
4) My nephew Gavin told my mom the other day that his middle finger is the flipper finger and if he uses it he will get beat up! I think this kid is the funniest thing that walked the face of this earth.
5) Duane and I met on a blind date set up by his former date which was my cousin. WHAT???
6) I'm so bad at this kind of post, it just took me 20 minutes to finish. I am horrible at writing.

Now I tag Nikki, Gina, Bridy, Chelsea, Angel, Hellstrom

Avery's one year pics.

2008-10-07T07:46:00.002-06:00

We had Avery's pictures taken yesterday by Sara Boulter. Both Becca and Di had their chillins done by her. She's great I loved her. Here's a sneak peak.

Canadian Thanksgiving.

2008-10-05T10:10:00.002-06:00

Duane and I had the privilege of being invited to share in Canadian Thanksgiving with the Miller family (thanks Nancy and Randy for the awesome time). It is on the second Monday in October (we celebrated a couple days early), and let me tell you the food was awesome. The Millers are such a warm and inviting family that I almost forgot I wasn't one of them. Thanks Millers.

Angel bribing the kids with anything she could find.
Olivia had a blue ring pop. How can you tell?
Becca made these shirts for all the Miller kids. It spells CANADA. Get it?
Avery eating some random persons left over chocolate cake. Angel didn't care what she was eating as long as she was sitting on her lap.

2008-10-05T10:08:00.002-06:00

Auntie Roylene, Duane, Avery and I boarded the train to downtown Salt Lake to hit the AWESOME bodyworlds exibit Saturday. This was the first time on the train for Avery and she loved it. She was such a good baby for the full 90 minute tour of bodyworlds.

Is this how this thing works?

2008-10-05T10:05:00.003-06:00

Auntie Angel got this for Avery's b-day. She loves to turn in upside down and use it as a chair.

2008-09-26T11:08:00.004-06:00

Avery is at such a fun age right now. I love to watch how independent she is. It amazes me how fast she has grown and how much energy she has. She is constantly busy. I am currently working through my anxiety of ALWAYS having a messy house.

Avery will not wear a hat or a hoodie for the life of her. This is why you will never see her with adorable little barrettes in her hair.

Again refusing to wear anything.
The neighbor kids love to come over and play with Avery.
Avery loves her red ball she got for her b-day.

Bikini babe.

2008-09-17T16:59:00.002-06:00

Here's Kassie trying on the new swimsuit the Bateman clan bought Avery (thanks guys). Who is she kidding, everybody knows she wears a 12-18 months NOT 6-12 months. Nice try Kass. Lay off the breast milk fattie!

More of Avery's week

2008-09-11T16:17:00.002-06:00

Yes, my mother bathes her outside in a cooler.

No, my mother never puts a diaper on this kid.

Avery's week.

2008-09-09T21:22:00.002-06:00

Avery is having a great time at Na'Na' and PaPa Jeffs house. Here she is with no diaper (I'm lucky she's even wearing a shirt) and playing with the hose. Shawnae hoses off her patio at least three times a day, and waters her weeping willows at least once a day, so Avery gets plenty of water time. Shawnae caught her the other day sucking water out of the cracks in the cement (thanks Rylee). When she is done getting dirty, Na'Na fires up the warm water and hoses her down.