Trip out West Part I "UTAH"

To end our summer we took a fun trip out west and got to see and spend time with so many people in both of our families. It was a little crazy and hectic spreading our time between so much family, but it worked out relatively well and we got to see most everyone! Here we are taking off on the airplane. Avery was so fascinated; the last time she was on a plane, she was tiny and didn't understand. Now, when we see airplanes outside she says, "Mommy, I want go on air-pane"
On our first day, Kurtis picked us up from the airport and then we went to a bar-be-que at Johnny and Kaley's new house. It is BEAUTIFUL and the burgers were great!
The guys had fun playing wiffle ball and bocci ball!
& then acting goofy! Avery wanted to be in on the fun so Grandma helped her climb up there with the guys:)
Here they are plotting against mom. You never know what you'll get when the Graham boys get together. Mom was taken and carried then swung by the boys! (I didn't get a pic) :(
Then we had some fun story-telling! I learned a few things about Joey I hadn't known before.... :)
Mom and some of the sister-in-laws + Hannah! Even though they are just engaged we still feel like she is already part of the sister-in-law crew.
Then down to Provo. Here is Avery and Paden (cousins born on the EXACT same day) They had so much fun playing together, we decided that they have definitely been friends for a while!
Then to the Orem Owls baseball game. Avery had a blast, although she was a little scared of the Owl. She kept telling me, " its, its sca-wy owl"
Here is Avery and Paden again hugging at the baseball game... SO SWEET!
After the game was a fireworks show. Paden was just a little nervous about them. above: My sister and her husband, Bryan, Rochelle (my cousin) and Paden (Rochelle's little boy)

Joey with his family in Salt Lake at temple square

Me and my brother, Robert and sister, Rose

Uncle Ryan was such a good helper, putting Avery down for a nap and he fell asleep too
Renee pushing the kids up in PARK CITY! (My favorite place in Utah, its so beautiful and has tons of outdoor fun and great shopping!)

My cousin, mom and sisters!

Avery and Uncle Robert. It was so fun for Avery to get to see my siblings and establish relationships with them because she doesn't get to see them very often! They were all such great aunts and uncles to her:)

The 3 of us in our $10 Banana Republic shorts we got in Park City

Family cook out with my mom's family! They all live out there but her, so it is fun for us to all get together!
Dan has lots of fun toys and even the big kids had a blast riding around the yard with the younger ones.

Avery with Uncle Bryan and Aunt Rose

Playing at the park by Aunt Julie's

My dad with us girls!

All of the girl cousins on my mom's side of the family

My mom and her siblings (minus Ken, we missed you) Thanks to everyone, you made our trip so fun!

3 'Dawg gone' great years

4 years ago Joey and I met in Orem, UT! It doesn't seem like it has been near that long! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and could not have imagined life any better than it is. Above is a picture of us at the Manti pageant a week before our wedding:)
This year we celebrated our 3 year anniversary by going out to dinner at Taste of India in downtown Athens. It is one of my favorite places:) Jeni came out and babysat Avery (thanks Jeni) so we could have an evening to ourselves and it was FABULOUS!!! [She snapped the picture a little sooner than I expected, but hey we're married, I'm allowed to do that ;)]
Joey surprised me with some pretty flowers! & I attempted a red velvet cake...(Kristen, where are you when I need you?!?!) his favorite! & celebrating just wouldn't be complete unless there is a little bit of GEORGIA BULLDOGS, so I tried to incorporate it as best I could....I know, I know, its a little cheesy!
Jeni helped me with the cake, thank goodness or it would have turned out a lot worse!

Funny Episodes

Now that little Miss Avery is quite the talker, she has made us laugh on several occasions and keeps us on our toes...

Episode 1: Avery's prayer When we have our family prayer we take turns between the 3 of us. This night it was Avery's turn and one of us will help her.

Mommy: Dear
Avery: Dear

Mommy: Heavenly Father
Avery: Heav wee Fader

Mommy: Thank you
Avery: thank you

Mommy: for
Avery: five, six, even (& then we about lost it..... We'd never heard her count past 3 before!)

Episode 2: [Quick little preface: Whenever Avery wakes up in the morning or from a nap I always ask her if she slept well]
We were house sitting for the Beckstead's (a family in our ward) and I had laid Avery down for the night around 9:15. At 10:45, Joey and I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. A little irritated, we waited on her to get to the bottom and round the corner all the while wondering why in the world she was up. As she sees us she says, mornee (morning) mommy, I seep well! After that adult like phrase, with a sweet smile we let her stay up with us for a while!

Episode 3:Lunch

Mommy: Avery, what do you want for lunch?
Avery: cwabby patty ( I think we may watch a little bit too much of Spongebob!)
Does anyone know how to make a crabby patty?

YAY!

Avery is all ready for church, but a little cranky.... (& I couldn't get her to look at me for a picture) Her mood changed as soon as we pulled into the church parking lot. From the backseat Avery started shouting, "YAY, Church, YAY, Church!" Joey and I both smiled and pray that she always has this amount of enthusiasm for church :) This is one of the many ways she makes parenting so FUN & rewarding! We love her sooooo much!

ENGAGED

As of last Friday evening at the Roswell Mill, Jason and Hannah are officially engaged! We are so happy for them and I can not wait to have her as a sister in law! They make such a BEAUTIFUL couple and she fits perfectly in the Graham family! (she is the youngest of 5, having 4 older brothers) For details on how he proposed, you'll have to ask them...

STRAWBERRIES etc.

Another reason I love living in Athens, GA!!! During May and the beginning of June, Washington Farms is our favorite place.
There are rows and rows of strawberries to be hand picked. The first trip over there Avery and I went with a few of our friends (who are also moving soon :( .......) We grabbed our buckets and set out to pick...
Avery and Sadie may have done more eating than picking(the fronts of their shirts were clear evidence), but they had fun! (Tenille with the girls)

Tenille, Sadie and Riley We love them!!!

After we finished our strawberry picking we headed over to the petting zoo area of the farm. The girls had fun feeding the goats.

Avery and Sadie chasing the chickens!

The bunnies! I think these were Avery's favorite ;)
The next trip out there we took with the cousins! This is how excited Avery gets when I tell her Anthony is coming over!

Hurry MOM! OPEN THE DOOR!!!

Avery and her buddy Anthony! out the door and off to Washington Farms

Avery helping daddy pick strawberries! [Growing up my Grandma had strawberry, blueberry and blackberry patches just like Washington Farms but on a much smaller scale. Going here reminds me of the fun times we spent out in the garden and I love watching Avery create her own memories with Daddy]
After all the picking was done, the kids played in the play area. (Avery, Nicholas, Taylor, Anthony, & Christopher)
& while we there my sister in laws and myself got caught up having too much fun... Remember the days when you used to just take fun "modeling" pictures of yourself, well we were goofing around decided to take some pics.... Here is Jill:

Jill & Kimi.... Hotties!

& Kimi

& me... They told me to make a seductive look, but after taking on the "mom" title making seductive looks feels unfamiliar...

Cute little Avery playing in the sandbox

the rubber ducky water pump races.... gotta love the COUNTRY :)

Avery trying to help Aunt Kimi beat Daddy...

Jill slid and fell a little in the mud, but its ok there was a watering trough to wash off!
when we got back to the apartment the kids had a pizza party while we made strawberry jam and pie!
Having fun making our own Jammin' Graham assembly line!
I can't remember the name of the ingredient Joey had Jill try but it was nasty!

Almost finished with the jam

& a yummy Strawberry pie! I love how Joey is poking his head in the picture!