Prima Ballerina

Avery's recital was SO GOOD!  We were so proud of her and she was front and center.  She smiled the entire time and didn't seem nervous or concerned about performing in front of an auditorium of people.  She LOVES ballet and it was a treat for all of us to watch her in her big show!  Love you darling - can't wait for more big shows!

Dad ROCKS!

We made a little Father's Day gift for daddy while he was out of town.  Mixed up a little salt dough, gathered a bunch of rocks from the back yard and wrote out DAD ROCKS!  Fun, easy project and the best part is, it's true, our DAD ROCKS!

Welcome to the year 2012!

Alexandra and Avery have been relegated to CDs on our very very old boom box (do people even say that anymore)?  Regardless, since Daddy and I usually listen to music on our cell phones we gave the girls our old ipods.  Alexandra in particular was very thrilled to have "her music" on an ipod and they spent the entire afternoon listening to music and making up all kinds of lyrics to a variety of songs.  :)

Wheeler Farm...and lots of cute faces

We went to Wheeler Farm to show Jayson the animals and I ended up taking a lot of pictures of all of their cute faces.  It was fun and truly a beautiful late afternoon adventure.

I like this photo because Alexandra is trying to comfort Jayson.

My big girl!

and...my little girl...though she's not so little anymore.  sigh.

Love her smile here!

Sweet stroll.

Papa with Jayson and Alexandra.

the HIGH jump

The ladies love this game...understandably, it wears daddy out quickly BUT he is always a great sport and tosses them each several times.  Sweet summer laughter.

Little Jayson

Our little cousin Jayson came for a visit with his mommy, Aunt Ellen.  We played a little photo shoot one night.  He is so darn cute!  PLUS the girls love him and were just darling helping him walk through grandma's garden.

Early Summer Fun

Steve (Grandpa) and Carolyn (Grandma) paid us an early summer visit.  Enjoyed many lovely evenings outside on the deck - eating and just enjoying a good life.  Matt also got another block of dry ice and the girls had a ton of fun playing.

Watching a movie in the hammock with cousin Andre.

Then the camera went round the table....

...stopping at the hummingbird who came to visit us multiple times.

Family Night

The day started out with Alexandra getting her Bobcat Award.  This is an award each child is given who meets a certain set of goals established for the grade.  Things like tying shoes, counting by 2's, math facts, etc.  They have a little ceremony and each child receives a book.  Alexandra picked out a Junie B book.  That evening Matt's dad and Carolyn were here.  We enjoyed hanging out, grilling out and checking out the moon.  GORGEOUS night!

Our little outdoor movie center.

A quick shot of our backyard work.  We've come a LONG way.  That is our little garden box on the right, along with our new-ish deck and landscaping.  More to do but happy with all of the progress.