snow days...

The snow was so much fun. We got about 6 inches of snow! We both loved just looking at it...and I (Averie) LOVED playing in it. Here I am...the first day out!

Daddy & me...having fun in the snow!

Our driveway had ice covering the snow, but where our grass was, the snow was fun to walk in...It couldn't see my feet!

Lovin' this snow...It was so cold that first day...I was so bundled up!

(Since Brady was getting over the flu and pneumonia from this week, Daddy thought it would be best to keep him inside from the cold. So, while Brady napped, we played outside!)

My attempt on making a snow angel...

Then, Daddy was showing me how to really do it on this kind of snow...it was soft snow once you got past the top, thin layer coating...so I had to push my arms hard in the snow.

So, I tried it again. I must not weigh enough. :)

So, we had a snowball fight instead!

We had so much fun!

Playing in the snow...

I picked up a big chunk of snow, so I thought it was perfect to throw at Daddy!

We also went for a little walk. Notice the road is complete ice. Thankfully, none of us slipped on it!

Daddy & me...again!

Sure was a fun afternoon. I laughed a lot with Daddy & Mommy.

On Day 2 of the snow, Brady got to come outside and "meet" the snow for the first time since last winter. It was a much warmer day...the sun was shining brightly, so it was more enjoyable for us! As you can tell from the look on Brady's face, he's not really sure he's ready for this...either that, or he has way too many layers on!

We took a walk around the neighborhood...

We made a few pit stops along the way...first stop, giving Brady a taste of the snow. He didn't care for it. I tried it the day before, and I didn't like it either!

Second stop...getting out of the wagon and showing Brady how to make a snowball. I was already quite the expert since I had been out the day before. Brady wasn't sure what to think...about the snowball or the way it felt to stand in the snow (notice one foot sinking in the snow)!

Daddy & I took Brady for a walk in the snow...

And, finally, he begins to smile...

Daddy & Brady Boy

Mommy & Brady

And, another smile...of course, some of these big smiles are the direct result of Mommy saying, "If you smile, we can go in the wagon again." It worked! :)

As we were heading back to our house, we realized we were a bit too bundled, so Brady got to ride in the wagon with some of our layers!

I am building a pile of snow...

...with my next door neighbor. Daddy & Brady had gone inside, and I sure had fun playing outside in the snow.

What a fun weekend!

the greatest show on earth...

As a huge surprise, Daddy & Mommy took me to the circus this past Friday night. I was completely surprised, and we had SO much fun. I LOVED it!(Thanks to Poppy & Nana for keeping Brady.)

Here I am with Daddy...before we left the house.

And, one with Mommy & me
As we were getting into our van, Daddy told me to come out of the garage and see what was going on outside. I got super excited...can you see what's going on...yes, it's lightly snowing! It was so cool!

After a yummy dinner at Pike's, we got on the Lynx and rode it to the arena. I loved riding on the "train," but not near as much as I LOVED the circus. Some of my favorites were the dancers...
...and the elephants. I also loved the dogs and clowns. I was completely entertained the entire time!

Here am I with Daddy & Aunt Helen.

(We went with Uncle Todd, Aunt Helen, Carter, Kaitlyn, & Stephanie, but we weren't able to get a group picture!)
Daddy had to have cotton candy...he says that is what you "must" have at the circus. Well, $12 later, we enjoyed the cotton candy...and the free hat that came with it. I think we got our money's worth out of this hat... Daddy, Mommy, & me...and the hat!

Daddy & Uncle Todd having fun with the hats...

Mommy & Aunt Helen

Daddy, Mommy, & me

After the circus,, we rode the Lynx back to our car. Once we got outside, it was really, really snowing outside. Sure was a really fun night!

how we celebrate the little things...

Since I am starting to feel a little better (I had the flu and pnuemonia this week...poor little me. And, yes, I did have the flu shot...this prevented me from being hospitalized with this flu!), Daddy & Averie decided to "celebrate" with funfetti cupcakes. So, here are Averie & me...enjoying our litte "celebration treat." (I get really messy when I eat these, so that is why I have no shirt on...we went straight from eating our cupcakes to the bath!)
mmm...good!

It was funny that I wouldn't stop eating just to have my picture made with "Sissy." I didn't want to waste any time!

But, I sure am starting to feel better. I had a rough Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday, but I am slowly getting better...and I am starting to smile again. Thanks for your prayers!

belated christmas pics

With "everything" that has happened in our lives in the last 5 weeks, we didn't take our usual Christmas pictures in front of the poinsettia until just a bit ago...Yes, we took down all our decorations except for one poinsettia that Daddy & Mommy kept alive until we could take our picture in front of it. So, here we are!

Averie ~ 4 year old

Brady ~ 18 months old
Of course, Mommy had to take one extra picture of Brady since he doesn't seem to sit still long enough to get one...

go buckeyes...

Since Daddy is originally from Ohio & likes the Buckeyes, Mommy loves for us to have the logo shirts. Plus, it's hard to get anything matching for boy/girl, so this is one of the only ways Mommy can get us to dress alike. Go Buckeyes!

weekend getaway for mommy...

Last weekend, Mommy's roommate from college's hubby sent some of the college gals on a getaway weekend in Maggie Valley. Mommy said she had a wonderful time...talking, laughing, touring the Biltmore House, playing games, staying up late, sitting in the hot tub at the cabin, eating, and just having fun. It was a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.

Here is Mommy with Mrs. Janie...and baby Landon in Mrs. Janie's belly!

Here is Mrs. Eadie (Mommy's college roommate for 3 years), Mrs. Rorie (Mrs. Eadie's sister), and Mrs. Jenny. Mrs. Rorie didn't go to the same college they did, but they all got to know her well during the years they were there.
Group shot...taken by Mommy, which explains why it's such a close-up! They are on the front lawn of the Biltmore House, where they spent hours touring, eating, and laughing!

The gang in front of the Biltmore House. Mommy was thankful for a stranger who took this picture!

One final group shot at dinner...yummy food, great company!

Sure was a great weekend for Mommy and some college friends. We missed her a lot, but we sure had fun with Daddy, too!