More Avery-isms

- "It's a squeaky football mama!" - use of adjectives, forming complete sentences

- Loves to play games with the theme of rescuing or helping someone, and often uses a pool noodle for sword fights.

- large hay bales are "cinnamon rolls"

- enjoys helping us water the flowers and dust the house with a "fefer duster"

- loudly laughs at and repeats the words "chicken breast" while in Wal-Mart just because it sounds funny to him (much to his mother's embarrassment)

Lil' Tenny and Lil' Avery Pool Fun

Playgrounds Pools and Paint

Summer playdates with the Tennisons have been a blast this summer. It's been fun going to the park, painting t-shirts, playing in the pool and the sandbox, shooting hoops, taking turns on the t-ball set, etc... Memorable times like these are what causes the season to fly by so fast.

Grandpa Paul and Grandma Mary's 4th of July visit

Grandpa Paul and Grandma Mary Wooderson came to visit us this past weekend for the 4th of July.

On Friday, they went to Mansfield, Mo to tour the Laura Ingells Wilder homestead. Although I stayed back to work, they filled me in on some very interesting facts about her life and writing career. Avery was too fussy to go on the tour, but he did remember the "Rock House" and talked about it at home.

Saturday's trip was to Wilson's Creek Battlefield in Republic, MO. It was a timely trip for Independence Day weekend. The most memorable site was the homestead converted into the military hospital during the Civil War. It was a very dark time in our nation's history, but deserves to be remembered. That evening we played Balderdash and tried to make each other laugh with ridiculous answers.

We went out to eat at Smith's restaurant after church on Sunday. After the meal, Clint's parents decided to head back to Kansas City. We thanked them for a very nice time.

Our community held a "freedom celebration" at the University lawn. We went as a family to enjoy the non-profit vendors and time hanging out talking with friends while sitting on blankets and watching and listening to the surrounding festivities. Avery tried to join in on several frisbee, football and catch games played by the older kids while the parents conversed.

Finally, that evening, our family sat in our driveway while watching the neighborhood kids set off fireworks. We had a few "snaps" that let Avery throw on the ground and pop as well. After dark, Avery was in awe as he witnessed fireworks for the first time (the community event set off fireworks and we could view them from our house). He kept on saying "fiiiireworks! flag! fourth of july!"

It's so fun to watch Avery experience things for the first time and marvel in them. We look forward to next year to see what he remembers and gets excited to try.

Olney, IL Kocher Reunion

Our next trip to IL was in celebration of our seven year wedding anniversary and the annual summer Kocher reunion. Avery did much better sleeping at night and handling the car ride than the weekend before. Potty training was easier during this trip as well.

Grandma Linda treated us to time at the Olney White Squirrel park, Muskgrove Park, chocolate and cheese samples, brewed mint tea (from the mint from her garden), chicago-style gyros made from real lamb, a walk to the Market Decor shop, a scary movie (after Avery was asleep) and supper at the El Rancherito. Grandma loved holding Avery's hand, hearing Avery whine if she left the room momentarily, catching him at the bottom of the slide, and embracing his hugs and slobbery kisses.

In honor of our seven year wedding anniversary, Clint and I went on a "date" to Evansville, IN. We found great deals shopping and ate out at Applebee's. It's refreshing to be able to laugh and still really enjoy time together as a couple.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Alvin kept Avery on his toes playing cars, washing his motorcycle, reading books, and probably several other things that they wouldn't tell us. Supposedly, it's a secret just between the "guys". We shared some Joe's pizza, walked to Daylight donuts, watched a movie and enjoyed time goofing around and talking.

The final day of the IL trip was the reunion. Before the potluck meal, the kids were busy playing outside on the playground equipment. The reunion was held at the church/school where my dad and I grew up. Since there are so many family members, the church allows the families to rent out the parrish hall for the gathering. Avery said that he loved being around the "kids" and the "park" (which was his name for the playground). Many of my first cousins are married and now have kids of their own, so there were many little buddies Avery's age to play with. Although we didn't get to stay long due to our six hour drive back home that day, it was nice to experience fun times with family.

Carlinville, IL Family Reunion

Our family made the trek to Carlinville, IL early June. The occasion for the trip was a family reunion including Clint's mother's side of the family. We also celebrated Clint's uncle's 80th birthday.

The first night we arrived marked Avery's first stay overnight in a hotel. Due to his uncontained excitement (bottled up from a five hour car ride there), Avery was too excited to sleep (thus causing a little bit of a rough night for his parents since we all shared a bed). Another first included Avery's experience at a pool. He really enjoyed playing in the water at the hotel with his older cousins. We were surprised that he showed no fear of the water.

The reunion was held in a small, rural country church in between Carlinville and Litchfield. The dinner was hosted in the church's fellowship hall which also included a basketball hoop for the kids to play on. Rob, Avery's older athletic cousin, taught him some baseball pointers.

Overall, Avery had a great time staying the night somewhere new, sleeping in a big bed with his mom and dad, playing with his older boy cousins, swimming in a pool, getting attention from new family members he hadn't met before, eating yummy homemade food and the adventure of a trip outside of his routine.