Thanksgiving

So I just noticed I haven't blogged since Nov. 1st and we've had some milestones to talk about. Avery is now sitting up, rolling all over the place, and acting like she wants to crawl. We had Avery's first Thanksgiving in NWK with my family and she got to see Grandma Amelia (101 yr). The trip was a good one, Avery did well and it didn't take 8 hrs like the last trip (it only should take 5). We had a wonderful lunch with family and had a great time catching up with old friends. Brandon went hunting with my brother and pretty sure they weren't very successful. We had a great time, but there really isn't interesting about NWK so this is probably where this blog stops.
Avery flew by 6 months and what do you know here we are at 7 months. For Halloween she was a little lady bug and went trick or treating with her cousins Lance and Lacey.
Avery attended her first K-State Football Game vs Texas A & M in Manhattan! It was an awesome game and we really enjoyed watching our Fave team and enjoyed it more because they won in 4 OT!!

They grow up so fast. She is enjoying her jumperoo and she attempts to crawl, but not that determined just yet.  More to come in the next blog-Christmas!!
Here is a preview of some of her 6 month Pictures we got taken...enjoy!

 The Jumperoo

Next Post: Christmas!!

WAYYYY BEHIND: Avery 4-5 Months

Sorry, it's been A LONG time since posting, but life happens!!

Catching up with the Winter Family

Since September things have been busy around our house. Avery starting rolling over and then kept ROLLING AND ROLLING AND ROLLING...you get the point. It's now probably time to childproof the house even if mommy isn't quite ready to put away her cute little trinkets. I knew they couldn't stay for much longer. Avery had her 4 month shots and did really well with them-the little lady slept so good that night, but I have to say watching them give her shots isn't getting any easier. Poor little baby doesn't really like them, but then again what baby does right?! Now she tends to enjoy being on her tummy more than she did when she was little. Fun thing now is that she laughs, laughs, laughs!

Five months was a big change for our household.  Avery started eating solids, well more like tasting solids and spitting them back out at mom and dad. She tends to enjoy oatmeal over rice cereal these days and is keeping a lot more in her mouth rather than on her clothes/bib. The first veggie was Green Beans- and oh how she doesn't like anything green!!! There were a couple swallows, but a lot more gags so we stopped with those and moved onto carrots. Carrots went better and then followed peas (again doesn't like anything green) followed by sweet potatoes. We just introduced peaches and she seems to enjoy the sweeter side of life!! She is a big girl now. Last Checkup she was 13lb 3 oz. and 25 3/4 in. long! She's petite for her age, but she is hanging in there and hitting all her milestones! She recently found her feet and when I say found them, I mean ending up in her mouth at all times, when she can get them there.

Avery had her first ZOO experience which I think she enjoyed. We went with the extended family and cousins!! They had fun also! Love going to the zoo!

Avery also go her FIRST Kansas State Fair experience too! She did well, we saw the exhibits and got to look at tractors for daddy. No rides this year, but we got our funnel cake so mommy and daddy were good. Maybe next year we can ride the rides!

And this is where we leave you...all crashed out! 

Next Post: Avery 6 months old

Branson Vacation Part II: Fishing at the Lake

We made our way from Shell Knob to Branson. We weren't quite sure what we were going to do, but we went more for the 'relaxed' mode and didn't really live by schedules. All we knew was that Brandon wanted to fish and I wanted to shop! We stayed at Cooper Creek which was right outside Branson and close to everything. We hung out and fished- the first day we were there in the morning with no success and then went into Branson to see what Downtown had to offer. We went to local shops and ate at a restaurant called "Farm House" which in itself was funny because of Brandon being an AGR and almost didn't want to eat there because of it, but he got over it soon enough. Probably the worst stop that we made and that anyone can make was the Branson Tourism Center- where I just thought we could see what to do while in Branson, but come to find out it was 2 guys trying to get you to buy into their time-shares. BIG MISTAKE WALKING IN THERE! We did get free tickets to see the group 'SIX' but did we make it to see them...NO-because little Avery was having an out of body! I guess she doesn't like the shows as much as daddy does already. So, we ended up the next day at the time share place to get our money back and 1.5 hours that we were supposed to be there turned into 2.5 hours and a really, REALLY upset husband. Money in hand and no time share later, we were SO glad to be out of there. Those people are crazy pushy- as they claim not to be. Anyway, at least we could try to enjoy our last day in Branson.

Avery and Daddy Fishing

We met up with Jeff and Vickie and kids at Lilley's Landing near Cooper Creek and did some fishing and grillin'. It was nice to get to see family on vacation! Vickie was probably the queen of fishing that night and I have to say that I caught my one and only fish in under 30 seconds so I was satisfied with that accomplishment. 

Vicki Fishing

Vicki and I with "the Catch"

Shopping was excellent-wish I could have done more. The COACH factory outlet was a big hit with Avery and I. She got her first Coach experience. Lastly, we couldn't leave without getting an old time photo taken-it was so much fun to dress up!

All in all it was so nice to get away and spend some quality time with the two people I love most! That counts for everything! And...Avery showed us that she could giggle-it was so much fun to hear her have an actual laugh. Six days later we were headed back to small Andale, Kansas and the real world- no fun! Hopefully we get to do it again soon!

Pictures of Avery throughout the Trip

Branson Vacation Part 1: Shell Knob, MO

Everyone needs a little time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and especially work. I forgot how stressful my job can be at times, but it's the best feeling when I get home and get to rock my baby to sleep and forget about my day. We had thought about going to Seattle for one of Brandon's cousins weddings so that the family could all meet little Avery, but we didn't really get her acid reflux under control soon enough and we didn't want to be 'those people with the screaming baby' in the airport or especially on the plane. So instead we decided to do something that all three of us might enjoy. The LAKE! TABLE ROCK LAKE to be more specific! The drive down seemed a little long, but maybe that was because Avery decided that she really didn't like her car seat that day. And, when people ask 'Did you pack everything but the kitchen sink?', that is what are Traverse looked like! It's amazing how much more stuff and how much longer it takes to pack when you have a 3 month old going with you! Especially when that 3 month old usually goes through 3-4 outfits daily because of spit up! But everything went well. We spent time in Shell Knob, MO on Table Rock Lake for a few days and then trucked up near Branson to fish and shop!

The Magnolia

 Our Cabin at The Timbers Lodge in Shell Knob, MO. The Jacuzzi Tub was Way worth it!

 First time in Table Rock Lake! Thanks to the Heins for letting us borrow their life jacket! Worked like a charm!

There were a TON of turtles just swimming around the Marina

Walking the Docks

View from the Dock

An Old Bridge I thought was really neat

Shell Knob was beautiful and it was SO relaxing just hanging out and not having a schedule to live by! Avery really seemed to like the water and so we can't wait to bring her back when she is older so she can really enjoy the lake. Maybe next time we'll hitch up the boat! Actually-I think that's a MUST bring next time! We ate at little hole in the wall restaurants and had great food and just enjoyed each other. Sometimes it is more important to step back and take things in so that you don't take things for granted and let them slip away. Already wanting to go back!

Next Post: Branson Part II: Cooper Creek/Lilly's Landing/Shopping