Avery's Sweet & Sassy's Birthday

Avery turned FIVE yesterday!

After much discussion, we decided every other year we do a family party. This year being a family party year, we made an appointment at the fancy kids salon...

Sweet & Sassy.

(The only possible way of going here was to have a "family party")

The girls got a pedicure, manicure, and a princess updo: all with LOTs & LOTs of sparkly lotion.

Avery was in heaven and it was so fun to watch.

With her party now over, I wonder what she will have to talk about...

HALLOWEEN?

NEVER A GOOD THING...

Let me first start this post by saying, like most wives, I am not a fan of having my husband out of town. Luckily he doesn't go without us too often. I usually survive his absence by staying busy taking the kids places and getting projects done.

Spencer left to Philadelphia on Thursday night for some Endo classes. Friday was my first full day with out him around. I stayed busy seeing Kayla off to the bus, watching my friends kids, then taking Avery to preschool. After picking Avery up from preschool I hurried to the store before Kayla got home. In the hurry to unload the car and get groceries put away ...

I LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR!!!!!!

My nightmare situation with my husband gone... being stuck in the house for two rainy days trying to keep my kids entertained. I know it is not that big of deal, there are far worse thing that could happen. I realize that many people have survived having only one car and wives get stuck home all the time. I guess the part that made it the hardest is that I wanted to get a long list of things done and I needed my car to accomplish those things.

I made the best out of Saturday; doing crafts with the girls, baking cookies, and keeping my house spotless so I don't feel crazy in a dirty house.

Last night Evan spent most the night crying. I don't know why, maybe his teeth that are coming in hurt, maybe he is getting sick, or maybe he is ready to have Spencer home, I know I am. Needless to say I didn't sleep much last. By 1 o'clock I turned on the T.V. and started watching "Never Been Kissed." I had given up on even trying to sleep.

The fact that I am even typing a LONG post, a thing I don't enjoy doing, must be a sign of some sort. Anywhoooo, I need to go get Evan to stop climbing on things.

Happy Days!

After this weekend I will appreciate my car all the more, as well as having Spencer around to help with the KIDOS.

Playing with Cousins

Cousins came from ST. LOUIS this past weekend to PLAY with us.

We ENJOYED the new LEGO store at Easton...

So many things to make...

and A HUGE variety of COLORS!

My Brother, along with Scottie, Parker, & Tommy

had a great time picking out all sorts of colors and sizes of Legos to buy.

I felt bad at the time I wouldn't let Kayla or Avery get any.

But by the end of the weekend after many failed attempts to keep the Legos off the floor and only in the playroom, I realized we need to wait until Evan is older to buy any.

Ahhhh... and this is my FABULOUS brother Rich! The Orthodontist, Children's Book Author, and Father to 3 Genius boys... and a little bit of a workaholic.

Lisa, Rich's BEAUTIFUL wife, is the kind of person I want to be in the kitchen, always cooking up something yummy. She made the BEST cookies:

1 c.butter

1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

1 1/2 c. Rice Krispies

1 c. coconut

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c. Chocolate chips

Cream butter & sugar; add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Add flour, sifted with salt, baking powder, and soda; add oatmeal, Rice Krispies and coconut. Make small balls and bake at 375 for 9 minutes.

(I don't know what our family would do without her and Spencer at Thanksgiving.)

Nothing like wearing out the kids with a little kick ball.

Rich & Lisa, Thanks for coming & visiting us!

Once again... here is Evan wearing his FOOTBALL jersey... Spencer makes sure his son is supporting OSU for ALL game days. Poor kids has no chance but to be a BUCKEYE FAN.

COLLEGE GAMEDAY & the night before

The night before the big game {OSU vs UCS} we met up with the Anneliese & Zach Haws and Aaron & Alder Orme and one of Zach's friends. They were all in town for the game. Anneliese introduced us to the fabulous RUSTY BUCKETS, which is famous for their dip fried pickles. Spencer and I tried and they were surprisingly yummy!

I have to thank Anneliese for the pictures, since I copied them off her blog.

Next up we hit HANDEL'S ice cream.

It was a little chilly that night... hence the blanket.

It's always so great to catch-up with old friend. So all of you BUCKEYE fans, you know you have a place to stay if you come into town.

We made it down to campus to watch part of ESPN'S GAMEDAY be filmed across from the OSU stadium. I have to say the mood was a little somber in anticipation for the game, since we didn't look to hot against unranked Navy last week. Looking at Spencer, Blake, & Spencer Fullmers faces the picture below says it all. {NERVOUS!!}

It was a close and great game, even if we didn't win!

Avery didn't want to be left out of this post so here is a picture added to show she was there.

One of the many things I love about living in Columbus these days is getting to see old friends who come to see the BUCKEYES play. This past weekend we got to catch-up with Brooke & Devon Jarvis over Sunday dinner.

I couldn't help but reminisce back to Spencer's first year of Dental school and the Sunday dinners we had at their house along with the Mannings, Karens, and sometimes the Missionaries. They were one of the couples that made moving so far from family a little easier.

Avery finally had her day to shine. She started preschool Tuesday and she couldn't have been more ready. After taking a few pictures of her Evan thought it was his turn and stood by the wall to get his picture.

We just had lunch and hadn't gotten his shirt back on. But to be honest it seems he is only fully dressed half the day. And by night he is so dirty there is never an option but to give him a bath.

Having Avery in preschool FIVE days a week and during Evan's nap time... I can't even express how great it is!

PLAYING WITH ADOBE

I have been figuring out some new tricks on Adobe today and wanted to one of the pictures I was playing with...

I bought the texture package from HERE and then duplicated the background in ADOBE. Then I put the picture of Evan in between the two layers and then used the erasing tool. (if that makes any sense?) I definitely need more practice but you get the idea. I love learning new techniques, if you have any you want to share I am all ears.