4TH OF JULY

Happy 4th of July. I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday. My Mom and Richard come to visit and we headed to my Grandma's house. My Grandma's sister (Aunt Betty) celebrated her 80th birthday on the 4th, so happy birthday to my most favorite Aunt Betty. Below are some pictures from our weekend.

This is Avery's first 4th of July. She is not even a month old in this picture. I just love this picture b/c she is such a fire cracker.

We took Avery to visit the "Moos" as she calls them. This was the first time the cows were not by the house so we took her to see them and she got to ride in the back of the truck with me...just like I used to do with my Grandpa.

Avery and I in the back of the truck. Instead of saying cheese, we said Moo.

Grandmommy, Granddaddy and Avery. On Saturday we went to live music in the square in Lindon. We had a great time looking at all the people and dancing.

Granny and papa had a great time as well.

Me and my Mommy.

David and I.

FATHERS DAY

June 20 -25th: Life has been busy. Something is always going on and recently I have begun reading the Twilight series so I just have not had much time for blogging, so I apologize to all our fans! I will try to do better. Here is what happened during the last part of June.

We met our friends the Browns at the Adventure Science Museum. Avery and Amelia had such a good time (June 25th).

I hope all the Dad’s out there had a great Father’s Day. This was David’s third Father’s Day. He got to sleep in, take a nap and spend it with Avery and I. What a great day! I thought it was an extra special day because I got to spend it with my Dad and Granddad (June 20th).

Avery and I made all the Dads a decorated picture of her. We sure had fun sticking things to paper and then taking them all off and throwing them in the floor.

2 YEAR CHECKUP

June 10th - Avery had her two year checkup today. She was so cute. She asked the nurse to take her temperature, raised her arm and sat really still while the nurse did her thing. She did have to get one shot and they pricked her finger for blood. She was really good while they took her blood. She kept asking the nurse what she was doing to her finger.


Her Stats:
Weight - 33 pds (97 percentile)
Height - 35 1/4 inches (85 percentile)

What's she up to now:
Avery is a very curious child. She is constantly asking us what we are doing and where something went, it could be us or someone on TV. She has recently learned to tell us she doesn't like something, "Not like it Mommy" is followed by eating many things...even things I know she likes. She talks constantly and everything is "I do it Mommy". She enjoys trying to put on her shoes and clothes. She even likes to wear my shoes. She has been in the 2 year old class for a couple of months now and is drinking out of a regular cup at meal time and is getting good with her fork and spoon. She may not always use it but she has to have them at meal time along with a napkin. She really enjoys pouring her milk on the table, wiping her hands in it and rubbing it in her arms like lotion. Is that how someone came up with adding milk to lotion? I have to say there is never a dull moment with Avery around.

2 YEARS OLD

June 9th - Today I turn 2 years old. Mommy let me sleep in today and sang to me when she came and got me out of bed. She is trying to teach me to hold up 2 fingers when asked how old I am. Grandma is also here to celebrate my birthday. She and Mommy made cupcakes and brought them to my school. I got to leave school early and go play with Mommy and Grandma. Grandma made dinner and Lisa came over to eat with us. I then got to have another cupcake and open presents. I got a kitchen and lots of other things. I had a really great day. Can I do it again tomorrow?

Here is a picture of the cupcakes Mommy made for my birthday. They were yummy.

As is tradition Mommy told me the story of my birth. Here is a picture of me in the hospital when I was born. I was so tiny.

Me with Mommy and Daddy. This year Mommy wanted us to wear Mickey Mouse ears instead of crowns.

Grandma bought me some party blowers. They were a lot of fun.

Me and my friends at school eating cupcakes. The icing was the best part.

I had to get every ounce of icing.

Check out the video of everyone singing to me. I just love all the attention.

VACATION 2010

May 28 - June 5: We took our summer vacation to see family in North Carolina. Since Avery was born we try to visit NC around her birthday so her Grandparents can celebrate with her. This year we decided to drive and I have to say Avery was a perfect traveler, she did great in the car, which the portable DVD player we borrowed may have had a lot to do with that. Below are some pictures from the many adventures we had.

Avery taking a cat nap, doesn't she look comfortable?

Ever since we moved away from NC I have been missing the beach. I have been wanting to take Avery to the beach and we finally did. We only got to spend about 30 minutes there b/c it was raining. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.

Avery loved the beach. At first she wasn't crazy about the sand but she soon warmed up to it. She wanted to run in the waves, this girl doesn't have much fear.

Playing in the sand. Her hair is wet due to the rain not the water.

We had to leave b/c the rain started coming down hard. When we got to the car we were all soaked. This will be a memory I will never forget.

Another day Avery, Grandma and I went to the pool while Daddy and Grandaddy played golf. This is her and Trevor, a boy she met at the pool. Guess I am going to have problems with her and boys sooner than I thought.

Avery and I playing in the pool. She really is comfortable in the water since we started the swim lessons.

Another day we rented a boat and went to Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill. Here is Aunt Kat in the lake. No she isn't naked.

Granddaddy, Avery and Brianna. He sure does have his arms full.

David and I on the boat.

I got to drive the boat. If they know how I drove a car they would not have let me drive.

David driving the boat.

Avery celebrating her birthday at Granddaddy's house. She wasn't crazy about the hat I tried to make her wear.

Avery making sure she got every last drop of ice cream.

Grandma and Aunt Kat. We decided to make her cake instead of buy one.

And guess who it is.....Mickey Mouse....Avery's favorite.

Avery loved her cake and couldn't wait to eat the frosting.

Apparently one piece wasn't enough, she needed more before she even finished her first piece.

Our family.

Avery being silly.

Avery playing with Granddaddy.


Below is a video of Avery on the beach.

WET WEEKEND

May 15th -16th: The Diamond family had a very low key weekend. Saturday Avery had her first swim lesson. We signed her up for a class that is a half hour and will consist of six classes, all on a Saturday. As soon as we arrived at the pool we had to hold her tight because she wanted to run straight into the pool. Her first class was composed of getting used to the water by being separated from the parent, such as walking in the water and going down the slide, going under water and floating on her back with the parent. She loved going under water and would laugh every time she came up.

Sunday was a rainy day so we built a fort in the living room. The grand fort in my mind didn't actually happen (I've never built a fort before). Avery could fit in the fort but David and I could only peek our heads in. I've vowed to make a better fort next time.

Here are some pictures and video from our weekend.

Avery taking Daddy to the slide.

David trying to get Avery to float on her back. She wasn't thrilled about that.

My little seal loves the water.

Avery tearing the fort down. I think that was her favorite part.

A video of Avery and Daddy going under water.

BOWLING & FLOODING

May 1 -2: What a weekend. David and I attended the Tennessee State Bowling Tournament in Johnson City. This was my first tournament and let's just say I didn't win any awards for high scores but at least I had fun (most of the time).

While we were bowling on Saturday we heard it was raining really hard in Nashville and the surrounding areas. There was talk all over the bowling alley about flooding in Nashville and how roads and even highways were shut down. At one point we saw a mobile classroom floating down a major street in Antioch, where David and I used to live. The rain continued to come and by Sunday night many people had lost their homes and lives.

They are calling it historic flooding. Many major landmarks were flooded, such as the Titans Football field, the Opryland hotel and mall. Nashville received more than 13 inches of rain in two days, I hear that is about 25% of our annual rain fall in two days. 42 counties have been declared disaster zones and the estimated cost damage is $1.5 billion. I have felt sad for many tragedies I have seen in my lifetime but this feels different, I guess since it has happened right in my back yard. There has been such a great turn out for help and that makes me happy. The flood pictures are from the Tennessean.

My bowling team for the tournament. When we played our team event I was one of two women who played. We were definitely out numbered.

The dynamic duo on Saturday when we played doubles and singles.

Water inside Opryland hotel. They had 10 feet of water in the building and it is estimated to cost $5 million to clean it up.

Downtown Nashville, the water is up to the top of many buildings.

On a bridge over looking downtown Nashville.

The home of the Tennessee Titans.