What we have been up too...

I know it has been a little while since I have been on here and actually posted pictures and updates. So here goes...
Avree is 18 months old already! (Almost 19 on Nov 4th) She is starting to talk more (still gets a little shy when you ask her to say something), and growing so fast! She is skinny and tall. Her Dr appt she was 70% for height but 5% for weight. It makes is especially hard to keep pants up since she no longer wearing diapers. Yes, you read that right.. she is fully potty trained!! No more diapers during the day (she has never had an accident either). She even has stayed dry during nap times and during the night! Such an awesome thing and still can't believe she is 18 months and potty trained!
She is still our little monkey and is finding new things to climb on. She recently discovered one of her little potty's can also be a step stool. So she is forever moving it around the kitchen to help her get things off the counter. The other day I found her on the step stool, putting her hands in the frosting container. :)




I also forgot to post a picture of Avree's "new bed". The end of July/beginning of August we put Avree's toddler rail up. I was a little nervous about her being able to get in and out of her bed by herself and whenever she wants but she has done well. She never gets out till we come and get her and has still been sleeping great. What a big girl!!

Weekend with the Grandparents!

Well, I finally got enough courage to leave my baby. It took me a year and a half to leave her for more than a couple hours. I was surprised how well I did. Of course I missed her, but we had a fun weekend. Nice not having to pick up and clean the house every hour. :-) (Our little tornado!)
It sounded like she had a great time. Getting into everything and chatting non-stop. (I don't think they knew what she was saying though)
She stayed with my dad and Barb Friday night, then Saturday she played with cousin Kaiya. Saturday afternoon my dad dropped her off at Nana and Papa's (Matt's parents). So she was on the go the whole weekend!
I am comfortable now about her leaving for a weekend (only a weekend!! No more than 2 days!!) so I have a feeling the grandparents will want to do this often :-)

Avree and Kaiya



"Great" grandpa and grandma McCulla




Just had Avree's 18 month check-up today. She is healthy and growing like a weed. She is about 70% for height but only 5% for weight! Skinny string bean! :)I have also been working on potty training her! She is about 70-80% trained. She has been doing awesome and has caught on pretty quick :-) Hopefully by Christmas she will be fully trained!
Hope everyone is enjoying the October weather. Hard to believe October is half way over!

Sorry, it's been a while since my last post...

I have kind of forgot all about my blog spot. I guess there isn't really much to post about either. We haven't been up to too much, outside of our routine... Avree is talking a lot more now. She actually tries to say words, as before she would just look at you and do a shy smile. She just turned a year and a half yesterday! Hard to believe she is that old!!

I will try and post some pictures, soon... once I get them off my camera and on the computer. (I haven't had a lot of free time since I changed her nap schedule to once a day. She takes a couple hour nap just in the afternoon. So when she is napping, I usually am trying to pick up the house, do laundry, clean or mow....The story of my life)

Hope all is well with everyone.

Family Christmas Pool Party..In August!

For the past two years, my mom's side of the family has tried to get together around Christmas time, but with stupid Iowa winters, we haven't be able too. My aunt Kathy decided we should have our Christmas get together in August so we won't have to deal with the winter weather. We had planned this for a while and pretty much everyone could make it. My aunt Kathy has a pool in her backyard and she came up with the idea of having a Christmas Pool Party. Well, there was no swimming involved. What happened to the August weather??!! Seriously! It was kinda chilly that day, but atleast the sun was out! We still had a great time spending the day outside. There was even a surprise that came in the afternoon... A pony, who's name is Pony. :) (My aunt Sue and my mom went in together on the purchase of the pony for their grandkids- Avree, Logan and Jack... So far those are their grandkids.) Avree sure loved Pony! We couldn't get her away from him. When he was tied up to the trailer, Avree would grab someone's hand and drag them over to pet Pony again, and again and again! She liked riding him for a little bit but would rather lead him around. (I think she could do that for hours! My mom of course loved it that she kept wanting to go to the pony!)
I know Grandma Farley was looking down on us that day and so happy we all got together! I miss you and think of you everyday! Love you Grandma Farley!!

"Great Grandkids"

Family Picture




Pony came to visit the kids!!


Avree is all about holding baby Jack (for a couple seconds, anyway)



Avree loves the slide!


The grandparents with their grandkids

Riverfest and Camping Trip!

Last weekend we went with some friends to Parkville's 41st annual Riverfest. We had a great time walking around, trying different food vendors and listening to an outdoor concert.
Avree and her flower balloon



The next night we decided to take Avree camping for the first time. Matt and I like to camp but haven't camped for a long time. I actually think the last time we camped was when we lived in Ames.
The kids loved the fresh, open air and loved running around. Avree sure slept good that night and didn't get up till 9 the next morning!

The dads and kids


Lindsay and Wesley




Since Avree did so well with camping, we for sure will be going more this fall!



I just had to throw in a couple random pictures of Avree. I love these photos of her... This is her new favorite thing to climb on. (This was Matt's rocking horse that he rode when he was little. Made by Matt's papa)


Avree and I are headed back to Iowa tonight for a couple days. Can't wait to see family and friends.
Hope everyone is doing well!

Trip to Des Moines

A couple weeks ago Avree and I decided to spend some time in Iowa while daddy was gone on business. We stayed with baby Jack, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Jay for a couple nights. We got to see Grandma Hansch for a night and then one of the days we went to the Iowa State Fair with Grandma and Grandpa McCulla.

"Where's Jack's ear?"

Give Jack kisses



Iowa State Fair


Avree by her brick at the Iowa State Fair


Avree is all about holding baby Jack, but when she's sick of holding him (after 2 seconds) so just pushes him off of her. haha

Shelly and I decided to try out one of the rides at the fair....

It was scary than what you think.

While we were back, we also went to the Des Moines Zoo with one of my friends and her kids.

We had a great time back in Iowa, but it sure was nice to get home and see the boys.

60th Wedding Anniversary

Last weekend the whole McCulla clan all got together in Grinnell to help celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! We had a great time and couldn't be happier for them. They are such important people in our lives and how awesome to have been together for that long. So happy for you grandpa and grandma McCulla :-)

"How old are you?"

Grandma and Grandpa with the great grandkids (minus Jack)

Aunt Linda was also celebrating 60 last weekend.. her birthday!!

Matt and Jack

Look at that face..

Avree has a shoe fascination right now. She loves taking people's shoes off and putting them back on. She can do this for hours!


We asked our friend (who also took our wedding pictures) if he would come and take some professional pictures of all of us. So we actually got everyone there, (well accept Katie and Dustin. Who live in Chicago) sitting still and looking!! YAH! We haven't gotten any proofs back but when I do, I will post a few.
Matt, Avree and I also took some family photos after we were done with the big group ones. (I think the last time we got professional photos done was last summer when Avree was 3 months old!) I hope they turned out, cause Avree was sure ready for a nap by that time and didn't want to sit still and look at the camera.
All in all, we had a great weekend with family!




I also wanted to share with you some great photos from last week. One night we were hanging out on the deck and Avree wanted to get into her pool (we were just in it that afternoon) and I didn't feel like going upstairs to get her another swim diaper. So we just took off her regular diaper and put her swim suit bottoms on....




Ha-Ha. Most of the bottoms she has, whether it's her shorts, jeans or swim suits, are usually too big for her little body. We of course got a "crack" out of this and had to grab the camera. :)