Cullen's Day Out!

I was FINALLY able to take Cullen out for his "Yes Day"! He has been ever-so patiently waiting since December to go to Dave & Busters! It just so happened that Cullen had an early-release day from school and Shanon was able to work form home that afternoon, so we got an early start to our evening! I met my Mom half-way and dropped Avery off with her and then headed to Maple Grove to Dave & Busters for some games and dinner!

                                          

We had so much fun together, just the two of us! We played every game in the whole place I think... but our favorite was throwing balls to knock the clown faces down! By the time we were done playing... my arm hurt! We had to have played at least a dozen times! Cullen challenged me to a game of air hockey... and kicked my butt! He said, "Ms. Erin, I don't know whats more embarrassing... that you lost to a eight year old or that you scored on yourself" haha

We had dinner and then went to turn in our tickets and claim a prize. Cullen's eyes about popped out of his head when the lady told him we had 1,164 tickets! He decided to get a magnetic dart board!

Before taking him home, I figured we should probably have some birthday ice cream... he agreed and we went to Cold Stone for a treat! I got him home just in time for bed and he was talking non-stop telling Shanon ALL about our night out! I love this little tradition WAY more than buying them a silly toy! 

Jodie's Baby Shower

Jodie and Cory are expecting their first little bundle of joy in April! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet little Piper Lou when she makes her arrival! 

Katie was in charge of bringing dessert... and she chose the PERFECT dessert for Jodie! Mini-Blizzards all around -- we were all excited about that! 

 

Of course, we had to take a baby bump photo -- since EVERYONE is pregnant right now! 

Jessa hosted this shower at her house and came up with the cutest ever head band making station! 

 It was ADORABLE!! 

This kiddos all had fun playing together, and us Mom's were able to visit because everyone was playing so nice together! What a treat!! I love that we are able to get together as often as we do, so they can really build these friendships from the time they are too tiny to even know who is holding them!

(Avery giving Katie's Baby a check-up)

Fire & Ice Festival

Alayna was in town this weekend from Texas and we planned a girls night! Brandon had to work at Lance's shop so Avery was lucky enough to hang out with Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Dave! They decided to take her to the Plymouth Fire & Ice Festival! Since Katie only lives a mine from the festival and that's where we were all meeting I decided to join in the fun for a little bit before meeting my fiends for dinner! I am so happy I went! This will definitely be something we go to every year!

The whole event is FREE! And it was super organized, really well planned and a TON of fun!

We found a place to park and headed right over to the dog sled rides! The line was already long when we got there (a few minutes before the event actually started) but the line went quickly and Avery loved it!

Next, Grandpa helped her tie up her new skates! She has been dying to go ice skating all winter but he weather has either been way too cold, or the lakes have been slush. This was the perfect weather to be outside, and although she had no idea what she was getting herself into, she was totally pumped to try on her new skates from Andy & Jenna!

She did pretty good for her first time. She was able to stand up fairly well and sort of walk across the ice with a little help! She also had fun making "ice angels" when she fell!

There were come characters walking around from some popular movies...

(a Minion from Despicable Me)

(Olaf from Frozen)

They had a great day ice fishing, skating, and playing outside together! 

And the next week, we were surprised to see that Avery had made it in the Plymouth News Paper!

2 going on 16...

As I was getting Avery ready for a bath tonight, I took her shirt off and saw her wearing Cullen's face mask under her shirt (which she was playing with at 8am that morning). I asked her, "Avery, why are you wearing this?" 

Avery replied with out thinking twice, "Well Mom, it's my Bra, you know this"

I was dying laughing... she went on to tell me that she put it on before we walked Cullen to the bus that morning! SHE WORE IT ALL DAY LONG!!! Trust me dear, you don't really want to wear a bra... one day, you will wish you didn't have to!

Swimming Lessons

Avery gave the duckies swimming lessons tonight in the tub! I know, call me crazy, but I let her!

She put on her swim suit and couldn't wait to show them how it's done! The swimming lessons lasted about 10 minutes, until the first duck pooped, and then we drained the water, washed the tub quick and gave Avery a real bath! It was nonetheless a fun experience for her, even if it was only 10 minutes!

You Are My Sunshine!

Avery was coloring before dinner tonight and said "look guys, a sunshine"! When I went over to see (what I thought would be a page full of zig-zags, swirls, and random lines in every color) there was a perfect yellow sunshine!   We will be hanging this one up!! 

Swimming with Friends!

The Murray kids have been sick this week, so Avery and I have been home hanging out and spending some great mommy-daughter time together. We decided to go swimming one afternoon with Blake and Gage and decided to pick Harper up on the way! The kiddos had a blast, we always do at the Monticello Community Center! The kiddos were all very good and we decided to hit up Pizza Ranch for dinner. Ashley met us there on her way home from work and we all chowed down some pizza and headed home with our tired kiddos! I love that these last minute play-dates work out! I never really get to see Brooke when we plan swimming adventures, because I am always on one side of the pool and she is on the other to make sure we can see everyone, but it sure is fun to watch the kids play! They all get along so well! Next time, Brooke, Ashley and I might just have to go out alone though if we want to visit! ;)