Family Time

I was looking forward to the Thanksgiving the moment I found out James wanted to make the drive up to see the Katschke family in Wyoming. It is definitely not a pleasant drive during the winter time. Truthfully, it is down right scary and LONG. The first all day road trip for Miss Avery -- a whopping 9+ hours.

And I was so looking forward to it.

Time to spend with Mr. Pendleton and just be...

No Work, school, errands, lights (though we did help hang theirs), etc.

Just time to play games, eat, snack, watch football, and laugh.

I was running low on quality time with Mr. P and lil miss. I needed it.

Thanksgiving was exactly how I hoped it would be.

Now, we are back to our hectic work/school/work routine. For example, as I sit here and type, Mr. Pendleton is gone -- working -- and Avery is in dreamland. And I am just thinking....

How grateful I am to have such loved ones like James and Avery. They really brighten up my life, and they know it. They can feel it through my constant kisses and squeezes, and hopefully hear it with the frequent "I love You"(s).

(Yep, she is a ball of joy)

That is what you get when you mix me and Mr. Pendleton together.

It makes sense.

***

I am turning 26 soon. That feels so old. probably because it is. I am having a hard time swallowing that fact. Just wanted to share.

Sweet dreams.

1-2-3... Laughter.

Those big brown eyes get me every time.

Count it off for lil miss... ONE, TWO, THREE:

Gratitude.

I spend a lot of my time "pushing papers" for my job, now a days. Some days it eats me up inside. A lot of the time it eats me up. But, today.... today is different. I was able to spend time with my lil miss. Time we spent walking hand in hand, sharing kisses, and discovering.

(Miss Avery on "her" turtle @ the mall.

She watched him like a hawk, and wouldn't let ANYONE on him.)

A good mother would have probably tried to correct this behavior and teach a lesson in sharing.

I stood back and just smiled. I was proud that she was standing up for herself.

It was endearing.

I am grateful for days like these.

PS I am also grateful that Mr. P is working hard so that we may have many more moments like today together in the future.

hockey bliss

Lil miss Avery loves watching the players bang each other into the glass.

A couple of times they got pretty aggressive with one another.

I have to admit that is my favorite part about hockey, when the gloves come off.

The game gets interesting.

Though I am not a fan, when Mr. Pendleton is involved.

When lil miss wasn't being entertained by the loud bashing of bodies against the glass,

she was wrestling in her own fight.

Getting some fruit snacks out of the wrapper proves to be a challenge.

When you have cute stubby little fingers, those pesky treats can give you a tough time.

She always seems to succeed... probably because she has some help from me.

The games are usually during Avery's bedtime (9:30), but we love it when we can attend.

It's fun to see Mr. Pendleton strut his stuff on ice.

PS. I couldn't get any good shots of Mr. P for two reasons... moving target and glass.

I need some basic pointers, Carly.

You definitely are a PRO with the camera.

Pink Butterfly fairy and the potty.

Cousins being cousins.

Nana is in the process of being potty trained, and Avery wanted in on the action.

Happy Halloweenie

Halloween at the Pendleton House...

Some Jack-o-lanterns

Scary smooching...

And the best part... PUMPKIN CARVING.

And of course, what is the fall season without a little bit of caramel and apples?

Self-proclaimed: NUMBER ONE TREAT (anytime of the year).

Hope yours was a good as ours.

P.S. James worked till eight delivering pizza's... and I played the game of tricking kids into thinking no one was home.

I didn't know where James put the candy to hand out:(

It was so relaxing and besides only two groups of kids actually came by even though the lights were out.

P.S.S. We headed off to Jeff and Carly's to hang out with James family later in the evening.

A week of taking it easy...

No one does it better than...

Lil Miss Avery.

Soaking in some sun rays on her chair.

New "adventures"

A new hobby. Passion.

Maybe even business venture?

Time will tell. It will be lots of HARD work.

But, I can do hard things.

One of my "many" new mottos.

*********

Last Saturday I went to a class to help me learn illustrator.

I am in love... with this cutie (Avery) PLUS illustrator.

I have so many projects floating around in my mind.

Hopefully, I can get them out on print.

PS I know, long over due for a post. A few are on their way. Promise.

AVERY turns ONE

It's been ONE YEAR since this happened. We had to celebrate in S*T*Y*L*E, right?

Mr. Pendleton gave me some pointers-- SIMPLE and sweet.

And he did put emphasis on the simple. He knows me too well.

So I threw out the ideas of making handmade mini books for everyone,

doing a book theme with a birthday cake to match. I wanted to highlight Miss Avery's book fetish.

Instead I took Mr. Pendleton's advice... And it couldn't have turned out been better!!

Lil Miss turned one... and she couldn't have more spunk.

She definitely enjoyed her birthday to say the least.

Who ever said a kid's first birthday is more for the parents?

She loved the food:

Hotdogs- stolen from Nana's plate

watermelon- given to her by Grandma Pendleton

Pineapple- stolen from logan's plate

Extra large cupcake- wasn't too messy or interested in it

cheese puffs- given to her by me right before opening gifts. I know what was I thinking?

We thought for sure she would LOVE opening gifts.

At that moment, she was more interested in the cheese puffs.

So the cousins (Logan & Nana) and Katrice helped instead.

By the end, her interest surfaced so she began to help by pulling off the bows.

She loves all of her gifts.

She drags her teddy bear and Eor around the house with her.

Tears apart her connect-a-bugs as soon as I put them together.

Sits down to "read" her Lil Miss size books.

And will definitely be the fashionista during this fall season with her adorable wardrobe.

Grandma Pendleton had the great idea to play

Ring-around-the-rosy.

Grandma and Lori lead the bunch in a few rounds with Logan, Nana, and Avery.

After they were tuckered out, Cheslie and Katrice took over.

It was probably one of the highlights of the night for Miss Avery.

We were so glad to share the day with our loved ones...

and that Avery took a nap before the party.

Thanks for celebrating with us!!

Attendees: Grandma Dot, Gloria, Bill, Katrice, Grandma Pendleton, Grandma Smith, Jeff, Carly, Logan , Savannah (Nana), Geneve, Ryan, soon-to-be (Connor), Lori, Cheslie, Landon, and Julie.

Favorite moment of the night:

James and Lil Miss snuggling together, whinding down from the day.

His content stare and her big yawn... and of course-- a belly rub. Love it.