Birthday Party

Saturday we took advantage of ND having their off weekend and had Avery's 2nd birthday party a week early. Her actual birthday is next Saturday and we have a family wedding, so this weekend worked out. The day started off a little hectic when there was a slight issue with getting the bounce house we rented to our house. And Friday night my grandma was put in ICU and was (obviously) not able to make the party-she was really missed! We are praying you come home soon, gram!

A family picture with the birthday girl:)

The birthday girl stopped to snap a pic with Uncle Jake and his friend Matt

Avery was so excited about blowing out her candles that she actually stood at her cake and practiced blowing them out before we lit the candles!! Here she is really blowing them out-she did it all by herself:) She was so excited when everyone sang happy birthday to her that she was smiling so big and clapped for herself! So much different than her 1st birthday!

Giving grandma directions on how to properly cut the cake:)

This was a top contender for her favorite gift-Handy Manny's tool set! Here she is showing off Phillipe.

Once cousin Garrett got word that Handy Manny's tools were there, he had to come check them out!

Word spread about these awesome tools and soon all the kids were gathering, Gage and Leah had to get in to see what the excitement was about too:)

Grandpa B and Spencer watching some football.

Ooh, Avery got a very pretty collectors edition Christmas Cinderella...this was promptly put on a high shelf in her room!

Aw, showing Lucky from 101 dalmatians the cool princess bag that he came in from Aunt Cimmy.

This gift was so cool, daddy was even excited! Aunt Jamie, Uncle Chad and Cousin Garrett got her the fridge magnets from VTech that teaches about food-her favorite fridge toy, this went up right away!

A princess castle courtesy of grammy and pop pop...Avery is my kinda girl, she was so happy getting tools and a princess tent-very well-rounded:)

So excited to get this awesome four wheeler-this girl loves to drive! Thanks Michele, Lynn and Gage:)

Down the slide on the bounce house we rented!

Spencer posing with grammy and Aunt Cimmy in the pumpkin hat Aunt Cimmy got him!

Putting those tools to use...checking out what's in the vent with pop pop using Flicker (the flashlight) from her Handy Manny set!

This girl knows what to do with a screwdriver! Thanks again for the long-sleeved shirt, Aunt Cindy, it went perfectly with her birthday shirt (and thank goodness, it was freezing cold Saturday!).

After everyone left, Artie and I put Spencer down for a nap and went out to spend some time with just Avery in the bounce house. I'll tell you, those 45 minutes we spent outside with her bouncing and sliding and laughing was worth all of the pain and expense of renting the darn thing. I will never ever forget those moments of the 3 of us just having the best time. Avery and I took a turn together down the slide:)

Daddy's turn down the slide with Avery. I think the smile on her face says it all! Can I also just say, I have not been on one of these things in like 20+ years and what a workout it is to jump in these and keep your balance. My knees were hurting the next day!

Domer even took a turn down the slide! The silly dog had enough of watching us have fun. He jumped right in the bouncer and up the slide and down!