It's 10pm and I just about had a heart attack.

I went to check on the kids after Eric and I finished a movie and I couldn't find Avery.  The concern was that she was outside somewhere.  We left the back door open for ventilation since we primed our walls today to paint this week.  I was hoping she was in Tate's room since she likes to sneak in there and play with him.  But he was sound asleep and alone.  My last hope before checking outdoors was under the crib. I felt a little head right behind the crib skirt when I lifted it.  Phew.

We tried to pull her out, but she keeps moving in deeper.  Maybe this is her Memorial Day "camping" experience since we aren't taking her out in a tent =)

(And even if she had gone outside, she would be fenced in, but still scary to me.)

Coffee Table

 Avery posed like she was slaving away on the paint job (above).

 But in reality, while I painted outside, she left this artistry on the leather couch!

 

Anyway, here's the before and after of our coffee table paint job.  I like it =)  Plus, it matches Tate's shirt!

Tate walks in the room and says "Did somebody say chocolate?!"  I'll have to remember that one, but insert "donuts" for "chocolate" =)

Tate likes to talk about his birthday in 5 months, and on the drive home he was also talking about Halloween in 5 months.  He was assigning costumes to Avery and all his friends.  He said somebody was going to be the Holy Ghost.  I said that the Holy Ghost is a real special person that we don't dress-up as for Halloween.  I explained that lots of people are plain ghosts for Halloween.  Tate said, "Ooooh!  Yes, he can be an airplane ghost for Halloween!"

Tate asked what Eric does at his office and I said that he lets people borrow cars for a fee.  He gasps and says, "That's a good thing! a good choice!"

As I picked up the kids from the gym nursery today, the sitter had a cute story: 

Some kid hit Tate with no warning.  Before Tate could get up and get his wits about him to react, Avery came running with fists flying ready to take that kid down!  Ha ha.

Also, yesterday I wish I had my camera when the kids were going down the slide together with big smiles on their faces.  Too cute.

 As you can see, I liked Avery's new dress yesterday from Aunt Lori.  This morning,she put on some sweet spectacles to study stuff.  Then, we went to the grocery and she threw a fit on the floor when we returned home.  She must have worn herself out because she fell asleep in that same position.  Poor girl, Sundays do a number on her sleep schedule with church falling during nap time. 

 Kadi, these are for you.  Tate doesn't pose like your boys.  He requires m&m bribes, but we have plenty handy since Avery is potty training.  I know you're jealous.  Everybody loves potty training. Actually, there is an up-side...we always have candy =)

 My kind friend, Jerica, came over this week and taught me how to construct my very own garden boxes.  Now, I love Jerica tons, but I always mentally add "for you" every time she claims that something is "so easy!".  I think she could build a house and then tell me how easy it is to make!  Anyway, she was right, these boxes were easy!  Well, until she left and I broke a bit that's still stuck in that box...

Pictured above, Tate was claiming that these were his "houses".  Until Avery came along and shoveled all that beautiful dirt in them and planted a garden. 

 Mom bought Avery this dress and we had some time before church today so I took some pictures of the kids since I know they're so cute and I'm a doting mother and that's what we do.

 Also, we're showing mom the shed Eric and I painted yesterday.  I still plan on finishing a side and painting some white trim. A friend in the ward let me borrow their pressure washer to clean the house and shed before we painted.  I don't even know how to start a lawn mower, so I was hesitant, but my neighbor taught me and I pressure washed everything.  So between building the garden boxes and pressure washing this week, I've felt very empowered and grateful for everybody's help, too.

 I'm sure if we could understand Avery, she would often be saying things like, "I am woman, hear me roar!!"

 Then, she spotted a squirrel. 

good times

Yesterday Eric came home with a box of Girl Scout cookies. I questioned his choice of a mere one box. Who knows when we would chance upon another seller of such fine desserts?

Today I happened upon some sellers and Eric questioned my choice of returning home with 5 boxes .

My friend told how her mother used to buy a case annually from her cousin. What a fantastic idea! And that's my new goal . When I have more petty cash, of course.

We had a lovely Oregon Coast family vacation two weeks ago. It was cold and rainy, but we had a lot of fun in a great place with my favorite people. Plus Travis brought some old school video games. Dr. Mario and Dance Party were some of my favorites. Mom got all the pictures and I just got a few shots during our zoo visit with Bre on the way home. I just realized that I didn't include any animal pictures. I liked the kids playing the drum better than elephant bum picture I got.

Then we have some pictures of dyeing eggs with the kids yesterday. 2.5 and 4.5 are fun ages for kids. The last couple shots are of the kids enjoying the sunshine today. That box/train made it home from the beach and is still getting use.