Avery's Antics 4.3

 

"Oma, how old are you?"

"How old do you think I am?"

"37?"

"That's right!"

"What a lucky guess!"

"Why are there rainbows?"
"That's the sign God gave us to promise He will never flood the Earth again."
"Why did He flood the Earth?"
"Do you remember what the Bible said?"
"Oh yeah. God flooded the Earth to rinse away all the bad guys."

"Mom, can you eat dolphins?"

"Can Daddy some day do his job from Sesame Street? I'd really like to move there." 
 (the day Sesame Street would need Daddy's brand of work would be a sad day indeed!)

"Let's make up songs, ok? I'll go first. This song is called Dangerous Wood." (proceeds to sing an entire song about trees acquiring chicken pox and infecting people with their splinters)

"When will I be allowed to drink soda?"
"When you're older."
"Like, when I'm 21?"
"Yup."
"Ok, sounds good." (complete with a big thumbs up)

"Why are shots sharp?"
"Because your skin is tough and they have to get the medicine into your blood so it can help you. The needle is sharp to get through your skin to your blood."
"When I grow up I'm gonna make a shot that's super soft and snuggly so that kids won't be scared of them anymore."
"I think that is a GREAT idea. Will I get a cut of your outrageous profits?!"
"What's a profit?"
"Just say 'Yes,' kid."

"Who's singing this song?"
"Bob Marley"
"Oh. I like Barb and Molly."  

My cousin Zach recruited me to help him with his plan to propose to his girlfriend Lauren. Earlier in the day the kids and I met him at the beach to finalize plans. I wanted to do some test shots of where he intended to propose so that I could determine the best camera angle for later that night...
Zach: "Avery, will you come over here and pretend to be Lauren?"
She looks at him with a furrowed brow and worried glance, "Ok... but not forever."

Bring On the Boom

Billed as one of the largest fireworks shows East of the mighty Mississippi, the "Red, White and Boom" festival on July 4th in Columbus, Ohio never disappoints. The fact that it's held literally outside my parent's front door is even better. In 13 years, I think we've only missed it twice.

The kids were decked out in their homemade shirts and proper paraphernalia.

 

Poor guy never quite got the hang of it, but not for lack of trying...

Lear was even game for some good ole fashion bull riding.

That is, until the bull started moving.

Ohio State cheerleaders and their mascot, Brutus the Buckeye, stopped by my parent's party. Avery didn't turn down the chance to hold those shiny pom poms, either. Could this be Matt in disguise?!

I didn't get many decent shots of the fireworks, but this was the first year that Lear was awake for them. Undeterred by the sights or loud sounds, both kids enjoyed watching America celebrate her 237th birthday. 

 

OH - IO!

If you're not from around the Buckeye State, well, let me clue you in... Anyone who IS knows that when someone says to you, "O-H" your immediate response should be "I-O." Allow Lear to demonstrate:

So now that you're in the know, let's proceed with a photo re-cap of the 3 weeks the kids and I spent at my folks condo. Avery calls it Oma & Opa's castle and it's not too hard to see why...

 

We cooked up a batch of homemade playdough.

Took a tour of the American Whistle Corporation (the only metal whistles made in the USA and used by NFL, NBA, etc).

Went on a movie date with my Dad.

And a theatre date with my Mom.

Spent an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens checking out their annual butterfly exhibit.

Watched Monarch butterflies on a 3D Imax documentary too!

Hated his first jelly donut, can you tell?

Reminds me of a certain ad campaign...

Spent many an afternoon in the pool.

Matched outfits.

Took important business calls on calculators.

Naps. Lots of naps.

Snapped a series of "selfies" on Mom's phone for her to find later. Much later.

Contemplated serious sculpture at the art museum.

Played a round of mini-golf (Lear had to be relegated to his stroller after stealing everyone's balls off the green).

 

Plus there was time spent splashing in the city park fountains, dinner with my new sis-in-law, boardgames, cookie baking, library storytime, the zoo, and much more. Summer at Oma & Opa's is always the perfect mix of fun activities and time to kick back. Thanks for having us!!! (and doing our laundry and cooking our meals!)

Hey you,

"O-H"...

Hitched, Ohio style

The event Avery had anticipated all year finally arrived: her debut as a flower girl.

Otherwise known as my brother Casey's wedding! And what an event it was.

First things first.

All dolled up and ready to rock the aisle.

Let Lear finish napping in his carseat (air-conditioned and supervised, of course) or wake him for a family photo op?
Easy choice.

I didn't get any great pictures of the church service. Apparently I was too busy trying to force-feed a wiggly, cranky toddler goldfish crackers in an effort to contain that tantrum I could see lurking just under the surface.

The reception, however, was held at the bride's childhood home - 21 acres of the most beautiful Ohio countryside I've ever seen.

Seriously, perfect.

Meet my new Sis-in-Law, Cammie! Casey and Cammie Coe... doesn't get any cuter than that.

Every little boy's dream come true!

They have chickens, goats, and real tree swings!

The big Coe family (my dad's siblings & a handful of my 11 cousins).

As the evening continued there was dinner, cupcakes, and dancing. With our bare feet in the lush grass we spent magical time relaxing with family under big shade trees.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

But that's where the blog version of this wedding story ends. Because some things are just better left under the big white tent!

(except for this gem... sorry dad, had to do it!)

Best-ies

We may have moved 2,730 miles from Avery's bestie, Cheyenne, but it just so happens that we are now located a short hop north of the beach where the Goodnight gals vacation twice a year. Well, isn't that a spectacularly convenient coincidence*!

No time like summertime for an East Coast reunion... we just love this crew.

  

*I do not believe in coincidences. Praising God for His sense of humor and grace in the friendship of two little girls!

 

Countryfication of Two Yuppie Kids: Part 2