3/24/2011, Avery turns 5!

Five years ago today, God gave us Avery.

She brings great joy to our family.

We love you Aves!

 Good morning birthday girl!

 All dressed up with fancy sparkles and ready for her day.

 First stop, American Girl Doll store

 

Avery picked out Kahnani to be her new doll.

 Yummy!  We were all glad Avery picked this for her lunch!

 Grandpa and Grandma

 

 Avery actually doesn't like cheesecake, 

so the waiter brought her a sundae instead!

 Avery loved her ice cream cake and even let Ethan

help blow out some candles!

3/23/2011, Young Author's night

Ethan wrote a book for the Young Author's program

at his school titled, How to Train Your Bully.

The book is being used by his school to 

promote A Day Without Hate on April 29th.

 

 

 Ethan showing me his desk at school

 

3/23/2011, Grandpa and Grandma's surprise visit

Grandpa and Grandma wanted to fly in 
and surprise the kids. Well, they sure did!

 Avery was speechless...for a minute,

then she couldn't stop talking!

Thank you so much for making the trip to see us.

We are so glad you braved the Michigan weather!

 Warm and sunny here, but there was a 

wildfire in the Golden area.

 Ethan's reaction to the surprise visit was awesome!

3/20/2011, Mark's first race

Today Mark ran his first ever race.

We are training to run a half marathon in a couple weeks.

This was a 10K that took place on part of the same course

on the Platte River trail we will run for the half marathon.

 He finished faster than we expected so we 

caught him right after he crossed the finish line.

Distance - 6.2 miles 

Final time - 55:43

Way to go babe!  I am so proud of you!

3/15/2011, Day five, Asher and Michelle's visit

Thank you Asher and Michelle for coming out to visit.

We had such a great time with you guys

and are sad to see you go.

Hope you come back soon!

We love you guys!!!

3/14/2011, Day four, Asher and Michelle's visit

 Today we got to watch Avery at her gymnastics class

 Avery and Asher, cutting a rug!

 A quick hike on a trail near our house

 Celebrating the birthdays this month:

Avery turning 5

Asher turning 4

and

Charliegh turning 1

  ADORABLE!!

3/13/2011, Day three, Asher and Michelle's visit

Time to hit the slopes!

Leaving our neighborhood we spotted two coyotes hanging out.

One of them had only 3 legs, but seemed to get around fine.

On to Copper Mountain!

 Asher and Michelle

  Beth and Avery

  Ethan and Mark

Asher's rental helmet had the name Gary written on it.

We kept calling him Gary all day :)

 Avery, Asher, and Ethan at the top

 Asher and Michelle getting ready to go!

 Look at all that fresh powder!

Most skiers would be pleased with this, 

but it was really hard for the little kiddos 

(and their mommies)

 

 Ethan taking a break

 Michelle had a much better second run without having to help Asher

 We stopped to show Michelle Bruce Miles' church in Frisco

 We all slept good that night!