Sunday, April 26, 2009

Our little runners and "who's laughing now?"

Ok so this is old news, but earlier this month, the girls ran in the Carlsbad Junior kids' run.  This was Madie's 3rd year doing the run.  She's had so much fun doing it each year and she's always so proud of herself after she finishes...BUT, as you can see here, she gets really nervous before the race and always stresses out that we are going to be late and miss it! 

Here's our little worried runner--she did AWESOME and was among the first set of kids to finish...
After they run, the kids get a medal and some free samples of healthy foods--like Jamba Juice!  Madie was super happy after she finished her run and was so eager to go cheer on Avery!  This was Avery's FIRST year running...

Here are the girls running together cause Madie was worried that we wouldn't be able to find Avery when she was done (they hold the younger ones in a big pen until their parent shows up with the matching race number).  It was so sweet of Madie to run another 1/2 mile with her little sister after already running 1 mile pumped full of adrenaline!  Owen and I ran half the way with them (Owen was strapped in of course), then Marcus met them at the half point and cheered them on.

Here's little Avery running with the five-year-olds (before she even turned 5).  As you can see, lots of the kids were much bigger than she was!  Marcus and Madie let her run the last 200 yards by herself.  We're so proud of you--way to go Avery!

It was so fun watching you at the finish line Madie...Great job for running the whole way!

Avery loved participating this year like she's watched her big sister do these last few years.  I know she felt good about finishing on her own...AND she also RAN THE WHOLE WAY (surprised us all).  But I think her favorite part was probably the Jamba Juice and cookies!

After the race we drove up to OC to meet some old friends and we stopped at our favorite burger joint--A's Burger!  They have the YUMMIEST fried zucchini!

Owen of course ate a whole meal of ketchup with a side of fries!

Marcus dared Madie to eat a whole jalapeno pepper and promised to take her to the movies if she did!

Poor thing--here she is with the whole thing in her mouth...She'll do anything her Daddy asks her to!

And here's sympathetic little Avery laughing her head off that Madie's mouth is on fire! 

Owen doesn't have a CLUE what they're laughing about, but it sure was hilarious...

Then it was Avery's turn--she was only motivated by the movie and didn't want to miss out--nothin' to do with pleasing her Daddy! 

Not so funny now, eh?

After A's burger, we drove through the car wash...guess my kids haven't experienced that one too often.  They were soooo excited and Owen still begs to go to the car wash every time we go under a freeway overpass or anything that  resembles a tunnel...
That was a really FUN day!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Baby Weenig announcement...

We went to our ultrasound today and decided to buy the new baby a gift to find out what we will be having.  So, we had the ultrasound tech write down the baby's gender and seal it in an envelope.  Then we took the kids to help pick out a new boy outfit and a girl outfit.  We brought both outfits to the register and gave the clerk the envelope with our results (to open after we walked away).  She then packaged up the correct outfit and we brought the box home to open later that night...The kids were waiting with giggly anticipation ALL night...here we are about to open the gift and find out!
It's a BOY!!!!!
You can see from her face what Madie was hoping for--she says little boys are "just so funny".  I was truly SHOCKED--I thought for sure it was gonna be a girl.
Avery is not actually crying because she did not want another boy, but because she had picked the girl outfit and was really upset that we didn't get that dress she picked out for the baby!
Oh boy, are we in for it now!  Owen and his little sidekick are gonna wreak havoc on those two Barbie-loving princesses...YEAH, we're so thrilled for Owen to have a brother, and little boys are SOOOOO fun! 

Thursday, April 16, 2009

5 going on 15!


Happy 5th Birthday, sweet Avery Grace!

Oh, how the time flies by...
And you seem so anxious to grow up and be like your big sister, 
but please don't be in a hurry...
you'll be there soon enough (too soon for Mom & Dad).

As the second child in our family, you came to this world with a spunky, feisty, and at times scrappy, but hilarious and strong spirit!  There just aren't words to describe all the different dimensions of your great personality!  But I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do in this world, you will succeed and do it with flair.
You have a tremendous capacity to love...
I can't begin to count the many times a day you say, "I love you Mommy" 
(or as a toddler, "I wuv you tooooooo much!") 
or body slam us with a giant bear hug.  


You love all things girly, like tutus (the ONLY reason you didn't quit dance before the recital)...

But if it means you get to be with your big sis, and best friend Madie, you'll trade in your tiara for a helmet and race to catch up!
I think being a flower girl for all your aunts' weddings has been like living a dream--you get to be princess for a day.  But you didn't like it when someone commented on how beautiful the bride was on her special day...you scowled in disgust and said, 
"Uh! I'M  not the most beautiful?"

We LOVE you Baby girl!  Don't ever stop giving us your giant bear hugs!


Even at age 2, you knew how to be the Queen!
I pray that you will always know how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father
and have the "courage to grow up to be who you really are".