'Twas the Night Before the 1st Day of School

I am sitting here wondering if I really have to get up by 5:30 A.M. tomorrow (and throughout May)...does that not seem ridiculously early?! Last year I could sleep in a few extra minutes, because Ben took Avery to the babysitter, but this year I am taking Avery to the babysitter. Our new babysitter lives about 5 minutes away from Rush so Ben says that it's really pointless for him to drive all the way to the other side of town so that I can sleep in a little later...I kind of see his point, but come on...5:30. That's crazy! On the positive side, I am really looking forward to meeting my new little group of 3rd graders...I will REALLY, REALLY miss my days with Avery, but it helps knowing that she is in a wonderful environment while we are apart! We have had such a fantastic first summer together, and I know that there are many, many more to come! I love you baby girl!

It's Official...

Avery is walking (well...toddling)! I'm not even sure when it happened..it seems like it was overnight. One day she was just taking a few steps, and the next she was full force toddling. As of today, she is walking about halfway across a room before falling down. It's funny b/c when she gets excited, her toddling becomes faster until she runs into something! My goofy girl! She is so proud of herself and getting more courageous every day! In fact tonight she had two accidents that brought on full force crocodile tears. We had to get out the owie lamb (courtesy of her first FBC Sunday School teachers) and try to ice down her forehead. Of course, she wanted to suck on the plastic ice cube rather than keep it on her forehead. What's a mom to do?

Cousin Time

A few weekends ago we drove to Austin to visit Ben's brother, Bert, and his family. Bert and Lara (his wife) just had a baby boy, Sean (two days before Avery's birthday and one day after mine!) We had a great time and Avery enjoyed playing with her oldest cousin Olivia who is 2 1/2. She tried playing with Sean, but was a little too active for a 1 month old! Here are several pictures of Avery with her family! We love them so much!

The Greene Girls eating breakfast~do you see any resemblances?



Bathtime with daddy~



Crazy cousins!



Beauty Shop-yes that is Ben playing beauty shop with the girls!



Avery and Olivia are giving night night hugs-they were so sweet to each other!



Gigi (Ben's mom) came to Austin to spend time with us! We love our Gigi! She is very special and fun!

The Champs

By now, most of you have probably heard that Ben and his partner, Tyler, did come in first at the Lubbock Stampede! Yeah!!! What surprised me the most, is how much fun I had watching them play-it was so amazing and very intense at times!! Of course I did have company with Ben's Aunt Judy and Dad. I might have felt a tad awkward out there all by myself!! It was also nice because Ben's dad narrated the entire round for me! I learned a great deal about golf in one afternoon...not that I will ever play myself, but I will definitely continue to cheer when I can find a sitter for Avery (thanks Nana and Papa)!

This is a picture from todays paper of Ben making a putt on the second hole-




I have many more pictures to post...so stay tuned!

We love you Benny!

The Stampede (AKA: Daddy's Golf Tourney)

Ben has been playing in the Lakeridge Stampede this weekend and is currently in first place! :) He still has to play this afternoon, so I am actually going to go and watch him (I only go when I know he's winning!) Just kidding, Benny! Avery really wants to go too, but we're afraid she might let out a squeal at a very inappropriate time! She has been known to do that! Avery and I are so proud of Ben...he is such a dedicated daddy and husband. He is also such a Godly example out on the golf course. Without even knowing it, he has been a strong witness for Christ. We can't wait to see how he does today! As Ben has said before, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Go Daddy--we're rooting for you!!

Summertime

This week Avery went to swim at her Nana and Papa's pool! Apparently her swimming lessons have really paid off because I caught her practicing a few of the moves that Mr. Jeff, her swimming teacher, taught us...splashing, kicking her legs...you know the basics! Way to go Avery!!

4th of July Fun!

This 4th of July was Avery's first second holiday....that means no more first holidays..very bittersweet!

Avery rode in her wagon to the parade...



She waited patiently for the parade to start...(no that is not her Diet Coke..it is momma's), she's more of a Dr. Pepper girl!



She watched most of the parade on her daddy's shoulders...



Then she decided it was time for a little snack!



Much later on that day, our entire family went to Mackenzie Park to watch the fireworks! We sat down at the park around 8:45 p.m. and waited, and waited, and waited...No fireworks. We had never gone to this park on the 4th before, so we weren't sure what to expect. Apparently, the people shooting the fireworks didn't know that children (and adults) have bedtimes! Ha, Ha! Anyway, we waited there until around 10:40 p.m. and then decided that they just weren't going to have fireworks this year. Then, on the way back to our cars, we saw the firework show beginning at 10:45 p.m. Just our luck! By this time, however, we were all so tired that we didn't even care anymore...we just got in our cars and watched the show on our drive home! No worries though...we had a great time bonding with our family members!!

Here we are waiting for the show to begin!



It's way past my bedtime!!!



Cousin Haley, I need some sugar!



I love Haley..she shared her push pop with me!



Happy 4th of July!