Better late than never

It has been over a month since I have blogged.  I guess partly because we have been super busy around the Junk household, and secondly I've just not had the desire to do it.  But, I sooo wanted to put this special trip on here to remember.

Avery turned 6 on Nov. 1st.  So, for her birthday we gave her the option to either have a party, or go and visit her best friend Hannah who moved to Colorado a few months ago.  Without any hesitation she blurted out "I want to go see Hannah."  Well, that was a win win for me, because 1.) I didn't have to plan a party, and 2.) I was also able to see one of my best friends, remember this post?  As a plus, Jill and Vonda went along on the trip also.  

It was so cute to see Hannah and Avery when they first saw each other.  They acted like nothing had changed, I pray their friendship remains special like that.  You know those friendships that no matter how long you've been apart, you can just pick back up without any awkwardness?  I cherish those type of friendships the most, and so, of course I want that for Avery. 

Christi took Hannah and Avery to go and get their hair and nails done for Avery's birthday on Saturday morning.  It might have been one of the cutest things I have seen.  Avery was on cloud 9.

A big thank you to Christi for doing this,  Avery is still talking about how cool this was.  

Later that day we went to Estes Park to go on a trail ride.  What a fun fun experience.  

We had a little time to kill before our horses were ready for us, so Josh took us to see the elk, and then into town to walk around and explore.  

 

Here is a picture of all of us minus Josh (he was taking the pic)

Hannah and Avery got some new cowgirl boots for their trail ride. 

We each had one of these yummy caramel apples. 

Here everyone is on their horses (the picture of Christi and myself on our horses isn't uploading for some reason).

This is the view we had on our ride.....beautiful!

This picture makes me laugh.  Do you see the horse all by herself?  That's Jill, she rode Charlie, and Charlie was as slow as molasses.  If any of you have ever ridden on a trail ride, you all know how slow it is to begin with right?  Well, poor Charlie couldn't or wouldn't even keep up with that pace.  There were several times we had to stop and wait for poor Charlie!  

We had a wonderful trip to Colorado, and a big thank you to the Skow's for showing us such a great time.  Miss you guys so much still, but at least I know you all are only a plane ride away!

My baby is one today!

Today is Amelia's birthday.  My baby is one already, I can't believe it.  Time flies by so fast these days, I wish there was a pause button that I could press sometimes.  It seems just like yesterday that she was born and looked like this:

and now she is a curious, busy, happy, talkative, and sometimes grumpy little girl.  

Here she is getting her birthday cake

It was mmm mmm good!

I think her favorite thing about turning one is getting to be in a forward facing car seat.  She laughed and talked all the way to Avery's school and back.  She thinks she is hot stuff now.  

Happy birthday baby Amelia (you'll always be my baby)

DC part 2

When we got off the airplane on Saturday morning I heard clapping around me, and looked to see what was going on.  I quickly noticed a group of older men in wheelchairs wearing WWII veteran hats.  That alone gave me chills.  Then as we were walking to the baggage claim I heard a band playing all the armed service hymn songs.  Aaron and I both had tears in our eyes, as we were indeed proud to be an American, and we were so grateful that these men sacrificed so much for our freedom.  Aaron informed me that there are honor flight programs that give WWII vets the opportunity to fly in and see the WWII memorial.  How cool is that?  I was moved, and had to get my camera out to take some pics.

My plan on Sunday was to wake up early and take some pics of the monuments, and memorials before the tourists arrived.  Well, Jenny got up early with me, and took me around to some of the places, but it was raining too hard to get the pics at that time.  So later that morning after breakfast we all went to the Washington monument, WWII memorial, and the Lincoln.  I didn't get the shots I envisioned getting because of all those darn tourist!  Oh, well!  As Avery would say...."You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."

DC part 1 (Chad and Jenny's engagement party)

This past weekend we went to DC for Aaron's cousin Chad's engagement party.  He is marrying a wonderful girl, she is sweet, caring, and fun (love you Jenny)!  Her sister Beth hosted the event at her lovely house.  Of course I brought my camera just to try to take a few pics.  I was so mad when I realized I didn't get a picture of Jenny with her mom (so sorry Jenny), I am still irritated about that.  Here are some snap shots I took. 

 Below are some pics of Chad, Jenny, and others

 Here are some kid pics

Some other family members of Aaron and Chad came also.  Michael and Emily drove down from Maine, and Aunt Jacqueline was in town visiting Rex and Amy who just had a set of twin girls.  Below this pic are some precious pics of the twins

Here are pics of some of the guests

And finally what would it be without a few outtake pics.  My favorite is the one of the little baby sticking his hand down the lady's shirt, they start them young now days.  Look at the smile on his face.....Classic!

My Cowboy

He has my heart... all of it!

He's my little man, what else can I say?

Except that I am 

in love with this cowboy!

First time on the gator

Yesterday evening after Amelia and I settled our headband debate, she became fixated on Deacon's gator.  She was super duper excited when we let her get in the gator and ride shot gun.  She thought she was hot stuff.

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This is how I positioned her to ride so she wouldn't fall out.  And of course the gear was in 1st.  Deacon wanted her out because 1st gear is "too slow and boring!"

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I have to throw in a pic of my little model.  She is always coming up with poses for the camera, and asks "How about this mommy?  Does this look good?"  Then if I agree, she says "Good then go get your camera and take a picture."

Battle of the headband

About a month ago Amelia decided to ban headbands.  So, being the hardcore mother that I am, I have decided that she needs to be "trained" to wear them.  After all, we don't want her going around looking like a boy do we?  Every morning I try to remember to put one in her, and it is a constant battle to keep it on her head.  I decided to visually document the battle this evening.

Here is the first thing she did, pull it down.

I pulled it back up, she was sidetracked by the phone, and forgot it was in.

Aw, she remembered, and pulled it back down

"Don't you get it mom, I don't want this silly thing on my head."

I then pulled it back up....."I told you I don't like it."

 

If that face wasn't pathetic enough look at the next pic.  You would have thought that I really hurt her.

"Fine mom!  You win this time."

Aw the struggles of motherhood!

Photographer in the making

Last week Avery got a hold of my point and shoot camera, and started shooting away.  She was a fast learner on how to operate it, and is now wanting her own camera for her birthday (we'll see about that).  I, of course had to take pictures of her taking pictures.

Here's one of Avery taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

 And just for kicks, I had to put one of this handsome boy in there.