Avaire Likes Ranch Dressing

A lot.

This is her reaction to me trying to take the coveted ranch away from her.

These photos were taken about 10 minutes before I discovered that Avarie, sadly, is allergic to her beloved ranch dressing. Sorry baby cakes, no more ranch baths for you.

We also discovered that Avarie likes, lemons. She is willing to dumpster dive for them (gross).  I was making lemon bars the other day and had tossed the zested lemon peels into the trash can. Seconds later I noticed Avarie bolting around the corner...

Noteworthy

Adam Graduated! He is now a proud holder of an MBA degree from BYU. He graduated at the end of April and accepted a job as the Director of Economic Development for a start up firm in Ogden, UT called 'Better City'. I am SO PROUD of him! 2 years of managing a very full class load, 2 internships, AND becoming a 1st time Dad is a lot of work but he did it with all his best efforts and pretty much tore it up (in a good way). He started the new jobs at the end of April and loves it! He is doing some really exciting work and gets to work with great people. I am so happy that he is doing exactly what he wants to be doing!

We also moved to Roy UT. Our new place is only a 12 minute drive from Adam's work and that, my friends, is awesome. For the 1st month of his new job we still lived in Orem, UT and Adam was having to make the 3 hour commute for work 5 days a week- so unfun! He would leave really early in the morning and get home around 7:00-&:30 at night after Avarie was already in bed. We much prefer having more time to spend with him now that he had a tiny commute.

"Uhhh, that's all you packed so far?"

Me: "Avarie, don't touch the tape!"

Avarie: "you want it?"

Avarie: "PSYCH!"

Now that we have moved and Adam is working full time I have to opportunity to be a 100% full time stay at home mom. Wow. I love having more time to spend with Avarie getting to go on fun little outings with her during the week. It has also been a huge adjustment for me! I am so used to working outside the home and being busy with other things that I've lost all memory of how to chill out, relax, and make new friends. I have to admit, I've had my fair share of awkward "trying to make friends" conversations lately. Nice Meg, nice.
Anyway, I loved my job as an autism specialist at Kids On The Move, in Orem and am really going to miss it. I enjoyed working with kids and their parents and getting to help them make great progress in their lives. I hope to do some part time work involving autism after we get settled in a little more but for now, it's home I stay.

Avaire Likes Little Orphan Annie...

D.A.D

Avarie made Daddy a very special Father's Day present this year...

This is a totally belated post- about a month late- but it still holds true that Avarie and I both agree that she has the absolute sweetest, most caring, and attentive Daddy in all the world. She is the apple of Daddy's eye and knows it! I love to watch Adam play with her, snuggle her (or try to at least- Avarie has made it quite clear to both of us that she views snuggling as an overt act of terrorism. And yet, we both still keep trying to snuggle her...) and just generally love her to pieces. There is no greater thing in my mind than a Daddy who L.O.V.E.S his baby girl an her mommy, which Adam does wonderfully.
Happy Father's Day (a month ago) Adam!!

***Avarie moves like her life will end if she stops for but one second- kind of like a baby shark, if she ceases to move, she'll die. This is a belief that she holds close to her heart. So obviously is was super easy to get adorable pictures of her facing the camera, making a cute face, and holding the letters just so. Evidence follows...

Love Her.

While I Was Out

Soooo, its been a few since I've ventured into the blogosphere and apparently blogger has gone buck wile and changed things whilst I was gone. I'll be the first to admit defeat. I can't figure out how to make this new fangled template design what-not look decent. This may be the end of me, well, the blogging me, anyway.

Evolution

"The Seal"

                                                    "Stall Tactics"

Back Track: Christmas 2011 Style- Portland

After spending some good quality time with Adam's family in early December, we headed off to Portland to spend Christmas and New Years with my family.  Avarie did fairly well on her first airplane ride...especially since Daddy was willing to bounce her up and down on his lap almost the whole way to Portland. His arms got a really great work out.
Here are the goods:

 Sizing each other up...

They decided they like each other

Grandpa Tom excited for the festivities to begin.

Mesmerized by the snow globe...
about 30 seconds before she broke it.

 "Ohhhh is this all for ME?"
Opening presents Christmas Day.

Avarie's selected method of unwrapping- Chew the paper off.

Avarie loved her new toys!  Thanks Family!

Fun with Nana Sue

New Year's Eve get together with
Hughes/Castleton/Carmen/Busath/Brinkerhoff/Pham Families

We had a wonderful holiday this year and feel so blessed that we were able to spend time with both Adam's family in Utah and my family in Portland. Avarie had so much fun playing with her cousins and getting spoiled by all her loving Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, and Uncles!