The Rest of our Week!

Thursday we spent the day at the doctors office. 5 weeks ago I hurt my knee. I picked Averi up and I felt something in my knee snap & I finally went to get it checked out. Not good news - My knee cap has slipped to the side ( I had surgery on both of my knees 9 years ago for the same problem) but no surgery... for now we are going to try PT for 4 weeks and then go from there. I haven't been able to train like I would like to and some days just walking up the stairs is a task. I feel pretty bummed.

Friday, We went to the Mall and Averi got to choose her 1st princess doll from the Disney Store. We lined them all up in a row and she picked. Cinderella it is! They have been great friends so far!

We also got to pick up Averi's 9 month pictures! These are a few of my favorites! We had to wake her up from a nap and she wasn't happy to be awake but I still think they turned out great. I Just wish we could have got a pic of her big smile!

Saturday, we made & frosted Christmas cookies. I have no clue what to do with them though. Anybody want some? I told myself I wasn't going to eat any but that isn't the case. I've had more than my fill. I might just have to throw them away since all of our friends are leaving for Utah this week :( But have fun everyone! We are jealous!

The stats are in!

Yesterday I took Averi for her 9 month check up and our little babe weighed in 17 pounds 12 ounces (30%) She is 29'' long (95%) and a cute little head at 17 1/8 which is exactly at the 50%. So our skinny tall perfect head shaped baby is, well, perfect and we love her lots!

Also - MATT IS FINISHED WITH FINALS! So Averi & I get him until January. Actually he is scheduling patients to see over the holiday but knowing we get to hang out with him more is the best! We love our daddy!

Christmas China

For my birthday my parents gave me a Visa gift card so I could buy whatever I wanted. Since I've had the card its been burning a hole in my wallet. I have been to every single store in Columbus and beyond looking for pants, sweaters, or boots and I honestly can't find anything. I hate when you finally have money and can't find anything to spend it on. So I've been thinking and thinking of what I should get and I decided I should spend the $ on something other than clothes and invest it in something that I would have for a long time. So I decided on Christmas china. But the thing is, before my Grandma Peterson passed away, she bought my sister and I the most amazing china in the entire world. I think its like a 20 piece place setting and it has EVERYTHING. Silverware, gravy dishes anything that goes with anything I've got it. An entire half of our attic is full of boxes of China that I don't want to take out of the boxes until we are going to be in one place for awhile. I would die if something broke in a move. One plate probably cost as much as my entire christmas set. Anywho, so I can't decide if I'm being stupid or not in buying more china. Maranda I already know your answer! But Christmas is different right? I could use the other china for Sunday dinners, birthdays, Thanksgiving, etc. I still couldn't decide if I was going to keep it or not until....

On the way home from Kohl's (where I bought it) I realized I forgot my new watch that I got as another gift for my birthday in the dressing room. We rushed back and I ran inside, almost falling on my face, and then searching the dressing rooms for my watch. It wasn't there. I checked at customer service, asked different employees, and even checking people it see if it was on their wrist. I said a little prayer and walked passed the jewelry counter and there it was sitting by the register. So I told the lady that was my watch and when she handed it to me the back fell off. It always does because Averi dropped it on the ground. Its her favorite toy! She asked if I wanted her to fix it & I said no because I had a sleeping baby in the car, Matt was with her of course! She insisted so I let her. Fix my watch for free- okay! So the next thing I know she broke my watch face. So the manager came over said I could choose any watch I wanted and have the watch face off it for free. I agreed and chose the cutest one I could find. By the time She got the face off the other watch it had been 45 minutes. But when she clasped it on to my watch band - she broke the clasp. Oh my gosh! I was just so happy to have found my watch and now it was broken in 2 spots. The manager felt so bad and said I could have 50% off my entire purchase whenever I wanted. So, I took my receipt in and got 50% my already 60% china. I got a screaming deal. So even though though I already have a ton of china what's a few more? Right?

My dessert plate & main plate

I don't know what this is for but its cute!

Large dish

The inside of the large dish

Just a fun tray

I really am excited to have it because we are spending Christmas Eve at our house this year and I am SOOO excited to cook a delicious dinner. While we were in Utah, I got all my mom's amazing recipes to try them out. Now I have cute dishes to put them on!

A Thankful Thanksgiving & Another Month Older

Last minute we decided we really wanted to be in Utah for Thanksgiving so we bought tickets and headed out and are so glad we did! But before we could head out, we put up the Christmas Tree & decorated it. I usually like to do it the day after Thanksgiving so I thought I better get it decorated before we left. Its one of my favorite things to do and Averi LOVES the tree! I put a bell on the bottom for her and she loves to play with it!

This is Averi with her Thanksgiving turkey bow. She refused to look at the camera.

I forgot to take pictures of Thanksgiving but we spent it at my Grandpa & Ma Johnson's house and then right after we headed to a family photo shoot. Since we took it last summer we've added two people so it needed updating!

What cute Clarks! I loved how our pictures turned out. We have a ton of them I really love them all! But these are two of my favorites!

Mom & Dad

Seriously - they are the cutest! Something made them laugh and the photographer snapped this photo! I think it is SO cute!

The Stradlings

Gotta love Taylor's face in this pic!

The Johnson's

The Girls

2 blonde and 2 brown! I am glad its finally even!

Model faces anyone?

The handsome boys

Thanksgiving night us girls went to New Moon. We got there an hour early because we knew there would be a line. We were first in line for a long time! I really liked the movie though. I've always been an Edward girl but I think Jacob's bod & tanned skin has changed me forever. Seriously, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!

One day the boys got up at 5 am for a day long 4 wheeler ride. They went 90 miles and came home super dirty. Doesn't my man look good on a 4-wheeler? Jacob who?!

There is nothing like the blue sky in Utah

The Boys

Matt, Dev, Brandon, Kyle & Blake

Averi couldn't miss out on the fun & had her first 4-wheeler ride

She also had to take a turn on Granpa's new snowmobile. A new Polaris Dragon! What a spoiled Grandpa!

My great friend Nikki who I grew up with had a baby boy, Cache, almost 4 months ago and so we had to get together to meet! He is such a handsome little man and I think he might weigh as much as Averi does. Hopefully our kiddos will get to grow up together too?! That would be awesome! Thanks Nikki for visiting!

Averi loved Bo (family dog) watching! He was a huge hit!

Dinner time can be quite eventful when you are trying to get Averi to eat!

Everyone took their turn trying to get her to eat!

This video is so funny! And no Mom - I'm not taking it down! Everyone was dancing and trying their best to get Averi to eat! She was laughing so hard! It was so cute!

Girlies! They had a lot of fun together and Brin & Tay took good care of her!

And last but not least... Averi is 9 months old today! She has her doc appointment next week and I'm interested to know her stats! But one stat that remains the same is she is honestly the cutest baby ever! I love her SO much! She is the best baby ever and I just couldn't live without her! She has 4 teeth now and a ring of dry skin around her chin from the constant drool. She can stand for a couple of minutes by herself and is trying to walk! Just the time in Utah she started doing so much more! Its crazy how fast she learns! Our bet is she will be walking soon! Yikes. I guess time for more baby proofing! She says "mama" and "dada" Averi's schedule is so booked she doesn't have a second to spare for a diaper change. She gets super excited to watch Baby Einstein and she is really into puppets! So thanks Grandpa & Grandma for the hand puppets! They served us well on the flight today!

This is Averi's Christmas present that we couldn't wait to give her and also we figure she could be walking by then so we had to give it to her!

We really had such a great Thanksgiving. We did so much more but I forgot my camera. We had a great time though and wish we had a few more days to do everything and see everyone. We were definitely not ready to come back.

24 Things for my 24th Birthday

For my 24th birthday, I thought I would treat you all with 24 things you may or may not.. and possibly don't care to know about me. Enjoy!

1. I am a twin! Happy Birthday Dev! No we are not identical. You would be surprised how many people have asked us. My Mom use to say 'everything but the parts'.

I love being a twin and we have always been really close and great friends. He's only ever yelled at me once in our entire lives. (July 09) and it was the worst day ever!

2. I have a bedtime ritual. I go around the house & close all the blinds (they must be facing all the same way) and make sure all the doors are locked. Once in bed, I have to roll 3 times; right, left, right before falling asleep.

3. I worry every second of every day & then some.

4. I really like to clean & organize. I love vacuum lines & my favorite cleaning tool is my new Shark Steam & Mop. Everything must have a place or its considered junk and has to go.

5. Lake Powell is my favorite place to be.

6. I am a people pleaser. I hate that about myself.

7. I still wear my lime green, glow-in-the-dark retainer every night. I've had it since the 8th grade. Gross I know!

8. Growing up I wanted to be a dentist; I made it as far as a dental assistant. Matt is finishing up the rest for me.

9. I am a huge list maker. I always start off writing things I have already done so I feel like I've already accomplished things.

10. I really don't like talking on the phone

11. My greatest fear in life is that something bad will happen to Matt or he will die before me. I

can't even think about it.

12. Graduated from Springville High School in 2004 - Go Devils!

13. Some days I am quiet & shy and other days I am loud & outgoing.

14. I hate washing my hair. Well its not actually the washing part but the blow drying/styling

that I hate. So if my hair looks greasy - that's why.

15 My favorite numbers are 1,4,7,0,6. I don't know why! The rest of them just don't seem that

great of numbers though. Which is weird because I always have good luck on years that aren't my favorite numbers. (2005 - got married, 2008 - got pregnant, 2009 - had a babe) weird huh?!

16. I had braces from 2nd grade until 8th grade along with 3 surgeries. Yes - I had big time

messed up teeth. Hopefully our children don't get that from me. But I guess if they do - thank

heavens Matt is a dentist.

17. Whenever I hear an interesting word I have to type it on my fingers as if I was using the

keyboard. Its so weird but I HAVE to do it.

18. I am baby hungry. No I am not announcing or saying anything - but I can't wait to have another one.

19. I love to bake/cook. Baking mostly. I get on allrecipes or bakerella all the time. And love to try new recipes & add my own little spin on things. My favorite baking tool is my new KitchenAid Mixer Matt gave me for our Anniversary. I have always wanted one and I love love

love it! This is a pic of my first loaves of bread I made in it.

20.I hate leftovers and refuse to eat them. I think I would rather eat garbage.

21.My favorite holiday is Christmas! I love everything Christmas! I've even started to put up the

decorations! You were my inspiration Mel!

22. My little brother Blake is the funniest person I know. Sorry if the picture offends but this is how Blake is constantly. His bum is always showing!

23. Matt & I met October 2004.

He wasn't going to ask me out because I was too young (18) I didn't want to go out with him because I thought he was too old (23) somehow it worked out and we got engaged Feb 05

and then married July 16, 2005.

24. I really don't like getting older. Every year it comes around I get really depressed.

Laughing, Veteran's Day & Cake Pops

Today Matt had school off so we were way excited to have Daddy home! Averi is obsessed with Matt. She has to know where he is at all times and is always following him around. She loves Matt to scare her too! She has started this scream/laugh and its the funniest thing so here is a short clip of it!

This afternoon we went to the Westerville Rec Center and went swimming. They seriously have the cutest swimming pool and Averi had a blast. She loves the water & splashed like crazy! She crawled all around and even gave herself a little dunk! I love that she likes the water so much!

Thanks Grandma for the swimming suit!

Climbing up the stairs

Attempting to go down the slide... Matt got a big NO from the lifeguard. I guess he's too old or something!?! Who would have guessed

On Saturday we had a shower for my great friend Ciera who is due in 4 weeks and as a favor I made these cake pops. You can find them on bakerella.com and they are SO yummy! So I thought I'd share the recipe. They are pretty easy & fun to make.

Cake Pops

Bake one cake mix as directed on box

let cool; grind up in food processor (looks like dirt)

add one can of frosting and mix

roll into balls and freeze overnight

dip in chocolate

8 Months Old

Averi is 8 Months today and to celebrate she got her 2nd flu shot! H1N1 is tomorrow. Wa-hoo! I am determined to be as healthy and sanitized as possible. Everyday I wipe everything down with a Clorox wipe & wash my hands 100x a day. I know I am crazy but I'm hoping it will keep us as germ free as possible.

Here are a few little things that Averi is doing:

*Loves to be scared and chased around the couches

*Has 2 teeth and bites her finger all day long

*Sleeps from 8-8...it's awesome!

*Fake cough's all day long

*Is actually napping now! Usually one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening

*Gets super excited when Matt comes home & cries when he leaves the room. She does neither for me!

*Loves to go to the park and swing & play with her friends

*poops like crazy

*Not the best eater! loves cereal & fruit for breakfast but other than that - she just wants a bottle. I'm not giving in though. I make her eat!

*Wears 9-12 month clothes. She needs the length because she's so tall!

*She walks around the furniture and sometimes will let go and she will stand alone for a few seconds and then fall.

*She has learned to fall on her bum instead of her head. Its nice!

*And just tonight she found the stairs to climb - yikes!

We love our little girlie SO much! I honestly don't know what I ever did without her!