Visitors!

Last week we were lucky enough to have KayLynn and family (even Dave) come and spend the week with us. After they came I think they were wondering why...it was hotter than you-know-where here and as soon as we stepped foot outside we just wanted to run back in. We loved having them here and hopefully the heat will fade in their memories so they'll come back and see us again someday. The girls spent plenty of time in the pool cooling off (I sat on the side with the baby sweating to death). I'm pretty sure swimming was the the highlight of their whole trip.

We were so excited to have Ellie spend her 9th b-day with us. It was a really fun day and I'm just amazed what a sweet and beautiful young lady she's becoming.

For Ellie's 'party', we took the girls to Color Me Mine and let them paint pottery. Here is a picture of their finished products. So fun!

Sadie thought it would be fun to put Avery in the doll stroller. I thought it was cute...I texted Dan a picture and he thought it was too scary. Good thing I got a picture because I don't think Dan will let her have any more rides :)

Thursday we took the kids to the splash park (as I said..the only way to be outside is if there's water involved). Aren't these two so cute!!

Poor baby was so sweaty and hot...but too little to get in the water. Maybe next year.

I made KayLynn take a picture of me with the baby because they are few and far between. I know I'm all sweaty and it was super windy, but at least there's proof I was there!

After the park we took the crew to Bellagio to see their foyer display and watch the fountain show. Amazing (as always)!!

I love Syd's face as she's reaching for the water. Can a face look more mischievous than hers?

The Bellagio (in my opinion) is the only place on the strip worth taking the kids to. So beautiful! Thanks for coming Wheeler family...we love you! Please come again (Sept-May are actually fairly pleasant here). Do you believe me?! :)

2 months...

Today my sweet little one is 2 months old (I guess technically yesterday because it's after midnight). We are loving every single minute with this little miracle baby. I've had lots of people ask me if it's been hard to adjust back to the 'baby stage'...and my honest answer is: no way! Compared to working full time, teaching seminary and being pregnant...the 'baby stage' is a breeze (and so fun too). My girls have loved having a baby around and have been super helpful. About 50 times a day Kallie says, "Oh Avery...we love you SOOOO much!" Then she turns around and tells the dog the same thing (the dog turned one last week- happy bday Peach).

Little miss Avery loves to be held, she loves the sound of the shower and the blow dryer, she still sleeps a lot, she just barely started smiling and they're still few and far between, she poops a lot and has to work hard to make it happen, she just started to like the swing, she doesn't fit in her preemie clothes anymore :(, she probably weighs about 7 lbs (I'll find out for sure at the dr on Wed), the birthmark on her leg sometimes worries people especially kids, she and I are getting a little more talented at nursing (but just a little), she takes a bottle like a champ, she is just sweet as can be! Here are a few random photos from the last couple of weeks...

LOVE this one...what a great big sister she is!

Kallie's 'build-a-bear' sunglasses...she loves them :)

Syd is laughing because Avery just filled her diaper...

My cute grandpa meeting Avery for the first time.

4 generations...

Good friend Jason.

Jason's beautiful new bride Juliet (who now works at our office- yay)!

Last but not least...we're so, so sad that our wonderful friend's the Wirick's have to move and leave us. We don't care if Greg got a new job in Utah...we want them here with us forever. Here's a photo of our last Sunday dinner together (for a while at least).

We will miss you (Peaches will miss you too)! But as many of you know...my quote is "better to be friends far away than not friends at all". I love all my "far away" friends...just wish Christie didn't have to join that list :( But we wish you the best...

St. George

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to head to St. George for an over-nighter to celebrate Grandpa Charlie's b-day with him. We also wanted grandpa and grandma to meet Avery for the first time. We also went down to eat at Brick Oven Pizza to celebrate with Kallie that she passed off GAC (Great American Challenge) at school. GAC is an award that 5th graders can earn when they pass off a whole list of goals including the Star Spangled Banner, Preamble, US Presidents in Chronological order, Gettysburg Address and the States and Capitols. We were so proud of Kallie for this great accomplishment (and all the blood sweat and tears that she and I both put into the memorization) so we let her pick a special place for dinner. She picked St. George...smart girl huh!

While we were in St. George we went up to see the spring pond at the top of Main Street. It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect!

Self-portrait! Sydney has a "MOM" frame that she's needed a picture for the "O" part for months and months. Thanks to this picture and a Costco upload...the frame is now happily filled.

Grandma Patti holding little Miss Avery.

The birthday boy's turn with the baby.

I love how tiny Avery looks up next to Grandpa...I also love Kallie leaning on his arm. So sweet!

Grandma put Avery inside her hat just to see if she would fit...not only did she fit, but she loved the coziness of it and kicked back and totally relaxed in it.

House we drove by on Main Street on our way to the pond. I made Dan stop on the way back down so I could snap a picture...love it! If anyone knows who lives in this house...please ask if I can come inside for a tour!

The desert was blooming!

On Saturday, right before Grandma and Grandpa headed home, we stopped at Petroglyph Park in Bloomington. It was a tiny little park with a giant rock in the middle with tons of Petroglyph markings on it. We found out later that you're not supposed to climb on the lower rock because there are some markings there too...I promise we didn't know. Next time we stop we'll stay off!

Some of the Petroglyphs were amazing! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for meeting us for such a fun (but much too fast) weekend. Anytime you want to do it again...just let us know!

These pictures were not from St. George, but they were too cute not to share. For FHE a few weeks ago, we played with playdoh. I told everyone that they had to find a word in the scriptures and make it out of play-doh. When we guessed the word right, the sculptor read the scripture reference to the rest of us. This is Kallie's play-doh version of Moses parting the Red Sea (we all decided that her Moses looked a lot like Gru off Despicable Me and we got a great laugh out of it)!

Dan reminding us all to be "fisher's of men".

As a side note- TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! YAY!!! Flowers for teachers and pipe cleaners in the hair (we call it a hair party). I'm sleeping in tomorrow!

Avery...

Just a few random photos of little sweet Avery...


Sydney wanted me to see if this Cabbage Patch outfit would fit Avery...it did and she was obviously thrilled about it!

A couple of weeks ago I made a very poor attempt at a baby photo shoot. Little Miss Avery was not very cooperative, but here are a couple that were ok. So sweet!







This one is not the best exposure, but the girls and I thought she looked cute all snuggled in her car seat.

Fashion Show!

We've unanimously decided that Avery is currently the best dressed member of our family. Grandma Sherry and Christie have supplied us with preemie outfits and aunt Kamie sent a package of homemade (amazing) doll clothes! Since Kamie lives too far away to see these outfits in person, we're having a blog fashion show to display Avery's doll clothes wardrobe. She was a little crabby for the photo shoot so we couldn't ditch the big blue binki (sorry). Thanks again Kamie...we think you're amazing!

Also after viewing these photos you may be curious, but yes, Avery has a red birthmark on her left leg. The doctors said it may get bigger, smaller or stay the same as she grows. They also said that it may get darker, lighter or stay the same color as well. So as you can tell...they have no idea what will happen with it, but for now we'll call it a mark of love :).

The pink polka dot dress...complete with hat, bloomers, shoes and socks.

I'm pretty sure Avery is going to wear this reversible hat to Kamie day...we'll just have to decide whether she'll be sporting the white side or the pink side. You'll have to wait and see...

Comparing size with Kallie's American Girl Doll.

The red cherry outfit fit the best and was definitely one of our favorites!

The doll shoes were so cute and tiny and led to the girls making Avery try on every pair of American Girl Shoes that we own :).

The balloon outfit was also adorable and has a little spare room for Avery to grow.

We'd also like to say a big "thank you" to Lyn from my dad's office for knitting this cute tiny sweater for Avery. It is so sweet and little and we can only imagine the amount of time that went into this.

Thank you to all of you out there who have helped to make Avery the most fashionable member of the Norris family! If only the rest of us could look this good :)