Drum Roll Please...

Introducing the latest and greatest of Miss Avery Tolman. I wish I could take all the credit, but I can't. My Mom watches her on Tuesdays and every week Grandma Nettie teaches her a new trick! It is so cute! And just in case some of you were wondering, yes... she can do more than stare. Here's the proof!

Snuffy Face

No, No, No, No

Hi-Hi!

Growly Bear

More Growly Bear

Lick-a-licious

Samoa!

Brett's parents are currently serving a mission in Samoa. They left last October and Avery was born in January. About a month ago we spent a week there and they finally got to meet baby Avery. She sure loves her Gammy and Papa!

Apia, Samoa Temple

Gammy and Papa's house



We were so spoiled, we got Daddy for a whole week. No work, computer, or cell phone!

Brett and I climbing the waterfall at Sauniatu.

...more waterfalls!

Brett got really thirsty at this one! :)

Brett cracking open a coconut. And yes...the person on the right IS a woman. But she sure doesn't crack a coconut like one!

Once you husk and crack the coconut, you get to drink the yummy coconut milk. Cheers!

Papa showing us how to shave the meat out of the coconut.

Brett gave it a shot.
And not to be out down by the men...I had to try it! It's a lot harder than you'd think!

Sua Trench

I love, love, love this picture. Brett says she reminds him of those expensive dogs that cost more if they have lots of wrinkles! Let's just say...Avery would cost a pretty penny! :)

Sportin' the shades.

Eating her shades...or in deep thought, you choose!

Brett really wanted this to be the photo on our Christmas card this year. Yeah...maybe not.

Only in the South Pacific do you see colors like this.

Avery loved to snorkel...or at least chew on them!

Beach Babe! The pack-n-play at the beach was genius. It kept Avery from packing her face with sand!

Gammy and Papa took us to the most beautiful beach on the other side of the island. I have never seen water so blue and clear. It was incredible!

Avery got to take a nap with Gammy!

While her crazy Dad decided to climb a coconut tree! Sort of :)

After a long day at the beach...she was wiped out and slept the whole way home.

Every morning Papa and Brett would take Avery on a walk. She loved it!

Gammy and Papa, thank you so much for such an amazing week. We will never forget it. We love and miss you both!

Avery Update!

She sits up like a big girl and is working on crawling.

She also cut her first tooth last week! Ouch! :)

She fell asleep on the way home from church and took about a twenty minute nap before we even noticed. Does this make us bad parents?

Yes, she is wearing a diaper. And, yes...Daddy was babysitting!

She loves to snuggle with her Daddy.
She's pretty good at scooting backwards. Only problem is...sometimes she scoots right under the bed!

For example, one day I left her playing on the floor in our extra bedroom and when I came back she had vanished. I stood there for a moment thinking that I had either lost my mind or my sleep deprivation was out of control. Then, from under the bed I saw a tiny little hand. I lifted up the comforter and this is what I found!

She still loves to swim at Grandma Nettie's!

And once again...yes, she does have a diaper on. Somehow it seems to get lost in all those rolls! :)

Finally, with her new talent of sitting up, she has discover the world of sitting shot gun in a grocery cart. And by the look on her face, I think its safe to say she absolutely loves it!

Next blog...our trip to Samoa! Stay tuned, its gonna be a good one!

6 Months...and so cute!

The other day Brett asked me if I liked being a mom. Talk about a loaded question! I had to think for a second and take a deep breath. Then I looked over at our cute little rug rat and told him, "I don't always like being a mom, but I LOVE being Avery's mom!" Hopefully some of you veteran mother's can relate.

Avery is already 6 months! Here are her stats.

Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz

Length: 25.75 inches

Head: 16.75 inches

She's rolling all over the place!

PF Chang's for Daddy's Birthday! He's 28...so old!

Some of her Favorite things...

Prunes

Nanas

Carrots

And anything else she can get her hands on!

I was brave and decided to take Avery to SLC for a week to go visit my sister, Holly. Brave...because I took a 6 month old on airplane alone. Boy do I have a story for you!

While I was in Utah we went and visited my grandparents in Price. My Aunt Lisa and cousins, Kristen (and her 3 kids), MiShelle (and her little boy), and Brynna (due in October with baby girl #1) made the drive from Vernal to come see me and of course meet baby Avery. It was so much fun. It's always a party when the Hendersons show up! It meant so much to me that they drove 2 1/2 hours (each way) with 4 adults and 4 kids in one suburban, just to spend a few hours with us. Family means so much...we love you all!

Here is Avery with her

Great-Grandpa Don (my names sake: Sarah Dawn)

The weather was beautiful and we spent a lot of time outside. We went to the park and on walks almost everyday.

Aunt Holly and Cousin Shayne even took us to Hogle Zoo.

Holly is expecting Baby girl #2 the end of November!

I couldn't get her to look at the elephant. She was way too entertained by her cousin Shaynie bug!

Aunt Holly let her try out her jumper.

And she loves it!

Cute cousins!

Shayne was so good with Avery. She would tickle her tummy and toes, splash in the bath with her, and of course share her binky! She is going to be such a great big sister!

Thanks for letting us come visit Holly. We loved getting out of the heat and we love you! Let's do it again soon!

Next stop...Samoa! In three weeks we are going to visit Brett's parents on their mission. It will be the first time they meet Avery! Gammy and Papa...here we come!