Avery's 5 year pictures

It was quite an adventure hiking through the woods to get to location where I wanted to take Avery's pictures! Since her birthday is in December I usually always have to do in door shots for her birthday pictures. However, we decided to take advantage of the 50 degree weather last Saturday and hike to this old homeplace for her pictures. I wanted something different and I just LOVE how they turned out! But, like I said it was interesting trying to get there...we couldn't drive the spot, we had to crawl under a barbwire fence, it was super muddy, Avery had good clothes on, we had Oaks with us, plus I had to pack my camera bag and the old chair I wanted to use. Even with my Mom and Dad's help it was still interesting! Needless to say I think the pictures turned out great and it was so nice to get outside in warmer weather.

Baby Update!

I went to the doctor last week and had a great appointment! I will actually be 15 weeks this Thursday. Baby and Mommy are both doing very well. We heard a very strong heartbeat and I had only gained 4 pounds...right on track! (I am working hard at not gaining the 40+ pounds that I gained with Oakley!) Of course, Avery was way too excited to tell me that my belly was already starting to get a little bit fat...guess it sticks out a little sooner with #3! This month however, will be the real test because this was the month that I put on a lot of weight with Oaks. On another note, thankfully I have not thrown up in 2 weeks and I am starting to get some energy back! It is also great to get out of bed and get back on track with my exercising routine. I am really looking forward to this 2nd trimester and being able to sit back and enjoy being pregnant! I am in no rush and want to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy!! Maybe next month I'll post a picture of my growing belly! :)

Snow

I have to admit, as much as I LOVE summer I also love SNOW!! I have been praying for it to snow since it got cold. Well, it finally snowed and the kids had a blast riding on the tube behind the 4-wheeler. However, it was quite cold and they did not last very long. Sixteen degrees is a little cool for playing outside in the snow...especially when you are being pulled behind a 4-wheeler! I hope this is not the only snow we get this year!

The Things Five Year Olds Say and Do

The other day Avery told me she had a scratch on her cheek and she needed a band-aid. I told her she could go to the bathroom and get one and put it on the scratch...if you have kids you know that Band-aids can cure ANYTHING! Needless to say she came back out looking like this. I couldn't help but crack up and take a picture!

I also wanted to share a few things she has said latley...really it is more for me so I won't forget, but I thought you might get a kick out of her as well!

Jason takes the kids to and from Pre-School everyday so he has quite a bit of time with just them. Avery asks all kinds of questions these days and like I have said before she talks all the time. One afternoon as they are driving home, Avery asked, "Daddy, is Jesus older than Papaw?" Jason told her yes, he was over 2,000 years older than Papaw. So she says, "Oh, like before the Indians." Jason said yes and she responded with, "Okay, so he was alive with Pebbles and Bam Bam."

Then a few night's ago the kids were playing downstairs. Avery was rubbing her knee and Jason asked her what was wrong. She looked at him serious as could be and said, "My knee hurts. I think I have high blood pressure." We have laughed and laughed about that!

There is one thing for sure...when you have a 5 year old in the house you laugh A LOT!!

That's right...we are expecing baby #3 mid July! We could not be more excited and can't wait to be a family of five! Avery is pumped and keeps asking when will we get to go get the baby out of my belly...it's going to be a long 6 more months for her! Oaks dosen't really have a clue, but I am pretty sure it is going to rock his world! He is SUCH a Momma's Boy!

So, this is my excuse for being on a blogging hiatus for so long. I have been BEYOND sick this time around! I was sick with Avery and Oaks, but it was nothing like this! I honestly barely got out of bed for 2 months. Poor Jason has been a single Dad these past few months. All I can say is Thank God for him...and I owe him big time! Thankfully I am finally feeling much better. Maybe now I can sit back and enjoy this pregnancy!

(And in case you are wondering what is going on with Oakley's hair, I am trying to grow it back out...not sure I am going to make it. It is driving me crazy and I am so ready to take him to get a hair cut!!!) :)

Avery is Five!

Five year ago on Christmas day I am eating Christmas Dinner at Jason's Mamaw and Papa's and gripping the table every 2 min. to get through a contraction. I thought his Mamaw was going to pass out...I think she thought I was going to have that baby in her kitchen floor! Needless to say, we did make it to the hospital and at 7:59 pm our beautiful little Avery was born. I can't believe I have a Five year old!!! I am pretty sure that she was more excited about turning 5 than Christmas! She also can't wait to go to school. She has really grow up this past year and sometimes I even feel like I am talking to a teenage, not a 5 year old. She loves playing Mommy with her baby dolls, playing board games, playing with Barbies, singing, and I am not kidding when I say she talks ALL the time! There is never a dull or quite moment when she is around! She keeps us on our toes constantly, she remembers everything, and is always asking questions. Just the other day she wanted to know if Jesus was as old as Papaw! :) I can't imagine what our life would be like without our Avery Elizabeth. She is such a blessing and I am so proud that God choose us to be her parents! Happy 5th Birthday Avery! We LOVE you so much!!!!

Santa came to our House!

This Christmas morning was so much fun! Both the kids were so excited. This is the first year that Oaks really got into Christmas and Santa. There is something so magical about Christmas when you have children! They sure make it fun!

Checking out the presents Santa brought under the upstairs tree. He also left a couple big presents under the downstairs tree.

Looking at all their stocking stuff.

The Barbie House Santa brought Avery...she was so excited about it!

Oakley's "Thomas House" as he calls it. He loves this train table!!

Gosser Christmas

Christmas can be a pretty hetic time of year for us...there are a millon places to go and though it can be hard, we are so blessed to still have as much family around as we do. Jason and I still have both sets of Grandparents that we do Christmas with, plus each of our parents and then of course Christmas morning after Santa comes to our house. It is hard to try and fit everyone in so this year we spent the evening before Christmas Eve at my parents house. My Mom and Dad always know how to make Christmas so special and fun. They even still do a stocking for Jason and I. Not to mention they completely spoil our kids. Just the other day I asked Avery where she got something and she said, "Gran got it for me. Gran gets me everything." Boy is Gran in trouble! :) Anyhow, thanks for all the presents Mom and Dad, as always you do too much but we appriciate it all!

Oakley's new Big Green Tractor!

Gran and Papa got Avery an AWSOME easel. She loves it and was really mad at us at the time for not putting it together at Gran and Papa's.

We tried to take a family picture...and in case you were wondering Avery had a painted on Rudulph nose and red lipstick all over her lips and beyond!

My sister and I are constantly reading The Pioneer Woman's Blog. She just came out with this new cookbook and Katie and I surprised each other a copy of it for Christmas. Katie did get one up on me because she gave me a signed copy by Ree. Thanks Katie!!!!

Christmas with the Link's and Johnson's

Every year we get together with good friends Lisa, Timmy and their kids and Eric, Gino and Brody. We exchange gifts and eats lots of AWESOME food!! The kids have so much fun playing together and I think us adults have just as much fun too. I hope we always continue this tradition. There is nothing like good friends, good food, and presents! :)

The Carter Family

My good friend Alison asked me to take some pictures of her girls and a coupld of family shots for their christmas card this year. Emma, their oldest, is one of Avery's best friends. They use to go to daycare together and really miss seeing each other everyday. Alison graciously took Avery and Emma out to eat the other day and to see The Princess and the Frog at the movies. The girls had a blast and Avery is still talking about it! Anyhow, here are a few pictures that I took of the Carter's.

Taylor and Family

I had the pleasure of taking my friend Taylor and her family's Christmas pictures again this year. They are always so much fun to work with and the all the kiddo's are a blast. Although I do say the girls way out number the boys in this family!! They are a beautiful family and here are a few of the many pictures I took that day.

Fish Fry

We went to my Mamaw's for a Fish Fry in November. Avery and Oaks love going to Mamaw's becasue their are so many kids to play with. Jason and I love to go too because it is always great to see my family and you are guarantee to laugh while you are there! Here is a picture of all the little cousins from that day and one of my Mamaw with all of her kids.

Lemmie Don

Okay, Okay...I know I am way behind in my blogging, but I promise I have a very good excuse. However, we will save that for another day. I wanted to share with you some pictures that I took of my cousins little boy back in November. He is such a little doll and check out those eyes!