Friday!

Gabe didn't have a morning football practice today, so we actually got to hang out as a family! It was so nice and much needed! We went to the Red Rocks open space ( basically an extension of Garden of the Gods, but in a different area) for the first time to check out the trails. We didn't get very far, mainly because we let Avery walk. She just had so much exploring to do! She loved running around, the rocks, and the red dirt!

Our girl can run!

Blueberries!

She loves blueberries!

I love HER beautiful blueberries!

Patch time

Last week we finally got Avery in to see an eye Doctor. We have noticed for awhile now that her left eye rolls off to the side very frequently and she also squints that eye the majority of the time.
So...we found out that our Avery has exotropia. A condition of outward turning of the eye. Before jumping right to surgery, which many children have to endure. The Doctor wants us to start patching her eye for an hour a day. As you can imagine, for a 1 year old, a patch isn't a very pleasant experience. We are still trying to work up to the hour. Bless her heart. she can't see very well out of her left eye, so she stumbles a lot with the patch on.
We would SO appreciate your prayers for Avery. We are believing in healing for her eye and just ask for you all to stand with us! Also pray that the patch wearing would get easier...she fights it! Thank you so much and we will be sure to keep you updated. She goes back to the Dr. on August 30th and the decision will be made about surgery.

Her paci helps her keep the patch on longer...distracts her a little bit!

Weekend in Durango

Avery, my Mom and I went to Durango this past weekend to visit my sister Jenny and her husband Adam. It was great to see them one last time before their first son, Coby, arrives sometime in August. They recently purchased a home, so they have been super busy doing HUGE home projects ; they have done amazing work so far! It was so nice to see where they live and to see some of the finished work that I have heard much about. I was able to help them move some furniture into their newly built master bedroom and my mom helped paint.

While we were there, my mom and I got some great training in for the Copper Triangle. My sister was so sweet to watch Avery for a few hours so we could get out and ride. The first day we rode to Durango Mountain Resort which totaled 60 miles that day. It was probably the hardest ride I have ever done ( more difficult than the MS150 with two 75 mile days back to back). Great training mountain hills and the gradual hill leading back up to my sisters house is torturous! I was thankful to get the miles in since our ride is a just over week away. The second day we did an easy 15 mile ride along the Animas River, it was a beautiful and light ride. We met up with Avery, Jenny and Adam at the Farmers Market after riding. It was a perfect morning for walking around the farmers market and around town. We spent the rest of the weekend just hanging out, trying to help with some of their projects and sitting around their fire pit. They celebrated their 4th anniversary over the weekend so they grilled an exquisite meal for us and made homemade ice cream! It seems like we should have made it for them. They have such a gift of hospitality!
Avery spent a lot of time pushing her baby throughout their house and deck. They have a perfect ranch style home for a toddler. She had a blast visiting her Auntie and Uncle!

Tuckered out after a busy weekend...

Day 2: Animas River Trail

Day 1: 60 mile ride to Durango Mountain Resort ( seriously kicked my bum!)

Check out that hill!

I love her face in this photo!

Fun in the car!

A second baby...

Or DOG...don't get too excited! We are dog-sitting Gabe's parents dog this week. Libby is such a sweet dog and very patient with Avery. I really believe its like having a second baby though ( its good practice) . She definitely acts like one. I have never seen a dog so afraid of thunder(we call it thunder boomers here at our house). She will not leave my side when its thundering and she jumps up into Gabe's lap. Poor girl. She gets so scared! At times she looks pretty depressed. I think she misses her parents. They are enjoying a vacation in Cancun right now...

Avery has had a blast with Libby around. Loving on her, laying on her, jumping on her...swimming in her dog bowl! She sure loves Libby Lib.

Wash Park

Last weekend we went up for a family picnic at Washington Park in Denver. I absolutely love and miss this park! I used to live right up the street and its where I did all of my marathon training, so I have great memories from that park. Also, I remember my Dad taking us there when we were little to roller skate!

Avery had a blast during her first visit to Wash Park. We played frisbee, watched volleyball, did handstands, played on the playground and ate subway!