Cuties

Mark and Heather (Paul's brother and wife) went away for a night for their anniversary. So that meant we had our sweet nephews for a day and a half. I pulled out all of our baseball hats on Saturday morning, and we had a little fun.

Rachel's Last Day

My friend Marie's daughter Rachel has been a great help to our family. She has come over about once a week since before Avery was born to help out with the housework and with Avery. Rachel and her family moved to Maryland last week, but we were able to hang out one more time last Wednesday.

This is my pitiful attempt at a self portrait

Paul Judd to the rescue (by the way, don't you love Rachel's bangs!)

One of the highlights of our time with Rachel has been bath time (hence the previous post). Poor Rachel has been soaked several times with Avery's splashing, but of course she never complains. Here's a few more bath pics of Avery.

We'll miss you during bath time Rachel!!

Bath Time and Some Signs

Sorry for my annoying voice.

Joy

I had a proud mommy moment on Sunday morning. We walked into church, and before we finished crossing the foyer, Avery was visibly excited and started clapping her hands She seems to be recognizing familiar places lately, and I couldn't be more thrilled that her latest recognition is our church, a place where God is worshipped and the love of Christ is evident. I pray my little girl always enters the house of God with the same joy she did this Sunday.

Katie Beth

Paul's sister came into town a few weekends ago, and we had a great time hanging with her. Avery and I picked her up from the airport on Friday morning, and we had her all to ourselves until the rest of the crew came home from work and had dinner together.

Mark and Heather have a pretty steady tradition of Saturday morning beach time, so Avery was able to experience the beach for the first time. She seemed to enjoy the water until a wave came and knocked her over. She wanted nothing to do with it after that. But she still looks cute in her beach hat.

We spent the evening at Mark's softball game and then hit Bruester's up for some serious ice cream.

As always, it is a great time when Katie Beth is around!

Blueberries

While we were down in Charlotte, we went blueberry picking in the middle of a neighborhood in Rock Hill, where Brian and Monica live. Monica and I stayed with the babies in the shade while the rest of the crew got busy picking 4 quarts of blueberries. The owner of this gem of a garden only waters his bushes and plants rye grass in the fall to fertilize.

This man has a huge backyard that he has filled with several fruit and vegetable plants as well as a large number of blueberry and blackberry bushes (are they bushes? I'm not sure). He and his wife were so sweet and told some fantastic stories.

The kids enjoyed their time, and we all enjoyed some incredible fruit for the rest of the weekend....well, almost all of us.

Meet My Niece

I would like you all to meet my littlest niece, Anna Elizabeth Judd. She was born three weeks ago, and Paul, Avery and I had the privelege of going down to Charlotte to meet her for the first time. She has such a sweet spirit and seems perfectly content with her life. We had a great time with Brian, Monica, their kids, and Papa and Nana Judd. Avery was a little unsure at first, sucking her thumb and hanging on pretty tightly to my arm, but she soon warmed up to the crowd and was babbling and playing with the cousins in no time. We were sad Mark and Heather's family were not able to come down due to Carter feeling a little under the weather.

Mary Scott and Avery sharing some Cheerios. Mary Scott loved helping to feed Avery.

Papa and Avery checking out a cell phone.

The Girls (Avery, who couldn't keep her hands off the baby, Catherine, Anna, and Mary Scott)

Two Budding Musicians