Summer 2010

What a fabulous summer we've had! We started off with a great trip to the beach with the Twelkemeier family. Lori and I road down with the little ones together. Our trip started out with poop in the hair and ended at the beach house with an almost nose. Whew...it's a good thing the rest of the trip was better. Lots of pool time with the kiddos and yummy dinners at night. The guys fished during the day and had a great catch.
Next, I had a fun girls' trip to Charleston with some wonderful friends. We had the best time--good friends, good food, and shopping--what more could a girl ask for (except for minus the credit card bill :)--don't read this Gary!)
For the 4th, we headed to the river, south Georgia, with my parents. Again, a fabulous time. Fishing for the guys and beaching for the girls! Mom, Avery, and I rented a Surrey on Jeckyll one day and had fun. We thought we'd want it all afternoon, but ended up racing to get it back after an hour...too tired to pedal that thing all afternoon :)
We are so blessed to be a part of such wonderful families. Not only do we get along, but we have a great time together. God continues to bless our little family in many ways!

Avery's New Christmas Dress

Christmas 2009

What an awesome Christmas! God has blessed us so much with a precious daughter, great family, good friends, a home, jobs, and many other blessings. This is a good time of year to stop and reflect on all of the great things in our lives.

Avery is 22 months old...almost 2 years! Where has the time gone? She's a little mess. She is definitely an Allen and a Twelkemeier. Her hard-headed, stubborn streak is showing a little and she knows exactly how and when she wants things done. That's okay though...she's her own little person and we love her! She makes us laugh daily with her sayings and doings! Her new phrase, "I made it" now makes my heart skip a beat...until I see how bad the damage is! Today she used all of our stamps to decorate an envelope..."I made it!" And then she emptied an entire jar of vaseline and spread it all around...fabulous! These are the memories that we will cherish and laugh at in the future.

I found out this weekend that I'm going to be an aunt again! Well, not techniquely an aunt, but an aunt nonetheless! My cousin and his wife are expecting their first child. Early August is the due date and we are all so excited! It is so much fun to see our families grow!

Yep...I'm definitely not good at this blogging thing! Avery is now 19 months old. Time has flown by! She is running around everywhere and talking like crazy. She started Mother's Day Out twice a week. I'm not sure who it's been hardest on...Avery or Gram! It's been a bit of a rough start, but it's a good thing. School has begun and I am teaching 3rd grade. It has been a challenge thus far but I love my kids and like this grade. We had a great summer and look forward to a good fall. Today is the first Georgia game and we are enjoying it with family in Alabama. Avery is enjoying her cousins so much!
Gary and I became an aunt and uncle last week! Tucker Michael Twelkemeier was 7 lbs. 10 oz. and he is too cute! He looks just like his daddy, but I see his mommy in him too! We are so excited that he is here. I have been waiting to be an aunt for so long and I can't believe he's here. He had an infection and had to stay in the hospital for a week, but he is home now and doing well. I don't think he is giving mommy and daddy much sleep or rest, but do any babies??? Those first weeks are so hard! He is a blessing and I can't wait for he and Avery to meet! Hopefully soon...we're giving him a little time to adjust to his new world!

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that our daughter was cute!! Am I biased??? Just kidding...we just can't get over how precious she is!