we're back!

we got to take a special vacation out to kansas to see zane's family! it was a wonderful week filled with lots of friends, family, good food and fun outings. though avery was eventually ready to come back to her bed and her nap routine, she had such a good time while we were away :)

highlights: (in no particular order)

*having grandma kathy and grandpa dan see their girl again after a couple months and seeing through their eyes how much she's changed! we got to do so many fun things with them during the week and thank them so much for their generosity and hospitality. love you! avery misses you both lots :)

*avery clapping and waving on the plane to kansas. not sure how/why both things suddenly became fascinating and the "new" thing to do, but she's now doing both whenever she gets the chance (and since she saw so many people through the week--family, friends, and strangers in the airports, she got lots of practice)

*avery meeting her 2nd cousin andrew (the star of "andrew's room" blog) and aunt jen and uncle nate (and aunt tracey, soon to be uncle chris, cousins madison and claire, and uncle rick! whew, what a crew!)

*going to the zoo and seeing big animals (far away), and the small animals (like meerkats) that were close to the glass so avery could get a better look and be smitten :)

*lunch with grandpa lloyd and grandma nancy! they got to meet avery for the first time and i think there was love all around

*getting to see zane's sister mandy and her son dolan on friday!

*leaving the northeast and having zane finally get some leads on jobs for the fall!
*seeing avery get progressively squirmy throughout the week when she wasn't able to be scooting around on the floor. by the last flight home she was downright annoyed with us that we kept holding her! too cute :)

*i think i can say with some certainty now that avery is crawling. she took her first "steps" last night after we got home and she refused to sleep, then this morning was determined to get to our cell phone on the floor...but it wasn't until she crawled OVER my legs on the rug to get to my cup that i could say that she really is getting around :)

*she also pulled herself up to stand tonight. i caught it on video, but then the battery died and we're waiting on our charger that was left behind in the midwest.

i'm sure i'm forgetting lots that happened, but it's late.

so here's a PHOTO ALBUM from our trip :)