10!

Hard to believe, I know, but Avery has hit the big 1-0! We've been so blessed to have her in our lives this long.

She was supposed to have a camping themed b-day party with friends, but yadayadayada she got in big, big trouble and ended up with just a family party.

Here are the dancing queens...having the time of their lives.

Here is Matt BBQing in the rain again. Our last 3 b-days have been cursed by bad weather.

Just some things about Avery....

*She loves to read. Her goal is to make her school's Battle of the Books team this year. They have to read and study 40 novels and then compete against other schools in a quiz bowl. Our school has won the past few years, so this is a really big deal.

*She plays the violin in the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony. She started playing when she was 7, and the only reason I let her start so young is that she used to pretend to play the violin when she was tiny, probably 2. She'd get out 2 spaghetti noodles, put one under her chin and move the other one across it like a bow.

*She has a great little memory. I love it when it comes to practicing spelling words but hate it when she remembers what a terrible mom I've been in the past.

*She's willing to try anything.

*She has a cute little singing voice.

*She is snuggly. She loves to nuzzle up to anyone who will sit still long enough. I worry about her being a teenager.