Mid-Summer trip to Onaga

The day before the Fourth of July, Mom and I packed up the minivan, Avery, Rylan, and every other thing under to sun for a day trip to Onaga and Centralia.  This is where Mom's family is, and neither Avery nor Rylan had made the trek down that specific highway in their short little lives, so it was time to make it happen.  The ride there was fairly uneventful, other than Avery screaming at the rest stop that she didn't want to use the bathroom there.  So onto Onaga without a single pit stop for her.  She made it, dry and clean, and finally accepted the fact that she would have to use the bathroom at Aunt Linda's.  After arriving, we visited for a while, then headed over to a park/playground area to have a lunch picnic.  I'm sure it was at least 95 degrees, but both Avery and Rylan were in desperate need of fresh air and some running around time, so they got it!  My cousin, her husband, and their son, Evan, who is 11 days younger than Rylan, were also in Onaga that week, as well as my other cousin's kiddos. It was really great to see/meet a bunch of relatives that I don't think I had seen in over 3 years possibly.  Avery ate her lunch as fast as she could so she could check out the play equipment. 

We also met up with my Uncle Fred, who was kind enough to meet up with us at the hot old park over his lunch hour.

Rylan and Evan.

After we finished at the playground, we packed up once again and made the short trip to Centralia to visit with my grandpa, who had only met Avery once when she was just a few weeks old, and obviously had never met Rylan.  So great to see everybody, and a really nice trip for the kids too.  We even made it there and back in less time that originally planned, so can't argue with that!  Of course, I was driving, not Meema! :)

Practice Day at Angel Depot!

Last Thursday marked Avery's first day of spending time at Angel Depot.  They had a get together with their teacher, Ms. Becky, for about an hour Thursday morning and Avery had a blast.  She got to meet her future classmates, or the "kids," as Avery refers to them.  We keep asking her what the other children's names are and she just replies "Kids."  Hopefully they will make more of an impression on her in the following weeks.  This Thursday is the OFFICIAL first day of school, and Avery has already outlined her game plan to Mommy and Daddy and it is as follows:

"Mommy and Daddy take Avery to school.  You leave me at school and I'll play with Ms. Becky."

"What about your new friends?"

"Yeah, I'll play with the kids. I'll eat snack and play and go outside and Daddy will come pick me up.  I'm going to blast off to school!" (Her first official homework from preschool involved a rocketship and she is assuming that everything preschool related must also be outer space related.  She makes me laugh.  A lot.)

Headed that way last Thursday morning!!

Fishing with Daddy

Avery and Rylan's cousin Charlie turned two back in May.  Chris thought a fishing pole would be an awesome gift for the little guy, and after shopping for poles, we decided to go ahead and get Avery her very first fishing pole as well.  Chris let her practice a couple of times in the front yard, reeling in her line, and she was very excited to go try it out for real.  Fast forward to a couple weeks later on a Sunday afternoon.  We headed to Lakeside because Chris knew of a shady spot for us to hang out.  (Had to find SOME shade, this summer has been way too stinking hot!)  Avery was absolutely thrilled to use her new "handy fishing rod" (thank you Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).  This picture sums up her utter joy to be out fishing with Daddy.

Rylan, on the other hand, was not able to participate quite as much, so he spent quite a bit of down time in the stroller.  He was all smiles, as Mommy had quite a few crunchies to keep him happy with.

Still smiling.

After the crunchies ran out, and sweat was probably pouring down his back from being stuck in the stroller for so long, Rylan and I headed over to the swings to "cool off."  As if there is such a thing in this kind of weather.

And still smiling.  This kid is about the most photogenic person I've ever come across.

Avery, hard at work, mastering her pole.

Waiting patiently to catch the fish that weren't going to bite that day.

My favorite picture of the day.  She wants to do everything that Daddy does.  Even dress the same.

Needless to say, after about an hour in the hundred degree weather, we were all ready to pack up and head home.  Perhaps this fall we can try again and enjoy some cooler weather.  Until then, we can enjoy this memory of another first for the kids!

All School's Day

Though it happened nearly 3 months ago, I wanted to make sure I documented All School's Day week 2012.  The night before the parade, we took Avery and Rylan to the wonderful carnival.  Avery had seen all the rides when we would drive by the park on various outings and had asked about them numerous times.  She was very excited when we told her we were headed to the carnival at last!  As big as she seems compared to Rylan, there really aren't too many rides available to children of Avery's size, not to mention that the merry-go-round was not there this year due to some technical complications.  But no worries, she still had a handful of rides that she tried out and she loved them all for the most part.  The motorcycles were her first ride of the night. 

Then she tried out the boats and I don't have a picture of those because they all came out blurry.  Onto the dragon  roller coaster.  We thought this looked a little more up her alley because it seemed to be more for the thrill seekers.  I got her buckled in and we watched her go.  She's the second to last in this picture.

After a trip around the track we noticed her look down real quick and then get a terrified look on her face and she started crying a little.  She was holding on as tight as she could to the handlebar.  As soon as the ride was over, I shoved my way through the crowd of parents and got to her and realized, yes, her belt had come unbuckled.  No wonder she was scared out of her mind.  But again, Miss Avery Mae proved to the world at large again that she is the bravest of the brave and asked to go again for another ride.  Mommy was kind of PO'd at the worker because he didn't seem to care that she had a faulty buckle so we decided that Avery could finish out the night on the motorcycles and boats again.  Maybe next year we will have better luck and a few more options.

Onto the following morning:  we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house to park the car and walk downtown from there.  As we started heading toward Main, Chris realized the stroller had a flat tire, so he, Grandpa, and Rylan headed back to fix up the faulty tire.  Grandma, Avery, and I walked ALL the way over by Central Office to see Meema and her float.  Which I don't have a picture of.  Then we met back up with the boys to watch the parade by the Courtyard.  It was very quiet at that corner.  Something to remember for next year...  Anyway, Rylan fell asleep for most of the parade, but Avery seemed very intrigued. 

I apparently did not feel like taking too many pictures that morning.  After the parade and lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's, we headed back home for naps, then ran out to Michael and Jody's to hang out for a bit. 

Rylan trying to ride Charlie's trike.

It was a nice week for both the kids to experience the whole All School's Day experience.  Maybe next year we will try May Fete as well.  All School's Day has always been Chris's favorite holiday, and it definitely ranks up there for me as well.  Last year during this exact week, we were in the pediatric ICU in Wichita with Avery getting our crash course on Type 1 Diabetes care.  What a difference a year makes.  

Hello Again

Yes, I know.  It's been several weeks since I have posted anything, even longer since I have posted anything substantial.  This summer has been flying by, and we have all been doing plenty to keep busy.  Between swimming, library, day trips, and everybody's favorite, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, life has not allotted me much time to come downstairs and work on this little diary I call our blog.  I am sorry.  So there's my apology, now onto the first of the reports of the many happenings going on around the Unruh household.

Last week and this week mark birthday time at our house.  Rylan celebrated his first birthday last Wednesday, July 25, and Avery will have her 3rd birthday this Saturday, August 4.  We had a joint party last weekend to make attendance much easier for those who had to travel.  I, of course, will have a post dedicated solely to the goings on of the party.

As noted above, Mr. Rylan is now 1.  I will also have a post for this event, covering his latest doings and abilities.  I will brag about one thing real quick though: Big Boy started walking about 2 weeks before his birthday, and though he still looks a bit like Frankenstein when traveling this way, he is getting better and more confident everyday. 

Avery will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks.  She could not be more excited about anything else right now. (Except, of course, the upcoming birthday.  I think she thinks she's having another party this weekend.  Hope she isn't TOO disappointed.)  The one obstacle possible preventing her from going to school has been conquered.  Avery is now queen of the big girl toilet.  She has been wearing her big girl underpants everyday, even when going out of town. (Makes Mama nervous because she refuses to use public restrooms.  Can't really blame her, but her bladder can't be THAT big.) 

We have spent much of the summer spending time with grandparents, and even great-grandparents.  There have been numerous trips to the water park and library.  Avery has become a regular at The Well where Uncle Nick makes up her special cocktails.  There has even been time spent reorganizing the house, especially their bedrooms and storeroom, and the hallway upstairs has gotten some new paint as well.

Whew! I know it doesn't probably sound like too much, but to us, it all adds up to a full schedule. I will leave you with a couple of recent pics of the kiddos.

Enjoying a treat at DQ!