WV...Country Roads...2011

We had a GREAT (too short) visit to WV during July 4th weekend. Our visit was quick and I feel like I didn't even spend time visiting my family but any time with the most amazing family is special.  We had our yearly Dugan's Family and Friends Reunion and  Avery's birthday party during our trip.  Avery was able to spend time with her WV family...she loved on Aunt Jenn (slept in her bed every night), had pap pap taking naps with her and mimi helped with lighting bugs.  Here are a few pictures...

I LOVE this picture.  Avery and pap pap were watching 

 television together and they both fell asleep.  PRICELESS!!!

Phillip made Avery a jar for her to put her lighting bugs in...this was a first for her and she was very fascinated by them. Mimi let her bring her lighting bugs inside and they watched them light up.

Swimming with her cousins.

Playing games at our family reunion.

Loved picking up ducks...

 

Avery with her Aunt Jenn...they have a connection.  
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even played a little horse shoes...no family reunion is complete without a few games of pitching shoes.

Love my family so much... I wish we lived closer together!!! 

Are you sure you want short hair?

 Look at how long Avery's hair was...

"THE CUT"

 Well...we cut it off!!!  We have been growing Avery's hair since she was born.  I made the decision to  donate Avery's hair a while back so we just had to let it grow and grow.  I found out about this program with Pantene and so we donated her 8 inches of hair to them.  I love her new cut and it is so much cooler for her and easier for me.  She looks so grown up now that part makes me a little sad.  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

 Thanks Kris, we LOVE it!!!!!

 I had to add this picture of my little cookie monster...Avery was able to reach the mini oreo cookies and she sat on the floor and ate the cream out of the middle and put the empty cookie on the paper towel.

 

Happy 3rd Birthday...

Avery had a Ladybug themed party...we had so much fun!!

 Our sweet baby girl turned 3 years old on July 6, 2011.  Time goes so fast, but I just want to etch each minute into my mind and heart so I don't forget a thing.  Seems like yesterday she was born now she is turned 3.  Avery is such a precious little girl she just melts my heart every day!!  When I look back at these pictures I can't believe how much Avery has grown and how her little personality has changed.  Avery has a big heart, she is loving and caring, she loves to play dress up and play with her baby dolls.  God truly blessed us with this amazing child and I thank HIM everyday for His blessing!!!  Happy Birthday Avery Marie Popham we love you!!!!!

 We were in WV for our family reunion over the 4th of July weekend so we were able to celebrate Avery's birthday at pap pap, mimi's and Aunt Jenn's.  I am so thankful for every minute I can spend at my parents house...I think we take so much for granted and just need to enjoy every moment with the ones we love and not cut ourselves off from that genuine unconditional love of family!!  Love you daddy, mommy and Jennifer!!!  LOVE ALL MY WV family!!!!!

 Thank you Tori Knight for this AMAZING banner you made for Avery's ladybug party!!!!

 MiMi made Avery a ladybug hat for her birthday!!!

 We ate pizza one of Avery's favorite meals

 Daddy helping Avery with her hat.

 We had to move from the yard to the porch...big rain storm rolled in...

Avery's cousins Brenden, Madelynn and Michelle...  if you don't read their blog you are missing a huge blessing!!!!

 Leah, Avery and Lily...I love that Avery was able to spend another birthday with her WV cousins!!!

 Avery getting ready to blow out the candles on her Lady bug birthday cupcake...Brooke and Nolan waiting for cupcakes and the "Happy Birthday" song...

This year I made most of the things for Avery's party and had SO much fun planning and being creative.  Ladybugs were our choice this year.  I priced things on etsy and the prices are just crazy to pay so I decided I can do most of this myself so off I went. 

 I made the cupcake stand and the cupcakes as well as the cupcake toppers.  I bought the ladybug for Avery's cupcake and just added the words "Happy 3rd Birthday Avery " on it.

 I made the labels for the water bottles.  I loved how these turned out.

 Invitations by me...these were so easy...I love that they were all about Avery.

 My favorite idea that I came up with all by myself...these are plastic baby food containers...I made a ladybug for the tops and put a little to thank you note on the side to cover the baby food words and then my mom found red and black sixlets at party city and we filled them up and handed them out to the children along with a good bag full of fun stuff.   The happy birthday Avery banner above was also made by Tori.

I want to say THANK YOU to my sister Jennifer, my mommy and my daddy for ALL your help!!!  Avery's party would not have been such a success without all your help!!!  THANK YOU!!!!!!! I also want to thank all my family members that pitched in the day of the party to help get everything set up!!  Love you ALL!!!!