Avery's Dance Recital

Avery had her first dance recital on Saturday. There are 5 girls in her class and they all did wonderfully. No one froze with stage fright or waved to their parents and everyone participated! We were so proud! Avery did an excellent job - overall, she kept up with her teacher and even jumped a move ahead a few times. She kept her tongue poking into her cheek - a sign that she was really concentrating. It was so fun to watch them.

Griffin came to the recital and actually enjoyed it. Lots of music and costumes kept his attention. After some of the older girls did a disco dance in which they really "shook their stuff," Griffin announced "this one's my favorite!" What a boy!

Avery's ballet dance was called The Secret Garden. The girls started out hiding in huge flower pots. It was adorable. I'm posting a ton of pictures but they aren't very clear because I wasn't allowed to use my flash and the place was pretty dark...but you can at least get the idea!

katelyn and avery

note the tongue in cheek!

katelyn, avery and carter

Their tap dance was called Choo Choo Chaboogie. They came out holding each other's shoulders - forming a train. It was really cute as well. I loved the sassy little costumes!

avery in action

katelyn and avery

avery was so excited to go see daddy afterwards - she said " I gotta go see how proud daddy is of me!" So precious...and she was thrilled with her flowers!

avery and mommy

avery and her best buds!

Going Away Party for the Likes

This weekend was really busy - we had a going away party for the Likes, a birthday party, Avery's dance recital, and a "baby celebration" with our small group. Many blogs and pictures will follow!

On Friday night, the Zerden's hosted a pot-luck going away dinner for the Likes. Creighton and Christa are dear friends and we will miss them tons. Creighton did residency in Greenville with Brent and is just completing a fellowship here at Duke. They have 2 children who are almost exactly the ages and sex of our kids....so we have lots in common and have spent lots of time together through the years. Christa was my " link" to the world and my social planner once we arrived in Durham! We have spent many days at parks, playgrounds, the pool, dance class, preschool, and family-friendly cookouts. We love you guys!

Creighton is a major Duke fan - this cake is classic...

These are my dearest friends here in Durham. (Kim, Christa, and Lisa)

the kiddos enjoying their dinner

One cool thing about our friends here is that when we are all together, everyone takes care of everyone's kids. We cut their food, get their juice, redirect them , entertain and play with them, and love them as our own. And we all know that Griffin takes as many people as possible to keep up with him! Here is Kim loving on Graham.

This is Texas style corn-hole. JR brought this over - it is called bombat washers - you throw washers in the holes...the guys loved it!

2 1/2 weeks old!

here are a few pics of little graham...

smiling!

looks like he'll have those dark parnell children's eyes!

love those little feet!

Abby's Birthday

Abby, one of Avery's friends from school, had a birthday party at a playground this afternoon. It was WAY hot - in the 90's! The kids were all red-faced and sweaty...and by the end, ours were covered in mud and sand! I had to strip them down before putting them in the car to come home! But they had a blast!

google-eyed over the princess cake!

we're working hard on learning to pump

griffin refused to have his picture taken!

Derby Party

Saturday evening we went to a Derby Party with the medical alliance. It was a progressive dinner between 3 yards! We had appetizers at the Zerdens, dinner at the Likes, and dessert at the Helms. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast running between yards. Graham made his public debut and did great! He stayed awake and happy for the first 2 hours...then had some grub and slept through the rest of the evening.

Graham's big outing

Lisa Zerden's birthday was Saturday as well so we had a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to her. All of the kids were gathered around the cake and candles while we sang. As soon as Lisa blew out the candles Griffin took a big bite out of the side of the cake. It was hysterical but the crowd response either scared or embarrassed him and he busted out crying!

The Likes have a mini corn hole set that the kids absolutely love. We definitely need to get one of these! Griffin and Creighty really got into their game. Note the coaches (AKA dads) on the sidelines!

note creighty's tongue!

Pictures of Graham

Its hard to believe that Graham will be 2 weeks old tomorrow! Its definitely been a busy 2 weeks though...

Avery and Griffin have been wonderful with Graham - I've really been surprised. They are both extremely attentive to him and come tell me the instant he makes a peep. Griffin is quick to offer his solution to the crying - " graham needs milk....graham is cold...graham is all done swinging..." We've even caught him singing his version of Jesus Loves Me to baby Graham - it is precious!

Avery has been a big helper. She has helped bathe Graham and helped give him a bottle. She has done lots of little errand running for mommy as well - getting burp cloths, diaper, pacifiers, etc. She is also really into the "nursing" thing. She is so curious how everything works and asks lots of intelligent questions. She has announced to several people that " Mommy has milk in her boobies!"

I've tried to keep Graham close at hand or up where the kids can't get to him too quickly - like in the pack-n-play...but one afternoon he was on the couch in the boppy because only Avery was awake. I ran (literally) into the kitchen to grab something and I hear her announce, "Mommy, I am strong enough to pick Graham up all by myself!" My heart skipped a beat as I ran back to the living room. She had moved him from the boppy to a spot next to her on the couch!!!

sleeping in the boppy

wide-eyed!

Brent has been working overtime for the past several weeks. He has been amazing! He is calling himself a soccer-dad! He has taken kids to school, dance, birthday parties, church, etc. He has bathed, fed, and put them to bed repeatedly. He has grocery shopped, cooked, and entertained the kids so that I can nap. He has also waited on me and made sure I was well taken care of. I couldn't have survived without him! Thanks honey! Not sure what I'll do when you go back to work today!

Thank Goodness for Grandparents!

We've been spoiled the past 2 weeks by our grandparents. Nina and Big Daddy were here for a week around Graham's arrival...and then Gammy was here for the past week. The kids have gotten tons of bonus attention and have loved every minute of it! Here are a few pictures of Graham meeting his grandparents.