Grandpa's Girl

Avery has always had a special bond with both of her Grandpa's (she calls them"Papa"). She became closer to all of our family during the month and a half we spent with them after graduation, but especially to her Grandpa's. This happens daily in our home, and I just had to get it on camera.

Colorado Springs

Wow, where did these last two months go? It has been a whirlwind for our family! After graduation we spent a couple of days down at Disneyland with family, packed up our moving truck, and made the drive up to Sandy, Utah where we stayed with the Dials. We spent the next 5 weeks visiting family in Utah and Idaho and we made two more trips out to Colorado, where Dustin visited some dental practices. We loved being with family and Avery especially had a great time getting to know her cousins better. It was one big party! The boys went golfing, we went to the zoo, swimming, shopping, Bear World, and Dustin and I even got to go to a few movies while Grandma and Grandpa babysat.
During a trip to Colorado, Dustin was offered a position at an office in Colorado Springs. We both felt good about the job and the location. He started working on July 1st and he has really enjoyed getting back into dentistry. He is buying out one of the existing partners of this practice and is working with 3 other dentists. We miss family and friends, but we are really loving the area and starting to get settled into our place.



The view from our apartment

Pictures from visiting family

So Long to USC

Dustin graduated from USC School of Dentistry on May 16th. Yay!!!! We are so proud of him and all of his hard work. We packed up and moved out of L.A. on Wednesday and will be spending time with family and friends in Utah and Idaho until he receives his license. Dustin got a great birthday present in the mail today; his Western Regional Board Score. He passed and he can now apply for his Colorado license.

One month left

We're under one month until Dustin's graduation (13 days to be exact). In between school, work, and packing, we have been trying to revisit some of our favorite L.A. places before we leave. Some of our favorites: Malibu tide pools, Disneyland, the beach, Getty Museum, and the hike to Inspiration Point at Will Rogers. The hike is simple and well marked; easy enough for Avery to do. There were lizards everywhere which she absolutely loved. She would try to touch them and when they would run away she would say "Uh Oh" and sign "more". We want to go to Scallions one more time, a yummy Chinese restaurant and we are stocking up on all of our favorite Trader Joe's items. We are going to miss this place but we're looking forward to what's ahead.

A Budding Artist

Avery had her first experience with painting this week. She had a blast! As for me, it definitely exceeded all of my expectations of the mess it would make.

18 Months Today

Avery is 18 months today. I can't believe how much our lives have changed over the past year and a half. I remember reading newborn and infant books when I was pregnant, trying to prepare for what was ahead, but, I soon found out that nothing can truly prepare you for parenthood until they place that baby in your arms and you become mom or dad. What a sweet little addition she has been to our family. Here are a few pictures of Avery over the past 18 months.

1 month old

2 months

6 months

8 months


9 months

11 months

12 months

16 months

17 months

Pacifier Anyone?

So, Avery has loved her pacifier from the very beginning. At around 8 months, she decided that one just wasn't enough and started sleeping with two; one for her mouth and the other to hold in her hand. Dustin and I try to hide her pacies during the day, just giving them to her at night or for naps, but sometimes she finds them, and when she does, she doesn't give them up very easily. We couldn't pass up this picture of her finding all 4 of her pacifiers. We are definitely NOT looking forward to the day when we will have to pull the plug.