2 years

Kyle and I have now been married for 2 years. I'm not sure how many people can relate to getting married in December, but those of you who can probably understand that it's a bit tricky to celebrate anniversaries. 

We were married on December 19th, which lands us 6 days before Christmas (for those of you who don't enjoy doing math, I did that calculation just for you!) And since Kyle and I have still have yet to grow up, we travel to Michigan or Colorado to celebrate the holidays with family. Now, I wouldn't change any of this, but I figured there needed to be a bit of a preface.

In the middle of Kyle's finals, and a week before our anniversary, it was time to celebrate. So that night we journeyed to a most wonderful place. Probably my favorite garden I've ever been to.

That's right, the Olive Garden. 

Now, maybe going out to eat isn't that novel of an idea to anyone else, but for us it is nothing short of an annual treat we indulge our limited budget on.

 

Which of course leaves nothing leftover for a babysitter, so Avery was a participant in the celebration as well.

Kyle's meal was absolutely spectacular. All of you log away the phrase "Braised Beef Tortelloni" for the next time you are in an Italian mood. It is not a slice of heaven, it is the whole pie (or pizza, cake, what ever tickles your fancy.)

Mine was a slice of the other place, so no need to expound on it.

And that about sums up the festivities.

Wait, most of you go out to see movies, concerts, and other cultured things to celebrate? Ah well, my friends, the Bradley's are among the more refined crowd of society, so it should not be a surprise that we watched the majority of Modern Family Season 1 as well.

I tell you, there is no better way to live up an anniversary in December than with a full tummy of your husband's food and a clever sitcom to keep you company.

Hello 2012!

2012, I'd like you to meet Miss Avery Dawn.

She did these poses all on her own.

And faces too. 

 

Everyday she looks more and more like her Dad.

And nowadays she grabs at a toy, stuffed animal, whisk, or electrical cord (kidding about this one...mostly) and turns it over and over with this furrowed look on her face. I don't know what she's trying to figure out, but she sure is working hard.

She still is a champion thumb sucker.

And about the most easy going child you could ask for.

Plus, she is getting a little bit sillier everyday.

 

Can't wait to see what this year has in store for us!

The happiest place in the world!

We hardly let a month go by without visiting our beloved zoo and this month was no different!

The zoo was decked out in lights,

dinosaurs,

 

carolers,

mere kats,

 

and penguins.

Apparently no other animals are willing to celebrate Christmas at 8:00 at night. Bunch of scrooges.

Even with minimal animals to see, Kyle and Avery still had a good time.

We sang around a fire with other zoo goers for awhile. We even learned some other words to shout in "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" from the Elementary School kids. Who knew that on that "foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say" [in his boxers]...twas a good time

Plus, we even got to attend a Christmas dolphin show.

You like the vignette effect on the picture? This is how our lovely camera takes pictures if you don't remember to manually push the shutter open. Kind of cozy, isn't it?


And with all that said, make sure you remember to hang up your stockings,

because Christmas is only 11 days away!

And odds are I won't be posting on here before then. So, Merry Christmas to everyone! And, just in case, Happy New Year as well! 

(And Happy Martin Luther King Day...y'know...just being prepared!)

Still Bleed Blue

Apparently the Super Bowl is happening in Indiana next year. Who knew? So, this past Saturday we went to a health fair that was at the Colts football stadium to scope out the joint.

We figure it will be the only time we will be in a stadium that will house the Super Bowl. Got to have some kind of "claim to fame" to tell the grand kids, right?

And being the true humanitarian Kyle is, he donated his precious O- blood. Universal donor!

(the free football may have been an extra incentive for Kyle to save lives...)

We even ventured out onto the field and got to toss the old pigskin around.

Plus, Avery caught the game winning touchdown. This girl can play football,

sit up,

 and turn on the water works with the best of them!

Kyle has since decided that we need to have enough kids to form a football team. I have since decided that we could buy a football video game that the whole family can enjoy. Ah, the beauties of compromising!

Can't Thanksgiving just expand into Christmas?

Question. Is it tough for anyone else to get back into the swing of things after Thanksgiving?

Let's be real, Christmas is only 31 days after Thanksgiving this year.

And in our case, we only spend 18 of those days in Indianapolis. And of those 18 days, we've spent more than our fair share just relaxing.

I mean, what's the point of returning to normal life when your next vacation is around the corner?

And, as you can see, we don't even bother putting on clothes for the day anymore.

Now you know why all our pictures on here are of Avery... :)

Curling

What pops into your head when you hear the word curling?

Perhaps curling your hair?

 

(Yes, this is me and I look fan-tas-tic! Having a baby is undoubtedly the best thing I've ever done to my appearance.)

Or curling your lip?

How about curling your toes?

Maybe even curling ribbons?

Wait, you said the sport? Well good for you!! Because that is exactly what I am about to talk about.

Curling is a sport that originated in Scotland, and apparently the Canadians have gone wild with it. And since Michigan is just across a lake from Canada it makes tons of sense that there would be a curling center in my hometown.

So, the day after Thanksgiving, my family and my uncle's family (who was visiting from Idaho) all learned this great sport.

Doesn't that look incredible? Wait until you see my other family members try it!

Unfortunately, Kyle was taping everyone and his wife dropped the ball and never taped him. It really is too bad because Kyle actually looked normal doing it (which would make him abnormal since sliding down ice with 44 pounds of granite in one hand and a sweeper in the other hand is about as weird as I'll get out)! Kyle told me that this curling experience was the best experience of his LIFE.

...

Sorry Avery, your birth didn't cut it girl.

But hey, you're in good company, because neither did his marriage to me.

...

Maybe things would have turned out differently if I would have remembered to tape him...

Kyle has since informed me there are no curling centers here in Indiana. Perhaps we'll one day invest in this board in attempt to satisfy his new love of the sport.

It's a much warmer version of the game! Plus, Avery didn't participate in the actual curling, so she can learn at home and wow the curlers next time we venture up to Midland!

New Talent

Avery has many a talent, but her latest is her "pterodactyl" *ahem* "pterosaur" noise.

Can't you just picture her taking off into flight? Maybe when she is 6 months old (which is next week!) she'll have more success with upward motion. In the meantime if you hear any screeching, don't worry, it's just your friends in Indianapolis.