the poages: Over the river and through the woods... :)

Well, we made our first road trip with Avery and "to Grandmother's house" we went! :) Avery had a blast with her first visit to Gram & Grandpoppy's house, but it was a whole new experience for me and Collin trying to pack up the Jeep with our luggage for a 4 day trip, all of Howie's things (crate, bed, food & dog dishes, toys, leashes, etc.) AND packing up everything needed for Avery (clothes, diapers, wipes, blankets, burp cloths, travel swing, activity gym, blah, blah, blah....) From the looks of the Jeep, you would have thought we were leaving the country never to return.

Even funnier-- I sat in the back seat with Avery for the trip while Howie road "shotgun" with Collin! :) He felt like top-dog for sure. :)

The only "downer" of the trip was that even though it was our year to spend Thanksgiving with the Poage side, hosted by Collin's older brother and sister-in-law who live in Pflugerville (just north of Austin) we weren't able to hang out with Collin's family because our nephew, Ian, was running a fever. Poor Ian. Avery would have LOVED to play with him if there hadn't been a risk of illness. We missed being with the Poages for actual turkey-day, but we caught up with most of the group back in Dallas for a yummy brunch on Sunday morning.

But we have a lot to be thankful for this year, and it's always wonderful to be able to gather with family and friends to acknowledge every blessing the Lord has poured out over us since the last Thanksgiving. This year we are most thankful for Avery and for the joy that she has brought to our lives, the laughter she brings to our home, the refreshing way we get to see the world all over again through the eyes of a child, and the countless ways she has already pointed us towards the Lord and His Majesty. We are also-- as always-- truly thankful for YOU, our family and friends, and for the treasures you each are to us.

Love and Hugs-
Steph

Some pictures from our trip!...

Shopping with Gram the day before Thanksgiving

Us at Breed & Co. (A specialty gift and hardware store in Austin.)

Avery meets Santa! She's on the "nice" list this year for SURE! :)

Grandpoppy and Avery hanging out

Visiting with our friends, Thomas Kowalski & Heather Bossen on Thanksgiving

Howie cheers the Aggies on to a BIG WIN in Austin!

Avery's first Freebirds experience! Burritos as big as SHE is! :)

With Aunt Jen

Hanging out with the Poage side back in Big D... Free from fever germs but so sad that we missed out on Thanksgiving with this crew. Above: Avery with Aunt Kendra and Uncle Erroll