Nursery Time!

Avery got to go to Sunday School for the first time this week! She was such a big girl and had a wonderful time! The volunteers said she was very easy-going and that she didn't fuss much at all until she was ready to eat. We were so proud of her.

It was quite an eventful morning... We got everyone dressed and ready and got to church with plenty of time to get registered for the nursery. Collin and I had our pictures made and they printed out badges for us that show identification and electronically allow us access to the nursery- even if the doors are locked. It's funny... somehow when you see a badge that has your picture on it and says, "Parent," it becomes real.

Although I'm an official "parent" with the badge to prove it, I've still got a little learning to do as far as parenting goes... Even though I was very organized making sure Avery had everything she might possibly need in her diaper bag, I forgot my camera. Thank goodness Andrea was there with camera in-hand to capture the moment. I also forgot to label ANYTHING I put in her diaper bag! Fortunately we made it home with everything. (Even the pager the church gives you so they can reach you in your class if they need to get a hold of you... You're not supposed to take this home, but somehow we did! Oops!) Nevertheless- it was a fun "first" for all of us! We'll get the hang of it all....... soon.

Happy New Year!!!

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Woo Hoo!! It's 2007!!!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to miiiind... Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and blah blah auld lang syne! :)

Guess I could have google'd the words, but where's the fun in that? Does anyone even know what that song means? (Most likely to respond to that question with a very insightful description to the lyrics of this old folk song... drumroll... Josh Poage. Just a guess... we'll see.) I think it's Scottish... Anyone?... Anyone?...


ANYWAY-- HAPPY NEW YEAR, All!!! It's hard to believe how drastically our lives have changed since last New Year's Eve. When we rung in 2006, we had no idea what the year would hold... Just 20 days into the new year we found out that "Peanut Poage" was on her way, and all sorts of madness unfolded after that. Yes, 2006 was BUSTING at the seams with all kinds of things to keep us busy: A pregnancy, a rotting kitchen, a complete kitchen remodel, a trip to St. Louis, a trip to Florida, a L-O-T of work-related traveling for Collin, a L-O-T of baby-related doctor's appointments for Steph, baby showers, a guest-bedroom remodel (a.k.a. creating a nursery) labor & delivery, a newborn, a full-time career change for Steph, all of us living on just one income, a few tears, a LOT of laughs, an AMAZING out-pouring of love displayed to us by our friends and family, and sweeter memories than our minds can register. It's been a truly wonderful year. But throughout the year-- good and bad-- it was always good. We have been blessed. We can only hope that 2007 holds as many blessings in store for our family and for yours!

Happy 2007, everyone. We hope it's wonderful!

Avery spent New Year's Eve at home with Gram and Grandpoppy (Thanks for sitting, Mom & Dad!)


Looks like Avery had one-too-many bottles!!


With Lindsay and Emily at Luke's place where we celebrated the last few hours of 2006


Mmmm... If we had only had more pigs-in-a-blanket...


Randy and Collin playing pool


View from the balcony


Ringing in 2007!


Smile!! :)

Time FLIES!

I can't believe Avery is already 3 months old and I haven't posted ANYTHING since her 2 month post! Guess that's what the Holidays will do to you!! (And by "Holidays" I mean Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years...)

We've been keeping busy this past month, that's for sure! Avery is growing and developing at warp-speed, it seems! Everyday she seems older and wiser and there's always something new to discover. Recently she's been drooling more and chewing on her fists so much that she has her "Gram" wondering if she might be getting ready to cut a tooth! (That should make feeding her REAL fun!) She is SO much fun to listen to these days too as she is truly in the "babble" phase! She makes the cutest sounds... and she seems to know EXACTLY what she's saying even though it doesn't make sense to us just yet.

I've been busy too as I started an at-home business of specialty papers/custom designs for invitations and announcements. To kick off the business, I did Christmas card designs for a few families and had SO much fun! I can't wait to see where God leads me in this work. It's an exciting time! You can find more information on the business at poageproductions.blogspot.com

And Collin is always busy, but he's been extra-on-the-go this month with another job opportunity presenting itself. After all was said and done, he's decided to stay put at KPMG, but he'll tell you that he's learned a lot about what he wants to do through this process. As always, I am SO proud of him and all he does to support and provide for me and Avery. He is amazing.

I hope everyone had as much of a Merry Christmas as we did! We can't wait to hear all about it from each of you... For now, hopefully pictures will say the thousands of words that my fingers would love to type if I could just keep my eyes open long enough to do it. :)

Hugs!!...

Look what Santa brought!!...


Avery at Daddy's company Christmas Party


At the party with Mom


Sweet smiles...


Avery with Nana celebrating her Birthday!


Here with Nana, Aunt Kendra, and even Uncle Jordan came to the Birthday celebration!


And Uncle Josh too!


Avery "talking" to Uncle Jordan


Jordan had the magic touch and put Avery to sleep a few different times


Making Christmas ornaments for family...


Paint was EVERYWHERE!... Why were we doing this "craft project" with an infant?... with paint?... in our leather chairs?!... Rookie parents.


At least she was sleepy... that made it a little easier to get a hand print without smearing.


SNOW DAY!!!!


Family Picture!


All bundled up! :)




Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...



Howie in his Christmas bandana given to him by Gram


Too much Christmas fun made Howie sleepy


Avery reading with Gram and Grandpoppy




Avery with Uncle Andrew and Aunt Jen in the shirt that Kobe gave her (Look closely at the shirt to see why it was a gift from Kobe.)




Shopping at World Market




Aunt Kara is snuggly...




Avery with Lindsay at Johnny Carino's




With Kristin at Carino's


The whole crew, minus a few spouses and the Arnolds (who have a good excuse!... Welcome to the world, Tate Elizabeth Arnold!!)


Avery with Uncle Jonathan


Reading with Uncle Jonanthan & Aunt Kara




Just about to fall asleep...


I'm THREE MONTHS OLD today!!


Here's my 3 month old smile...


Cold nose!!... Burrrrrr!....


I love my doggie, Howie!


And MORE Christmas pictures to come............... Most of the good ones are on my Mom's & Sister's cameras! Hopefully I'll get copies of those soon so that I can post pics from Christmas morning, etc.