"Texas!"

Yesterday, I took some pictures of Jackson is his Texas hat and this is the only one that turned out. Although, he did add "Texas" to his vocabulary which makes us happy. Now we're working on "Longhorn" and "Bevo" and trying to get him to stop saying what sounds like "Aggie!" Not sure where he got that but I think New Mexico State's mascot is also Aggie - whatever an Aggie even is!

He is speaking so well now it really catches us off guard sometimes. Today, we went to his BFF Cameron's first birthday party and he was the only little one there that would just run up to people and climb on things. The other children were calm and quiet. What have we gotten ourselves into?

I also pre-ordered Elmo Live today. It is supposed to be out October 14th. We were just going to wait until his birthday or Christmas to get it for him but Toys R Us and Target are already out of the pre-ordered ones so I got a little worried.

Halloween Costume Finals

I found a "Little Golfer" costume today and I had to include it in the polls for Jackson's Halloween Costume! It would be so cute for him to drive his little golf cart or even for us to take Scott's golf cart trick or treating with us!

I am continuing the voting though because he loves Elmo and I'm torn between the two. Help us decide and cast your vote on the left!

Summer Trips to Vegas

First Trip: The last week of July, Janet, my mom and my mom's friend Cindy and I met in Vegas for a few days during Furniture Market to play. We had so much fun and even got my mom to gamble a little! Janet also had a birthday during the trip so we ventured out to downtown for a nice dinner and saw the light show. Here are some pictures from the July trip (I still don't have them all Mom)!


Leaving the airport for our hotel (Vegas style)


My mom and I in front of a fountain at our hotel (Paris)

Limo ride downtown for Janet's birthday


Dinner at Vic & Anthony's at the Golden Nugget


That's one of the singers from 98 Degrees (I met him in the bar at our hotel). The blonde is just a girl that was sitting in the bar.


Janet and I spent about 10 hours at the Toby Keith tables at Harrah's one of the days. This is an 80 year old woman (I think she was 80) taking a shot called a Duck Fart that we ordered for her. Isn't she cute?


Me at the Wynn


Mom at the Palazzo


Second Trip: For Labor Day, we took a last minute trip to Vegas. This time, Jackson and Scott came along and we even brought our babysitter Melanie! Scott was able to see one of his favorite bands' final concert while we were there which was a big deal to him. Here are some pictures from that trip (don't have all of these yet either).

Taking a nap on the plane...


Jackson's first limo ride. Look at that smirk...He thinks he's a high roller!


Scott and Jackson with the oh so classy statues in front of the Riviera. I coudn't resist with this picture because of National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation!


Yes that is the sun coming up. I don't know why we like those Toby Keith tables so much...However, we did stop to appreciate the pretty fountains in front of the Venetian on our walk back.


You can tell who took this picture...Such Avery boys!


Jackson was fascinated by all of the lights and buildings.


On the "red carpet" at New York, New York


More red carpet


Exhausted after a long day...

Things I've learned in Vegas this summer...

1. Blackjack strategy cards cost about $4.00 in hotel gift shops. You can get them for free in the Indian casinos here.
2. Just because you know basic Blackjack strategy doesn't mean the other players at your table do too.
3. Reading books and practicing basic Blackjack strategy does not necessarily mean you are going to win lots of money.
4. Babysitters in Vegas cost about $35 an hour. It is much smarter to bring your own!
5. The Toby Keith tables at Harrah's are fun. Really fun. However, by making it fun, they get more of your money.

Melanie's biggest learn? When asking the driver to drive the strip on the way to our hotel from the airport since it was her first time in Vegas she asks, "Is that like where everything is?"

The Elmo Dance

Every time the Elmo's World segment at the end of Sesame Street comes on, Jackson screams and does this dance. I couldn't get a really good dance on video so I took parts of three different ones I've recorded and compiled them. They are hilarious!

Little Helper

Jackson has become a little helper around the house. Yesterday as we were leaving for the gym, he handed me my car keys from the dining room table. Then as we were about to walk out the door and into the garage he ran off and came back with one of his diaper bags and said, "here you go." Not wanting to discourage his sweet behavior, I ended up taking two diaper bags with us (I left the other one in the car). Then, he attempted to open the car door for me!

When we got home from the gym, he started playing with his TMX (Tickle Me Extreme) Elmo, which really upset Libby. This is the Elmo that stands, sits and rolls on the floor while laughing. I took some pictures because it was too funny!

I Heart Elmo

During his bath tonight, Jackson was playing with several toys that included a frog, a rubber duckie and a monkey. When he picked up the frog I said, "This is a green frog. A frog goes ribbit ribbit." He then picked up the duck so I said, "This is a yellow duck." Jackson said "duh." Then I told him what a duck did and he said something that sounded similar to "quack quack." Lastly, he picked up the monkey and after the whole spiel, I didn't get "monkey" instead I got a goofy dance with arms flying and a "hoo hoo haha!"

Before I put Jackson to bed I played today's Sesame Street episode for him. After doing his dance to the song and screaming in excitement, he sat against the pillows right in the middle of our bed and pulled the covers up and stuck his thumb in his mouth. It was too cute! He did the same when the Elmo's World portion came on at the end...

What a Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend we did a lot of family activities. On Friday night, we sat with Jackson and watched Sesame Street until Scott had to go to work.


Hugging his Elmo wind up

On Saturday, Nicole and I took Jackson and his BFF Cameron to the pool at the country club. Cameron is almost a year old now, talks and even barks when he sees a puppy!

Cameron is in the 95th percentile for everything but his head is off the charts! Maybe that's why he already knows how to make animal sounds?

Sharing Cam's baby snacks with him

Cameron sticks the ENTIRE cookie in his mouth!

Scott met us at the pool after his golf game

All of the boys...

Feeding the birds...

On Sunday, Scott and I took Jackson to ITZ which is similar to a Mr. Gatti's. I took Jackson on the roller coaster which I'm not sure he really enjoyed but he didn't seem to not enjoy it either.

Right before the ride...

I tried to make him hold up his arms and he let me!

On the baby carousel. This lasted all of 20 seconds before he started crying. We tried to tell him it was like the one in Mary Poppins but he did not care. He would not ride anything else after that either. Maybe next time.