Big Changes

It's been a while since we've posted and some big changes have happened since then. We made a big move from California to Idaho for Justin's new job with Northwestern Mutual Financial and to be closer to Justin's brother and nieces. It all happened really quickly. It all started in February when we decided to start looking at making a move. We came to Idaho to visit and have Justin interview with a few companies during the first week of March and we left with Justin having accepted a position with Northwestern Mutual. 

After paperwork was finished, background check completed and a drug test passed we had exactly two weeks to plan, pack and move to Idaho. We left California on April 6, and with a stopover in Winnemucca, NV for the night arrived at our new home on April 7, 2013. 

Just before leaving our house in California for the last time. 

  

We stopped as we crossed into Idaho to commemorate our big move. 

 

It's been exactly a month since we arrived and we have had a blast here. We've been making friends, visiting new places and we even joined the local YMCA which is pretty dang cool. It even has a water slide and wading pool for the little kids. We can't wait to see what other fun stuff our new adventure has in store for us.

 

Cousins

This past weekend Justin's brother Jay and his daughter Kayla came to visit. It was the second time this year we got  to see Kayla, but the first time since our wedding (four years ago!) that Jay had visited. It was a short trip, but we got to catch up and it was nice.

Olivia is a little bigger now than she was when Kayla visited in July, so Kayla was able to hold Olivia. It was so cute!

Uncle Jake

On Friday Uncle Jake called and invited us to dinner since he was in town with his girlfriend, Amelia. Jake and Amelia have been dating for a little over a year now and I had still not met her so I was of course excited to join them.

Jake and his dad cooked and I was able to chat with Amelia and get to know her a little bit. She is a great girl and she and Jake seem to really click. I am happy I finally got to meet her and that Jake has found someone to put up with his shenanigans.

Jake has only met Olivia a few times because he has been so busy with school and work. Living about 90 minutes away he doesn't get to come home very often. I am so glad we got to have a little time together while he was in town and that I snapped this adorable photo of Jake and Olivia.

Be still my heart.

Sisters and cousins

My sister, Amanda, is also pregnant and due 6 weeks before I am. This is her first baby -- a girl too! -- and this weekend she had her baby shower. I was so happy to get to see her and that we got this photo of us (and our bellies!) together. She lives in San Diego, so it's likely the only time we will be together while pregnant. I can't wait to meet my new niece and see Amanda and Mike again. Love you guys!

Best Buds

Daddy and Avery are always such great buds. Thursday I was able to catch a great photo of the two of them.

Family is family is family

Yesterday we were finally able to meet with my Aunt Audra and cousin Jess. I have not seen them in at least 15 years. We had been in contact over email and phone for a couple of years and I am so excited that were able to reconnect in person.

First we met at In 'N Out for a delicious burger since they don't have them in Ohio where they live. Then we cruised around town sightseeing and searching for a souvenir sweatshirt for Jess. When my brother Thomas got out of school we met him and all went to get an even more delicious cupcake from a local cupcakery.

By the time we are were done there Justin was home so we went there and met up with him so we could get a couple of photos all together. All in all it was a great day and I am so glad we were able to spend it together. 

Grandpa's Girl

 Last week while we were at Grandma and Grandpa Nunley's house Grandpa and Avery were outside playing golf. Grandpa showed Avery how to put the ball on the tee and how to swing her little club to hit it. She didn't quite understand but it was adorable to watch her try -- especially when she tried to take the ball and run away with it.

Cousin Love.

On Tuesday Stacy & I brought Avery with us to the airport to pick up Ma'am and Avery's cousin Kayla. She will be here in California for 9 whole days! Yesterday we got to hang out for the whole afternoon just Avery, Kayla and me.

First we had lunch and then visited Aunt Stacy at work. Aunt Stacy works at the Town of Yountville and they have this awesome gymnasium that was empty when we got there so Avery and Kayla got to play with the balls, hula hoops and jump ropes all they wanted.

After that we went swimming at the pool in Yountville. Avery and Kayla are so cute together. They are both little fishes. Avery kept wanting Kayla to hold her in the pool, but since Kayla wasn't able to reach the bottom I held her and she held Avery then I wrapped my arm around the both of them.

After swimming we went to dinner, the bookstore and to frozen yogurt. All in all it was a great day. Kayla is so helpful in the car keeping Avery occupied and happy when we go places. It's much nicer to hear them babble to each other than to hear Avery fuss because she is unhappy being strapped down. 

Reunited.

Today we had Justin's family reunion on his mom's side. Avery had not met most of them (honestly, neither had I!) so it was nice to get together. Avery was especially friendly with the family she did recognize and I got some awesome pictures.

Auntie Mandy

This week my sister, Amanda is in town visiting. Yesterday we went to breakfast and took some super cute pics!

Avery sure loves her Auntie Mandy. We wish she would visit more often!

Family Fun

Tonight we went to dinner with an old friend of Justin's, Ashlee, her fiance and their adorable daughter, Madison. We went to Compadres where luckily it was loud enough that the girls' (read: Avery's) screaming didn't really disturb the other diners.

Avery and Madison had only met one other time and mostly Avery just poked at Madison. Now that they are both more mobile they were able to interact more and each thought the other was pretty interesting. Avery especially liked the button on Madison's cute shirt.

The difference a year makes.

In November 2009 Justin and I were just recovering from the miscarriage and I was especially vulnerable. It tore my heart out just to walk by the baby aisle at Target. Then one day I had to buy something for a friend of mine's son's first birthday. We went shopping even though I never found something for her son I just had to buy this cute green sleeper with little football-playing dinosaurs.

At the time I thought I would forever have an empty uterus and would be haunted by this empty piece of clothing, but I didn't care. Apparently self torture was my way of coping.

Now, 14 months later, that sleeper is not so empty. My amazing, beautiful, perfect baby girl finally fills it out. It's so amazing the difference a year makes.

Merry Christmas, Darling.

This is Avery's first Christmas. It's the first of many years to come of seeing Grandma and Grandpa Nunley on Christmas Eve, then having Christmas morning at home and Christmas afternoon at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Gasner's house, then another Christmas at home with Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell.

I could write a novel about all that we've done in the last couple of days, but instead I will chronicle it in a series of photos.

  

Deck the halls.

In my family we had a tradition of getting an ornament each year. I wanted to start the same tradition with A. I wanted to find the perfect "first Christmas" ornament. I was having a hard time finding one, until this last weekend.

On Saturday we were at Kohls and found the one. It is her (big!) footprint on the ornament.

We are officially done decorating. Check it out:

Merry Christmas from the Nunleys

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Saturday was Justin's birthday. We went to an indoor go-kart racing track called RPM with his dad, mom, and brother. Here are some pictures from the day. (They're not very good because they're from my cell phone, but nevertheless.)

Before the race.

Avery wearing Uncle Trevor's head sock.
(worn under the helmet)

Happy First Thanksgiving!

Yesterday was Avery's first Thanksgiving. To me it was her first big holiday. (I don't really count Halloween since there is really no deeper meaning than seeing how much candy you can get from complete strangers -- but I digress.)

A didn't seem to think sleeping in was a great idea, so our day started at 6:45. We stayed in our pj's until about noon when Justin and I got ready to go to his Aunt Chris & Uncle Glenn's house. We were told to be there between 2:00 and 2:30 and being perpetually late now that we have a baby in tow, we made a concerted effort to be on time. Success! We were one of the first ones there!

It had been a long time since anyone in Justin's extended family had seen A and since she is the only baby on his side she was the center of attention. She was loving all the attention for a while until inevitably it got loud. And when I say loud, I mean loud!

So we found a quiet(er) place in the house to hang out. Some people came and visited with us one on one and we got some great photos.

One particular one I really like is one of A, Aunt Stacy, and Great Grandpa Delbert (who's 88!). We also got a great shot of Justin and I with A.

For your viewing pleasure.

Happy Birthday, Great Grandpa Raymond!

This Saturday was Justin's grandpa Raymond's 84th birthday. We went to their house for a late lunch and everyone got quite the kick out of Avery. She even showed off how she can now roll over!

Here's another collage of some photos I snapped there and at Justin's parent's house later that night.