Mom and Steve's Wedding

I know most people already saw these pictures on facebook, but I want it documented on the blog as well. The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a good time. Doesn't Curt look handsome walking Mom down the aisle? Doesn't Mom look beautiful?!

The happy groom waiting for his bride. If you haven't met Steve, I'll tell you that he is a great guy!! He is one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Kelsey and I walking behind Mom and Curt. Avery only wanted Mommy at that time, so she came with us! :)

Grace did not want to be disturbed during the ceremony. She took her flower girl duties very seriously.

My cousins Amanda, Katie, and Sarah sang during the lighting of the unity candle. This is a picture of Mom and Steve listening to them sing "This Day" by Point of Grace. They did a great job, like always!

Grace was so excited to be a flower girl. She looked beautiful!

Avery was in a silly mood after the ceremony.

We were being silly together.

One of the few family pictures we've taken since Avery was born.

She wasn't feeling the greatest that day. Her tummy was bothering her. We realized later that she needs soy milk instead of cows milk. It has made a world of difference for her. I just wish she could have enjoyed the wedding a little bit more.

I love this picture of Avery. She is still smiley even though she doesn't feel good.

Nana and her girls.

Mom with all of her new granddaughters. Don't they look fabulous?!

The girls got a little nutty with Steve. I think they were done posing for pictures at this point. Poor Steve!!

I love this cheesy little baby. She just makes me smile.

Avery was stealing Nana's food!

Mom and Steve dancing. They make a great couple. I'm so happy that Mom found someone who treats her so well!

This picture melts my heart. How did I get such beautiful girls?

The first seven Jenkins grandchildren, aka The Magnificent Seven.

We aren't shy about showing off our dance moves. ;) (Although Curt looks a tad bit embarrassed)

We are just goofy, and we like it that way! If you ever wondered why I act the way I do, well now you know why. I can't help it, my weirdness is inherited. (now Andrew looks embarrassed)

This is a great picture of all eleven Jenkins grandchildren. We came in two waves. The first seven grew up together, and then the next four grew up together, or still growing up. ;) (See the big guy in the back? That's my cousin Mason and I held him when he was a tiny baby. That doesn't even seem possible!! I am old! )

There was a Christmas parade that passed right by the reception. I bought the kids stockings to catch their parade candy, and put their initials on each one. I had a great vision of hand making the stockings, and embroidering the initials. But there were thirteen kids to make them for, and I just ran out of time. Oh well, it's the thought that counts right??

It was a fun evening full of dancing. I think everybody had a good time. Congratulations to Mom and Steve. Here's to many happy years together!

Thanksgiving 2009

This is the first Koehler Family picture we've taken in sixteen years. It's the first time we've all been together since Uncle Bill and Aunt Elaine moved back from Hungary. The only people missing are Jill, Jake, and the boys. We were able to get a picture with them, but some of the other family members had already left. (Thankfully we are all dressed nicely and no one is wearing pig tails. The last Koehler picture was a dandy! )

I really like this picture of Uncle Bill's family. It has been so nice having them back in the states.

Uncle David and Aunt Susie. David, Amy, Heather, and baby Ethan. Heather's fiance Cole wasn't able to be there. Hopefully we can catch him next time.

Four generations: Grandma Pat, Aunt Susie, Heather, and Ethan.

Here we all are, minus Jake. The handsome guy in the back next to Curt is Kelsey's boyfriend Joe. We really like him, even if he is originally from Jersey. ;) He says things like "coufee" Just kidding, we love ya Joe!!

I included this picture because Kingsley felt like he needed to be in the picture. And I like this picture of myself better. Hey, it's my blog! :) (p.s. Dad, you really need to do something about those wires. I bet you could hold them together with a bread tie. Just a suggestion...)

Avery playing with one of her birthday presents from Grandma and Grandpa. It's a machine that blows balls up through a tube and then back down again. Avery has a good time with this one.

Eating her first powdered doughnut.

We have to make the face. It's quickly becoming a habit.

Avery enjoying her first Thanksgiving meal.

Grace showing off our little turkey crafts. We filled them with candy, and then she put one at every persons chair.

Grace and Stuart. They always have a good time together.

Grace got caught by Uncle Bill. Stuart was keeping a safe distance.

Uncle Bill is giving a sad face because of the drawings Grace and Stuart made for him. There is one picture of him getting eaten by an alligator. He's drowning in another. I think they lovingly made a picture of him being shot to death. I'd be sad too. I'm not sure where the violence came from. Grace usually draws pictures of kittens and hearts. It must be a boy thing to draw guns. Maybe I'll just stick with girls. ;)

Sorry Uncle Bill!! I'm sure you never teased them or played around with them, which in turn prompted them to use you as a target. We all know what a wall flower you are.

Birthday Girl

I have quite a few pictures to share from Avery's birthday party. We just had the grandparents come out since it was so close to Thanksgiving and Mom's wedding. Steve wasn't able to come with Mom since he had to work that day. Dad and Carol weren't able to come either because he was trying to finish up in the fields. ( He got it all done, so that's a good thing!) Hopefully next year we can give her something a little bit more exciting. Besides she's one, games and decorations don't really register with her yet. :)

She is ready to get out and open some presents. Doesn't she look cute in her dress? It's the same dress Grace wore for her first birthday. I love it!


Present time!! (If you enlarge the picture, you can see the pile of cheese still in her dress. :)

Avery was all about the birthday cards. It looks like she is trying to read Mam-maw and Pap-paw's card. So cute!

This girl LOVES Minnie Mouse! She has a little Minnie Mouse blanket that she can carry around and hug. So Gracie wanted to get her a Minnie Mouse doll. Avery wanted it out of the package right away. I see a trip to Disney World in our future, and a little girl going crazy for Minnie!

I included this picture because I love how Avery crosses her feet. She does it all the time when she is sitting on the floor. It cracks me up!

Nana got her an American Girl Bitty baby doll. She got one for Grace on her first birthday. This one has light hair and blue eyes. If we ever have a boy, I don't know what Nana will get him. I doubt he would want a Bitty doll. ;) (That is not an announcement that we are having more kids. I'm just saying, hypothetically...) This picture is kind of creepy. It looks like the baby doll has turned it's head to look at Avery.

She loved playing with the doll's eyes. Or as Avery says "iiiii-e-sa."

Here comes the cake! Look at that smile!

Grace helped Sissy blow out the candle. Avery was trying, but of course her blow wasn't strong enough.

This is Avery's new face. She started doing it one day and since we laugh at her every time she does it, she thinks she needs to do it a lot. That's okay, it never gets old to me. She is so stinking cute!

She wasn't sure what to do with this giant cupcake. I think it was a little overwhelming for her. So we cut off a slice for her to eat.

It took her a few tries before she realized it was okay to eat it. She was also starting to get sick with a fever. She wasn't feeling the greatest by the time we got to the cake.

Yummy cake!!

After she ate that piece she was bothered by the cake and icing left on her hands. She wanted it off.

She was having a hard time getting it off and ended up making an even bigger mess by squishing the cake and icing together.

"I'm done, someone get me out of here. I don't feel so good."

She got a bath and then put on her cupcake p.j.'s. I think she felt a little better after the bath, but she still had a fever. After everyone left we all went straight to bed for a good nap. It was a nice day. I can't believe my baby is one! Where did the year go? It's been a great one, and I'm looking forward to another one with this precious little girl.