Sophie is Nine!

Eight years ago I began writing this blog under the title "The Avery House" It has grown and changed over the years with new looks and titles. At the time, I didn't know that I could have chosen my own blogger address. I was assigned averytnfamily.blogspot.com and that is what has such ever since. My first posts were about Sophie turning 1 year old and now our sweet girl is nine! Hard to believe that she is already 9 years old as well as that I have been writing on this blog for eight years now. Although I have not gotten back into my regular writing pace, I still enjoying recording our family happenings here in this space. Today we will celebrate our Sophie Rose who is now a big nine year old!

 The Birthday Girl!

 Making a Wish!

 The perfect card from Macaroon the Hamster!

 Opening gifts

 A golf necklace from Nana!

Father's Day in New York

On Father's Day weekend, Howie took the girls to New York City for a visit with their Grandma Beverly and some fun in the City. The girls truly believe NYC is one giant playground. It's hard to not agree with them when you see all the photos from their adventures with their dad!

Summer Swim Club

Emma-Caroline and Sophie have been a part of a summer swim club since they were each five years old. Each year they have learned new skills and each year they have become stronger swimmers. Most importantly they have developed life long friendships and experienced many fun memories. Now that we have moved to Virginia, the girls have traded their Peninsula Club Pirates swim cap for a Crozet Gators swim cap. They are off to a great summer of fun and swimming with new friends.

Emma-Caroline's 50 free.

One Nation . . .

I am not a person who talks politics. And I will not begin now. What I will say is that the United States of America is a beautifully diverse and strong nation which has a history of doing difficult things be it declaring it's own independence, fighting against itself to end the evil institution of slavery, standing and fighting with allies to stamp out world evil, fighting for civil rights for all people, and so forth.

No matter where we personally stand in political lines, the one thing that is undeniable to all is that we live in "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

On Memorial Day weekend this year, we traveled to Washington DC. It was our girl's first trip to DC and it is one I hope they always remember. Being in Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend was inspiring and very moving. 

We visited all of the monuments, the National Archives where we saw the Declaration of Independence, toured the Smithsonian Natural History and American History Museums, walked around the White House.

 And to top it all off we got to see President Obama and the First Lady leaving a restaurant. This first trip to Washington DC will definitely be one that the girls will always remember.

Beginning and Ending

            It has been some time that I have sat down and typed out a post here on my blog. At times composing blog posts have seemed so difficult. The words have not come. I have missed this place, however, I feel that I have needed this quiet and introspective time to allow myself to go through the process of moving to a new state and all the new changes both physically, mentally and emotionally that go along with big changes. Today I begin writing once again.
            In my beginning of writing again, it is ironic that this post will also celebrate the ending of our oldest daughter's years in elementary school. Emma-Caroline has been blessed over the years of elementary school with amazing teachers from Mrs. Hughes in Kindergarten, to Ms. Ellison in first grade, to Mrs. Tarbett in second grade, to Ms. Murphy in third grade, to Ms. Hulsey in fourth grade and finally to Mrs. Crickenberger in fifth grade. She has attended BES all six years at two different schools, Bearden Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee for kindergarten through fourth and Brownsville Elementary School in Crozet, Virginia for fifth grade. Both schools have formed our child both academically and socially in amazing ways. We feel blessed that Emma-Caroline had such a wonderful elementary school experience. Now she is off to middle school at Henley Middle School. Congratulations Emma-Caroline! We are very proud of you, sweet girl! Here's a look back at Emma-Caroline's elementary school years.

Kindergarten Year in Mrs. Hughes' class.

First Grade Year in Ms. Ellison's Class

Second Grade Year in Mrs. Tarbett's class.

Third Grade with Ms. Murphy

Fourth Grade with Ms. Hulsey

Fifth Grade with Mrs. Crickenberger

Fifth Grade Graduation