Avery's Party (part 1)

On the morning of April 24th 2008, it rained heavily as we drove to the hospital to deliver our baby girl. Rain is not so common in Utah, so the image of furious windshield wipers, wet pavement, and that smell of fresh, are forever linked in my mind to the most wonderful day of my life.

Despite my sincere hope that we'd have a sunny day for Avery's Birthday party, it was quite fitting that it rained buckets.

So the light was not optimal, but that didn't slow down the picture taking. And while I did my best to make things cute, mostly I want her to be able to look back and know without a doubt how very much she is loved, and was-- on that special day.

Thanks to everyone who came and helped! Especially to Colleen and Marc for all their help getting ready and Kate and Mark for grabbing my camera and video camera so that I could be in some pictures too!

and yes...if you can believe it, there is a part 2.