the slide...

We are on the downhill slide, rounding out Ava's second year. This past weekend we went to Morgantown so Nathan's side of the family could throw Ava a party. It was nice since we aren't having an official party this year (*trying to save some money*). Nathan's Mom asked me to make the cake so I decided to try out my cupcake mold. I thought it turned out pretty well - definitely could have used different colors, but I hadn't originally planned on using the chocolate icing... that was Nathan's idea, he liked the look of the star.

Anyway, we aren't the only ones doing some sliding...

the cake went from this:


to this:



oops! Actually it made me quite mad. We took extra precautions to keep the cake from shifting and it ended up happening anyway. Maybe a sign of what is to come? Terrible Twos? At least it tasted good.

The day was full of unwrapping and playing with presents, pictures, eating, a bit of wrestling (as always!), and we even threw in a bump on the head to make it extra special.

Ava's 2nd Birthday shirt
the front says "Birthday Girl"
helping Grandpa with her new playmat letters

"blowing" her party favor

with Daddy, after she got her bump on the head...

can you see it? It's up over her left eye at her hairline.

time to blow out the candles

checking it all out

yum!

just like last year, she didn't eat much.

Ava received a car load of presents - literally. Looks like it's time to pay off the Mazda and trade in Nathan's car for something bigger.

Mrs. Potato Head

Indie (the green/pink Great Dane - named after Aunt Melinda's Great Dane), and new books

the main attraction - Duplo Legos!

3 different sets!

playing with Uncle Todd

After playing for a while, Ava went exploring and found Aunt Kristi and her army gear. Of course as soon as Ava saw Kristi's boots, she had to try them on.

and the jacket too...

We had a really nice time and were so glad we got to see Kristi, Melinda and Todd. It's been quite a while since we were all in at the same time. We'll have more pictures of Ava and her birthday festivities as her birthday rolls around at the end of the month. We are planning on getting a cake and having our own celebration here at the house.