Spring...

It's officially Spring, but it sure hasn't felt like it lately.  We had several days that were very warm back in March, but since then it's been pretty chilly.  We even had snow last week!  Despite the weather, we've been keeping busy, as if you hadn't noticed our absence.  I'd say "I'm sorry,"  but honestly, I'm glad we're busy, it's better than being bored.

In February we got to "sprinkle" our good friend Val and her newest addition with love and gifts.  Ava had lots of fun with the decorations and running around with Hali and Maddie.  They even got to help Val open presents... if you can call it helping! 

Camden Parker was born one week ago today, and he is a cutie.  We went to see him on Monday and he welcomed us by peeing all over me.  I was holding him and realized he diaper was starting to leak, by the time I handed him off so I could get up, there was a waterfall coming out both sides of his diaper and it was pooling in my lap.  We all laughed too hard...  was the first time that has happened, and it won't be the last I'm sure.

at the "sprinkle":

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Saturday morning routine, coffee/milk with Daddy

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When it was warm for a few days in March, we tried to get outside some.  We even got the water table out... unfortunately we didn't put it away so it's in need of a good washing right now!

Where'd they go?

 I should really pay more attention to what is going on with my house in the background of these pictures... sheesh!  But at least your getting the "real" us... our house is always a disaster!

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At the end of March we went to Discovery's annual Egg'stravaganza.  It's fun for Ava, but a bit overwhelming for us.  And there are so many people now (2000+) that the wait to do things is so very long, and Ava isn't the most patient waiter.  Then again, we adults weren't doing so well either.  We ended up leaving within an hour of our arrival, but even Ava seemed happy with the few eggs she picked up.  No egg hunt at the event, just eggs as prizes for playing games.

This is Ava's favorite game, she even remembered it from last year.  You throw your fishing line over and boom, you catch a fish (inside a gym! good thing she isn't tall enough to see over the wall)

at least this year she chose something other than Larry from VeggieTales!

Aunt Kristi came for a very short visit, and it was good to see her.  Hopefully we'll see her again soon, and for longer next time!

Easter came and went  pretty uneventfully.  I had to work of course, and only managed to snag a couple pictures after I got home.  Not too happy with them... definitely not flattering for me!   Might just have to stage one later.  But Ava looked so pretty in her dress and her blue sweater, I wish I could have gotten a better picture.

(ooo...  bad shot!)

And the Easter Bunny was overly generous this year.  I had to take a lot of the candy to work, we had way too much!  He brought Ava The Little Mermaid, and I know we've watched it 20 times in the past two weeks.  She is in an Ariel phase, the first real "princess" phase we've had.  But she doesn't like the princess version of Ariel, but instead when she is a mermaid.  I asked Ava what her favorite thing about Ariel was, and she replied "her green tail!"  Green is Ava's favorite color. 

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A few months ago, we knew we needed to get Ava a new bed when she started falling out of her old bed.  She is so stinkin' tall like her daddy!  I searched the internet for something that wouldn't break the bank and finally found a natural (color) wood frame that I figured would be good.  We had decided on a trundle bed, that way when Ava has friends over when she is older, they will have a place to sleep.  Ava's room is pretty small, and so anything bigger than a twin wouldn't have left her much room.  We'd give her the spare room, but until Daddy is done with school, that is his "home" within our home.  If we end up needing her room, then we'll have to figure something else out.  (This house is quickly becoming to small).

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And whats the best part of a birthday? The CAKE!!!  Ava couldn't have been happier when we went to a friend's daughter's first birthday party and the cupcakes were iced with GREEN icing.  And to top it off, there was even a giraffe in Ava's cupcake which she thought was amazing.  Daddy was stuck at home studying (like usual... we get to see him again in about 3 weeks when the semester ends and he emerges from the office/guest room,) so I took a picture to show him that Ava was enjoying herself. 

 

Lovely huh? 

Well, that's just a little taste of what we've been up to.  We have several things coming up in the next few months; weddings, birthdays, Ava's first KidQuest, vacation, etc.  We'll update again soon, and hopefully the title of that post won't be Summer...  or Fall for that matter!

My Adventures with Trent...

by: Ava

Last weekend my best friend Trent came to visit me.  I haven't seen Trent in a year, but we picked up right where we left off.  I really like Trent, he is lots of fun.  When his Mommy & Daddy went to a wedding on Saturday Momma let us make cookies!

Getting ready to make cookies

we each got to add the ingredients... Momma measured everything equally so it would be fair.

 

and finally SPRINKLES!!!

We had lots of fun playing with my toys...  it's always more fun to play with toys you don't have at home.

 building a road for our cars

after dinner we got to eat some of the cookies we made for dessert... they were GOOD!

that's me in my new Hello Kitty t-shirt, Thanks Ms. Amanda!

  

 we share a love of thumbs and lambie/blankets

 

 

 Trent loved my Cars water track

dancing, showing off my new sweater

bath time was more fun with a friend

Then after our bath, Momma let us stay up a bit later and watch Tangled and eat popcorn.

two peas in a pod

 

 Trent drew a picture of me... I still haven't erased it yet! It's beautiful.

playing around

we put bouncy balls under our shirts and ran into each other, it was fun!

I had a lot of fun with Trent. I'm looking forward to when he comes back this Spring.  Momma said we're going to go to the Zoo!  I LOVE the zoo.  I can show Trent all the animals.  

Love, AR

Momma's turn:

On Sunday Amanda woke up early and headed out to church (work) at 6:45am with me.  She and Brett hadn't gotten home until after 12am... I don't know how she did it.  I only got a 5.5 hours of sleep myself. When she walked down the stairs I laughed, we were dressed very similarly, grey sweater, white/off white top, skinny jeans, brown boots.  (I take my fashion ideas from her, so it wasn't a huge surprise!)

We figured while we were kid free, we're try to get a decent picture of us...  this is how it went:

I miss having AJ closer, and seeing her once a year just isn't enough.  Hopefully we can work on that!

Brett & Amanda, thank you for visiting us.  Come back soon!  And we'll come visit you once you have a new place and are ready for company again.  We love you and miss you already. 

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Two weeks ago, Ava and I braved the snow storm and headed south east to Greensburg to see our cousin Amanda try on wedding dresses.  The trip down wasn't easy, closed/snowy/icy roads, one lane turnpike, GPS malfunctions, but we made it.  I'd love to show you the pictures of the dress Amanda picked, but she's sworn me to secrecy.  It's a beautiful dress, and she looks amazing in it.  

While we were at the shop, Ava had lots of fun, and was our on sight entertainment during dress changes. 

 in the mirror (from left to right:) Gigi - or Grandma Judi, Shelley, Chelsea, Me (taking the picture behind Chels), Aunt Linda (in stripes), Mark's Mom behind Linda, and Mark's cousin Kelly on the right.  

Amanda and Mark are getting married at Top Sail Beach in September.  We're all looking forward to a beach trip this year.  Amanda has asked Ava to be in the wedding, and Amanda is currently looking for dresses for her.  That will make the 3rd wedding that Ava will be in this year.  By that point, she should be a pro. 

On a side note, I'm not looking forward to the day that we are in a shop like this for Ava... thank goodness we have many many many years before that happens. (Daddy says Ava can't date until she is 30!)  I'm sure by that point I'll be ready.