Santa's not Ava's BFF....yet!

Is it bad, bad, bad that I love, love, love these pictures?

It's a White Christmas in Tempe!

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas.....In Arizona!

Yes Ken, Ava is laughing at your sweater!

Ava's Child Dedication

We had Ava's Child Dedication at Cornerstone Church in December which is similar to a traditional baptism, but it's more about Wes and I as parents, pledging to raise Ava in a Christian home. The ceremony was with a fairly large group of families on a large stage behind the pastor and Ava wasn't interested in being held by me or Wes. Little did we know we would be standing directly behind the pastor and pretty much on the big screen the entire ceremony so it was hard to hide her squirms and frustration. I'm pretty sure the whole church could see me sweat as I tried to maintain some control of Ava and still listen to the pastor's message!

Thanksgiving.....so much to be thankful for!

This is our Thanksgiving dinner at GG's. Ava is cutting the rug to "In The Mood"!

Here's Jackson, Avery & Ava taking turns on the ATV.


Our Thanksgiving pictures with bad bad planning on the colors!

Do you know how hard it is to get three, close to 2 year olds to look at the camera AT THE SAME TIME!

Aren't they cute!

Ava having some fun!

Here's what Ava can do in 30 seconds with no supervision....she doesn't even like Cheerios!

Doesn't Wes look sporty in Ava's pink sunglasses? I think they make him look like he has a very large brain!

This is Ava & me with Kristi & Hayden Petrosky after a little Sunday dinner at our house.

Hello Fashionista!

Fun at the Phoenix Zoo

Since the weather has cooled down this past month, I purchased season passes to the zoo and have been taking Ava about once a week. I plan on taking full advantage of being a "stay at home mom", even if it is only for a few months! Ava loves being outdoors and loves most of the animals. She's fond of the baboons for some reason and it's her new favorite word! I thought she would really like the giraffe's, but she sort of ignores them! If it resembles a dog in ANY way like a zebra or a baboon or a lion, she's very interested!

Here's Ava with her pretend 'big sis', Alex.

Here's Alex, Ava & Gabe mesmerized by "Elmo's Potty Time" on the drive home!

Little-miss-independent...she's ready to take her driving test! She climbed up all on her own, from the passenger side and was ready to go!

Just having some fun

Here's Ava in the outfit she picked out with her pumpkin....yes, the white cowgirl boots ARE her favorite. This shows a little of what Wes has been going through for the past week. He's been listening to football games, golf channel and although bored, recovering well so far and we're hoping for the best with his eyesight!














Ava's new thing is walking anything in her stroller (baby dolls, bags of chips, teddy bears....) as long as she has her "Seattle Princess" purse from G'ama on her arm.

































Something about yogurt just makes Ava want to schmear it on her face....and hair- everyday!















It must be good for you because it just makes Ava smile....every time!

Here's Ava proving a chicken is CUTE!

Here was our first of three parties...."practicing" our costume! Not her favorite thing as you can see...

"Ok, getting better...I'm liking the bike...."

"Even better when there's games and golf...."

"Wow, these tights really get some good laughs.... maybe this isn't so bad...."

"I am finally one with the chicken...boch boch"

A HOT day at Schnepff Farms

Ava & Gabe.....the love story continues... and goes something like this.... "Hey Ava, come see this piece of hay. Come closer...no, don't bite me.....that doesn't mean hitting is OK....oh, mooomm, Ava's beating me up again!"











My little Daredevil riding the Bee



















Ava being co-pilot with Alex

















Here we are riding the train...Ava does a very realistic "choo choo"!

















Obviously, Melissa has taught her children to say "cheese" for the camera much better than I.

Hangin' with Logan at the Farm

I'm pretty sure Ava heard in her head "jumpy jump jump jump jump jump....jumpy jump jump jump jump jump".....





















Here's Christy, Logan and Ava riding the teeter totter!























Can you tell it was hot this day? Too hot for October!


















So many pumpkins, so little time!

Ava's first "salon" haircut

Here's pictures of Ava's first "real" haircut. Should I be ashamed that I'm a little sad she didn't cry or give me some good material to work with? I know- that's very selfish. She was more than accommodating to her stylist as long as she kept the animal crackers coming!

These boots were made for walking....dogs!

Cowboy Ava walking her best buddy, Max. Is anything cuter than a little kid in cowboy boots?! I'm pretty sure she's got the runway walk down.....look out Baby Ralph Lauren. What? That doesn't exist?










"These boots were made for running....."


















Here's Ava helping gampa Ed blow out his birthday candles. Happy birthday gpa!













Ok, I tried really hard to get some cute pictures of Ava for gampa Ed's birthday present.....this is almost the best I could do.















Ahhhh, here we go. Babydoll to the rescue!

Snacks and skin....

"What....." Ava learned how to open doors and the pantry door is her favorite!

















OK, not the angle I initially saw when I peeked in Ava's room during her recent nap but had to edit the picture for obvious purposes.......Here was my thought process "Is that Ava's bare butt in the air?" "While, yes it is." "Didn't I put her down for a nap fully clothed with a diaper attached?" "While, yes you did." How is it that she's somewhat naked during the nap?" "Well, she's learned that she has more control than mom and dad think over what she wears at all times....see pictures below.....





So after a few pictures, Ava either "sensed" someone peeking at her backside, or she just was simply done napping. What this picture doesn't show is her peeing all over her bed and spitting out her binkie to just smile. Should have grabbed the video camera!













Since we're on a Naked theme.... We've started a new routine after our evening bath. With my recent knee surgery, I have been getting Ava out of the bath, drying her off, and letting her run around for a little while I get situated for lotion, diapers, pj's, hair comb and teeth brushing. It's just the only way I can work it since I was on crutches for so long. So, with her new found "freedom" with no diaper and a gimpy mom who can't chase her, she's been running around (sometimes peeing around) the house for some time before we can catch her and get her dressed. It's started a new behavior where she just likes to run and hide for us for no apparant reason. Being naked just seems to make it more fun for her!







Night time is so fun......Wes doing his workout and always entertaining Ava!