A Year in the Making

About a year ago while at Joann Fabric I found a pattern for a tent that was on sale for $1. I thought it would make a great reading tent and that Ava would love it. Since I don't really know how to sew I had to enlist the help of my mom. As we looked at the pattern we realized it was going to be a lot of work and take a lot of fabric. So, for the past year we have been working on it.

First I had to buy all the fabric. The main part of the tent took 10 yards alone, so I had to buy the different fabrics overtime using coupons. It took several months before I purchased all the fabric and other pieces.

Then it was on to cutting it out. I went to my parents for a visit and started this process. My mom helped me lay out the pieces and I started cutting. It took a while because the tent had several long panels and some tricky pieces for the canopy. After this visit the pieces were cut out.

The sewing part of this project lasted for many months and was done a little bit at a time. My mom helped me do some of the easier parts, but she sowed the majority of it. Since my mom has a lot of other (quilting) projects going on and I have a energetic 2 year old it took close to 6 months to finish sowing.

This past weekend the project was completed and hung in Ava's new bedroom. It was so exciting to see the tent go up. Ava was excited too and couldn't wait to get inside. We placed a pillow, small bean bag, book basket, and a kid's camping light inside. Ava got right in and settled down in the bean bag. She enjoys having us read to her or reading to herself . She has also taken her naps for the last two days in her tent. It is great to see something I had a part in making bring Ava so much joy.

Thanks mom for your hard work and patience with me. We Love You!

The tent hangs from the ceiling. The canopy is African animal print and the doors are zebra print. In this picture Ava is napping inside.

Ava and I hanging out in the tent. While making room for the tent we found Ava's ukelele from Hawaii. She has been singing and playing ever since.

Ava and Nona Carole. We made sure to put it up before they left, so Nona could see Ava enjoy it.Ava taking a nap in her tent.

First "Big, Big, Big Movie"

Each Friday we watch a "Big Movie" (Ava's words) at home. We close our vertical blinds and use a projector to watch a movie. We all look forward to this family time each week. Ava often ask to watch a "big movie" during the week and I have to tell her, "not until Friday". It is great to see her excitement.

Since she loves big movie Fridays at home we decided it was time to try a "Big, Big, Big Movie" at the movie theater. Ava has seen Cars and likes it, so we thought Cars 2 would be a good first movie. We figured she would enjoy it and it wouldn't be scary.

Ava did well at the movies. She was excited to go and was happy Papa & Nona Kurz came along. Since this was her first movie we let her pick out a treat. Out of all the candy she had to choose from she picked fruit snacks.

After getting a treat we decided to sit down and let Ava get use to the theater. Ava sat right down and was glued to the screen. We got there a little too early, but Ava enjoyed the pre-show cartoons. When the lights went down and the previews started Ava was still doing well and enjoying the experience. Of course she decided (from the previews) she needs to see Winnie the Pooh.

Ava continued to do well throughout the movie, but did get a little antsy in the middle. Since we got there so early and the movie was long she just needed to move around. After trading laps a few times she settled back down to enjoy the rest of the movie. Ava had a good time and at the end she said, "More Cars movie"!

Here we go...

Ava enjoyed the pre-show while eating her fruit snacks. She was so into the giant screen.Ava with Papa & Nona. Ava waved, but was too busy to look at the camera...just like her Papa.

Still couldn't get Ava too look away from the screen. I'm just glad she had a good time.

Swim Lessons

For the past four weeks Ava has been going to swim class with Rich. Each day Ava looked forward to her daddy coming home to go to the "big pool". The first couple weeks Ava did great and you could see progress from last year. During the last two weeks Ava still had fun, but started to lose interest in practicing her swimming technique. Instead she just wanted to play and to have her dad carry her around like a princess. She still had a good time it was just in a different way.

Kick those legs...Go, Go, Go!

Way to go Ava!

Ava really hates floating on her back.

For some reason this picture makes me think of dolphins asking for fish.

Getting ready to under, 1, 2, 3...Ava swimming back and forth between her teacher, Cheryl, and Rich.

Ava's favorite toy was the elephant water can. She loved to dump water on Rich. She thought it was so funny.

Last day of class...Ava was not in the happiest of moods and all she wanted to do was walk around.

B.B.Q. at Uncle's

Last weekend we headed to my brother's house in Tracy for a B.B.Q. We had a great time talking, playing, and eating good food. We brought our Xbox and let everyone try a few games. My dad was a good sport and tried Dance Central. It was hilarious and we all appreciated his effort. We also played hide-n-go-seek in the house and Ava enjoyed sneaking around the house and scaring people. It was a nice afternoon and Ava happy was to see Papa, Nona, and Uncle. She loves her family so much!

Ava with Papa & Nona. Check out Jake (their dog) in the corner.

Ava and Uncle Eric.

Ava says, "Uncle too big for my bike."

Daddy helping Ava fly high. Unlce's house was perfect for this favorite game because of the high vaulted ceiling.

Chocolate cheesecake makes Ava's "tummy happy".

Visit with the Oregonians

Rich's brother, Doug, and his family came down for a visit during 4th of July weekend. We met in Gridley and partied. Ava always has a good time with her cousins and was happy to play with them. We were happy to visit with the family too. We were sad we were missing some of the family and can't wait until we can all be together again.

Left to Right: Ian, Kobie, Bella, Ava, Lily, & Marlee
Making silly faces. Ava was done and just took off.I was trying to duplicate a photo I took last year of all the cousins in a team huddle. Ava and Eli were not in the mood. Ava just wanted to run wild.

Cool Down in the Pool

It was HOT while we were in Gridley. Thank goodness Papa & Nona have a pool because it was a fun way to cool down. Ava had a blast with her dad and cousins. She enjoyed watching them jump in and making big splashes.

I love this picture of Marlee jumping in.

Ava is squirting her dad with a water blaster.

I never did get a good picture of Ian playing in the pool. He was too fast for me.Eli and Ava played with a bubble machine, but more bubbles ended up on the ground than in the air. After awhile Eli started washing Ava with the "soapy" water.Ava making a funny face.

Hunting Ava's Nose

For the past two weeks we have been on several nose hunts in our backyard. Ava's nose keeps running away and we have to track it down. It all started when I had a cold and my nose was running like crazy. When I explained this to Ava I could see her mind working, so I told her my nose ran outside to see what she would say. She thought it was funny and then wanted to go outside and get it. We didn't go outside at that moment, but over the next few days Ava kept talking about my nose running outside. She then changed it to her nose and when we went outside she made me hunt for her nose. Each time I find it and put it back on her face she takes her nose off again and the hunt start all over.

Ava is hilarious. She is really starting to develop a sense of humor. She tries to crack jokes and likes to say "I'm funny." Each day she puts a smile on my face and makes me love her even more. I can't wait to see if she will continue to be a ham as she grows up.

Welcome to La Cucina d'Ava

Ava still loves her little red kitchen and spends a lot of time making things for us to try. She has also started wearing her Toy Story chef hat.

Summer Reading Program

At the beginning of the summer Ava and I started participating in the reading program at our local library. We each got our own bingo card and started filling it out. It was easy for Ava to get a Bingo because we read everyday. It was more a of challenge for me because I don't do a lot of reading on my own (something I'm trying to change). When we turned in our cards I had 2 lines of Bingo and Ava almost had a blackout. As a prize Ava got to pick out a book. She choose (with our help), Big Smelly Bear, by Britta Teckentrup. My prize was a bag. Also, we are both entered into the Sacramento Library's drawing. Ava could win a Target gift card and I could win an IPad 2. Eventhough, we turned in our cards we are still reading and even got new cards to fill out. I probably won't get another Bingo before the summer is over, but I'm sure Ava's card will be filled again.

Favorite Scriptures

Each night we read the scriptures as a family. Right now we are reading a children's version of the Book of Mormon. Each night we read one new story, but then Ava makes us read her two favorite stories too. The first story that she loves is Baby Jesus. She will point to the different pictures and tell us about everyone. The second story she likes is about the Liahona. I'm not sure she quite understands the story yet, but she will find the story and say, "read Liahona." It is so wonderful to see her desire to read the scriptures and to know she is learning from them.

These are Ava's scriptures: My First Book of Mormon Stories, More of My First Book of Mormon Stories, and My First New Testament.
We have read all of them at least once, so we just start over again.

This is the story of "Baby Jesus" in the New Testament.

This is the story of the Liahona in the Book of Mormon.

For those of you wondering, "what the heck is the Liahona", it is found in the Book of Mormon. It is a "ball of curious workmanship" with two spindles and is interpreted as being a compass. It was a guide for Lehi (a prophet in the Book of Mormon) and his family. The compass only worked and gave guidance when they were faithful.

If you want to learn more about the Liahona or the Scriptures check out these links:
*The Liahona
*The Scriptures
*That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us, by Elder David Bednar

Made with Love

Awhile ago we made onesies for our soon to be niece/cousin. I didn't want to show the pictures because Baby Aberdeen wasn't born yet. Now that Aberdeen is 3 weeks old and the gift has been received I can show pictures of our creations.

I got the idea to finger paint on onesies from FamilyFun.com. It was a lot of fun and we all participated. At first Rich and I helped Ava and guided her fingers. When Ava got tired of that she decided it was more fun to help guide our fingers. For the last onesie we let Ava have complete control and make whatever she wanted. I think it came out really cute and it made her happy. We also let Ava decorate a P.J. shirt to keep for herself. We all had a good time and I think it will be something we do again.

Welcome to the family Baby Aberdeen! We love you and can't wait to meet you!

These are the onesies we made. The top left is a family of frogs. We each made one frog. Rich did the hearts on the top left. We all made one butterfly. Ava made the flowers on the bottom middle onesie (with some help). The one on the bottom right is Ava original design. It is even signed with her initials.This is a close-up of Ava's creation.