Family Reunion -- Saturday

Saturday was more of a relaxed and hang-out day. When we arrived in Gridley almost everyone was in the pool or hot pool (spa), so we got on our swimming suits and joined them. Rich and Ava got right in and I just waded in up to my waist. Ava still enjoys floating around in the pool and liked watching all of her crazy cousins.

Ava have a good time floating and kicking her feet.
Sherrie in the hot pool with Ezra, Lily, and Zoie. EmmaLee with Ezra splashing in the hot pool.
Kobie had fun with is dad. He got tossed in the air and searched for treasure on the bottom of the pool.

After swimming we played with the cousins inside until it was time to go to the Pioneer celebration at the Pavilion. We went to have dinner and the older cousins went to have fun. Zoie and Parker loved the cotton candy. Nathan and Rachel loved the dunk tank. Ava was tired and I was too hot so we didn't stay long. We went back to Rich's parents so Ava could nap and we could swim...did I mention I was really HOT!

Ava and Ezra playing and sharing toys. I love this picture because they are both laughing at their daddies and you can kind of see Ezra's teeth.

Parker enjoying every little bit of cotton candy.

Rachel in the dunk tank hoping to get wet.

Nathan just got dunked by Rachel.

Rachel, Zoie, & Parker on the jump house slide.

Me at the Pioneer Celebration hot & sweaty, but trying to look happy.

Family Reunion -- Friday

The reunion kicked off with a picnic at Grandpa Bowling's house. We sat in the shade of a tree, ate, and listen to stories. Grandpa shared stories about Grandma Bowling, WWII, and his childhood. The adults and older children enjoyed listening to him and for the younger ones we recorded the stories to preserve for the future.

Doug, Grandpa, Bruce, Marlee, & Ian

Family gathered around listening to Grandpa.

After the picnic we headed to a nearby bowling alley. We had four lanes to ourselves. The kids and a few adults bowled on the two lanes with bumpers and the rest of us bowled without bumpers. The lane with Bruce, Alicia, Bob, and EmmaLee all bowled well. Rich also did okay, but I probably should of bowled on the bumper lane.

This was Ava's first time bowling. At the beginning Ava hung out with her cousin Ezra. Then I strapped on the Baby Bjorn, put Ava inside, and we bowled a few frames. We bowled as well together as I did before Ava helped. I think she actually gave me a little luck and she was interested in the ball.

After bowling we had family photos taken and then a BBQ at Dave and Jessica's house. Each family had their own pictures taken and then the whole family got together for a picture. While we were waiting for our turn for a picture I took some snapshots of Rich and Ava.

I love this picture! I'm a lucky lady...a handsome husband and a beautiful daughter!

So Cute!!

Family Reunion

The weekend of July 17th-19th we had a Bowling family reunion. The festivities took place in Gridley where Rich's parents live. Since we live 1 1/2hrs. from there and the house was full of out-of-town family we drove back and forth...worth it for a comfy bed to sleep in and our own bathroom.

All of Rich's siblings and there families were able to be there except Craig, Anne's husband. Doug's family left on Sunday, but everyone else was able to stay for about 2 weeks. Craig was able to come the following week...which I think was the best week because we were sealed to Ava!

Sherrie, Doug, Rich, Dave, Anne, & Bob

(This picture is a little misleading. Bob really isn't the tallest in the family)

6 Month Check-Up

Today we took Ava to the doctor for her 6 month check-up and shots. She is doing well and growing rapidly. When Ava was born she was in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but now she exceeds the 50th percentile for both...amazing!! The N.P. that saw Ava said she was perfect and developing on target. She also said we could start giving her bits of Cheerios and baby Puff cereal which made me excited. I was nervous to give her those things because she doesn't have teeth, but the N.P. said it is okay because the dissolve quickly.

Weight: 17 lbs. 5 oz. -- 80th percentile

Height: 26 1/2 in. -- 75th percentile

Head Circumference: 17 in. -- 70th percentile

Ava still loves the big mirror in the doctor's office.

Ava disliked the shots more than the last time. She screamed, cried, and turned bright red. After about 5 minutes she began to calm down and we gave her Tylenol which seemed to help. I make Rich come to the appointments with shots because I don't want to hold her down.

While we were waiting for Ava's shots she discovered the paper sheet covering the exam table. She loved ripping and destroying it because of the sound it made. By the time the M.A. came in to give shots the paper was ripped to shreds. Ava is a crazy, crazy, girl.

Forever Family

On Saturday, July 25th we took Ava to the Sacramento Temple and were sealed for time and all eternity. Ava with Mom, Dad, Papas, and Nonas.Ava with whole family.Ava with cousins.

This was the day we have been anxiously anticipating for the past 6 months and are happier than we can express that it has come. We love Ava and want more than anything to be with her forever. As part of our faith we believe that death is not the end. We believe Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he broke the bands of death to make it possible for everyone to be resurrected and live forever. We also believe that death does not end family relationships and that is why the temple is so important to us. In the temple ordinances are performed to bind/seal families forever. During a civil marriage it is often said, "until death do you part," but in the temple the marriage ceremony is for time and all eternity. We do not believe death will separate us and that brings a great sense of peace and comfort. Similar to the marriage ceremony Ava was sealed to us for all eternity and will be our daughter forever.

Tired, hot, snuggly Ava with a happy daddy.

Ava with Gretchen and Tyler Norman. Tyler is giving Ava a Hi-5. The Norman kids were kind enough to watch the cousins while we were in the temple.

After the sealing we went back to our house with the family and had nachos and a chocolate & peanut butter cake. Ava was worn out and went to sleep in her crib. The rest of the family visited and the cousins played together.

Family at the temple: Mommy, Daddy, Ava, Papa Bruce, Nona Alicia, Papa Harry, Nona Carole, Uncle Steve, Aunt Sherrie, Nathan, Rachel, Uncle Dave, Aunt Jessica, Kobie, Bella, Lily, Uncle Craig, Aunt Anne, Zoie, Parker, Uncle Bob, Aunt EmmaLee, and Ezra

Friends at the temple: The Norman Family -- Craig, Chantal, Alanna, Gretchen, Tyler, and Jake

Cute Pics

6 Months

On July 15th Ava turned 6 months. She is cute, chubby, and oh so happy. Ava enjoys her jumperoo, grabbing at anything & everything, trying new foods, and books. Most of all Ava enjoys and loves her Luca. If she is grumpy all we have to do is get Luca to come near her and she smiles.

Ava has been sleeping through the night for the past 3 months and usually takes good naps during the day. She enjoys her sleep and is very GRUMPY if she misses a nap or gets too tired. She will often scream and turn bright tomato red when she has passed the point of exhaustion. Ava is able to put herself to sleep within 5-10 minutes. We lay her down, she cries for a few minutes, she finds her thumb, and then she drifts off to sleep...it is wonderful!

Ava is a beautiful, sweet, little girl and I love her so much. I am grateful to be her mom and she makes each day a joy. Even during the grumpy times I am happy to be a mom. I love my daughter!

BFF's

Ava is trying to grab Luca's crazy wagging tail.

We have been teaching Ava a few signs. She loves to watch us sign and recently she has started to try to sign daddy. I know she doesn't know what it means yet and it isn't exactly right, but it is exciting to watch her imitate us. When she tries to imitate the sign for mommy she ends up sticking her thumb in her mouth instead on her chin.

Ava Rolls Over

On Thursday July 16th Ava rolled from her belly to her back for the first time. It was exciting, but we missed the actual moment. Rich and I were in the kitchen taking care of a refrigerator emergency and Ava was quietly laying on her back. She was sucking her thumb and we thought she was on her way to falling asleep so we weren't watching her too closely. I opened the fridge and noticed the canned whipped cream had been pushed by some hamburger meat and sprayed all over the bottom shelf. Rich and I were pretty distracted trying to take care of the situation when I looked over and noticed Ava was on her back. I had to do a double take and ask Rich if what I thought happened really happened. When we realized Ava had turned over we were excited, but a little sad we missed the moment.

We then got out the camera and camcorder to hopefully reenact the roll over, but Ava was not cooperative. This time she did just lay on her belly, suck her thumb and go to sleep. Fortunately the next morning we were able to watch her roll over. We still don't have it on video and she hasn't done it since...Ava does things on her own time and when she wants too (kind of reminds me of me).

This is what we saw when we looked up from the fridge. Ava was on her back and looking at us.

When we put Ava on her belly in hopes should would roll over again, she just put her thumb in her mouth...isn't it cute!

This is the mess in the fridge that distracted us and caused us to miss the special moment. It was pretty gross!

It's Final...YEAH!!

Today the adoption was finalized. My parents and Rich's mom were there as we signed papers and Ava legally became our daughter. It was a great feeling to have this done and we look forward to making Ava our daughter forever this Saturday in the Sacramento Temple.

After it was final we found the Jensen's in the hallway looking for us. They planned to be there for the finalization, but an accident on the freeway and lack of direction to the right room from court staff got in the way. We were happy they supported us even though they missed the big event.

We then all went to Pannera Bread to have a celebration breakfast. This was the first time we had breakfast there, but I don't think it will be the last. Rich had a souffle, I had a egg ciabatta, and we shared a bear claw. It was delicious.

Mommy needs to eat too!!

When I sit down to eat I always have 2 pairs of eyes on me. Ava and Luca stare me down and look like they want to share whatever I'm eating.

1st Yukon Potatoes

Last week Ava tried yukon potatoes. She ate them with no problem and by the end she was shoving my hand with the spoon into her mouth. Ava is a good eater and so far we haven't found anything she doesn't like. This makes Luca sad because he is always hoping to finish what she does not want.

Giant Bubbles

Last night while Rich was giving Ava a bath I decided to blow some giant bubbles for a little entertainment.

Good Morning

I love going into Ava's room in the morning and seeing her cute little smile. Ava loves her sleep and when she has had a good nights sleep she wakes up happy, smiley, and so loving.