Monterey Aquarium

On Monday, May 10th we headed to Monterey for a quick day trip. Ava really likes fish, so we thought it would be a good time to take her back to the aquarium. We took her last September, but she was not into the exhibits then. This time she had a blast. She especially liked the Outer Bay exhibit and coral reef tanks.

This is the new "Hot Pink Flamingos" exhibit. It is basically the same structure as the River Otter exhibit, but with fewer small tanks. We were a little disappointed in this exhibit because it did not live up to the last two exhibits (River Otters & Sharks). The one (or should I say two) cool things about this exhibit were the 2 sea turtles.
This is Ava and Rich inside the coral reef tunnel in the Splash Zone. Ava enjoyed walking around in the tunnel and looking at the tanks.

Ava pointing at a sea anemone.

Ava touching a chiton. We were happy to see her interested in the animals this time. Last September she wanted nothing to do with the touch pools and screamed when she touched the cold water.

Ava and daddy examining some kelp.

Mormon Helping Hands

On Saturday, May 8th we had our stake Mormon Helping Hands service project. We helped at Eastlawn Cemetery in Sacramento. We started the morning by polishing headstones. When we finished that job we moved on to weeding around gravestones. We all had a good time and even Ava helped polish and weed. She enjoyed weeding the most.

Rich's thoughts: It was a good experience. I was happy to help out. There was a big turnout and I look forward to doing this next year.

Lisa's thoughts: I loved participating in this service project. It was great to see hundreds of people show up to beautify the cemetery. I was proud of the youth from our ward that ended up cleaning the VERY dirty mausoleums.

Personally, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace as I weeded around the grave sites. I enjoyed reading the names and dates. I thought about these people and wondered what they were like. Some of the graves were really overgrown and it made me sad to see that maybe they weren't cared for or visited very often. It felt good being able to provide this service and let these individuals know just because they are gone they are not forgotten. I know it sounds pretty wimpy, but a couple of times after uncovering a grave I became emotional and shed a few tears. It was weird, but I felt like the individuals were grateful and that made me happy. I really hope we do this service project again next year.

Here we are bright and early on Saturday morning. Ava is pretty tired still but she warmed up before the morning was over.

Ava and I polishing the headstones. We learned later we weren't suppose to polish these headstones but only the marble ones. Ooops!

Ava helping weed around the headstone. Notice she has one of my gloves.

Me weeded. I got my gloves back from Ava.

Ava having a good time in her awesome yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" vest.

Gardening

For Easter Papa & Nona Kurz gave Ava a gardening set which we finally put to use. I saw these beautiful flowers that reminded me of Ava and I had to have them. The center of the flowers are the most amazing blue color just like Ava's eyes. Ava and I had a fun time planting them and I think she will enjoy helping in the garden this summer.

Ava loves to smell flowers. When she sees flowers she will put her hand to her nose and act like she is smelling them. It is her made up sign for flowers.

Mother's Day

I had a nice Mother's Day. I enjoyed being with Ava and my family. We went to church and then headed to my brother's for dinner. He made some delicious tri-tip, potatoes, and salad. I brought an apricot tart for dessert because my mom loves it. I also made a giant chocolate chip cookie because my brother and I don't like apricot tart. It was nice to hang out together and Ava loved being with her Nona.

Ava and Rich also got me a beautiful miniture rose to complete my 4 pot collection. It is called Coffee Bean. It has deep red outer leaves and turns to a reddish-orange toward the center. I love it!

1st Family Bike Ride

We have wanted to go on a family bike ride for a while, but just got Ava's seat hooked up today. Ava seemed to enjoy her new seat. She sat and watched all the scenery go by. We will have to make this a regular activity because we all enjoyed it.

Thanks Papa and Nona Kurz for the cool bike seat!

Reading Can Be Dangerous?

Tortilla

Ava continues to work on her vocabulary and you can see her trying figure to out how to say different words. This week she has been working on tortilla. This is a video of her trying to say it.

She also continues to expand her sign language skills. Recently, she has started signing daddy and gorilla...I'm not sure if there is some sort of connection there. I am amazed and what she picks up and remembers. We only signed gorilla a few times when we had an Eric Carle book from the library, but one day she saw a gorilla and repeated the sign.

Water Table Video

Check out Ava's cool hair. She had pigtails in, but pulled them out. She is always making her hair look crazy and I love it.

Water Table

Last weekend Ava played with her new water table for the first time. We thought since she loves to splash in and out of the tub this would be the perfect summer toy. Ava loved it! She had a good time taking the animals out and throwing them on the grass. She also loved filling up the scoop with water and pouring it on the grass. Ava got most of the water she poured out on herself, but didn't seem to mind. I think this will be a really winner during those hot summer days.

Sacramento Temple

I forgot I took these pictures at the beginning of the month. It was the day Rachel went to the temple to baptism for the dead for the first time. Rich went in the temple to help with the ordinances and I hung out with Ava and Nathan.

3, 2, 1...Lift Off

For Easter we got Ava a bubble rocket launcher. It was probably more for us than her, but Ava did enjoy all the cool bubbles.

Springtime Cutie

Enjoying the Weather

We have been enjoying the sunshine and mild temperatures. We have been spending more time in our backyard exploring. Ava enjoys watching our tortoise Mo eat, throwing the ball to Luca, and smelling flowers. She also likes to hunt down all the fluffy dandelions that have turned to seed. When we find one I blow on it and that makes her laugh.

Blowing on a dandelion
Smelling a miniature rose

"He loves me. He loves me not."

Ava destroying the rose.

Ava trying to feed Mo.

Always cute, but not always sweet

I LOVE this picture!

Ava knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let you know. Recently, she wants whatever I'm eating and will throw fits when I don't give it to her. She has also mastered arching her back and playing limp girl.

Reading Books and Kicking Balls

Right now two of Ava's favorite things are "reading" books and kicking balls. We don't really read books because she likes to flip through the pages so fast, but she spends a good portion of the day on my lap looking at different books over and over. We have about 6 books that she focuses on and loves to pull as many books as she can off the shelves. Needless to say I spend a lot of time picking up books.

Ava is rapidly improving her walking skills. She has figured out if she walks she can carry two objects at a time and that has encouraged her to walk more. One of her favorite walking activities is kicking a ball around the house. I am amazed at her balance and skill. I think we might have a soccer player in training.

Whole house fan

After 3 trips to Home Depot and about 7 hours of work I put in a whole house fan yesterday. Well I.. is an exaggeration. I had a lot of help. My friend Craig did >90% of the work. My friend Bill made an emergency trip to Home Depot for me when I realized that the board I cut out of my attic was a 2x8 and not a 2x6. He also helped hand stuff to us that we forgot down below. Lisa helped flip off the breakers and then did all the clean up. It was hard work but it will be worth it when things heat up this Summer. Thank you to all my helpers. Craig is featured in the second photo. You will see his foot dangling from the ceiling. Bill is featured in the first photo. You just get a look at the top of his head. Lisa preferred not to be in any pictures yesterday.

Ava's 1st Drawing