Fun at Home

This past week Ava and I came down with a head cold. We started off the week feeling pretty miserable, but are slowly recovering. It always amazes me at how much energy Ava has when she is sick (especially once the Tylenol kicks in). It has been a tiring week for Rich and I just to keep up with her since we are tired from the sleepless nights and short naps. Here are a few of the fun things we did to entertain our home bound toddler.

Hot Wheels

Rich busted out the hot wheel tracks and set them up. We bought these tracks at D.I. for only $3. This was the first time Ava got to play with them. She really enjoyed watching the cars go around. She also enjoyed playing with the IKEA storage container we keep them in.

Bowling

This was another steal of a deal when Kmart went out of business in Woodland many years ago. We thought it would came in handy someday and it has. Ava enjoys bowling and has developed her own style.

Aquadoodle

Papa & Nona Bowling gave Ava this neat travel aquadoodle for her birthday. Ava has loved drawing on it. She is getting good at making circles and squiggling snakes. I love to watch my young artist bloom.

Taking the Trike to the Trail

Last Sunday after church we enjoyed a walk on the trail. Ava enjoyed a ride on her new tricycle (with our help of course). It was a nice outing and Ava did well. We did have to push her the whole way, but eventually she will get the hang of it.

I know I'm bias, but isn't Ava just the cutest thing you ever did see. I Love her!!

Family Birthday Party

Last weekend we had a family birthday party for Ava and Rich. We had a multi-themed party with Buzz Lightyear, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, & Pandas since those are Ava's favorite things. We also had make your own pizzas for lunch and panda cupcakes for dessert. Both Rich and Ava got wonderful gifts. Ava has been playing with her goodies all week. It was a great day and we are happy our family could share it with us.

Kids making & eating pizzas. Ava enjoyed feeding the dogs more than eating herself.

Me helping with the pizzas.

Ava got food, a cookie set, & a metal shopping cart from her Papa & Nona Kurz.

Ava was excited about her Mickey color book and Toy Story Color Wonder from the Gridley Bowlings.

Ava was happy to get more food and goodies for her new kitchen from the Jensen's.

Ava enjoyed unwrapping this big present especially when she found out it was a new tricycle from her Papa and Nona Bowling.

Panda cupcakes that I made.

Ava biting the Panda cake her Nona Carole made.

Ava was not too sure about the stiff decorator frosting and didn't eat much of the cake.

Ava did nibble on a panda cupcake and chowed on some ice cream.

Nathan really wanted to get this musical card for Rich and even paid for half. It was a joke about getting old and played the music from Rocky. It was great. Ava loved it and danced around to it all week.

Boys being boys. Nathan brought his new Nintendo DSiXL to show Rich.

Ava with her Uncle Eric. He gave her two Mickey Mouse DVDs. Ava was super excited and we have been enjoying them.

Ava coloring with her cousins, Rachel and Bella.

Ava got jealous when Rich held Eli. When he picked her up she decided she wanted to hold Eli. Eli was not down with that and kept leaning away from Ava.

Ava with Rachel and Nathan. I love Nathan's pose.

Ava with Kobie, Bella, and Lily.

Ava playing with her cookies after everyone left.

Ava couldn't wait for Rich to put her new trike together.

Ava was so excited to try out her trike. She got her helmet and Rich pushed her around the house.

After everyone left we crashed on the couch.

Within a few minutes Ava conked out on the couch. She was so tired she didn't even wake up when Luca sniffed around her for crumbs.

Ava is not afraid of a little bad luck...

Last week we ran some errands in the rain and Ava loved it. The rain gave her an opportunity to bust out her panda umbrella. She was so happy to use her umbrella she didn't want to put it away when we got inside the store. Since it was late and the store was pretty empty we let her keep it up. After about 5 minutes she decided it was time to put her friend away.

That's Our Ava

Two years ago our lives were changed forever when we held Ava in our arms. It was love at first sight and each day we are grateful for the blessing she is. Ava makes us smile, laugh, and enjoy the simple things in life. Watching her grow, learn, and seeing her personality emerge has been exciting. We look forward to watching her continue to grow and blossom.

Fun Ava Facts

*Ava loves to eat

*Favorite food: Pasta

*Favorite snack: Pretzels & Boursin Cheese

*Favorite breakfast: Oatmeal & Jelly

*Favorite fruit: Grapes

*Favorite Veg: Cucumbers & Peas

*Ava loves Buzz Lightyear, Elmo, & Mickey Mouse

*Ava's favorite animal is a Panda

*Ava doesn't call animals by there names, but makes their sounds (so cute)

*Ava loves music; she loves to listen to it, play it, and sing her own songs

*Favorite songs: "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam", "Popcorn Popping", "Baby Beluga" (Ava says "Baby Cuka")

*Ava enjoys coloring and drawing

*Ava loves books; she will sit and read for a hour at one time

*Ava loves to cook in the kitchen with mom or in her new red kichen

*Ava loves her Luca; she likes to throw his kong and chase him around the house; sometimes she likes to feed him

*Ava enjoys spinning in circles until she falls over

*Ava loves to snuggle

*Ava would be a couch potato if we let her

*Favorite T.V. show: Sesame Street

*Favorite movie: Toy Story 2

*During nap time Ava likes to stand on her crib or chair and look out the window for butterflies

1-15-096 months

1-15-09
Ava's 1st birthday was spent at the doctor's office because she had Roseola. It is nice to see her happy in this picture because she was miserable for about a week.

1-18-11

Our big 2 year old girl

Happy Birthday to Us

Ava and I celebrated our birthdays together yesterday. This was a much happier birthday than last year for everyone. Last year Ava had Roseola and was miserable. This year I decided to stay at home and have a quiet birthday. It was a fun day.

Our day started with Lisa making waffles for us. They were delicious. Ava especially enjoyed her Nutella waffle. I think the pictures explain it all.

After lounging at home and playing some video games we went out to dinner. We went to Ichi Maki for sushi. The food was great and the restaurant was quiet. I think Ava's favorite part was feeding me some sushi. She also enjoyed the edamame. We did order an avocado-cucumber roll with soy wrap (instead of Nori) that even Lisa enjoyed.

We opened presents together when we got home. Lisa gave me a video game that I've been wanting for months. There is also another surprise coming for me in the mail. Ava had lots of presents. We hope her "Potty Time Elmo" DVD and Elmo underwear will inspire her to use the potty. She also got a Mickey Mouse DVD with some of the classic cartoons. Kim, Ava's birth mom sent her a giant stuffed Mickey Mouse and tickets to Disney on Ice. The star of the night was the Red Retro Play Kitchen. Ava LOVED it!! We had to drag her away from it to have cake and ice cream.

The apron and chef hat really belong to Ava.

Lisa made us an ice cream cake from scratch. We got to lick the batter off the beater. Ava didn't like it that much, so I got most of it. The cake was excellent and Ava couldn't keep her fingers out of it.

When Ava was born I jokingly said, "I'll never have a birthday again." I think these birthdays mean much more to me now that I get to celebrated them together with Ava. I would give up a lifetime of birthdays for the day Ava came into our family. She brings Lisa and I such joy and happiness. I love you Ava! Tanti Augri (Happy Birthday)!