Kobie's Baptism

On April 30, 2011 Kobie (our nephew) was baptized and became an offiicial member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was an exciting day and we were happy we could be there to support him.

Sweet Music

I know I have blogged about Rich singing to Ava each night in Italian, but recently Ava has started singing along. Last night I asked Rich to leave the door cracked so I could capture the moment. Unfortunately Ava saw my hand and the camera halfway through the song. Even with my distraction Ava sang along beautifully. When I watch the video back today it brought tears to my eyes. Rich is a wonderful dad and Ava is just AWESOME!

Mormon Helping Hands

On April 30th it was Mormon Helping Hands Day throughout California. Our stake service project was to help beautify 3 schools in our area. Our ward was assigned to Albert Einstein Middle School in Rosemont.

We arrived a little late, so we missed the assignment part. Since we had Ava we were limited to what we could do (no painting). We walked around aimlessly for a few minutes and then found our friends the Slaughter family. Together we decided to help Brother Mealy plant a tree. The men dug the hole and the moms and children filled buckets with water to water the tree. It ended up being the perfect activity for our family because we all had something to do and Ava loves to water. She also had a lot of fun with her buddy Andrew and his older brother Benjamin.

There were some fun activities for the kids to do like decorating this pot. Can you guess what hand is Ava's? It is the big white blob in the middle. She smeared it so there aren't any fingers.

1st Trip to the Dentist

Last Tuesday we made a trip to Gridley to visit our dentist, Rich's dad. Rich and I had our biannual teeth cleaning and we were hoping Ava would let Papa Bruce check out her teeth too. Our plan was to have Ava watch me get my teeth cleaned to ease her into it, but that backfired. As soon as she saw the hygienist with the lights and glasses on her head she freaked out. From that point on she didn't want anyone to look at her teeth. The only thing that calmed her down was the giant set of teeth and toothbrush in the office. Ava had a good time brushing the teeth and really wanted to take the toothbrush home. Oh well, we will have to try again in 6 months.

This picture pretty much sums up Ava's feelings about going to the dentist...Sorry Papa Bruce & Uncle Bob.

Working in the Garden

Ava loves to help in the garden. One of her favorite things to do each day is water. She has her own water can and fills it over and over until everything is watered. A couple weeks ago we planted our garden and Ava used her garden tools to help. She helped Rich get the ground ready and then plant. This year we decided to plant a small garden with only a few things. We are going to let the other planter boxes rest until next year. We are excited to see what are little garden will produce. I know Ava will enjoy watering it and eating all summer long.

In this picture Ava is touching a snail. While digging up the dirt and moving things around we found a lot of creepy crawly things. It was fun to see Ava's reaction to all the bugs. She wasn't afraid of any of them and enjoyed squishing the snails with me.

Easter

We stayed home for Easter this year. We started the morning off with cinnamon rolls (Rhodes not homemade). We then went to church and came home to spend the afternoon with my family. We enjoyed food and hanging out in the backyard. Ava enjoyed all her gifts from Papa, Nona, and Uncle Eric. The Easter Bunny also left her a small basket of treats.

I really like the smile on Ava's face in this picture because it is so hard to get her to stop and look at us long enough to get a cute picture. I don't like that she kind of looks like she has to go to the bathroom. She didn't. She just kept posing that way.

Ava's favorite place to take pictures is in our tree.

Uncle Eric and Ava enjoying some snacks at her new little table from Papa & Nona.

After church & snacks Ava took a nice nap. It took her awhile to fall asleep, but when she did it was on her chair cushion.

Outside Ava enjoyed her bubble mower from Papa & Nona. We also got her a soccer croquet set.

Ava is trying to figure out how to use the golf set from Papa & Nona.

Ava enjoyed carrying around the set more than playing with it. She grabbed all the clubs and 4 balls. She kept putting the balls under her chin to carry. It was cracking us up.

Fine Motor Skills & Colors

I don't know why people refer to this time as the "Terrible Twos" because it is a wonderful time. Ava is learning and growing so quick I can barely keep up with her. She is amazing! This week we worked on fine motor skills and colors using beads and blocks.

Ava loves the bead isle at the craft stores, so I decided it was time to buy her, her own beads. I was hoping to get big wooden beads, but I couldn't find any. I did find some colorful animal beads that Ava really liked. I was worried they would be too small and hard for Ava to handle, but I was wrong. After showing Ava a couple times how to string the beads she did it all by herself. I was amazed at how quickly she picked it up and at her impressive fine motor skills.

One evening Ava and Rich built block towers. I was surprised that she actually built towers because usually she just knocks them over when I play with her. Ava's building skills have really improved. She has always been good at stacking blocks, but now she is good at balancing too. I was blown away at the tower she made all by herself (below). It only came tumbling down when Ava decided to knock it over with her feet.

LOVE THIS!

For the moment this is my favorite picture. First of all, Ava was determined to help me do laundry and that just makes me smile. She really is a sweet and wonderful little helper. The next thing I love are the shoes she is wearing. I told her if she wanted to help she needed shoes to come in the garage. Since Ava didn't want to waste time getting her shoes down the hall she decided to use daddy's shoes. Rich had a pair of shoes in the garage and Ava slipped them on. She was so cute and it was funny to watch her walk I just had to capture the moment. These are the times I want to remember because they make me smile and make my heart swell with love.

Ava, I Love You!!

Music is in the Air

Ava loves music. If you have read our blog or know Ava this is not news to you. What is new and exciting is her singing. For a while she has sung a couple songs, but recently she has started busting out new songs. It is wonderful to hear her sing and fun to try and figure out each song.

Yesterday we were all in the car running errands and Ava started singing. When I looked back at her she was also doing hand gestures with the song. Ava was pounding her fist on the palm of her other hand and then waving her pointer finger. At first I had no idea what she was doing. It wasn't something we have worked on at home. As I listened to her words and the rhythm of the song I figured out she was singing, "Follow the Prophet." It is a children's church song and I'm sure she learned it during nursery on Sunday. When I figured it out I was amazed. Ava learns and remembers music so well. Since I don't have a gift for music I am in awe of her talent. I can't wait to see what she does with her talent as she gets older.

Currently Ava's Favorite Songs
-Baby Beluga (AKA: "Baby Cuka")
-Once There Was a Snowman (AKA: "Noman")
-Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree
-Patty Cake
-Follow the Prophet

Someone's in the Kitchen with Daddy

Last week Ava and Rich made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They both had a good time and I enjoyed watching them. Ava's favorite part was sneaking the chocolate chips. She thought she was so funny. She also liked eating dough while Rich was putting it on the cookie sheets. They made a good team and we all enjoyed the delicious cookies all week long.

Wii Fit

This past week we have been having fun with the Wii Fit. It has been awhile, but we thought Ava might like it now. She not only likes it, she loves it. When ever we get on she gets on too and slowly tries to nudge us off. When it is Ava's turn she usually just stands and watches the action on the TV. Every once in awhile she will move and actually interact with the game...it is a work in progress.

What did she say?

Ava's speech has exploded over the past couple weeks. She is a little chatterbox and says the funniest things. It has been so much fun hearing the new words and phrases she has learned.

One of my favorite quotes is "No butterfly get me." Ever since our close encounter with butterflies at the Academy of Sciences, Ava has been afraid of them. Whenever we go for a bike ride or walk on the trail Ava says, "No butterfly get me" every time we see a butterfly. Right now there are tons of butterflies on the trail, so she repeats it over and over. It is funny and kind of sad. I've tried to explain to her that the butterflies are nice and won't hurt her. I also have told her I will protect her, but nothing has helped. I'm really hoping she will outgrow this fear.

Another thing Ava loves to say is, "Me okay" whenever she falls or bumps something. She also will announce that her toys are okay if they get bumped or fall on the ground. Ava is also a very kind and concerned daughter, so if I hurt myself she will ask, "Are you okay". It has been nice because she really only cries if she is really hurt.

Ava the Climber

Up until now we have been grateful Ava was not much of a climber, but the past few weeks have changed that. Ava is now climbing anything and everything. On one hand we are glad she is developing her gross motor skills, but on the other hand it makes us nervous.

Ava has learned to climb up her slide.

She's almost to the top. Ava was so happy and proud of herself for making it to the top. I was pretty proud too.

Once she mastered climbing up the slide she started doing it while carrying her ball. She likes to carry her ball up the slide and then roll it down.

Rachel's & Kobie's B-days

Last weekend we celebrated Rachel's 13th & Kobie's 8th birthdays. It was a lot of fun. Ava had a blast with her cousins and played some new games.

Blowing out 21 candles (13+8). Rachel requested a white cake with strawberry and banana filling with chocolate frosting.

Kobie was really excited about his Atlantis Lego set. He also got his first Cub Scout uniform.This picture of Rachel reminds me of me. There are several pictures where I'm displaying some serious teenage attitude. Rachel actually wasn't giving me attitude I just caught her in the middle of a bite. She is a beautiful young lady and oh so talented.

The cousins discovered some hula hoops and with Rich's help could get them to go around a few times.

Ava played her first game of hide-n-seek with her cousins Kobie & Nathan. She had so much fun. Ava liked the counting and the seeking part of the game. She wasn't very good at hiding.

Once is was cold and the mosquitoes came out the games moved indoors. Ava also played her first game of Sardines inside the house.

Ava and Lily waiting to sing and eat cake.

Ava loves all her cousins especially Lily. When Nathan asked Ava who her favorite cousin was she said, "Lily". Nathan then asked Ava who her 2nd favorite cousin was and again she said, "Lily!". Nathan being determined to be in Ava's top 3 asked her again, but she replied, "Lily!". Poor Nathan. I don't think he realized Ava didn't really know what he meant. Nathan, Ava does love you!

In the Kitchen

Even though my food blog is dead I'm still alive in the kitchen. I have been experimenting on and off and exploring the food of the world. Since the end of last year I have started trying Indian and Japanese food. I have made several things that we enjoy and will make again. I have also continued to make new Italian recipes and hope to start working on some authentic Mexican recipes. Here is a sample of what I've made...

Indian

Naan

Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)

Creamy Chicken with Raisins served over rice

Rustic Potato Curry (Alu Bhaji) & Fry Bread (Puris)

Bombay Sloppy Joes

from Food Network show Aarti's PartyJapanese

Chicken and Leek Teriyaki Skewers

Our new rice cooker. It is awesome and encourages me to make rice. Me eating teriyaki chicken meatballs and rice. Notice I am using the cheaters version of chopsticks. They are actually for little kids. Italian

Mushroom Crepselle Ava helping me make the crepes. Mushroom-Spinach Lasagna Baked Shells with Butternut Squash Other Stuff

Dutch Baby Pancake Apricot & Almond French Toast Baked Fish-Veggies Wrapped in Phyllo Dough