Hanging Out in Gridley

At the beginning of the month we headed to Gridley to hang out with family.  While the women were getting pedicures and having lunch to celebrate EmmaLee's birthday the men and kids were playing at home.  Ava had a blast with her cousins.  She is blessed to have so many wonderful cousins and I know she loves spending time with them.

Lilly reading to Ava and Ezra.

Lilly swinging on the crazy swing.

Bella up high in the big walnut tree.

Ava in the big walnut tree.  Yes she is wearing a helmet, but if you look to the left of the tree there is her bike.

Ava and Lilly.

I love this picture.

Silly Faces.

Ava and Lilly enjoying pomegranate milkshakes.

1st School Friend's Birthday Party

A couple Saturdays ago Ava went to her first school friend's birthday party.  It was at Bouncetown and Ava was excited.  She talked about the party the whole week leading up to it and couldn't wait to see her school friends outside of school.

At first Ava was shy and only would play if Rich and I played with her.  After about 20 minutes she warmed up and began running around with all her school friends.  It was a great party and we appreciated the invite.

Ava and 2 friends holding hands on the way down.

Ava like most of the kids loved the giant slide.

Ava on the right carrying a blue ball to the top of the slide.

Ava and I holding hands down the slide.  I have to admit it was pretty fun.

Ava and Rich climbing through the obstacle course.

Ava and I jumping in a bounce house.  Ava was a little timid with her jumping.

Once the kids cleared out Rich got in the bounce house and had some fun.

Little Miss Chaundra

Ava loves school and has decided she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.  In this picture she is pretending to be her teacher Miss Chaundra.  "Big Mickey" and "Baby" are the students.  Little Miss Chaundra is having snack time with the kids.

Consumnes River Preserve - Nature Photos

One of the view points of the river.

Blue Dragon Fly

Red Dragon Fly

Thistle

Tiny Lizard

Cranes

Coot

Ducks

Ducks on a log

Hawk - We watched this hawk swoop down low over the water and scare all the birds into flight.  It was pretty cool.

Consumnes River Preserve

On Monday we went to the Consumnes River Preserve in Galt.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a long walk around the wetlands.  We started on the River Walk trail and ended on Wetlands Walk trail.  We did not walk the entire trail but did go pretty far.  Ava did well, but we had to take turns carrying her part of the way.  We did take a break on a bench and ate lunch while we watched the many birds swim in the water.  By the time we made it to the car we were all tired and ready for a rest.  It was a fun day and I think we all enjoyed the beautiful nature created for us by a loving Heavenly Father.

Ava excited and singing as we start our walk.

Ava consulted the map and trying to figure out where we need to go.

Ava looking at me with her binoculars.

Rich and Ava using binoculars to see the birds.

Ava and Rich heading down the trail.

Rich showing Ava a Cattail.

Ava started getting tired and got a ride on Rich's shoulders.  I love this picture because she pulled just the thumb part of her glove off to suck it.  It has been a really challenge trying to get her to stop sucking her thumb.

Rich is such a good daddy.

Rich took a picture of me setting up to take some pictures of some thistles I thought were interesting.

Me trying to get Ava to take a picture with me.  She kept running away.

I finally got her to stop for a minute, but this is the best smile we could get before she took off running again.  At least she was enjoying herself.

A big loud train came by and of course Ava plugged her ears.

I love shadow pictures.

The lighting wasn't great (too bright) but at least we got a picture of all of us together.

This is where we ate our lunch.  There really were hundreds of birds, but you can't tell from this picture.

Ava was so excited to use my camera and take a picture of Rich and I.  She used a remote plugged into the side.

Again, not the greatest picture due to the lighting, but it is nice to have another photographer in the family to get pictures of the two of us together.

Making Memories Not Just Dinner

Today Ava made my day while we were making guacamole for dinner. She leaned over, put her arm around me, and we had the following conversation...

Ava:  "Mommy, I like you."

Me:  "I like you too.  In fact I love you."

Ava:  "I love you too."

Me:  "Thanks sweetie.  You make me happy."

Ava:  "Mommy, you make me happy too."

Pumpkin Carving

The day before Halloween we carved our pumpkins.  Since the weather was nice we did it outside in our backyard.  Ava decided she wanted a scary jack-o-lantern and told Rich to make a mean one.  I made a sad face.  I finished mine up first so I could make dinner.  We took a few pictures, but unfortunately we forgot to take a picture of the three finished jack-o-lanterns.

Ava and Rich (yes, that is Rich with a crazy wig) with all of our pumpkins.

Ava excited to start carving her pumpkin.  She tried so hard to do it by herself, but she eventually gave in and let Rich help.

Ava and me.

Me pretending to get Ava with my yucky pumpkin goo.

Ava decided she needed to get me too with pumpkin goo.

Ava drawing the face to carve on her pumpkin.

At first Ava drew a really nice face, but then got carried away and kept going.  I was amazed that Rich was able to follow the her directions and carve a face.

Ava being silly and pretending to carve Rich.

Rich and Ava working together to carve her pumpkin.

Rich trying to make sense of Ava's drawing.

Ava making a sad face like my pumpkin behind her.