The Birthday Party (a little late)

Ava and Cole

What a beauiful day!

Ava and Alyssa

Still with her "friends" Tasha and Uniqua!

New bike!!

Ava, Mommy and Ava's little brother!

We had the most beautiful day ever for Ava's 2nd birthday party!! It was sunny and 70's--something that will not happen again in early April for a while, I presume. Ava really enjoyed herself, playing with all of her friends! She got some great toys that will be so much fun this summer...a basketball hoop, sidewalk chalk, sidewalk "paint" and a paint gun, a slip 'n slide, (thanks Uncle Jordan!) pretty clothes, a cabbage patch baby dolly, some books, and so much more! Thank you to everyone for everything! She is really into the Backyardigans and walked around with Tasha and Uniqua all day...thus the theme for her party! I think my favorite memory is when I put her shorts on and she told me, "My pants shrunk!" Too cute!

TWO YEARS OLD!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Missy Ava! You are such a wonderful, smart, kind little girl. I am so proud to be your Mommy. I had to take pictures of you all day long, so I didn't miss one second of what you did on your big day. First you and I dyed Easter eggs; you are very good at getting the eggs out of the dye with the little spoon they give you! Then we colored and played with markers...you like to put the caps on your fingers! We stayed in our pajamas for all of this so we didn't get too messy! We played in the TV room for a long time--you love to climb and play. After nap time you got to play in your new tent and WOW was it fun! Aunt Lindsay Uncle Scott, Grandma and Great Grandma came over to celebrate with you and have ice cream cake. You got some fun presents! I think you had a fun day, I know I sure had fun spending my whole day with my favorite girl! I love you Ava Renee!!

Butterflies

A little nervous...

A LOT nervous!!

"Flapping her wings!"

My mom and I have been talking about taking Ava to see the butterflies at Frederic Meijer Garden since last year, however, I am NOT a fan of flying bugs. I have heard nothing but great things about the butterfly exhibit--it is beautiful--the butterflies are everywhere--they may even land on you. Now, this is really stressful for me, but knowing how much fun Ava would have made me call my mom to plan the trip. We went today and it turned out to be a nice time. I didn't love it, really, but I would do it again for little Missy Ava. Here are a few pictures from our big day at the Garden.

J-E-L-L-O

Ava is a wonderful helper around the house, especially in the kitchen. She really wanted to make jello, so here she is--enjoying herself fully!

Ava loves the IPOD!!

Ava has discovered the technology of today and she LOVES it! When she woke up this morning she wanted "music!" How cute--or scary because she is growing up too fast?

Simply Amazing

(Ava LOVES her winter hats...and playing with water at the sink!)

It has been such a busy time around here for us, I haven't had many free moments to sit down and update photos of Ava. Here she is, being herself...so much fun and such a wonderful little girl. We are so blessed to have this amazing little girl as our daughter!!

Tooth brushing fun!!

Ava now has a stool that she uses to get to the sink. I happened to catch her brushing her teeth!!!