Pumpkin Patch

It seems like everyone and their cat and dog went to a pumpkin patch this weekend. If you're not already tired of seeing pictures of pumpkins, cute kids, and mazes, then you're in the right place! Here is a slideshow of our adventures.

I voted!

Glad to have that done! Josh and I mailed in our absentee ballots today. Now I can tune out all the Proposition commercials! CA has 12 different props on the ballot, so pretty much every other commercial deals with the election. Only one more week to go till election day. Remember to vote!

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Last week a friend of mine suggested taking the girls out to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. I've been holding off going until Ava was old enough to really enjoy it. Now that Ava has walking down pat, I was totally excited to go. I didn't even bring her stroller in with us. Scary right? But the little squirt loved getting to walk everywhere on her own. Way to go Ava! Here's a slideshow of our adventures.




Here's a cute little video with some of their adventures...

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And we're off

My dear sister had to catch an early morning flight. And not wanting to have to leave butt early in the morning to make my sister's flight, my mom suggested we drive up to Spokane a day early.


Here is a picture of downtown Spokane from our hotel room. The view was perfect.


While there we fit in a little shopping and went to dinner at Red Robin.


That Auntie Krysten, she is a tricky one.


But Ava isn't afraid to fight back! Gotta love Red Robin for the free balloons. That alone allowed me to finish my dinner in peace!


The following two pictures were taken right before my sister left for her flight :(


These girls sure look a fun bunch! Ava and I had such a fun time getting to spend a whole week with these two.


My mom and I were about to load our luggage onto the cart, when I turned around and found Ava had loaded herself. She was ready to get out of there!


Since we had some time to kill between our flight and my sister's flight, we drove out to my Aunt and Uncle's house for a little visit. Here is Ava and my Aunt Jewli. It pretty much took the whole time we were at their house for Ava to warm up to their two cats. I must admit though, the cats acted as a very convenient baby gate for Ava. She would not dare cross their paths.


Some of you may think I'm crazy, but I just had to take a picture of the gas prices. While we were visiting my Aunt and Uncle we noticed their gas was way cheaper than ours. My mom didn't even really need to fill up her car, but just couldn't pass up the good deal.


I am happy to announce that that will be the last post concerning our trip to WA. Whew, I'm tired, I think I'm going to bed now!

What every Californian yearns for

Mom, what is it? Tell me, I've got to know!


Okay, okay, all you fellow Californians will agree with me when I say every one of us yearns to have their own yard! On our last day visiting my parents, we took full advantage of a fenced backyard. We touched all the plants, threw the rocks, bird watched, and ran from one end to the other. All without having to worry about a little miss busy bee escaping the area and running into the parking lot. We will miss you yard, more than you will ever know.

There's a Stroller on the Loose!

(If you're using Google Reader, you will need to go to my actual blog to view the video)

Monkey Soup

(If you're using Google Reader, you will need to go to my actual blog to view the video)

This bucket makes the perfect hat. Hmmm...or better yet...


A bigger and better bowl for Monkey Soup!


You may be wondering why it's called Monkey Soup. Well, it's because Ava will only allow her blue, plastic monkeys to be mixed in the bowl. Krysten and I unsuccessfully tried adding a whole number of other objects to the bowl, but Ava would not stand for it.


Ava, can I have a taste? That looks so good!


Ava is at a really fun age right now. Her little, or should I say BIG personality is really starting to shine.

Grandpa

When ever I'm out visiting my parents, I always look forward to seeing my Grandpa. My entire life my grandparents always lived in a nearby town. So if you haven't already made the connection, my grandpa is the man in the picture below :)


My Grandpa is always growing something in his garden. Ava loved tromping around in the dirt. Which is something we lack here in CA, since we don't have a yard! I just hope she didn't step on any seedlings that were trying to grow!

One little tidbit about Ava, she does not like her hands to get dirty. Right before this picture was taken, Ava took a fall in the dirt. So she's trying to brush the dirt off of her hands before she can continue to play. This little squirt even evaluates how I was her hands after every meal!


Every time we go visit my Grandpa, he takes us to this little Mexican restaurant. You'd think that a small restaurant in a country town would not even come close to those in the Bay Area, but the Macho Burrito has won not only my heart, but Josh's too! So of course, I had to take a picture of my very manly burrito just for the main purpose of showing it to Josh. I know, I'm a very kind wife.


Ava chowing down on some delicioso Spanish rice.


Then for my mother's birthday, my Grandpa took us all out to Red Lobster. Their rolls are divine! You have to be careful, because you can easily fill up on those rolls before your meal even comes out. You all know it's true!


Ava's going to hate me when she's older. I just can't help myself from posting quirky pictures of her. I just get such a big kick out them.


Those are the pictures from our adventures with my Grandpa. We can't wait to see you again. We love you Grandpa!

Look at those pumpkins!

While my mom was driving around town I happened upon this gem in someone's front yard. I got such a big kick out of it, that I made her pull over so I could get a picture. I knew this was something Josh would just have to see for himself! Those silly people in eastern WA!

Ava's 1st Haircut

Who doesn't love lounging around in their pajamas? I know I have been known to stay in my pajamas all day...mind you, if I'm staying at home of course!

Here is Ava and Auntie Krys enjoying some early morning pajama bonding time. Ava looks pretty content with her binky, blanket, and bunny all in tow. Little did she know that in just a few hours she would be getting her first haircut!


Ava has desperately been in need of a little trim. But I have sadly become attached to her long locks. Little Ava bug has been sporting the longest locks at church out of any little girl her age. So while we were up in WA, I decided it was as good of time as any. Sigh. So here is the before shot.

During...


...the bribes begin...


...almost done...


The finished product. Ummm, Ava, it's going to be alright. You're hair will grow back!


Actually I think her hair is pretty darn cute.

Chillin' in WA

Ava and I have been chillin' here (look at picture below) for the past 7 days. Even my sister was able to fly out to help celebrate my mom's birthday!

Even though a great time was had by all, it is always nice to be back home. Ava was so surprised at the airport when she saw her daddy that she was completely speechless (a first for Ava). The only thing that escaped her lips was a gigantic grin that seriously went from ear to ear. Josh was just as excited to see us as well. He was even sweet enough to bring us flowers. I think he's excited to not have to eat leftover pizza anymore!


Of course I have loads of pictures to weed through. But that will have to wait until the laundry, unpacking, grocery shopping and a much needed shower have all taken place!

The many cute sides of Ava

"Cheese"

You can never post too many pictures of this cute little girl. By the way, Ava's eye color is still up in the air. Pretty much every type of eye color has combined forces to make a unique color all her own.

"Mom, can I please see your super snazzy camera?"

The photo shoot took a total 180. Which is usually the case which this wee one.

Little Miss Bookworm

I bet all you moms can agree that little kids LOVE books. A day does not go by when we don't read every single book at least 2-3 times each. Which is no easy feat considering the amount of books Ava has. So while I'm getting ready in the morning, I put Ava in her room for some alone play time. Without fail, I will come back to find Ava surrounded by all her books and "reading". Nothing makes a mom's heart jump for joy than seeing her little babe reading on her own.

How can this child see her book?! Nor rain, or snow, or extremely long hair will stop this girl from reading.


Which reminds me, Ava has her first appt. to get her haircut (more like a trim) in a week and a half. I was totally excited to take Ava in, until I was watching John & Kate Plus 8 on TLC. Kate was talking about how sad it was to see her babies get their 1st haircut because you're cutting of the hair they were born with. So now I'm pretty sad to see her baby hair gone. She's growing up so fast!

Looks almost good enough to eat

I attended a baby shower the other weekend. I asked the mom to be what she was in need of and she smartly answered, "Diapers." I received a diaper cake at my baby shower and LOVED it, so I decided to give it a try. So here is my first ever diaper cake!

Little David

For a few months our household was divided...between David Cook or David Archuleta. But now that the show has been over for months, does it really matter who actually won? I saw the video for Little David's new song today. I must admit, I was bopping around to the song. Pretty good for his first release. But hey, I might be a little bias because of the whole Mormon thing. What do you think?



Update: I just discovered that David Cook has a new song out too. Click below to play it.

Who do you think has the better song? Can I be a fan of both songs?