First Real haircut and Santa pictures...

Getting ready...check out her fancy shoes with her Dora socks.
Despite the look on her face, she didn't fuss at all....
By the end she looked at me and said "I don't like it"

My big kid! I cannot believe how old she seems to me now.


Ava is obsessed with pjs...and shoes...and both together. These are are frog boots which she calls ducks, don't quite know why
Ava climbed in baby Grace's carseat and said "carry me"...not at almost 30 pounds!
Ava, Ben and the newest addition...baby Gracie.
Look how cute these two are...
Gracie is so beautiful and such an easy baby
Ava sporting some of her holiday wear
Her hair is still long but it's not so jungle book looking now!
Ava is back to cooperating with the camera but her newest thing is to strike little poses when she says cheese
We went to a local store where Santa pictures are actually free! So she sat on his lap for at least the 8th time!
Santa handed Ava a candy cane and she turned to him and said "I don't like it"
Ava's first shopping expedition with her own cart...very cute despite the fact that several people were almost taken out and it took quadruple the time!
when we got home there was a mysterious apple in our asparagus bag!
Ava was mimicking the carolers, it was very funny
She attempted to get me to purchase this penguin
another one of Ava's new photo poses, I think it's too cute!


Ava had her first professional haircut on Saturday. I kept putting it off for fear that they would cut it short. She marched right in and climbed into the seat without a problem. Afterwards I got my hair cut and she kept saying "mommy's turn". She saw me pick up some of her hair as it fell to the floor for her keepsake book so she attempted to hand me mine when it was my turn!

We have had a lot of holiday happenings lately. We got together with friends and Ava loved being with her buddy Ben and baby Gracie. She is on a baby kick. She does not get jealous anymore when I hold them but she always wants to hold them to. She is so sweet with Gracie, she kisses her head and rocks her. One day at church she gave her a bottle. My baby girl is growing too quickly! Speaking of church, Ava is going to be an angel in the Christmas pageant next Sunday. We will see how she does...my secret fear is that she will abduct baby Jesus! She is a bit possessive over dolls. Regardless, she will be one cute angel!

Thanksgiving Pictures...

Thanksgiving Weekend
Eating her first full taco on her own


Ava loves dogs and loves to walk them. This is her cousin "Daisy" who took several days of abuse from a toddler. Poor thing!
On the beach in Cape May Point: As soon as we got there she said "shoes off". It amazes me how they remember things like that.
Digging in the sand with cousin Faith
Taking a little break....
and a little taunting for her silly hat!
Cousin Austin at Grandma's house....
One day I picked up Ava at daycare and she had these on, she is such a character
My little Wii girl! She thinks she is playing as long as you give her a paddle. Here she is with cousins Danielle and Morgan


Austin is so good to Ava, he always shares his toys...she loves him!


And she still loves to eat! Check out her tongue in this picture. Too funny!
She was mixing up come concoction...she does this often and it makes you nauseous to watch!
Dancing to Barney..."Elephant" is and has been a favorite of Avas
Playing Wii with cousin Kaylie. They were so cute together.
"skiing" with Sarah--Ava has got the ski stance down. Whenever I would crash, which was often, she would say "mama, big b00-boo, you need medicine?"
Ava and Kaylie excited again about the game
showing big cousin Tony how to ski jump
helping Dylan and Austin with their cow racing

I know I've been a slacker. Too much going on! Thanksgiving was different of course but we were all together and that was helpful. It's such a different feeling to go home now although I can feel my father's presence there really strongly. Ava continues to ask for him and when she sees his pictures there she walks around with them. It is so sweet and so painful all at the same time. We all got through the day not pointing out the obvious, we didn't need to. Christmas will be hard and if it weren't for Ava I'm not sure how much celebrating I would be up to. As a family we are all so glad to have kids that remind us that life keeps going. My dad always used to say that you have to go on because life is for the living. He said a lot of things that I find very helpful during this still surreal time.

After spending some time at my mom's house we headed to Cape May Point. Ava is such the little traveler although the car is still sometimes an issue. I finally got my car back, the same horrific week in October began with someone rear ending me pretty severely-my new car was a mess! Thank God Ava was not with me. She does far better in the mini-van with the dvd player than the small tin can rental I had for a month. She has never liked any kind of containment device.

Ava continues to amaze me everyday. She is so bright. She is fiercely independent which I think is great. She can pretty much get dressed by herself including her shoes. One night she wanted to put her pjs on and she kept putting the shirt on backwards. She would come to me when she was tangled but then insisted on starting it again until she got it right. It took her 45 minutes and she was so proud of herself. Every time she puts her shoes on she says "it fit me". When she likes something she will ask for "more again". It makes me laugh every time. She is obsessed with make up and if I don't hide mine it's all over! She sings all the time and has recently discovered microphones. She was singing into the mike, her abc's, and in the middle she stopped and said "it's loud". She then proceeded to sing "shake shake booty" while doing exactly that. I am in for it with this one!

Whenever Ava re-enters a room she puts her arms out and says "I back". So cute. She puts me to bed now, she pats my back, gives me a kiss and says night night momma. Of course putting her to sleep is not that simple! She is such a night owl--if I get her to sleep by 9:15 I'm thankful. She is into helping me cook and clean. She helped with the Christmas decorations but was really not impressed! I was a little bummed. She is, however, loving the chocolate advent calendar. She still loves Santa and visits him regularly. The other day she was carrying my CVS bag through the mall when she approached him. Before I knew it she reached in and handed him a package of razor blades! I was a bit embarrassed although realize it could have been worse! He just cracked up.

Life has been difficult lately and without this little cutie I would be lost. No matter what happens you cannot help but be happy when you get home and this little person wraps her arms around you and says "love you momma".

I finally got around to holiday cards, some of you getting cards done and sent before December 1st stressed me all out! If anyone wants one, please e-mail me addresses again.

Take care