Thursday, July 30, 2009

What a week!


Two of our new friends!


Ava learning to feed herself!


The kids new chairs, but they prefer each others, of course!


Giving Zavie some love!


Zach really enjoyed the Dove chocolate party that we had on Monday!

Two people from my home town passed away this week. One was sick with Lupus, but still so young. She was in high school with me. The other died at the wheel of his truck. He just slumped over when driving. My step father saw the whole thing happen and tried to administer CPR, but it was too late. Needless to say he is traumatized. Thankfully he is looking forward to seeing Zach and Ava so I hope they can help him to handle this.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Oh, Ava!

Ava just wants to walk everywhere, but she wants to hold your finger while she is doing it. Her grandma was here this week and she had a lot of fun walking all around with her :) But now she wants us to walk her EVERYWHERE! Tonight I had the brilliant idea to get Zach's old backback/leash thing and see how she liked it. I put it on and held the leash and she walked over 10 steps! Next I just put the leash over the back and didn't hold onto it at all and she walked over 10 steps again! I knew it was a matter of not having the confidence, not not having the know how. I bet she will be walking up a storm by the time we are back from NH!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Early Anniversary!


The happy couple!


The view from our balcony could NOT be beat!


Dinner at Las Brisas!


Enjoying complimentary champagne with a view!

This has been a great week! Andy's mom came in to watch the kids while our daycare was closed. We decided to take advantage of her being here and run away for a night! We went to your favorite spot of all time, Laguna Beach! We really have so many memories of this place and this last trip just added to the amazing times we have had there. Our room was amazing! The view you see in the pictures is from our balcony. It just can't be beat! We also went to the pageant of the masters for the 5th year in a row. I just love that show! Living art is an understatement. If you haven't seen it, then you must put it on your bucket list. We crammed so much joy into 24 hours. It's amazing what you can do when your time away is limited :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Ms. Hummingbird!







We've had a hummingbird feeder for a while now, but I never really had the time to stake it out. I was out playing with the kids when I noticed that one was coming around every few minutes. I got my camera and was finally able to get her! I think it's a her because there was a purple one that was coming around for a while and I think that was a male. It's funny how humans are the only species in which the female is more attractive ;)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

So far so good!

Zach started training on Sunday, had one accident after nap on Monday, no accidents on Tuesday and one accident today because he was distracted by his popsicle! Pull ups have been clean for 3 nights straight! I think it is sticking this time. He is so proud of himself!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

A big weekend!

Adventures in berry picking at Riley's Farm!











Ava trying blackberries for the first time!


At Riley's Farm for berry picking




Big boy bed!


Big boy undies!
So many big things have happened this week/weekend! Ava is not really taking to walking yet because her crawling is so much quicker, but Zach has just all of a sudden decided to be big! We moved him into a big boy bed on Friday night, started talking about potty training and today he has been wearing underwear and pull ups all day long! He has had a couple of accidents, but for the most part he tells us when he needs to go! I hope it keeps up this time around. We have also managed to convince him that binkies are only for bed. That is a massive step for him! We akso went berry picking with friends and had a fun time hicking and getting dirty :)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Thursday, July 9, 2009

She did it!


Just after I posted the last post, she took some steps for us and we got it on video! Woohoo! Go Ava, Go Ava!

Ava Standing!



On Tuesday Ava stood for a few seconds and took a few steps before realizing what she was doing! Yesterday at daycare she took a couple more. Today they said she took 5! She is standing for long periods of time, but doesn't want to show us her walking skills just yet. Maybe she is trying to perfect them for us :)

How to explain death to a child, hmmm.

I figured that Zach is finally really understanding things and remembering so I would tell him that Paris Jackson is sad because her dad died. He was so upset by her and he is just so sensitive. I told him that her daddy died and she was sad. He said, "oh, our daddy died too." I said no, our daddy is just at work. Then he asked me for vanilla waffers. When I gave them to him I said,"Her daddy went to Heaven and he won't be able to give her cookies anymore." How better to explain the finality of death to an almost 3 year old, right? Something they might sort of understand. He seemed to get that a bit. A few hours later we saw sweet little Paris on the TV again and he says, "She is sad because her daddy died and can't give her cookies anymore." Wow! He really does listen and is starting to get things. I guess I won't be making things up too much longer because God only knows what he will start saying to people!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

4th of July!

















We had a great 4th of July! First we went to a birthday party, went home for naps then went to Allie and Devon's to eat and swim! It was a great time until the firework practice rounds started! Zach was so freaked out that all he wanted to do was go inside or go home! We ended up coming home and watching the fireworks from the street in front of our house at a very safe distance! We did a few sparklers and all was good on our 4th!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Look mom, no hands!



Independance day had a new meaning for Ava! It was on this day that she really took off and decided to stand up all by herself! She will stay up for a few seconds at a time then gets nervous and lowers herself back down slowly! We love progress!

A conversation with Zach!

Zach: What's this?
Andy: A slinky.
Zach: A stinky? Like my bum?
Mom: Hahahahahahahahaha!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

One Year Ago on the 4th of July!


Ava at 2.5 months!


Zach at 21 months!

A friend did this on her blog and I liked the idea so I stole it!

Happy 4th of July!





















We headed to the beach to celebrate the 3rd of July since we knew it would be packed today! We hope you all enjoy your 4th in a fun and safe way!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Funny videos and pix from the week!


Cheese face at Gymboree!


Cheese face stuck in the couch cushions!


Cheese face at Jump!Zone


She-cheese face at Jump!Zone


Ava and the ice cream cone!


Ava gets stuck!


Ava says no (a lot!)
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