Memorial Weekend

For memorial weekend this year, we were able to visit some of our family in Oregon. We were so lucky to get to visit with both Nick and my sides of the fam. Ava also got to meet her Aunt KC, Uncle Seth, and cousin Savannah. Even though there's a bit of a difference in age, I think Ava and Savannah will be so close.. they already love each other. Every morning, Savannah would say 'where's Aba??' It was so cute! They played together a lot more than I thought they would. They colored A LOT together... with markers, chalk, whatever they could find. Ava also got to meet her Great Great Aunt Julie. We are so blessed to have so much family and so many generations still. On Memorial Day, both sides of the family got together for a picnic at Diamond Lake, which was fun but I forgot the camera, so I have no pictures. The weather barely cooperated while we were there, it's the best time to visit Southern Oregon because everything was in bloom. It was beautiful there. There are quite a few pictures, so beware now!

GiGi and Ava at Lithia park
Dad and Ava at Lithia Park

the shirt says it all...
My absolutely darling niece, Savannah..

Ava and Savannah playing..

And lastly, I have been a HORRIBLE picture taker lately. SO, to my mother, sister, and Gramma: please send me pics from this weekend so I can post them on the blog and get prints!

Once again, sorry for the delay!

the never ending quest...

so.. now that I have the birthday party out of the way, I am now on a neverending quest to update the blog... today I share with you some moments right before Ava turned one. First one being when she was actually able to eat dinner with us.. eating everything I made for Nick and I. This was huge! Now she pretty much eats whatever I make for meals! No more personal chefing! It has also helped me to alter our (my) diets because she pretty much always shares off of my plate, so I make healthier decisions! Another set of photos are from when I took Ava to a kid's play place when the weather was still nasty and we were both tired of being cooped up. At this point, Ava could pretty do everything except walk. She had a pretty good time, especially since we went later in the day and it wasn't as busy.

Playplace

infamous tongueham...

Officially eating dinner with us!

ladybugs and tutu's

Ava's first birthday!

What a fun weekend we had for Ava's birthday! We were surrounded by so many close friends and family. Ava is so loved and we are so lucky to have such wonderful people around us. The theme for Ava's party was Ladybugs and Tutu's. It was a great success! I had so much fun decorating cupcakes, making tutus, and cooking a ton of food. I also decorated the tables like ladybugs with tons of balloons everywhere! As a kid, my mom always threw the most awesome birthday parties for me, I can't wait to pass on the tradition to Ava. She got so many wonderful gifts, unfortunately, she pooped out before we could open them at the party. After her nap, the family stuck around and we opened her then. She got a TON of pretty clothes, many many books, her first babydoll and babydoll activity set, an electric 4wheeler, a swing, fun stuffed animals, a rocking chair, and a family pass to the children's museum. So spoiled! Thank you so much to everyone who could make it. Thanks to all my photography friends and family for capturing her special day.. if it weren't for you guys, I would have absolutely nothing!!!!

Photos by Rachael Wooten:

"Hi Carson! Thanks for coming to my party!"Ava's new 4wheelerthe cupcakes

the baby
the balloonsAva eating her first cupcake

Photographs by Tara Polly:

first cupcake

baby feetbaby face"what'd I do??!?!"

Jake & Aiden

Scarlett & Raef
gifts

Daddy and Daughter

party favors

decorations