Splish Splash

We had a meetup at the Navy Rec Center baby pool in Norfolk (it is like an olympic sized baby pool).  Ava has decided adopted an "alligator" type crawl that she uses to "swim" around. It is hysterical to watch. 

The "alligator crawl". 

Balloon Fun

Today we went to a fun meetup with one of our Mommy groups. They made ribbon type toys and then ran around with balloons. It is always so refreshing to see how the simplest pleasures in life always amuse a toddler. Some of these pictures are blurry because Ava was running and squealing everywhere today.

Week full of eating

This weekend Ava and I went to two dinner parties. On Saturday Christine hosted one which had several of our college sorority sisters catching up and JuJu and Ava wrecking havoc in the background. Last Sunday, Joelle and Amy started a dinner club in which a bunch of the military wives from several different squadrons switch hosting a dinner party every Sunday night while the guys are gone. Amy hosted this week with a Taco theme and it was delicious. We had a wonderful time at both and it was so much more relaxing with Ava at someone's house rather than in a restaurant resenting being confined. To counter all our eating, we participated in the Strike Fighter Ball 5K race. Joelle and I waddled our way to the finish line pushing Ava in the jogger stroller. Today Aunt Ellen, Uncle Bill, and Brian came by the house and took us out to lunch. We are so happy that Brian chose to go to EVMS for medical school since it is only 20 minutes away. He is playing with the idea of going into pediatrics- I will have two test patients for him! We are hoping to be able to make it to his white coat ceremony next weekend. 

5K race with some of the VFA 32 Gypsy Chicks and kiddos.

Ava initiated potty training. I have just been introducing her to the potty with how it works, the sign for potty, and getting up and down on to it. On Saturday she ran up to me, did the sign for potty, and successfully used it! I am so proud of her. She isn't using it regularly yet but she definitely understands the concept. 

This is the first time I have let Ava lick the spoon when I am baking. She is having homemade whipped cream here. 

She has got a sweet tooth!

Big Girl Bed!

Tonight Ava was actually EXCITED to go night night in her big girl bed. She didn't fight with me at all and snuggled up into her sheebies and drifted off to sleep.  It might have been successful too because she was worn out from her busy day at the pool and gym. 

Sneaking in to take a picture of this momentous occasion. One battle down. Now on to begin Potty Training....

This is why we had to put her mattress on the floor because this girl tosses and turns in her sleep. She doesn't even wake up when she rolls onto the carpet. 

Summerness

Hampton Roads has had a heat wave this past week with the heat index over 100 degrees everyday with LOTS of humidity. We have spent most of our time either at the pool or beach to combat the heat.  

Ava's first pedicure. She demanded it and actual sat still while I did her nails. If only she would sit that still when I did her hair.

Ava's first video game with Uncle Matt 

Yorktown Beach for the day with Laura. Ava loves her boat.

The lady who took the picture said she knew how to use my camera....she obviously didn't know how to use the zoom button though.

Laura did a good job though :)

She was nervous about the water at first but then we couldn't get her OUT of the water. 

playing ball with Aunt Laura

squealing with delight

Loving the water on a super hot day

Ava loves showing off her kicking at the pool

"Tada!"

Splashing so much that she is getting it in her face

going down the water slide in the kiddy pool 

Lunch time at the pool.

They have a spray area and Ava's favorite part is this bench that sprays water

Playing hide and seek at the park 

What a ham!

So we treated ourselves to Coldstone ice cream cupcakes- by far one of my favorite desserts now

She was all about the icing 

she was giggling the whole time she was eating this cupcake

Utah part I

Unfortunately I got our new family camera the last day we were in Utah because they have been out of stock at Best Buy (we love it by the way- it is a Sony).  I will post more pictures once Momma Dukes sends me them. These pictures are from when we went to Snowbird Resort and rode to the top of the mountain. The lower pictures are in Betsy's enormous and beautiful back yard. Thank you again Brauns for your hospitality and fun filled trip!

Riding down the mountain on the chairlift

It was a LONG way down

But SO exhilarating! 

Feet pose! Heidi on the left Becca on the right. 

Windy up there!

Exploring the cave that is drilled through the mountain 

Absolutely beautiful

We had to hike about a half mile to the chair lift from the top and the kids did great

Snow still on the mountain on August 1st! 

View from our hike on the way down 

Ava and I on the top loving the view

Thanks Momma Dukes for the lift tickets!

Ava wanted to be held by Uncle Erik the whole time we were up there

Heidi, Betsy, and Logan

My precious niece Heidi 

Miss Ava was more into the rocks than the view

Ava got scared at this lookout point. No fear with GiGi though.

Ava and her Gigi

Ava was stressed here about the heights

The Braun Family- Erik, Betsy, Nixie, Heidi, and Logan 

Gigi with her Braun Grandkids

Bets and Logan- Betsy is due in early January 2010

Heidi and Ava playing with their ducks 

Logan our Baseball Star

Ava was fascinated with the Braun's Spanish Water Dog, Damita. 

our crazy monkey boy

My belly is actually inside the tire!

Gigi with  her youngest grandchild (not for long!)

Heidi reading to Ava 

goofy girls 

They love their baby dolls

Coloring together while we were waiting to be seated at a restaurant 

Nixie was SO good with Ava. You can tell she has lots of practice being a great big sister. 

The current grandkids

after the trip to the candy store 

fun pioneer things all over Utah

Ava was so excited to hang out with her cousins