Out with the Heberts! Ava making her way over to tickle Julian Ava's first Kiss! (that I know of-ha!) Jb is Julian's God Mother The Heberts! Pretty Blondies Annie & JB

Jb reading Ava her night night book Ava would rather eat it

Jb makes cartoon type character faces at Ava and Ava just squeals!

Pretty Dogwood

One of the Overlooks on the Noland trail in Newport News The trail Current favorite picture sunny beautiful day more dogwood

Geared up for another Hike Greg sure is getting his work out!

Cold Glasses are still her favorite thing yum yum

First pair of shoes! Starting her shoe collection

The "Bark Park" opening in our apartment complex This was the only "obstacle" that Penny would participate in She would rather hide under the obstacles

Greg teaching Pen how to play lots of dogs to play with! Greg trying to teach her how to jump through the ring (again she was not interested)

Cuddle time

She LOVES her blocks especially clanking them together A is for Ava! We set them up for her

Because she loves to swat them

and watch them tumble to the ground

Lunch break on our hike

Nature girl Family of Turtles Big Turtle Greg always wears the backpack because if I wear it then she just pulls on my hair the whole time. She gives us an extra workout :)

More blocks

She now is trying Sweet Peas What do you think of them Ava? She would rather play with them

The biggest news of this past week was that Greg had his first flight in the Super Hornet! He was ecstatic. He even broke the sound barrier! It seems that Navy has caught on that they have not been scheduling his class frequently enough because now Greg is working 12 hour days which include simulators, classes, computer exercises, and flights. We were able to visit two parks last week; the Noland Trail in Newport News and First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Ava is becoming the Nature girl and loves being up at Daddy's height in the backpack. Our apartment complex opened a Dog park that Penny enjoys. Penny would rather visit with the dogs than doing the agility course in the park. Becca went to Newport News and Norfolk this week to visit some of her sorority sisters. Jane Berry came back with her and spent the night on Sunday. She was like a Disney Character visiting the house because Ava squealed the entire visit. JaneBerry makes faces that Ava thinks are hysterical. On Monday Ava met up with the Heberts and had a great time with their son Julian. We joke that Julian and Ava have an arranged marriage. We have been engrossed in the special that PBS is broadcasting this week called "Carrier". We have already seen several familar faces in the series from Pensacola and here. Greg has been on the edge of his seat everytime they showcase the superhornet. We are looking forward to this weekend when Jen Brown, Momma Dukes, Aunt Jeannie, and B-Dad will all be visiting. We also be dogsiting one of Penny Lane's buddies- Slider the boxer!

Happy Earth Day!

Goob & Grandma Lita at the Japanese Garden Japan? Nope this is in VA Beach! Goob loves her Grandparents Sorority Sister Julie Helveston's Bridal Shower on Sunday

Greg reading to "The Zoo" Greg showing his Mom the Super hornets

Hanging out on our porch Ava playing tug of war with her food with Grandma Lita

Tailgating my soccer game- Great Cheering Section!

My cheerleaders

Soccer Game- We won!

Hanging out at the aquarium Grandpa showing the fish above them to Ava (it was a cave type exhibit)

The Virginia Tech Dolphin at the aquarium Horse Shoe crab that you could touch- The guys did this- I was a wuss Petting the sting rays- they are SO soft! Jaws!

Ava and I at the Park

Daddy & Ava at the waterfall Showing Ava the water

playing in the field with the dogs

The dogs had a great time

Goob's first hike (thanks to Betsy & Erik's backpack they gave us!)

ready to go The dogs were surprisingly athletic through our hike

playing with babe Daddy about to give her a bath

Catching up on Ava's scrapbook

Ava's current favorite toy- cups so playful First I want to say that the little brown wiener dog is not our new dog (I know you are hyperventilating now mom) we were dog sitting for the week for our friends John and Nicole. The dog's name is Bubba and he is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. He has kept Penny on her toes and us entertained through out the week. We have coined our apartment "The Zoo" this week with the 2 dogs and the baby all wanting attention at once. Annie and I have been taking advantage of the local area by attending the free Pilates and Yoga classes that they have on base. Greg took advantage of the great weather we had for a few days and head to the golf course. One day we ventured to Red Wing park with the dogs and fell in love with the Japanese garden. We hiked through their wooded areas and let the dogs loose in the giant fields. Our goal is to visit all ten of the parks in Virginia Beach before the summer is over. Grandma and Grandpa came in for the weekend and we had a wonderful time with them. We went to the Aquarium with them and really enjoyed all the different hands on exhibits they had there. The gang then headed to Portsmouth for my soccer game. They were wonderful cheerleaders and were our good luck charms for the team- we won! The following day we took them to the squadron to view the superhornets (that Greg can't wait to finally fly in soon). We took them to Red Wing park as well because we knew that Grandma would love the gardens and landscaping. Ava had a great time playing with her grandparents and was all smiles for the weekend. Becca attended a bridal shower in Newport News for one of her sorority sisters (and soccer teammate) Julie Helveston. It was a classy wine & cheese themed shower where we all got to catch up with each other. We are thankful everyday for our proximity to our friends and family.