Summer 2011 Recap

Summer flew by and we spent the majority of it in some type of body of water. It was so nice to have Greg back this year to enjoy it with.

VFA 32 Dining Out- Gypsy Chicks represent!

Dining Out. Greg was selected by his peers to be the head of JOPA (Junior Officer Protection Agency) which basically means he is the President of Fun and Mischief for all the JOs. We had a great time and really enjoyed the squadron shenanigans.

Greg putting his bow tie on

Swimming everyday really wore the girls out!

Big fans of the Y spray park

Lion and Duck at your service

Both girls are going through a big baby stage and love being Mommies.

playing Memory with GiGi

Ellie goofing off with Uncle Zach

Ellie 21 months

Ava 3 1/2

This is the lake in our community. We love to come in the afternoons and see the geese.

paddle boating with Nanny

Beach time with Laura and Audrey

Chikfila Milkshakes were our special treats this summer

Annual College Roomie Girls beach weekend. We missed you JB!

One of Ava's rewards is being able to use Momma's vacuum. Let's keep our fingers crossed that she continues to have cleaning as a reward :)

We had a resident artist on our hands which we had to break from scribbling on the wall. We caught her red handed here trying to flee the scene!

pool picnics most afternoons!

exploring at the lake with Nanny

Off we go on an adventure with Jane Berry!

Uncle Eric had a surprise visit to everyone at the Lake on the 4th of July

tackling uncle justin

milkshake date with momma

still baking up a storm

walking to the neighborhood pool

Convincing the girls the ocean is not scary with Daddy

Ava and I had a movie date

reading about Poop

twins

Greg learns who is boss

"Bye Mom time to go shopping with our babies!"

falling asleep at the dinner table because she was so worn out

running wild with Daddy

car washing

Beach Bean

Waking Daddy up at 6 am to give him his Father's Day presents

children's museum in Portsmouth reopened

Ava had her first Dentist appointment and she did great!

Goggles were a must have accessory not just to be worn in the pool

mini loved swimming

Pool Rats!

Ava worked hard at swim lessons all summer

Our last date night with the Browns before they moved

treehouse fun with cousin Brian and Shelby

sugar high with Poppy

mmmm

I let her play with WASHABLE markers. I love how she gave herself a mustache too

The most proud moment of the summer was Ava learning how to swim on her own. Great work babe!

Callie Hardman Photogrpahy Pics

One of my wonderful sorority sisters, Callie Hardman started up a photography company this year. She did a complimentary shoot for us and we just loved the pictures. She had so much patience with our circus and we highly recommend her for anyone in the Hampton Roads area. Check her out at calliehardmanphotography.com

I can't believe I left these out of the spring album!

I was about to do the summer album and then I ran across these and figured they were too fun not to share. The last video is of Ava's end of the year preschool Mom's picnic. All of these 3 year olds are saying the pledge of allegiance. She is on the left side of the video.

Dying Easter Eggs

Give me some SUGAR!

I'm so over shopping

Aspires to be a dishwasher at this point....no kidding she loves washing dishes!

"My night to cook Mom!"

Mt. Trashmore Park

Kite Flying!

Quality meal time entertainment

Ava Ballet

Our little graceful girl!

Spring Recap

Spring was a lot more relaxing for us than most seasons this year. Since I had my anatomy and physiology II class on Fridays and Saturdays we stayed in Virginia Beach most weekends. Ava started ballet and thinks that everyone should wear tutu's and leotards at all times. She is quite the flexible girl but unfortunately inherited the awkward dance moves of her parents. Luckily, her awkwardness is adorable and most likely disappear with practice. Ellie became our assertive little girl this Spring. She was determined to keep up with her big sister in all respects. She shows no fear and has a drive and will that I have never seen in a toddler before. She keeps the whole family laughing and on our toes. Greg worked crazy hours this spring to get a qualification for the squadron. However, for the first 3 months he had off on Fridays and watched the girls when I went to class. The girls looked forward to their daddy time each week so that they could wrestle, build forts, make up sporting games, and goof around.

Ellie our Southern Belle at Easter.

Ava counted down the days to Easter because she was DYING to wear this dress and literally tried it on every morning.

Easter service with Nanny and PopPops

Our annual Strawberry picking

Ellie likes to try out her products before we buy them

Quite the artists. One of Ava's favorite activities now is painting.

I love how they sleep so similar

Ellie Bean cooking for the first time, once again she likes to test the food she is preparing.

icing cookies

Ellie painting Greg, herself, and sometimes the easter egg at a pottery studio

"Well how you doing Girl!"

Glamourous!

I told you, remarkably flexible!

Her class was just adorable. Ava is the first in line

stretch it out

Sadly, the Browns moved to California in May. We made the best of our last few months with them! One bright spot with us moving to California is that they will only be 3 hours away. We are already planning the weekend trips!

This was the first day they could wear shorts in March. Time to break out the crocs!

This is them playing "Monsters"

Sweet Bean

Our little gardner

million dollar smile

first spring sisters picnic

Miss Ellie walking the runway in one of our favorite Jackie O outfits that Aunt Jen gave Ava

This coat was made for me when I was a toddler. It just melts my heart having both girls wear it now

Ava always requires a fresh Pedicure

passing out on Daddy

Book Please!

Ahoy Mini!