Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Quality Daddy Time

Greg was off for a week and we had a "staycation" that included lots of projects around the house along with beginning potty training with Ava. Ava did WONDERFUL this week and was using the potty about 5 to 6 times a day but as soon as Greg left on his detachment she wants nothing to do with it. I'm not pushing the issue because she is still young but we will try again when Daddy gets back.  We loved having so much time with him though and Ava did not let him out of her sight that week.
Ava demanding that we "take a cheese"
Aunt Jen stayed an extra night with us and Ava lounged with her in the morning while Mommy got to sleep in
Where we spent the majority of the week. I would sing potty songs while Ava showed her potty book to me
Big Girl
Teaching her baby doll how to use the potty 
Ava's potty chart. Hopefully it will be full of stickers soon!
Ava showing Daddy her favorite park- The Chesapeake Fun Forest
Our little Monkey
She loves when Daddy takes her to the park because everything is an obstacle course
playing peekaboo
yelling at us
Swings are still her favorite
Daddy has room on his belly to do the lap swinging with her
We have a new bench under the window and this is Ava's look out point
Ava and Daddy went bug hunting
We had the windows open for most of the week because of the nice cooling off in temperature but that meant some flies snuck in.  Ava would yell "BUG" and Daddy would swat it and she would cheer. Notice we also rolled up our rug during this week of potty training and Ava was pantless all week too.
At the Kennedy's Wedding on the beach
Andrea was a beautiful bride!
Some of the Gypsy Chicks representing at the wedding

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Ava's Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma Lita and Grandpa came and stayed with Ava from Thursday - Sunday so that Greg and I could go to North Carolina. From the pictures you can tell that Ava had a wonderful time and really enjoys spending time with her grandparents.  Thanks again Mom and Dad V! 
Lots of Pool Time during the weekend Grandpa singing Potty songs to her
Grandma Lita got her this amazing Bubble gun that is her new favorite toy now
She loves it because she can do it herself They got her this adorable dress and a matching dress for her bear playing with her piggy bank getting her toys out Twins! She is growing up WAY too quickly. Aren't the Converse they got her adorable? They are great too because they are the only shoes she can't take off herself (Ava is not a fan of shoes).

Thursday, September 3, 2009

North Carolina Road Trip!

Our NC Trip in Reverse order
Jen and I went to North Carolina to visit Sami in Cherry Point. We then headed to Winston Salem to Ben Alsup's wedding. It was like a big naval academy reunion (minus Matt Brown who we missed very much) and everyone had an incredible time. 
Ava doing the signature Jen Dance
Ava talking on the phone with Aunt Jen 
Ben and Bridget at the bubble reception the morning after the wedding 
The Hicksons! We miss them so much. Grace, Melissa, Aidan, and Sean 
My date for the weekend, Jen. 
Greg's date for the weekend, Garrett. 
We held sparklers as the couple exited the reception 
There they are! 
Not Jewish, but still a great tradition to do. 
Playing with the "Photo Booth" props. It looks like Greg is saying here, "Girl I am looking good!"
We were very sweaty at this point from dancing for 3 hours
The props were just too much fun!
Jen and I in the photo booth
Garrett caught the garter!
Pete dancing with Aidan. They were in matching outfits.
Greg and I doing the signature Jen Dance
Garrett playing the piano with Sean Hickson
Greg and Jen burning it up on the dance floor!
Matt's stand it for the night- Aidan 
Toasting the bride and groom
The kids had a blast! At first glance doesn't Grace look just like Ava? 
Hicksons and Valdezes minus a few offspring 
Jen, Melissa, and I
Melissa the wonder mom who makes having 3 kids under 4 look easy
Tom and Garrett giving a cheers to the groom Ben 
Burning up the dance floor with Garrett
This was the photo booth at the wedding- Such a great time!
Doesn't Greg look like Elton John's mother? 
Greg and his date
Nick and Julia
Ohhh Nick 
Bobby, Garrett, and Cliff
Bobby and Garrett. I can't decide if I liked Garrett's or Greg's woman persona better. 
Cliff and Megan 
Time to Boogie!
Ben and Bridget boogie time
very happy couple 
Greg and Garrett start dancing immediately following the ceremony
The girl dates- Jen, Megan, and Genna
We tired Aidan out
Ben and Bridget with all the Academy guys (minus Matt- we missed you!)
A good date picture before we got extra sweaty from dancing up a storm
Garrett dancing with Ben's Mom 
John and Genna
Nick and Julia- getting married next Fall!
Greg had baby fever and literally stole Aidan from the Hickson's and held him for about an hour and a half. 
Cliff and Megan
The Hickson kids are so well behaved
Jen with her stud muffin Aidan
Jen with Ben's Dad
The life of the party- Jean Alsup!
They missed each other
Bridget looked like Grecian Goddess! 
Ben anxiously awaiting his bride
The Ushers 
Garrett and Jen 
Smooch
We played the Wii fit one night and it was a great time. Jen is doing a crazy yoga workout here
I am virtually hula hooping here- So much fun but surprisingly difficult!
Caleb whooping up after getting a great ski score
Girls Night Out dinner with Jen and Sami
The girls- Cailin just turned 3
Sami is such a good mommy 
The girls- Jen makes us look so pale! 
such a cute couple 
family walk 
this was right before a big wave crashed on Jen 
I was testing to see how far I would actually have to bend my arms to do a push up 8 months pregnant. Didn't have to bend them that far....
This is where our GPS and Google Maps said where Sami lives. Ummm I think we are lost
Calling Sami to figure out why we are in the boonies.  Guess what, you don't get reception in the boonies! 
We were very lost. There were literally NO houses or civilization near us (Sami actually lives on this same road about 3 minutes away)
This was the sports coat that Greg borrowed to wear to the rehearsal dinner- it was HUGE on him and he looked so 1980s. 
We laughed SO hard and wish we could have seen him wear it at the rehearsal dinner. 
Ava getting a dose of Aunt Jen at our girls dinner at Jewish Mother
Ava was so entertained because we sat by the mirrors 
She was dancing and giggling watching herself for the majority of the dinner.