Reconnecting with our "people"

The upside of funerals is reconnecting with long distance family. My sister and her four children flew in from Utah, my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin came in from Texas, and Greg's Aunt from Washington state was in town as well. We stayed at the Valdez house during the week since GiGi's house was packed to the brim. Nanny spoiled us every morning and let me sleep in a bit and then would help me get the girls ready for the day. What a great way to start of the day. It was a fun yet exhausting week.

We started the week with a weekend at the Lake Anna Lakehouse

Ava supervising Pop Pops fixing the boat

Nanny had to tow the boat with her paddle boat- funny scene to watch!

Grandma Bath and Richard came down from Maryland

You can tell that the cast did not slow Ava down at all

Aunt Pat has a lakehouse close to the Valdez lakehouse

Anna and Ellie Bean

The Bath ladies! Great catching up with Aunt Carol

Grandma training Bean in walking

Carol and Grandma B!

Ava still the Skipper of the boat

Group shot

checking in on my dream house...

She was worn out from the day.

This picture makes me laugh so much. Ava is making one of my annoyed faces and Ellie is delighted to be annoying her (a Greg face). It is funny that Ellie has so many Greg mannerisms even though she is not around him.

Logan schooling Ava on how to play the Nintendo DS

Heidi was so sweet sharing with Ava and having lots of patience with her.

Ok after reviewing this pictures, I realize that I have to retire Ellie's shirt. It is a 6 - 12 months shirt that I just couldn't let go because it is one of my favorites. Look at that sweet pot belly though :)

Logan the conductor of the Valdez choo choo train

Uncle Dan and Stefan

He is the cutest little peanut

embracing her Mexican heritage

Chris embraced the chaos and was a huge help all week

civilized girls

boys will be boys

Ellie gets jealous easily...

Nixie used her many years of experience as a big sister to really help out

This was a wild wagon ride

baby race!

Cheers GiGi!

Ava styled by Nixie

cutie patootie Heidi

GiGi and GrandBob baby time

Dinners were never dull

Several trips to the park!

Stefan was like a little fish moving quick! Such a sweet little guy

Go Ahead and Judge Me.....

Today the weather was horribly miserable so to pep up the mood I started watching the TV Show "Glee". Ellie never usually watches TV (she hates sitting still) but I glance down and notice she is mesmerized by it all of a sudden. It is when they are singing. Of course it happens to be when they are doing the spoof on Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical". Disclaimer: PBS Kids is usually on in our house not men gyrating on TV. Please also notice all those books on the floor in front of her - we read all those this afternoon......In other words, I am begging....please don't call child protection services on me! I promise Glee is not a trashy show!

Bada Bing it's Ellie BEAN!

My goodness has just been 3 days with Ava in preschool and Ellie has decided it's Showtime!" The first day, I think Ellie was in shock that Ava was gone and even more shocked that I wasn't as good of a partner in crime as Ava is for her. She LOVES being the center of attention and gets offended if we are not chatting at all times while she is awake. I realize now that she would be ten times more exhausting if she was the first child rather than the second. This bonding time I have with her alone is precious though and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to do it.

Accessory loving most be in the Valdez gene pool.

The "edgy" daughter

It is a miracle! Ava sat still long enough for me to french braid her hair. I think it might be a one time deal.

After I picked her up from preschool in the afternoon it had morphed into a side pony tail. Still a good start!

Ellie Bean hanging out with Camden one of her bffs. Camden is just 3 weeks older than her.

A room full of toys and they both just want to play with the electronics

ELLIE BEAN FINALLY WALKED FOR ME! I had to use the method that I used with Ava, baiting her with chocolate pudding. A tried and true method. WAY TO GO ELLIE!