Quarantine week

We had a week of hibernation at the Valdez house. Ellie (the original perpetrator), Greg, and I all got a horrible cold and sore throat. We had to make due and cancel all our weekend plans and do mostly indoor activities. 

Ava was sweet and said, "Momma, don't worry Ellie and I will clean today so you don't have to." Even though it made more of a mess, it was definitely one of the sweetest things she has done!

stamps and stickers time

Good sharing going on

One of my favorite games growing up- Fish!

Bean would hold the "pond" to make it go slower so she could catch them

I officially lost my mind and let the girls finger paint. They loved it and the mess was actually minimal. I LOVE not having carpet!

Making messes makes them just joyful!

When we were finally brave enough to venture out of the house we decided to do some bowling. Ava was in HEAVEN because she could finally have her own bowling shoes! She was devastated that you had to give them back at the end.

Mini refused to let anyone carry her bowling ball except her. She actually ended up beating me with her ramp apparatus and bumpers! King Pin Min.

Ava declared she was too old for the ramp and perfected "The Granny" technique

Daddy always wins - he has a crazy spin up his sleeve! 

Great Day of family fun!

The Queen of Halloween

To culminate our celebrations of October in our family we went to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Unfortunately, there are not many pictures from there because we spent the majority of our time in their gigantic indoor water park both days we were there. I learned from our lake trip this summer not to bring my mac daddy camera near water. The girls had a fun time trick or treating, playing in the waterpark, having a slumber party together, and running around the resort. For Ava's birthday we did a small celebration at home and then went to the Harper's neighborhood to Trick or Treat. Their neighborhood is CRAWLING with kids. I have never seen so many children trick or treating in my life! We had such a busy October though that Ellie and I developed a bad cough and cold and have been out for the count for a week. Greg has had the sniffles and Ava claims that she has been immune because "Princesses don't get sick". I pointed out that Sleeping Beauty and Snow White did get sick and she said they don't count because she has never seen those movies. What a Diva.

Great Wolf Lodge!

Our Wolf cubs

The cutest Mini Mouse ever

Eeek precious

Trick or treating at Great Wolf Lodge

Wolf Wand for the Fairy Princess 

I didn't realize Wolves could be this cute

Excited for her Princess and Fairy Balloons

Presents!

 This set of pictures are adorable because this was Ava's reaction to her opening her "Mac Daddy" present. The two things she loves most in this world right now are shoes and princesses. Put them together and this is the reaction- Priceless! (double click on the picture to see them larger)

 The girls sporting their new fancy shoes from every angle. Ava was so sweet to share her presents with her sister right away

Ava's princess birthday cake

I love Mini's face in the background prepping for the cake

Daddy's girl

She called herself "Minnie Mao" 

Ava and Gracie. Gracie's grandma and Mom hand made her Rapunzel outfit. Too cute!

Let's Trick or Treat!

"Momma there are no time to take pictures when we are in the process of getting candy!"

Party On Valdez

Besides our own family's celebrations this month we had time to go to even more parties like the squadron pig roast, the Rubado annual Halloween pumpkin carving fest, and a surprise visit from Aunt Jen. Now you all understand why October is our absolute favorite month of the year!

Yup, dressing up again. This time for a squadron pig roast. Show them legs honey!

Aunt Jen made a surprise visit to Virginia and Ava was finally able to meet Ainsley. She was thrilled. She was so gentle and soothing talking to her. It makes me so proud of what a great big sister she is.

The girls would give Ainsley some space.....about a foot. They were so excited to see Jen's mom Ms. Pam again.

Jen being the super mom that she is had a craft for the kiddos to do while we visited

 Ainsley even got into the fun!

TADA!

Besties

Park days with the beautiful weather

The standard for relaxing. HAhaha. As I said, NEVER a dull moment.

GiGi came for a visit and played lots of Candy Land

Nanny and PopPops came for a visit and gave cupcakes to the girls for their birthdays

Favorite place in the house- PopPop's lap!

Our dear friends the Rubados had their annual Halloween party and the kids had a great time

painting pumpkins

Uncle Eric stayed with us for about 2 weeks while he was apartment hunting. We loved having him around and are so excited to live close to him for a few months

The kids excited to hold baby Aubrey

The adorable bambinos of the group - many more coming next year!

These are our friends from Greg's training squadron in Oceana. We have all become dear friends and the ladies have been a great support especially when the guys have been gone. We are missing one key friend here, Patsy!

Our Rag class- The majority of the class are expectant parents!

Cari is our baby whisperer of the group. This is her sweet sweet newborn Aubrey.

Ellie pumpkin carving with Uncle Eric

Ava carving with Daddy

Doesn't this look like a doublemint gum commercial? How much do Ava and Ellie look alike here and Eric and Greg look alike?!

It was fun, controlled, chaos! 

Great results! Thank you again Rubados for always being fantastic hosts.