Room for Change

A lot has changed in the past year. Here is Ava in her room before anything was moved in or the walls painted.

 

And here she is a year later in that same room. 

She is taller, walking, climbing, and  spinning. Her hair is longer and more red plus she is saying new words all of the time (diaper, cracker, nose, bath, Michael, and so many animals sounds). I am a little apprehensive to think how much she will have changed by the time next year rolls around. We love our fiery red head!

Eleven Years

I probably post this picture every anniversary but it's the only one we have scanned in from our wedding. Getting married eleven years ago is not long compared to our parents or grandparents but it is long enough that the use of digital cameras was a very new thing for wedding photographers.

Yesterday we did our main celebrating ~Taste of Texas lunch with complimentary dessert, bowling, arcades, ice cream for dinner, Menil museum, Half Price perusing, movie at home and I got to pick out and arrange beautiful flowers at a downtown flower shop. We did this all in one afternoon/evening. Talk about making good use of a free night of babysitting.

I absolutely love being married to my husband. He makes me laugh like no one else. He knows me like no one else. This year has been challenging for our family but it has made me realize more than ever that he is God's perfect provision for me. He isn't perfect, but most days I could say he comes pretty well close. I pray that our children have spouses they love and cherish just as much.

Happy Anniversary Hunny! Amor Vincit Omnia!

Independence Day

We had a great time this past week filled with food, family and lots of fun. Independence Day celebrating stretched into a four-day affair. Gavin spent the night with his grandparents the night of the 3rd so it was just Miss Pris we took to the neighborhood parade. Her little flag dress I got for $1 at a garage sale before she was born and this is the second year she has worn it. I would say that was a bargain.It reminds me of when Pollyanna is draped in the flag for her musical performance.

 

 

We left to pick up brother but he was having too much fun playing with his cousins so we snapped a few of Miss America. She willingly obliged for quite a while and her Me Me's festive decorations lent to some gorgeous backdrops.

 

 

 

 

She has changed so much since last year.

  

We later chowed down again at my parents' house. These two are interacting more these days. I think they kind of like each other.

 

I don't have any pictures, but I loved seeing Ava's chubby little toes grubby from running around in the grass. She absolutely loves it outside which means I am always chasing her down with sunscreen to protect that fair skin. 

We had a relaxing end to our weekend with some Half Price book perusing and Sunday afternoon naps. I snapped a few more pictures of these two before church.

 

And to keep it real, here's just one of many outtakes.

A friend of ours has always insisted it is Independence Day and not just the Fourth of July. It is kind of like saying Happy Holidays to him instead of Merry Christmas. I can understand because Independence captures the freedom that we celebrate. I am so thankful to be able to be a participant in our country's freedom but even more blessed to have the freedom we have in Christ.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is The Lord." (Psalms 33:12 ESV)

Happy Birthday Five Year Old

We have been counting down since about 88 days ago to a little boy's fifth birthday. Well, one of us has been counting down. His mother on the other hand has not been so quick to embrace his birthday. The baby, toddler and preschool years have gone by way too fast. His flailing leg run has straightened out. His cheeks are slightly less full and my, what was I thinking when I decided to cut his semi-long locks. That truly made him more grown up looking.

We took one last picture of our four year old, did our traditional night night sayings, hugs and kisses and closed the door. I'm fairly sure that five year olds still do this too. When he woke up this morning, he told me he had grown over night. See if you can tell the difference.

Four Year Old Gavin

 

Five Year Old Gavin

 But I can't help but look at this face

And this one

Oh and this one.

 

I love you to the moon and back and more sweet boy! Happy Birthday!
Love, Mama

Zoo Fun

I am trying to make sure we make good use of our zoo membership this year. Although just today, we did turn down a zoo date and good thing because Miss Ava wasn't feeling like herself when she woke up and I have had a migraine. As brother rephrased, "Ava doesn't feel like Ava."

However, we did make it there a few weeks ago before the weather got unreasonably hot like today's temp of 90 degrees.

 

The sit and stand stroller was perfect and got lots of use. It was nice for Gavin to be able to be able to ride if he got tired or walk and take a closer look at the animals without having to buckle and unbuckle him each time.

I found a little wildlife here,

here, 

here, 

 and here.

Tried for some brother/sister photos inside the zoo.

  

 

But had slightly better luck with individual pictures outside of the zoo.

I Am Probably the Last to Blog About Easter

To say I've been a little MIA is quite the understatement, so much that I don't really know where to start. Due to an event that happened Valentine's Day, I have had neither the time nor the ability to sort out the thousands of words whirling around in my mind to string together a post. But, so that my mom and grandmother don't give up on me writing and posting pictures of the kids (at least they both have recent photos in hand), I'll try to share a bit.

Easter, it's really hard to admit it's been this long, but for a short recap, it was such a sweet time. I think it was the first year Gavin understood what Easter was about. My heart swelled up with joy when on Easter Sunday, he came down the stairs saying It's Easter! He has risen! His memory verse during that time period was "He is not here. He has risen just as He said." Yes, we decorated and hunted eggs, but were able to tie it back to new life.

My little girl wore one of my dresses to church Easter Sunday. I think she was pretty in pink.

We spent the day before Easter at my parents with the whole cousin gang. The kiddos will be outnumbering us soon. Gavin thought it was hilarious to collect one of Nee Nee's decorative eggs in his basket.

While this boy was flying kites with his cousins (doesn't he look eight?!),

 

 I stole a few minutes alone with Ava to catch her playing in my old playhouse. I'm so glad my parents saved it as part of their yard decor.

 

 

After church Easter Sunday we celebrated with my in-laws. The kids always have fun finding more eggs than they can carry.

And to bring my grandmother back from the brink of thinking I have abandoned all blogging, I just might even attempt to post again later this week. Here's to you Nana!

15 Months

 

It's been three months since an update on Missy Moo Hoo Lou as we sometimes call her around here. I was just saying today that it seems like she is older than the 15 months she has racked up. I think it's because Ava Grace's personality has increased tenfold.

 

This little girl is so full of life. She hugs her stuffed animals and family with such vigor. I love to see her lay her sweet little head on her rocking horse to give it a hug or pat us on the back. When we ask for a kiss, Miss Pris offers us her forehead.

 

 But with that strong sense of love and affection, comes a rather strong will. Gavin did not prepare us for temper tantrums. The flailing of the legs and arching of the back were something foreign to these two parents. I've created a new word- "outstubborn" because that is exactly what I am determined to do. That and pray for our red-headed spitfire. As Gavin has so incorrectly, but cutely said a time or two, "Ava's having a hussy fit!" Can't you just see the look of determination in this picture?

Ava currently loves books with sound and texture, playing outside, swinging, climbing anything, especially stairs (supervised of course), her rabbit Mia, sippy cups, most foods and being chased or chasing Gavin.

 

So far she utters: Mama, Dada, Gav, Gav (for Gavin), hi, hat, shake, ball, yes, moo and some form of Patti-cake.  At Ava's 15 month well baby check up she weighed 20 pounds and was 30 inches long, both categories in the 35th percentile.

We love you to the moon and back and more sweet girl!