Ava's First Birthday

We celebrated Ava's Birthday today, eventhough her birthday isn't until Tuesday. Dustin gets home too late from work to celebrate then. We started out opening presents after Ian and Ava got up from their nap. Here is Ava crawling away from her presents.

She got some books....

Some new clothes...(in the bag)

Some blocks....

A baby stroller.... It's not shown but Ian pretty much opened all her presents for her.

and a push and play toy....(seen later) This is the only present she even tried to open.

After opening presents we had cake. Here is the Caterpillar birthday cake I made. (That's why she is wearing antennas, to match her cake.)

She was very impatient while waiting to eat her cake.

Here she is digging in.

Ian had his fare share too.

She sucked the frosting off the antenna.

This is what happens when you try to take food away from her.

Ava loves cake, we shouldn't be surprised, she will eat anything.

She was looking too much like a boy so we put the antennas back on her.

After a bath, by Dad, she's playing with her push and play toy, and wearing her new outfit.

We love Ava so much and we hope she has an awesome birthday. Thanks everyone for the gifts.

Snapshots

I was making dinner the other night and somehow Ava reached the strawberries in the middle of the table. At least we found out she isn't allergic. Here are a few snapshots I took today.

Father's Day

Since it is Father's day, I'd like to say a few things about my favorite 3 fathers. First my own Dad. Of course he's the best dad ever. He taught us so much growing up. How to work hard, and to always be honest. A handshake for my dad was as good as a signature. He would spend time reading to me, and taking us to the lake. But the thing that always comes to mind when I think of my dad is this song....... (I don't know the name of it).

My dad's the biggest guy,
and my dad's the strongest guy,
and my dad's the nicest guy of any guy in town.
He can do anything you want,
he'll fix your bike or fly a kite
'cause my dad, my dad's the greatest guy around.

He can throw a ball so high you think it's gonna break the sky
He knows the name of every kind of jet---Vrooom.
He can add up any sum
He always had money for bubble gum
I haven't figured out how he does it yet, but
my dad's the smartest guy,
and my dad's the bravest guy,
and my dad's the neatest guy, it's positively so!
Maybe I'll introduce you, then you'll know that it's the truth;
That my dad, my dad's the greatest guy you know.

The next Dad is my Father-in-Law...
He is also an amazing Dad. He does so much for Dustin and I. He is always doing us favors, and never complains. Plus he adores our kids, and they adore him, especially Ian. He's a great grandpa and we love him.

Next is my Husband and my kids father...
Eventhough he is still new a being a dad he is great at it. When I run out of patience he still seems to have some in there somewhere. He loves playing with Ian and Ava. Especially when Ian wants to play soccer, He loves his little boy, and Ava has him wrapped around her little finger. I am happy I was able to find a guy who is a great dad. You don't know what kind of Dad your husband will be until you actually have kids, and my husband is Amazing.

I Love all of you special Dads!!!
(Sorry to the mom's I didn't think about doing this on Mother's Day, I love you too.)

Fathers and Sons campout

Dustin and Ian went to their first Fathers and Sons Campout last weekend. It sounds like they had a good time. I can't wait till we all go camping as a family. Here are a few photos from their trip. (I forced Dustin to take the camera).

Oh and by the way.... Do you notice Ian's chipped tooth. Sandy do you have any comments on that one. Just Kidding!

The boy in the red sweatshirt is Colby. He is 5 and Ian loves to play with him. They both LOVE "Cars" so they get along great.

Girls Weekend 2010

My Sisters, Mom, and I went to Whidby Island for a girl's weekend, last weekend. We had so much fun! I didn't include all the photos because we took so many, I'll explain them as we go....... Whidby Island is located in the Puget Sound a little north of Seattle, WA

We had to wait in a huge line for the ferry to take us to the Island.

After I yelled at the worker in the toll booth, got in the wrong line, and got yelled at by the crossing guard, we finally made it on the ferry. (long story).

Annesa flew in that night from San Diego, when I picked her up we had to wait an hour to get on that ferry because the line was so long. Needles to say the ferry boats and I did not get along.

At the house we rented.

On the ferry trying to put on a happy face.

We got this whole beach house for only $120 per night, if anyone wants to stay here I'll get you the info.

The view from the front porch. It took about 1 minute to walk down to the beach.

We had a late night of playing Boxers or Briefs, eating yummy snacks and catching up.

We explored some cool beaches with tide pools. We even spotted a purple Sea Star.

Here is Mindy in one of her MANY weird poses.

Here she is on a "Jacob" beach sitting on the driftwood, bleach white from the salt water. We pretty much called her Bella all weekend.

A drift wood teeter totter, lots of fun!

This is the beach in front of our house.

With Mindy behind the camera, we had to strike a pose.

When we found this post we HAD to do the Karate Kid move. It would have been more impressive if we had waited for high tide when the post was in the water. But we were too impatient to wait. This one is Annesa.

Here I am. I know terrible form.

This is Mindy. Tiffany wasn't allowed to do it because she's pregnant, and my mom wouldn't do it, so it was just the 3 of us. It was a lot harder than it looks balancing on that post. This was Mindy just before she fell off....

We spotted this Bald Eagle while walking on the Deception Pass Bridge.

The Deception Pass Bridge.

Here's Holly standing by a Holly Tree, at a Lavander Farm.

More of the Lavandar farm. It smelled so good!

We spent Sunday morning in Seattle before we had to head home.

Bella, I mean Mindy, with Edward. Too bad we didn't have one more day or else we could have gone to Forks.

I had such a great time with my sisters. Oh, and it was Annesa's birthday on Saturday so we were able to celebrate with her. It was also Dustin's birthday. He is so amazing to let me leave with my sisters for the weekend and be willing to stay home with the kids on his birthday! Thank you so much Dustin, you're the Best! I hope we will be able to have a Sister's weekend every year. My sisters and mom are all so weird in their own way and I love it. I wish we could all live closer, but since we don't all the more reason for the annual Sister's Weekend. Thank you all for coming and spending this time with me.