"The Look"

As many know Ava is our "little miss sassy pants" and today she was nothing short of her ordinary self. This is the "look" she likes to give me when I tell her not to do something (like don't play with the shredder...it's dangerous and you could lose your fingers!). It's as if she's trying to say..."well Mom, what are you going to do about it?" Stinker! She can be as cute as a bug's ear at times, but she LOVES to try my patience! Oh, and by the way, she insisted she have both the bib (which is too small) AND the dish towel.

3's A Crowd...

For the past 5 years (I know it's my own fault), we have had our little midnight monkey run in and want to sleep with us. I usually end up with about 12 inches on the edge of the bed with a foot in my side. Last night before bed I told him that if he got scared and came to sleep with mommy & daddy he would have to bring blankets and a pillow and sleep on the floor. He did it! And all by himself I might add! I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I woke up to this. Notice that his halibut from Alaska is not in my bed either. Thanks buddy...Mommy can finally get a good night's sleep!

Last Wedding of the Summer...

Mimi and Drew (11 mo.)
Mimi & Ava
Melanie & Emelia
Mimi, Ava, Jake, & Abigail
Mommy's cousin Brynn, Ava, & Jake
Ava getting her groove on...
Little Emelia...soooo pretty!
Josie and Drew giving loves...
Drew is getting SO Big!
Ty & Jake

Ava & Brynn
Jake with his messy, sticky hands...just had to have those "melted" meltaways!
Auntie Kelsy & Ava
Josie
Mimi and the 2 year old "club"
They have a little cheer they all do together...so cute!

Yesterday I told Ava we were going to mommy's cousin Sue Ann's wedding and she quickly asked, "Can I dance?" Of course! Boy, can that girl dance! She did not inherit that from me...Eric says I have no rhythm. The wedding was at the Windm1ll Garden in Sumner and it was such a pretty setting! The flowers were gorgeous and Sue Ann and Adam looked so happy. Jake really enjoyed trying to catch Koi fish with Uncle Richard (with their hands!). They did end up rescuing one that was caught in the filter. Jake has been talking about Uncle Richard and the Koi fish all morning! Weddings in our family are always fun and a wonderful way to bring everyone together. Sadly, I was so busy photographing my kids and family that I didn't get any snapshots of the bride and groom.

Family Time at Quest Field

Last night we went to the first Pre-Season Seahawks game. We had a fantastic view of the entire field from our seats but wow, was it a long trek up there! We were on the 40 yard line and about 8 rows from the top. It was 92 degrees out when we were parking the car, and probably 5 degrees warmer once we got to our seats. It was very exciting for the kids and they had a lot of fun despite the heat. Our saving grace was a phone call from Grandpa who happened to be in a suite (with air conditioning) and said that 4 people had left and that we were welcome to join them. I think our kids came alive on our way into the suite because the dessert cart met us at the door. They filled up on gummy bears and ice cream (just what they needed). Jake later said, "Dad, this is my favorite way to watch football." Oh boy, we better take the silver spoon out of his mouth!

Our photos were taken with Eric's phone...so they aren't the best quality.

Good Times with Great Friends!

This weekend was a great weekend! It all seemed to work out so well and we were able to see and catch up with some of our really good friends. We went to Chelan for my birthday without the kids in tow and it made for a relaxing time. Saturday Leah and I went and grabbed coffees and then spent the whole day on the boat soaking up the sun with our guys. Leah's dad brought her boys up and we were able to see them for a bit and he was nice enough to hang with them that evening so we could go out. We made our way to Karma Vineyards (a newer winery in the area) for appetizers and tastings, then went to Tsillan Cellars on our way back into town...it was such a gorgeous place! We finished the evening by going to this fabulous Italian restaurant, Andante, and had a fantastic time celebrating my 30 something birthday. Leah and Brady made it so great for me and Eric and are the perfects hosts. Thanks for a great weekend my dear friends...Let's do it again soon!

Is it smart to take a 2 year old to the movies???

NO!!! Last night Eric had this great idea that we should all go and see the new movie Wall E (or however you spell it). While yes it is an adorable movie for kids (and a great one for the car...no dialogue for the first 30 minutes or so), it is not a great place for our little Ava. This is how the evening went. We arrived (10 minutes late) and I ran in to buy the tickets while Eric parked the car and brought the kids in. We waited in line to give the guys our tickets, and they asked to look in my purse for cameras (I was really hoping they wouldn't find the candy I was trying to smuggle in underneath the diapers and wipes). Well they spotted it (the camera) and asked me for the batteries. Batteries??? NO WAY!! All I could think was that I would surely forget them on my way out and that would pose a huge problem for me the next time I went to snap a picture of my darling kids doing something silly. So I sent them in and ran my "batteries" out to the car. After returning I bought a gigantic tub of popcorn and a big drink (which I never give my kids...but knew it would keep them quiet). I walked right past the guys who checked my purse the first time (again not wanting them to find my smuggled candy) and finally made it right after the movie had actually began. Didn't miss much. Everything was great for the first 20 minutes or so, especially since mommy showed up with treats. Then Ava started vying for position on the popcorn and the pop...shouting "MINE" at the top of her lungs every time anyone would move it away from her. "Sorry your highness" we would say. After another few minutes our princess was off of her seat flapping the seat cushion up and down while it made this annoying squeaking noise. Of course, we quickly stopped her but she continued to be a stinker the entire movie. After that, we took away a box of candy that was almost gone and she started to wail....let me tell you, the girl has lungs! Needless to say, Eric and I were awfully glad when the movie was over and plan to wait another year or so before we take her back. We don't suggest taking children to the movies until they are at least 3 or4....not 2 1/2 and not with Princess Ava.

Ava...."The Flower Girl"

Jake & Ava
Jake & Daddy
My cousin Katin and Ava (of course, being a stinker!)
Becca, Brynn, & Katin
Josh (my brother) & Kelsy

Ava in her "Cinderelly" dress
Ava & Brynn (Ava wanted to BE Brynn)
Ava & Carly (walking down the isle)
The Wedding Party
Ava & Mommy being silly...Jake still pretty serious

Yesterday was Ava's first appearance as a flower girl and she made us proud! My cousin Brynn got married in this amazing ceremony in the woods...actually it was at her parents house but they live in the woods and completely transformed their property into something unlike I've ever seen. They hid tea lights in the woods and made this place called the "Sanctuary" with this giant iron chandelier hanging from the trees lit by tea lights...gorgeous! Not to mention creative! Anyway, our little Ava was her flower girl and she did great! Here are a few photos of the evening...