Daddy got a new ride!

We have had a crazy week! Ava came down with the nasty stomach virus Tuesday night and was a sick baby! She seems to have recovered and is full of energy again. In the midst of that and almost no sleep, Zach and I split the day being at home with her and also took turns going to sign papers to bring this baby home:

We have had our eyes out for a truck for Zach for a while but we usually take our time with big purchases. We had decided we were ready to buy and just happened across this one that turned out to be a great deal!!! We’re excited to have it!

And just for fun, here’s a silly picture of Ava! Maybe this can be used for blackmail some day!

Nice outfit she has on, huh? :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I, for one, am pumped that it’s just about the weekend again!!

Edited to add: The cutest thing happened this morning. Ava was clinging to Zach big time and whining as she was getting ready to school and she kept saying "tuck". I usually take her to school but could tell she didn't want Zach to leave. I finally asked her if she wanted to ride to school in the truck and she said "yeah!!"! So cute that she wanted to ride with her Daddy in the "tuck"! :)

Ava’s 2 year photos!

A couple of weeks ago, we had 2 year photos made by Beaty Photography. Once again, they did a phenomenal job!!! And that’s all I’m going to say because the photos speak for themselves!       

Thanks again, Jon & Emily! We love them SO much!

Another birthday celebration!

The night before Ava’s birthday we celebrated with my family. My older brother was in town and his birthday was Monday so we got to celebrate his too.

Anyone remember how upset I was with Ava’s cake last year?? I gave them a 2nd chance and thankfully this year I was not disappointed!

Blowing out candles!!!

Ava with Uncle Greg – we sang and let him blow out candles on Ava’s cake too!

Zach and I decided we were going to get Ava a slide for her birthday. I think she pretty much knows where every slide in our city is – she finds them in places we’ve never even passed before. Girl loves to slide! She has loved this and has slid her little heart out all week!! As soon as she saw it, she took her hand and wiped the bow off, because, duh, you can’t slide with the bow on! :) A few of my cousins came to the party with my grandparents and Ava was a great sport at sharing her slide and taking turns!! Opening some other gifts!

Thanks to Uncle Greg, Ava is now a fish owner. He got her this lovely little fishy. Poor little fish. Ava had no clue what it was and when I handed it to her to look at, she started shaking the container. Oops! 

Although it wasn’t exactly a birthday party, we had another get together Sunday evening since another brother was in town. Remember Stephen??? Well, he has met the sweetest girl through that post and they came down Sunday and we got to meet her! Hopefully I’ll be able to give more of an update on that down the road! She picked out some really great gifts to bring to Ava. She got some tutus, a new cell phone, and even a tiara! 

Isn’t this cute?! Ava LOVES this tutu!! She got another one as well, but for some reason, she has a preference for this one!

She put it on last night to do some sliding!

And again this morning before we left for school.. such a silly girl! 

Ava had such a wonderful birthday and is such a lucky little girl to have so many people to celebrate with her!!!! We are certainly blessed and so thankful!!

Ava’s Mickey Mouse Playground Party!!!!

I decided a while back that this would be the year to do a Mickey Mouse party with as much as Ava loves all things mouse. Our church has an elementary school and we had her party at the little kids playground! It was the perfect place and I couldn’t have hoped for a better party!

Invite – Acorn Design Studio on Etsy

The weather was beautiful (and a little warm, but I was just thankful there was no rain!)! Ava had fun playing a little bit while we set up before her pals arrived!    

Cupcake tower!{Birthday girl}    

All of Ava’s friends who were able to come really seemed to enjoy running free and to have fun playing. The parents were glad to see them run free and not have to worry since they were fenced in!!

Ava and E riding the rocketAva’s pal from school – she was so happy to see him!

Sweet Miss K  

Twin friends!!!

    

Mr M. – his mama and my mama are cousins AND she and I work together    

Miss C working her way to the slide          

Sweet kids enjoying some pizza      

Ava really wasn’t into opening her presents – she was way more interested in playing. She lasted for a few minutes but then had to hit the toys again. So then the present opening moved to this climber and there was a mini party with these kiddos and a hiding Ava.    

Time for cupcakes! Several of the little kids walked by this table and asked for cake before we blew out candles. Smart kids! :)  

My baby looks SO big to me here!    

Cupcake faces!!!!!!  

I thought the party was a success! I enjoyed watching Ava and her friends having fun playing!! I couldn’t have asked for a better party!!!

Look how tired this girl was on the way home!!! She played her heart out!!!

Next up: Ava’s birthday party with my family and her favorite birthday present!!!