Three weeks worth!

Now that I'm caught up on sharing our holiday vacation stories and pictures, I can get caught up on January!

Ava really loves her new tub from Grandpa! She zips around in it, chasing her tub toys everywhere.

Since she began crawling, she has discovered a cupboard in the kitchen with the perfect play items. Plastic containers and cutting mats!

Enjoying a library book with Daddy.

We finally found the winter hat from Auntie Gretchen that we'd been looking for so long. And boy doesn't she look cute!

She's taken to pulling herself up on everything in sight, even her old bouncy seat which she donated to Baby Kaylie.

We spent an afternoon visiting my friend, Danielle, and her 4 month old twin boys. Ava scooted around on the floor and played with Jake, a very sweet and incredibly patient dog. She smooshed his face and climbed all over him and he didn't even seem to notice.

Awwww.

On MLK Day, I got a special treat because I got to spend the morning with Grandma and Ava at the zoo!

Helping Grandma with her laundry.

Brent and Nicky brought Ava a swing from South America.

She loves it!

Ava's first trip to the beach across from my school. Very windy and very wavy.

After getting a handful of sand, she just sat there opening and closing her hand while watching Ryan down by the water.

When she tried crawling, she got a little frustrated and upset, so it was time to go to lunch. But not before I got this super cute pic of Ava and her daddy.

Holiday vacation - installment #6

On the last leg of our holiday trip, we stayed in PA with Ryan's family for a week. We had tons of snow, but also lots of time indoors in the warmth! Ava hit some milestones: began crawling and feeding herself. Now there's no stopping her!

Checking out all the presents under Grandma and Pop-Pop's tree.

Opening her first gift in PA.

Snuggling with Pop-Pop.

Tubby time in the sink with GG and Grandma.

'What is this thing?!?'

She'd been rocking on all fours for a few days prior to this, and could sort of get her arms to cooperate, but her legs didn't.

And that frustrated her!

So she'd take a time-out to recoup.

Snoozin' on the way home from French Creek so Mommy and Daddy could get their wing fix.

Snugglin' on Grandma before bed.

She was a bit off her sleeping schedule, and getting up WAY too early, so I'd nurse her in bed and then we'd fall asleep again. :)

The Bogert/Byler clan.

Ava's first attempt at feeding herself was pretty successful. She ate lots of banana and also got a lot in her hair, along with peas and carrots!

Matchy-to-matchy with Aunt Krista! So cute!

Holiday vacation - brief installment #5

The day we left camp, I made sure to take a couple of pics of our tracks to and fro. Great memories.

We visiting Grandpa and Marylou before we made the trek to PA. I love this pic! So sweet.

Had a gathering with some friends from high school and their first borns....all 2 and under!

Not only was this one of Ava's first play dates, since she could actually sit up on her own, but there were tons of kids to play with!

That night, Gretch and I gathered with a few of our favorite high school boys. A great night and I think my cheeks still hurt from laughing. :)

Holiday vacation - installment #4

Sorry for the delay, it's been a hectic few days! The pics in this edition are from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at camp. Enjoy!

The little Miss with Auntie Gretch - they are very photogenic together. :)

Oh, yes we did! Not only a family pic Christmas Eve, but in matchy-to-matchy pjs no less! It all started with the kids and then we just couldn't resist joining in.

Trying to wrangle Ava under the tree was a serious job and Mariana was up for the task.

She was smiling at Aunt Gretchen and then got free reign to investigate the tree.

Hmmm, what's this sparkly thing?

Ava's very own homemade stocking, thanks to Grandma. A little too big for her tiny gifts, but just right for her!

Her first ever gift from Santa - a teething doll.

Don't they all look so stinkin' cute?!?!

Playing with her new toys when she wasn't trying to eat the paper and tissue.

Wrastlin' with Daddy!

Holiday vacation - installment #3

First time standing on her own - view from the back...

View from the front - she is too cute!

We walked across the lake on Christmas Eve day to visit Grandma Mary. Our camp looks equally beautiful no matter the season - winter or summer.

Mariana getting a free ride from Uncle Ryan.

On our return trip, Ava was pooped. She passed out in the Moby shortly after we headed back to our place. We took a mini detour to see the Freeman-Jordans and left lots of foot prints and sled prints on the lake.

Taking advantage of a good sledding spot at Grandma Mary's.

Gretchen and Mariana.

The south shore covered in fog, right before sunset.

Marcus, Mariana and I were the first to leave any tracks on the south shore side of the lake - no animals, snow mobiles or anything! Note the snow angels at the bottom...we also wrote our names and a big smiley face. Mariana got a kick out of screaming "Merry Christmas Eve" at the top of her lungs and listening for the echo. :)

Merry Christmas Eve from the south shore at Brantingham Lake. Ahhhh, pristine beauty.