Santa at Bass Pro, First Snowman

I went to the mall the other day to have Ava "see" Santa.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be busy, but I had other things to do so we got there early.  There was no line, so I went in, right away I saw these signs that said "no cameras or cellphone cameras beyond this point".  I was like really?  When the boys were younger, you could take them to see Santa and take your own pictures if you wanted!  Ava walked right up to Santa and shook his hand, looked at him but wasn't afraid.  Santa picked her up and she sat on his lap, it was really cute.  Mrs. Claus asked if I wanted a picture, and I said how much?  I was blown away, that the price of the picture was $20.  Well call me cheap, because I laughed at her and said NO WaY!  Ava took her candy and we left.  I was disapointed that I couldn't take a picture of her with Santa.  Well later that day, I told my hubby and he said, Bass Pro has Santa and I believe he is free.  I called over to them, and sure enough, HE IS FREE!  Well we went the next day, and low and behold, it is absolutely wonderful.  They take a picture and give it to you for free, and you can take your own.  The one they took is wonderful! (I haven't scaned it yet tho)  The ones i took, ahh not so great.  Ava was wanting her candy by the time I took a picture, but all in all a Great experience!

It snowed a little Monday, so Ava Grace and Trevor went out in it.  First of all I have to tell you, that I bought Avas snow outfit last year, before I even saw her, or her size.  I was just guessing what size she would be this year.  Well I guessed a little wrong.  Her snow suit is a 2T and she is only wearing an 18 month size.  So suffice it to say, it is big on her.  She looks like a walking marshmallow in it. 

They stayed mostly on the driveway, and I was able to get her on a sled and she loved going fast down the driveway. Trevor also taught her how to do a snow angel.

Last night Tyer and Ava went out when it was snowing again and they built an Ava Grace size snowman...

Then Ava thought she wanted to see how it tasted....

Later she justed wanted Frosty as her friend...

the boys are having so much fun with a little sister!

Back to Iraq

Our Nephew Matthew was home for a short time, he is on his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq right now.  We took him out to dinner and had a really nice time talking and remembering childhood things.  He is now back in Iraq and we won't see him again until probably October 2011.  My boys really love having him around.  Its kinda funny now, 2 of my boys are as tall or taller than he is.  But, they still like to wrestle!

Cooper and Ava loving eachother

Last night, after running the boys to basketball, Ava and I stepped outside and it was snowing.  It was really pretty and I wanted Ava to see it.  We weren't really dressed for playing in it, but Ava had a good time walking around in it.

MIA in Florida

I know that I have been gone for awile, but let me show you what we were up to! 

1.  Trevor, Ava and I headed out at 4:30 am to go to the airport

our first snowfall

Ava went running out after Trevor

and fell, she didn't like that

her hands got wet and cold

now I don't know what she thinks of the snow 

loved riding the moving walkway 

2.  We landed in FL, we went to play some football.  Trevors team made it to the Nationals for AYF.  Their team ended up placing 3rd which was a little disapointing, they were expected to WIN it all.  Well a team from NY, did much better than we did.  Trevor is the Kicker and Safety.

3.  While we were in FL, we HAD to go to Disney.  We did all the parks and got totally exhausted.  We even went and did Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure one day.  Ava did great all week.  She slept in the stroller, on benches and couches.  She was such a trooper and she LOVED it all.  She is definately my girl as she loves all the rides already.  Not that she was tall enough for most of them, but the ones she was she loved.

Ava watching Lion King show.

She was mesmerized by it all

She loved all the shows we did 

Cat in the Hat at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

notice I am wearing my gloves and winter coat! 

Best roller coaster

Universal Studios

Rip, Ride, Rock It!

thats trevor with his hood up, it was cold!

 Watching Beauty and The Beast, she loved it again!

while waiting for Trevor as he was riding Rockin roller coaster

we waited in the store (it was cold)

Ava found this Rockin Mickey and was giving him kisses 

Its a bugs life 

Star Wars

Epcot

It was beautiful

We went 3 times to watch the

Candelight Processional

It was absoultly wonderful

really rings in Christmas 

riding the tram to Magic Kingdom 

Its a Small World ride

(Ava just ate a PBJ sandwich,

notice it around her mouth) 

lighting of the Castle

Wonderful! 

Osbournes Spectacle of Dancing Lights

at Hollywood Studios!

Really neat to see

waiting for the parade 

Downtown Disney

4.  We got stranded in FL for an extra 3 days.  Now that might sound great when the temperature at home is a high of 8 degrees, but let me tell you, FL was downright cold also.  Highs of only 39 with wind.  burrrrrr.  And I missed my family.  10 days is a long time to be away from them.

Ava loved her Ice Cream cone 

5.  We finally made it home, and we are now getting ready for Christmas.  It is crazy busy around here!



1st present for Ava, Tree

Little Ms. Ava Grace received something very special in the mail yesterday.  Aunt Donna made Ava her very own stocking.  It is tradition for every member of the family to have a homemade stocking made by Donna.  We were so happy to hang it up next to all her brothers!

This was the scene at our house the other day

Tyler, Austin, Trevor and Andrew put up

the tree.

Ava got to put a few ornaments on! 

Football in Florida

Well I get to go to Florida to do some Football for Trevor and then Ava and I will do some of this:

anyone else going to be there

Dec 4-12?