My Girl on St. Patricks Day

I forgot to post my princess in her Green:

She is starting to outgrow her favorite friend!

Just because

she is so cute...

Ava Grace was very excited to show me all of her "dolls".  This was once a dress on her, now it is a shirt, she is growing so much.  I can't believe how fast time is going.

Glorious Week of Weather

What a Glorious Week we had here in Chicago...the weather was absolutely perfect, sunshine, warm weather, no bugs and family and friends.  Tyler was home for spring break, and we took advantage of having him here.  I miss my oldest, and it is nice for Ava Grace to have her oldest boy home.

We took advantage of the zoo:
her favorite was the monkeys

do you see the baby monkey

he just started this week

leaving his mother

so cute

Ava got up close with a goat 

We watched the dolphin show

this is Ava while she is watching

after I snapped this picture

a dolphin splashed us and got my camera all wet

so I had to put it away

she was a little shocked when we got wet, but then started laughing 

the next day we went Downtown

first we waited for the train

then we rode the train into the city 

We went to Willis Tower (formally known as Sears tower)

we went out on the glass ledge they had

Ava thought it was great 

then we walked to the "bean" 

Ava had such a fun day and was exhausted

she fell asleep on Tyler during the train ride home

so sweet

I don't know what it is with sunshine and warm weather, I just feel like a different person.  I feel renewed and joyful, so happy for this week with Tyler and the nice weather.

So Sweet...

Ava Grace loves her doggie...she loves to help take care of Cooper and Cooper loves all the extra food he gets from Ava Grace when she gives him her food...right before I took this picture she was reading to him and he had his big head on her shoulder resting.

showing daddy how she knows all of her shapes

Ava Grace was sick for the first time since being home...she got Croup.  She sounded horrible, but she was still so sweet and precious thru it all...

Andrew comforted her with a puzzle

she knows where all the letters go 



At the Farm

This last weekend Tom and the boys wanted to go to the farm to hunt for antlers.  Ava heard that they were going and wanted to go also.  Hmmm, if she goes then I have to go, hmmmm not sure if I really want to do that.  Well, I picked up a book and went with.  We only stayed one night, but truthfully that was enough for me.  Did I forget to mention, that there is NO running water at the farm?

We also went out to dinner with Tyler, it was great to see him.  Trevor got a tour of the dorms and Tyler showed off Ava to his friends.  I have to say, I miss my oldest!

Princess Love

Ava woke up to find a Valentines Card from her daddy:  Oh the joy and squeals she made, she was so excited to have a card.

Happy Valentines Day to all of you 

Just don't eat Yellow Snow

Meemas Birthday

Ava found out that it was Marilyns Birthday and she ran around the house saying "party", "party", I guess when you have Christmas, her Birthday, New Years, Toms Birthday, Super Bowl and then Meemas birthday, it becomes exciting...Ava Grace is getting to be an expert at blowing out the candels!

We made a Chocolate Eclair Cake,

 mmmm, ,mmmmm,

 that was sure good. 

My first time, and it was very easy.

My Super Bowl Contribution

We made cake!

We ate and watched a great game.  I didn't care who won, just wanted to eat and enjoy friends and family.  It was an exciting game.

2 years

Wow, where has the time gone?  2 years ago we were meeting a precious, scared little girl...our dream...

She was soooo unsure of us, she held her little hands in a clenched fist...she had a rash on her face, they said it was from something she ate, I could tell instantly she rubbed it with her finger when she sucked her thumb...poor girl, no one noticed....

she loved my necklace 

today, we made a cake 

colored and wrote names 

our lives are so full, it is amazing what change has taken place in all of us!  God is so Good!

Thank you for all of your wonderful gifts!