Sneaky Sneaky

Like most kids, Ava has always been fascinated with garbage cans and their contents. On this particular day I was busy doing who knows what and noticed the silence in our little apartment. As I came around the corner I couldn't help but catch her in the act, and this was the result. Notice she turns away from me and does a sort of grunting sound? Yes, this is Ava's talking back to mom and dad voice. When we actually say "no-no-no", that's when the grunts get deeper and louder, it's hilarious.

and she's off...

Yep, two days after her first birthday Ava just took off. After her first steps over Christmas she really clung onto Mom and Dad, didn't quite want to give us up yet. However, she continued to walk with her push-n'-ride toy, holding onto furniture and along walls. A week or two before her first birthday (Jan 19th) she would push off whatever she was holding onto and take a few steps and then a few more. On Monday, Jan 21st she really let go and hasn't stopped since. In fact, she does laps around our house, it's quite the game for her. Fortunately, Doug was home for the holiday so he could join in on the excitement. But, the really nice by-product of it all is that mom is able to get more done and have a bit more freedom...I LOVE IT!!!

Ava's Birthday Bash

Ava turned 1 year old on January 19th, so we had a few friends over for waffles and cake...fun times. She had a ball with her little buddies and really enjoyed her cake too, so much so that she got cake all over her face and in her eyes. This pic is only the prelude of what was to come. We tried to have her sing for the group as a thank you, but she got stage fright (imagine that - it doesn't happen too often with Ava). However, we were able to capture her cheering to the BYU fight song that night in her birthday outfit from G-ma Vicki & G-pa Brent. So, here's a thank you song for ya'll!

"Choo Choo Peanut Butter"

The peanut song is one of Ava's favorites and we are quite pleased with her little performance. (The Taylor family should appreciate this clip)

Hand in Hand

Doug, Ava & I visited Mt. Vernon on one of the most beautiful days this winter. The estate was absolutely gorgeous, but this view was my favorite!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We were able to spend Christmas in Utah with the Taylor family. It was such a relaxing and mellow break, patially due to all of the sickness going around the family. However, that didn't stop us from enjoying it. For one, it was a white Christmas since it snowed everyday while we were there. More importantly, Ava took her first steps without any assistance, thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Taylor's persistance. It was great to share in that experience with all of the family!

Got a hankerin' for some flavor...

Our little girl loves spice. Mom got up for a split second, came back and she was covered in salsa.

Ho Ho Ho

December hit and it was crazy. First off, Santa came to visit our Ward Christmas Party and as you can see Ava was not so fond of the Jolly Ol' Fella. We didn't think it would have much of an effect on her, just an unhappy (though humorous to bystanders)moment. However, from that evening on Ava would not have anything to do with men who had facial hair or a head of white hair. That is no joke,...really! Our guy friends, and Grandpa Taylor can attest. Fortunately, she warmed up to Grandpa fairly quickly over the Christmas holidays, but it hasn't been until the last week or so that she would interact with our facial haired friends. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the festive season. In fact, Ava helped mom with the Christmas lights and had a ball being her busy little self.

Also mom and Ava were able to get out and enjoy some of the holiday sights. We visited National Christmas Tree and The US Botanical Gardens featuring trains and models of the monuments made out of plants (sticks, leaves, etc - absolutely amazing). We're sad Dad couldn't enjoy it with us. He sure is a hard workin' man!

Thanksgiving

We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Cincinnati, OH with part of Doug's family. Some of the festivities included the Cincinnati Zoo where Ava saw her first Reindeer and Christmas lights, a tour of downtown Cincinnati by carriage and probably the most popular of all was playing the Wii that April and Nate brought with them. I'm a fan! It was a fun trip, but we are sad it will be the last in OH since the Clayton's have recently moved to Georgia. I guess that just means a different adventure the next time we visit.


As well, we really enjoyed watching Ava interact with her cousins. She loves kids her age and squeals with delight when any are around. Even though she wasn't quite herself since she was sick, I think was was still very entertained by their company.

Lurray Caverns

It was time for us to get a break from the DC Metro area, so we packed a picnic and drove toward the Shenandoah Mountains. We drove over the ridge and unexpectedly came upon Luray Caverns, which is evidently the largest caverns in Eastern America, so we had to stop. I wish you could see this with your own eyes because this picture doesn't give it justice. What you see is actually a reflection on a shallow pool of water. When you come upon it, you really think that you are looking into a deep cavern of pillars...amazing.

Even more amazing is the Great Stalacpipe Organ that was built in the mid 1900's...that's right the notes are actually played off of the stalactites and were tuned by sawing them to certain lengths. It was a very beautiful sound.

Ava in her chariot, aka Dad.

Fall Leaves

With the cool weather came absolutely gorgeous leaves. So, I did what any new mom would do, had a photo shoot. It was a beautiful sunny day, a bit on the chilly side, so we had to make it quick since Ava was in short sleeves for the pictures. However, she should be used to her mini paparazzi moments by now.

Halloween 2007

For those of you who don't know, Doug's birthday is on the 31st of October. To celebrate, we invited friends over for a Halloween Party. I enjoyed decorating and preparing for the party but at the same time realized I really am too much of a perfectionist. I stressed over decorating, sad. But it ended up being better than I had expected and others' remarks made me even more pleased with the outcome. I will say I am very proud of one item that added to the decor and that is the tree we built from branches pieced together. We used it for the Halloween party (see pic) and then left only the leaves on for Thanksgiving. Finally, we had the bare branches with white lights and poinsettia for Christmas. Now that it is gone(Doug really enjoyed destroying it and throwing it over our balcony) the corner seems so empty and blah.

Since we were being so festive we all dressed up as a barnyard family, inspired by Doug's sheep costume that he insists wearing year after year. Unfortunately, none of the pictures really turned out, however this one probably most accurately depicts Ava's emotions for that evening.

Woo-hoo...I'm blogging!

Yes, it's the first time for me to "blog"! Doug is the one that set this all up (goodness, over 6 months ago) and as you can see we haven't posted much. Doug's theory for my delay in posting is that the perfectionist in me is expecting too much that I end up being overwhelmed and put what is to be the 'grand and absolutely amazing entry' aside...again and again and again. As well, I was talking to my friend Laura the other day and to my surprise she was surprised that I wasn't getting into the whole blogging experience. It hadn't dawned on me that since I had worked in a computer lab in college I might be on top of and into this type of technology...which obviously hasn't been the case. However, her reaction has given me a more positive outlook of my abilities to get bloggin'. So, here I am admitting that Doug is probably right about my perfectionism and forewarning all our devout readers (HA!) that my 'grand and absolutely amazing entries' will most likely be 'not so grand entries'....but heck,...here it goes anyhow.

Just to get me used to blogging I'm actually going to post a number of photos/videos/entries to catch you up on these past 6+ months...and for your viewing pleasure. WOO-HOO...I'm bloggin!