Exciting News

For those of you that don't know - We are having another baby!!! I am about 17 weeks and counting down the few weeks that we have left before we find out if it's a boy or girl. We are very excited, but a little nervous about having two children. Ava is beside herself that Mommy has a baby in her belly - she is going to be a great, involved big sister. However, right now she is only open to the option of having a sister. It's kind of funny how strong of an opinion she has, but she is very vocal to everybody that she is having a baby sister! I am due the first few days of March - and this will put our kids exactly 3 1/2 years apart. Keep us in your prayers as God prepares our family for our new addition.

My First Haircut

I finally did it - I got Ava's hair trimmed. Trimmed being the key word. So we went to see our good friend Julee at Metropolis for this huge milestone! She was so funny about it. At first Ava did not like the cape being around her neck, but she got over it pretty fast. Julee did a great job and was really fast. Ava seemed to be in awe the entire time. She is a girlie girl so getting pampered and being the center of attention at the salon was right up her alley. Thank you Julee!!

3rd Birthday

I can't believe it myself - but Ava is 3. She is a crazy, full of life, very loving 3 year old going on 18. We have the best time together, and she is a constant source of entertainment for Steven and I. Life with a toddler is full of laughter and lots of hard work. I don't understand how Ava has the energy that she does, but she keeps me on my toes.
At her request we had her birthday at Chuck E Cheese. It was a huge success and all the kids had a great time. Ava still talks about her party and doesn't understand why she can't have another one right now. I loved watching her and her little cousins and friends run all over the place just giggling and loving every minute of their time together. As Ava says, "Birthday parties are the best!"

Dancing Doll

Ava started dance class this fall, and as her biased mother I must say it is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Ava looks forward to Friday mornings because she now knows that's when she gets to go to dance class. They do tap and ballet. These pictures are kind of blurry so hopefully I will have some better ones soon. I hope she always loves learning to dance like she does now. She is really into it, and it is so darn cute. I can't wait until the recital!!!

Pre-School Here I Come

Ava is officially a big kid now! She started pre-school this month at the Fayetteville Creative School, and just loves it. Here is she outside our house showing off her beloved Dora lunchbox. I have to admit, it was a bitter sweet day for me. Sometimes it is hard to watch your little baby grow up. However, every time I pick her up and listen to her tell me how much fun she had at her "big girl school" I am so happy for her.

4th of July Fun!

We celebrated the 4th of July in Florida again this year. It was a fun night. We had a huge cookout with all of our family and friends. The highlight was the appetizer contest that we had. There were about 12 entries and I am proud to say that Haley and I WON!! We were so proud - and the fifty bucks we won wasn't too shabby either. Next we went to a concert and then down to the beach to watch fireworks. Ava was not a fan of the loud noise - so the Bertram clan jumped back on their bikes and headed back to the house early. It was still a great night.

Back to Florida!!!!

We went back to Seaside, Florida at the end of June. This time all the guys came with us. Again, it was a great trip. Here are a few of my favorite picutres. I wish I could put all of them on here, but I just picked a few out. There is something about little kids and the beach that is so sweet. Ava is just in heaven there.

Girl's Trip to Seaside!

Every May my mom takes all of her girls to Florida for our annual Girl's trip. We always have such a great time. I have to admit though, the trip would not be the same if we Ava weren't there to entertain us! She is such a beach baby!

The only glitch of our whole trip was getting all of our luggage to fit into our rental car. We went through about three SUVs before we finally found one that would hold everything! We needed a man to pack our car. We still laugh about this! Those with children can understand that when you add a pack-and-play, car seat, and stroller to all the other luggage you need A LOT of space!

With Haley at the airport. Ava loves to fly. Going to the airport and riding on an airplane is such a fun experience for her. We are lucky that she does so well.

I just love this picture of Ava with her Peaches (my mom). She thinks she is such a big girl with her own suitcase!