Ava * Reece

LATELY......

2010-05-06T19:20:00.008-05:00

...We Celebrated Easter!

...Reece has been getting so big!

...and learned how to pout. It's pitiful!

...And wants to spend every waking moment outside! Literally every moment!

... I ran in he St. Joseph 5K!
... Ava continues to enjoy soccer!

... Reece has really gotten into playing baby dolls!

... and Ava got all dressed up for a darling Mother's days tea and program at her school!

This is our last few weeks in a nutshell. I need to do more in-depth posts over each - but I was feeling like a slacker and some pressure from certain family members so I wanted to get some more recent pictures up! Hope you enjoyed!!!!

Happy Birthday Steven!!!

2010-03-25T13:48:00.007-05:00

Happy birthday to the best husband and daddy in the world! We love you so so much - and feel so blessed that you are our dad/husband. We are three lucky girls!

Good Friends and Hip Hop!

2010-03-20T19:42:00.005-05:00

A few weekends ago some of our good friends, the Myers came to visit. They used to live in our neighborhood and then moved to Kansas City last year. Ava and Meredith have been friends since they were about 18 months. We used to spend most every Friday morning at their house for our weekly playgroup. I love how the girls just pick right back up where they left off. It's really sweet. We were so sad to see them go, but so happy they came to visit.

Natalie, Ava, Meredith, and Isaac
This picture makes me laugh. Natalie and Meredith both look like they are being strangled! It was so funny when we were taking this because Ava shouted out "best friends forever" She is such a teenager! Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of four kids. It's not easy - let me tell you.

Poor Meredith, Ava still has a death grip on her. She is thinking, I am not letting her go back to Kansas City!

We tried again the next day, and I still couldn't get a picture of the three of them all looking at the same camera. They were having too much fun to stop and take a picture. You would have thought we were torturing them!

These next pictures are from a hip hop clinic that Ava's dance studio put on. The older dancers were raising money to go to a competition at Disney World. Ava of course loved it!

Ava and Savy and Walker Williams. Ava and Savy have taken dance together for a few years now. Walker was a good big brother and came to watch.

Soccer!!!

2010-03-17T20:00:00.005-05:00

So we decided to give soccer a try this year, and Ava's first practice was yesterday. I was very curious to see how this would go. Last year I wanted to sign her up and she told me that she was NOT going to wear a jersey! When I asked why, she told me that they were for boys and she wanted to wear something more fabulous! So I am thinking, okay, you might not be cut out for soccer!!! But she needs to be exposed to things that are not so girly, she loves to run, has her father's competitive nature (which scares me to death), and has a ton of energy so I thought soccer would be great!
Well Ava totally surprised me - she was really really good. She was all over the place, hustled her little bootie off, and was such a go getter. I thought she might be a little more timid, but she was not at all - she was loving herself some soccer. We knew she was competitive, but a whole new side of her came out. (For those of you that know Steven - I hope Ava is not that bad, but I do hope she gets all of his athletic abilites!) I know this was just one practice, but Ava is pumped for soccer!

This is before we left the house - she does not have her soccer shoes on yet, but please notice the shin guards over the socks. She was adamant about wearing them over her socks because she wanted to be able to see the purple part of the shin guards! I decided to pick my battle on this one and just go with it!

It was a bit chilly out, so she pulled her socks all the way up!

Ava was the only girl there for a while. I was afraid this would bother her, I asked the coach if she was the only girl on the team and she said there were supposed to be 4 girls. I don't know if Ava even noticed that she was the only girl, or if she did she didn't care. It was funny though, another girl showed up about half way through and they were doing a drill with partners and her coach asked Ava if she wanted to be partners with the other girl - and she said NO! I was a little surprised at that one. Luckily, the boys didn't mind having her as their partner!

This is Blogworthy!!! I ran the Little Rock Half-Marathon!!!

2010-03-08T15:52:00.004-06:00

I like to try and keep this blog about the girls, but this is something I want to remember. This weekend I ran the Little Rock Half Marathon!!! I ran with a good friend of mine, Jill Jorgensen!! We started training about 12 weeks ago. The whole process has been such a fun experience. Hopefully this will be the first of many races for us!
My goals for this race were to run (never stop and walk) the whole thing and finish under 2:30. I did run the whole thing and our time was 2:26 - so I was happy! I really wanted to die about mile 10 to 12!!! But you know what, God is good and he kept pushing me on. This is not the best picture, because it's from Steven's phone. This picture was taken real close to the finish line. When I get time I will download more pictures from the camera.

Happy Birthday Reece!

2010-03-04T16:06:00.008-06:00

Today is Reece's first birthday!!! We have bible study tonight so we let her eat her cake last night. She loved every minute of it. This child is just perfect!
Reece here is what you are up to lately:
- You are a speedy crawler, are all over the place, and pull up on everything.
- You are a fabulous player and entertain yourself very well. You crawl from thing to thing or room to room finding what else you can play with or get into.
- If Ava is home you want to be wherever she is, and if she leaves you - you yell Aaaayyyyaaa!
-Still go to bed at 7 and sleep until 7:30 in the morning. Occasionally you wake up for a bottle around two or three.
-You take one long nap in the afternoon.
-Love love love blueberries. Your other favorites are bananas, mandarin oranges, and sweet potatoes. You also LOVE water - and drink a ton of it.
-Babble all day - I think you are fluent in Chinese! You have the sweetest voice.
- Love to say "tickle tickle tickle" and tickle everything - even inanimate objects!
-Have a few words in your vocabulary - mama, dada, aya (ava), ugh oh, tickle tickle, bye bye, thank you (or atleast your version of thank you).
-Favorite toys are baby dolls and balls - but you love emptying drawers, baskets, boxes -anything that has stuff in it - that you can take out and put back in.
-Love going to the church nursery and the gym nursery
-Have a great fake laugh that you do all the time.
-Are always smiling!!!

Happy Birthday sweet girl - we Love you sooo much!

Thank you Peaches for my cute birthday dress - you are sooo good to me!

I thought these pictures were cute because she is looking at pictures of herself when she was an infant! What a difference a year makes!

Sweetheart

2010-02-23T14:05:00.006-06:00

So in updating our blog, I realized that there were no really recent pictures of Reece. All of a sudden she has been looking so old. It's like one morning she woke up and looked more like a little girl than a baby. I know I am her mom, but Reece is just sooo sweet. She has such a sweet, funny personality that keeps us laughing all the time. Steven thinks she is more dramatic than Ava was at this age, and if that is true I am in for it - big time. But we enjoy her so much, she makes our jobs as parents pretty easy!

By the way - trying to take a picture of a busy 11month old is next to impossible!

Valentines Party

2010-02-22T15:36:00.005-06:00

Ava had a Valentines party at school a few weeks ago. I love being in the classroom and just watching the kids together - they are sooo funny and sooo cute, and get soooo excited for a party! Ava was really sweet about making her Valentines for her friends - she wrote all of their names and signed her name herself on each Valentine. She was very particular about who got what color and what each Valentine said. It was quite the process.

Here she is passing out all of her Valentines, they were Barbie and the Three Musketeers. The kids took turns handing out their valentines to each other. I was impressed that they were all able to read and recognize each others names.

Waiting to receive her Valentines

Next was snack time - they decorated little heart cakes.

4th Quarter Recap... Long post

2010-02-17T13:11:00.011-06:00

Here is our fourth quarter recap, which could also be called the longest post ever!
Ava was Barbie Rapunzel for Halloween. Or at least this is what she told us she wanted to be for Halloween, and the costume she wore to our church carnival. Steven and I were gone to El Dorado for my good friend Shep's wedding - so we missed most of the Halloween festivities. However, I was told that Ava was Tinkerbell for Haley's school carnival, and Supergirl for trick - or- treating.! I think her Rapunzel braid was to heavy for her to carry around! Ha! For those of you that know Ava - EVERYDAY is Halloween to her, she is a dress up girl, and is usually always naked by the time Steven gets home from work.

Peaches made Reece a cute Halloween dress - this was her costume! Since we were gone and she goes to be at the crack of dawn I did not get her a costume. Truth is, Halloween is not a big deal at our house, but Reece was still cute and still festive. My mom kept the girls while we were at the wedding and she said Reece loved the trick or treaters - she would get so excited when they came to the door!
This is one of my best friends Sarah Shepherd Rainwater - isn't she such a beautiful bride! This is how Steven and I spent our Halloween weekend and it was perfect. We had a great weekend in El Dorado!
Ava's school put on a darling Thanksgiving program. It was sooo cute. No surprise, but we could hear Ava singing over all the other kids! She is quite a mess - but a cute mess!

These were their Turkey Masks!

In December we went to our town's Christmas parade. It was sooo cold, but the girls really enjoyed themselves!

This is Ava's friend Ella - she is such a doll!

And Haley (my sister) and Ava made a very impressive gingerbread house. I am sorry I don't have a picture of the final product. It was very creative.
I just found these pictures of "Supergirl" trick or treating that my friend Jody had e-mailed to me. I don't know how to put them with the rest of the Halloween pics with out messing everything up!

Now I can move onto 2010! Finally!!!

Christmas Morning 2009!!

2010-02-11T16:39:00.006-06:00

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged - then Reece was 8 months old - now she is 11months! So we have had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc... Everything has been wonderful. Life is just flying by so fast. Even though it's already February, one of my goals this year is to do a better job at documenting Ava and Reece's lives. This is something that I am so not good at - but hopefully by the end of 2010 I will be a pro! (and not posting Christmas pictures in Feb.) So for our families sake I wanted to go ahead and post some pictures of Christmas. It was a sweet time for our family. But I guess anytime you are celebrating the birth of Christ it's a sweet time!

Please notice the doll - that is Julie an American Girl Doll - Ava's life was complete when Santa brought her Julie. She is now a member of our family. In fact, I could do a post on her alone. It is very sweet how much Ava adores her!

8 Months!!!

2009-11-04T14:24:00.006-06:00

Reece is 8 MONTHS old today!!! It is scary how fast these eight months have flown by. They went fast. When I was pregnant with Reece we prayed specifically for so many things for her, and the Lord was and has been so faithful. He answered each prayer - she is such a happy, healthy, content baby. Reece is a great eater and a great sleeper. She fits right in with our family, making the transistion to from a family of three to a family of four such a pleasant experience. I can't imagine life without her now. She keeps us laughing and brings so much joy to our lives. We thank the Lord for her everyday! She is truly a blessing to Steven and I.

Reece has a developed a few new things over the past few weeks:
-She can say Dada, Mama, Bye Bye, and has her own word for kitty. It sounds nothing like kitty, but it is what she says when she sees our cat.
- Reece LOVES to be outside. She likes to swing on the swing set, or sit in her exersaucer and watch Ava play outside.
- She is quite the little dancer - she sways from side to side and bounces up and down. It is super cute. She also does this thing with her head when she dances that looks like Stevie Wonder. It is too funny.

Here are a few pictures taken on her 8 month birthday!

I thought these pictures were too cute not to share - the girls were "playing" together for the first time in the playroom! It was a sweet moment that I had to capture!!

Reece Pics and Playdate!

2009-10-21T20:03:00.008-05:00

I just realized that Reece has not been in several posts - so I wanted to add some updated pictures . She is growing up waaaayyyy too fast! Reece is 7 1/2 months old, and honestly is the sweetest, cutest, best baby ever. I know i'm her mom, but she is the best!!! So enjoyable!!
Here are few things Reece has been up to lately:
- Got her first two teeth. (on the bottom)
- Is a great eater - she eats three solid meals a day and usually has three bottles a day
- goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00 and wakes up around 7:30.
- Takes one long (usually 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours)
- sits up really well on own - Reece loves to take toys out of bowls and baskets
- love the exersaucer and jumperoo
- hates being on her belly and seems to have no interest in crawling
- is obsessed with Ava
- babbles and high pitch squeals a lot - She sounds like she are talking Chinese!
- can wave bye bye and give kisses

A few weeks ago, Reece and I went to El Dorado to meet some special friends! We met sweet Lottie Doddridge and Reece's future husband Eli Hurst. We had a great time just hanging out. Lottie's mommy Mary and Eli's mommy Amanda are college friends of mine - so it was great for our kids to meet! There is six months between each of the kids. I wish we could all get together more often. Eli and Lottie are two of the sweetest and cutest kids ever!

Thanks Mary for hosting the play date! Your house was sooo cute - I love it.

The Grape Festival

2009-10-21T19:27:00.004-05:00

I am laughing at myself - because this was soooo long ago. But I am still attempting to catch up - It's going to be 2010 before I get everything from 2009 blogged about. Ugh well!

We met our good friends the Harris's at the Grape Festival - Ava and Natalie had a ball running from ride to ride. I was very proud of Ava, she was very brave. (Which is big for her) If I remember correctly our camera battery died after we had been there for about 15 minutes. It was a fun evening!

Carter - Man!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-06T20:59:00.005-05:00

Okay - so surprise, surprise - I have been a bad blogger lately!!! Somethings just don't change! I am so amazed at you all that blog everyday, or every week for that matter. Anyways, in an effort to catch up with everything I have to blog about I am starting back in July. Yes, I said July. I know it's October, but a lot has happened, so I am just going to start back in the summer.

In July, our good friends the Moss' came to visit. Bryson, Dee, and Carter used to live down the street from us. They were such great friends - the kind that you just walked into their house at any time, often unannounced. We miss them living down the street so much. They have since moved to Cincinnati, and we are still so sad about it. Ava and Carter became good friends fast, and I mean good friends. I don't know what it is about their little personalities, but they just click. They are too cute to watch, and even though we have only seen them like two or three times since they moved, A and C pick up right where they left off. They truly are great friends!! The Moss family has been gone for almost two years now and Ava still claims Carter, and only Carter, as her boyfriend!!! They are hoping to move back to Fayetteville one day so it will be neat to see Ava and Carter grow up together.
Here are a few pictures from their trip to Fayetteville this summer...

Farewell to a good friend

2009-09-13T20:55:00.002-05:00

The other night we had to say goodbye to our beloved Kobe man. Kobe was Steven and I's first pet together - we got him for Christmas right after we got married. We loved him to death and he truly was a member of our family. Ava loved him and spent the last few weeks playing "Bolt" with him. Kobe would just let her drag him around the house by his collar as she was Penny and he was Bolt! Reece would giggle at him - they spent lots of time sitting on a blanket in our living room together - she would just watch him, smile, and get so excited. He truly was Steven and I's first baby and the first grand-dog on my side of the family. When my mom would watch Ava on Mondays and Wednesdays Kobe went too - they were a package deal! He was down right naughty at times - but we loved him so much.
Kobe had such a sweet, fun, energetic personality. He loved people and was great with kids. We have so many fond memories with him that we will never forget. The house has felt so empty the past few days without him here. We miss him so much, but are so thankful for the joy he brought to our lives. We love you Kobe man!

Ugh Oh!!!

2009-08-03T19:21:00.003-05:00

When Steven went in to cover Ava up before he went to bed the other night - this is what he found......

We still don't know if she fell off the bed or if she fell asleep like this! With that girl - you never know. By the way, I know all of you all are jealous of her Hawaiian princess sheets and Hello Kitty pillowcase! She loves them - they were a special treat when it was time to move to a big girl bed - she was very excited to sleep on them, so it made the transition easy. Ava got to pick them out the day she moved to her big girl bed! I am funny about characters - but you can't see them when the bed is made, and she just loves them so much!

Sprinklers + Umbrellas = Fun

2009-08-02T13:08:00.005-05:00

Ava and our across the street neighbor, Emmy, had the best time playing in the sprinkler. They were too funny to watch. Who knew an umbrella could make a sprinkler even more fun!

The fun afternoon was finished with an ice cream sandwich! Life doesn't get much better than this!

Lots O Stuff!!!

2009-07-24T22:34:00.003-05:00

Well the Bertram family has been busy this past month - and in true Devin fashion I have decided to blog about it all at once! It's crazy how time is flying by. Hope you enjoy the next four or five new posts! One of these days I will make my life easier and blog about something when it actually happens!

For Eli....

2009-07-24T22:24:00.003-05:00

So one of my best friends and college roommates, Amanda, is pregnant with sweet little Eli William. She is due in September and I can't wait to meet him. The honest truth is that one of Amanda and I's greatest goals in life is the have a successful love match, and unfortunately in all of our match making we have not had a successful match. However, that is until now! We have saved the best match for our children!!! We have arranged a marriage for Reece and Eli - they just don't know it yet - but they are going to loooooove each other!!!

So this pics for you Eli....

Can't wait to meet you!

Pure Joy!!

2009-07-24T22:15:00.004-05:00

Pure Joy - that is what life is with this child! Notice all of her expressions - she has been little Miss Personality these days!

4 Months

2009-07-24T21:38:00.004-05:00

Reece turned 4 months old on July 4th. Reece your daddy went all out - we took a trip to Florida, had a concert, and a huge fireworks display ALL for your 4th month birthday! I can't wait to see what he does for your 5th month!
Here is what you have been up to:
Weight - 13lbs 5 oz - 35th percentile
Height - 25.5 in - 80th percentile

- You are the sweetest baby - so smiley, so happy, so content.
- Your little personality is starting to come out - you LOVE to squeal at the top of your lungs. I am starting to think that we are going to have two little drama queens on our hands! There are sooo many similarities between you and your sister.
- You recognize certain faces and voices
- Sleep 12 - 13 hours at night, go to bed between 7 and 7:30. Usually wake up about 8:30
- Nap in the morning at 10:30 for a few hours, and again in the afternoon around 3.
- Love love love to chew on your finger
- Love love love your baby Einstein mat with the flashing star that plays music. You start smiling and laughing even before I turn it on.
- like to sit in your bumbo
- Usually eat 6 oz at time - about 4 times a day
- Think Kobe (our dog) is pretty funny
- Still love to be swaddled real tight when you sleep
- wear a #1 diaper
- Are just the most Perfect gift from God! Your Daddy and I don't know what we did to deserve you, but are so grateful to your creator for you!

Seaside 2009

2009-07-24T20:46:00.012-05:00

Once again my Mother treated us to a fabulous family vacation in Seaside Florida. Thank you sooo much Peaches. We had a blast! We were there about 11 days over the 4th of July week. Seaside is Steven and I's favorite place in the world -my family has been going there since I was little and Steven has been coming with us since we first started dating - now we are married with two children and still going! It's such a great place - you park your cars and don't really get back in them. Our main mode of transportation was a bike! Ava would ride in the wagon behind my bike - and thank goodness for the wagon because we could load it up with all of our beach necessities. Reece rode with Steven in the baby bjorn in his bike. Good thing he never crashed! ha!
Ava was in heaven - she loved the ocean water this year and played her little heart out from sun up till sun down - then she slept like a rock! We would make it to the beach every morning before Reece's morning nap and she would sleep down there. Now that we have been home for a few weeks - I am already ready to go back! I had such a hard time narrowing down the pictures so here are a few of the million we took. Most of the 4th of July pics are on Haley's camera so I will have to post them later.

Pajamas...

2009-07-23T21:06:00.000-05:00

The other night I told Ava to go to her room and put on her pajamas and this is how she came out.....

Too bad I don't have any of my Git in Shape Girl stuff anymore!

Swim Ranch

2009-06-24T22:07:00.005-05:00

Ava had swim lessons last week at the Swim Ranch. She was in lane 1 - so hard to believe because she is only 3 - but she did sooo good, I was proud. The past two years we had done "swim babies" where I have to get in the water with her - so I had been talking up "big girl swim lessons, where mommy doesn't get in the water" with her for a long time now. I did not know how she would do without me, or if she would even get in the water without throwing a fit - but she did better than I could have imagined. She was so brave and turned into a little fish. Ava has always loved to swim but had never really swam with her face in the water, and didn't like to go under all that much. That has all changed now! She just hops in the water and goes. We have been spending a lot of time and the pool lately, so this makes it so much easier for me in juggling 2 kids at the pool. Ava even conquered her fear of the diving board! She was so tiny compared to the other kids in her lane, but she loved every minute of being in lane 1.

A was loving her pink and blue goggles. They made all the difference in the world - once she had them she had no problem putting her face in or going under!

Waiting to be called to her lane! Watching her sit there brought back so many memories of when i took swim lessons at The Swim Ranch! I am sure my mom has the same picture of me!

Front Float

Go girl!

Waiting in line for the diving board - yes she is posing.

Getting a little help from Miss Halsey!

She did it! (With some help!)

This was one of A's teacher's Miss Mary. Her and Halsey were great with the kids. They made the week very enjoyable!

Photo Shoot

2009-06-24T21:59:00.003-05:00

I started to feel bad because all of my posts were about Ava - so I took some updated pictures of little bit. Reece is about a 10 days shy of being four months, and continues to be such an easy, happy, laid-back baby. I think I have finally figured her out - when she's hungry, tired, bored, etc. We are in a great groove right now! These pictures don't really show it because she was startled by the flash - but she is such a smiley baby.

This picture cracked me up because she would not stop checking her feet out! It was like she just discovered them!

Discovery Zone

2009-06-12T20:52:00.008-05:00

A few weeks ago we took Ava is a Children's Science Museum in Springfield called Discover Zone. It was a great little day trip - we ate lunch downtown, went to the museum, then got ice cream and headed home. The museum was a lot of fun. Ava's favorite part was a mock grocery store and house. We played there most of the time. This was no surprise is us - she is such a little mother Hubbard! We filled our grocery cart, checked out at the cash register over and over again. Then she would take the groceries to the "house" and cook, grill, set up the table, and feed the babies. All very to cute to watch! I had the thought that I should just set her play room up like this. But somehow I don't think it would quite have the same appeal. Although she didn't understand a lot of the exhibits - she still had a great time. It was a fun family outing!

This machine made HUGE bubble when you turned the wheel - and then when you pushed a button, the bubble would blow out and pop over your head. Ava thought it was great fun to pop huge soapy bubbles on top of Steven and I (and herself) numerous times! Oh the things we do for our kids!

Reece was quite a trooper. She just rode along in her stroller for most of the day. Such a happy baby!

First Dance Recital!!!

2009-06-04T19:57:00.007-05:00

Ava had her first dance recital this past Saturday - and let me just say she was in Heaven!! We have officially created on monster! I was anxious to see how she would do - if she would be really nervous, if she would just stand there on stage, or if she would go all out. Well, she loved every minute of it, and performed her dances so well. Her class was too funny to watch - all the little girls did such a great job. Us Mommies were proud. Seeing Ava's face after she came off stage from the first number was priceless. She was on a dancing high - so excited and wanted to go again, and again.
Her class performed two numbers - a hip hop dance and a jazz dance. Then the whole dance company did a huge finally to a medley of Broadway songs. Ava's class was on stage for Annie and Grease - so they had two costume changes for the finally. Oh my was she loving it! Here are several pictures from the event....

These are a few pictures of us getting ready. She was all about some make-up. I now have to hide my make-up from her! She was so funny because she was very cautious not to mess up her lipstick!

These next pictures are of her Hip Hop costume. You gotta love anything with a sparkly silver and neon pink visor! Only a 3 year old could pull this look off! Their dance was to "Raise the Roof, and the Hip Hop Harry!"

These are the pictures from her Jazz number - it was to "Candy Girl!" I loved these costumes - all the girls looked too cute!

Proud Daddy!!!

This is Ava's dance teacher Miss Kara. She was really wonderful with the young girls and they loved her to death. The dance studio was called Studio 54. It was a perfect experience for Ava's first dance recital.

3 months!!

2009-06-04T19:50:00.003-05:00

Reece you are three months old today! My how time flies!! You are such a sweet baby and are making our job as parents pretty easy. We could not imagine our life without you now. We thank God everyday for you!

Dance Pictures!!

2009-05-21T20:56:00.004-05:00

Okay so I have to confess - Ava and I are in dance heaven right now!!! This year Ava was in two different dance classes. One class was tap and ballet and the other was hip hop and jazz. Yes, I said Hip Hop-you haven't seen anything cuter than a three year old doing hip hop! She LOVES and I mean LOVES her dance classes, and loves them even more now that the costumes are in!
We had pictures last weekend for the tap/ballet class. Oh my, it was so much fun getting ready for them. I was a little nervous about putting make up on her, but she loved it. I am afraid I have created a monster, or maybe I should say a Diva. ha ha! Here are a few pictures of her all dolled up. Just wait until you see her hip/hop and jazz costumes. (They have pictures for that class next week!) So this post is to be continued.....

I am so jealous of her eyelashes!

These are a few of the girls in her class. They are all such sweet girls, and I have so enjoyed getting to know all of their moms. I am going to miss seeing all of them on Friday mornings. Sometimes I think we had more fun chatting than the girls did dancing! It was funny about half way through the year this other mom and I realized that we both went to Ouachita and were both E's!!! So fun!

Last Day of School

2009-05-21T20:44:00.004-05:00

Today was Ava's last day of preschool. She had such a great year - good teachers, made some great friends, and learned a lot. Ava you can now - can count to 20, you know all your letters, and numbers, and can write your name, and much much more! Your school year was a success! Here are a few pictures I took this morning.

acting shy with your teachers - Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Poppell - they were the best!

Okay this makes me sooo sad. This is the picture that I took of Ava on the first day of school last August. Can you believe how much she has grown up this year. Ahhh - such a big girl now!

Eight Things

2009-05-14T21:31:00.005-05:00

So my good friend Allyson Petty "tagged me" - so here goes nothing...

here are the instructions for "eight things":
. mention the person that tagged you
. complete the list of eight things
. tag eight of your wonderful blogger friends

8 Things I look forward too:
1. 7:30is in the morning when Ava wakes up, comes to the living room, crawls up in the chair with me and works on her "bible study." Or I work on my bible study, she just draws and watches Mickey Mouse Club House - but hey at least she is learning how to start her days.
2. Being able to communicate with Reece and watching her and Ava play together.
3. The day I can fit back into my skinny jeans! OR getting on the scale and weighing what I did when I got married!!
4. Going to Seaside this summer.
5. Every night when Steven calls and says he's on his way home.
6. The day when my girls become believers - or I guess I should say that is something I am hoping for.
7. 7:30 - 8:00 every night!! That's bed time for the Bertram girls!! I am just keeping it real - I am sure all of you moms out there understand. which is followed by....
8. My night ritual - a warm bubble bath.

8 Things I did Yesterday: (yesterday was pretty uneventful)
1.Went to Bible Study Fellowship and then to lunch at one of my favs -Taco Bueno!
2. Cleaned the kitchen and emptied the dishwasher about 8 times - something I feel like I do about 8 times everyday!
3. Marinated chicken for dinner tonight
4. Praised the Lord when Reece took a nap (even though it was short) in her crib.
5. Cooked dinner while Ava threw a fit on the kitchen floor because, "she didn't want her juice in an Elmo cup, because that's not her favorite cartoon anymore, she likes princesses now."
6. Printed and got all of my coupons organized for my weekly couponing trips to Target and Wal-greens - my two favorites! (www.moneysavingmom.com)
7. Saved over $30 on food and toiletries at Target! I got $54 worth of stuff for $21!!!! Such a fun way to shop.
8. Packed Steven and Ava's lunches for today, got the coffee ready for the morning, and went to bed!

8 Things I wish I could do:
1. Be bolder about telling others about Christ.
2. Go to the gym whenever I wanted.
3. Be a waitress for a day and/or work at a grocery store for a day - two jobs I have always wanted to do.
4. Fit into all of my summer clothes!
5. Buy a new minivan
6. Go shopping with Tim Gunn from Project Runway
7. Chop food like a professional
8. Eat a huge breakfast every day - and the calories not count!

8 Shows I watch:
1. Today Show
2. Regis and Kelly
3. Court TV - I could watch it all day!
4. American Idol
5. Dancing with the Stars
6. Real Housewives of New York
7. Divine Design
8. Paula Deen and Barefoot Contessa

Now I tag: Julee Bell, Amy Welborn, Molly Westerman, Allison Baldwin, Leslie Silvey, Mary Claire York, Sarah Clark, Rachel Miller
(Sorry guys if you have already done this)

Birthday and Silly Ava

2009-05-03T20:51:00.006-05:00

Last Tuesday was my birthday! It was a fun day, and Ava reminded me all day that we could share my birthday so it could be her birthday too! I was happy to "share" my birthday with my sweet girl. When I woke her up on Tuesday she said."mommy is today your birthday?" and I said yes, and she said "okay will now I can tell you that me, daddy, and sister got you a pink pair of shoes for your birthday!" I just started laughing - she totally told me my present, but to her it was okay because it was my birthday! I must brag on my husband - who many of you know is the best gift giver ever. Well he came through once again, and got me the cutest pair of magenta Michael Kors shoes. I should have taken a picture of them. Anyways - I got several wonderful things for my birthday from Steven and my family - but the best gift was from Ava. She was given five dollars to buy my a present just from her. When asked where she wanted to shop for me she picked Target! We spend lots (too much) time and money (much too much) there. Anyways, she picked out an adorable headband with a flower on it! She was too cute! This is a tradition I hope to keep going for birthdays - it's fun to see what your kids pick out for you. (I was told the other thing she was thinking about was a pair of pink feather earrings - I am glad she went with the headband!) The girl has got some taste!

Me wearing Ava's gift - the flower headband!

I thought these were too cute to share - here is Ava's new favorite way to watch TV. Sitting in Recce's Bumbo on the couch! All I have to say is it's a good thing she's skinny!

The Many Faces of Reece (2 Months)

2009-05-03T20:20:00.008-05:00

Well another month has gone bye - I really can't believe it! These are a few recent pictures of Reece. She is getting so big!! She still looks a lot like Ava except for the hair color.
Here are a few thing you have been up to lately:
-Sleeping through the night! (I hope I didn't just jinx myself!)
-Love to swing
-always very content
-Still no real nap schedule yet - but you sleep a lot in the mornings
-Smiling and cooing at everybody
-Still pretty much hate your car seat!
-You get the hiccups all the time.
-Still love to be swaddled so tight when you sleep.

Sleeping on your daddy's legs

Bathing Beauty

Soon followed by sleeping beauty!

Sunday Golf Outing

2009-04-26T21:40:00.003-05:00

Steven and Ava spent this afternoon at the golf course. Ava of course had a ball - she talked about the day until she went to bed. She finally got to use her clubs. You know - we have to start her out young because this is how Steven is planning on getting her college paid for!!! Also notice the outfit - She had to picked out a special outfit for her golf outing! Steven said she was so proud of herself whenever her ball went in the hole. I thought it was cute when she got home she said, "Mommy - did you know we have to be very quiet when the other people are golfing?" Quiet is hard for her these days!! I am sure there will be many more Sundays spent at the course for these two.

Playing Catch Up!!!

2009-04-21T20:46:00.007-05:00

The title of this post says it all - I am playing catch up with the highlights of April. We are getting into a routine with two kids - life is good, crazy, but good. In making this LONG post I realized that I am a terrible photographer and that I hate our camera. I take horrible pictures and we need a new camera. If any of you have a camera that you love let me know what kind it is. I need some help!

Easter Sunday

Isn't Easter so wonderful - as a believer it's such a special day. I have to tell a quick cute story about Ava. We have been talking a lot about Easter - why we celebrate it and what makes it a special day. She would say "Jesus rose from the cross." It is always so sweet to hear how little ones put things into their own words. Well, she has obviously been listening in Sunday school because she was opening all her Easter eggs which all had candy or quarters in them, then she opened one and it was empty. I was expecting her to ask where the "treat" was, but her reaction was so sweet. She got a bright-eyed happy look on her face and turned to us and said, "the egg is empty just like Jesus's tomb was empty when the lady rolled the stone away." I was so proud - she was so happy about an empty Easter egg, and it meant so much to her.

Iit was cold and rainy all day long here in Fayetteville. You should have seen Steven and I, in the rain, with two children, trying to get us all into church without anybody getting soaked. I am sure to everybody driving by we looked like dumb and dumber! But atleast the girls looked cute! Here are some pictures from the day....

Checking out Easter basket #1 - this is at our house before church. Notice the toothpaste - Ava had been asking for rainbow toothpaste, and I guess the Easter bunny was listening! Gotta have some good toothpaste after eating all that candy.

More Polly Pocket Princesses - the favorite toy right now!

Reece's Easter bathtub - thank you Peaches!

This is how Reece spent her first Easter!

Still Sleeping!

Excited to be sitting at the "kid table" If her life is anything like mine - she will have to sit at the kid table until she is 18!

Looking at another Easter basket with cousin Sam Bennett.

And still sleeping - we were in for it that night! Ha ha.

Playtime and Sleep Time

Reece has starting smiling - there is nothing that warms a mamas heart more than her children smiling at her. These are a few pictures of how Reece spends her days. She loves her Baby Einstein mat - she laughs and smiles at the lights. Then she gets tired and she sleeps! Which makes mamas just as happy. haha.

One Month Old

This is how Reece spent her one month birthday - not bad if you ask me!!! This is about how she spent all her days (and nights- I have to brag) about this time. It is amazing how fast four weeks goes by with a newborn.

Check out this face - I think we might have another drama queen on our hands!!

Easter Egg Hunting
Ava was all about some Easter egg hunting this year - in fact if you could make a sport out of it she would do it! I would even catch her hiding eggs for herself to find around the house in the weeks leading up to Easter. I know, a little funny - but hey it kept her entertained for a long time!!!! These pictures are from an Easter egg hunt we went to at Ava's friend Addelyn's house. She was having a ball - until the Easter bunny showed up. She was terrified, and stayed about 10 feet away at all times. She still, weeks later, asks me "Why did that bunny come to Addelyn's house?" Oh the drama. We are never going to be able to go to Disney World!

Jackson Jorgenson, Ava, Addelyn Bramlett

Deep Conversations with Ava

2009-03-31T21:37:00.002-05:00

Today driving home from school Ava and I had a priceless conversation....
Ava: One day I am going to be a mommy.
Me: Oh that's wonderful, you will be a great mommy.
A: How does the baby get in your belly anyway?
Me: God puts it there.
Ava then starts giggling to herself in her carseat - I can tell that she is thinking about something.
Me: What's so funny
Ava: Well Mommy God is so high up there (she is talking about Heaven), how does he get that baby in there all the way down here.. (she is starting to stump me here
Me: When Mommies and Daddies are wanting to have a baby, they pray to God and hope that one day he will answer their prayers and put a baby in the mommies belly.
(This is followed by even more laughing..)
A: Well mommy that is really silly because God is to high up there, I don't know how he gets down here to get that baby in there.

Well then I was laughing, and to be quite honest I did not know how to answer her question. I think three is a little too young for the real answer to the question...so we just left it at that. I got lucky this time that she did not continue to ask more question on the topic. It seems like everyday she is asking harder and harder questions, and of course there have been lots about babies lately! What is a mom to do. If anybody has any wisdom I need all the help I can get! One thing I do know is the God made little three year old minds too smart - but so darn cute! Oh how I wish I could remember all these priceless conversations forever!!!

St. Patties and First Outing

2009-03-21T13:43:00.003-05:00

Last Friday Reece and I took Ava to her dance class. It was the babes first outing, she slept the whole time! I am happy to report though that we were all clean, dressed, and at Ava's 10:00 class ON TIME - and I didn't even forget her dance shoes!!!! I know yall are all so impressed - but that is a major feat with a one week old! You forget how long it takes to get out of the house with a newborn - get Ava dressed and hair fixed, me showered, dressed, make up on, etc, Reece a clean diaper and dressed - and then you think it's time to go - but wait - I have to feed the baby first! So what seems like hours later we can finally leave. So, I was proud of myself that we got there on time!
The green pictures are Ava and our good friends Mallory and Natalie after her St. Patty's day party at school. So cute to see three girls in green - no pink! Also, notice we don't have a single picture of them all sitting up and looking at the camera.

This is the Life...

2009-03-11T23:04:00.004-05:00

I mean seriously, is this the life or what. Babies don't realize how good they have it! It is such a shame we can't remember life when it was this good - sleeping all the time, always being cuddled, and cozy, comfy things to sleep and lay on. I know Reece won't remember these days, but she is definitely enjoying them. She is always so content, and all about some sleep!

Family of Four

2009-03-07T20:44:00.004-06:00

Here are the girls in their big sister/little sister shirts all dressed up with no place to go - but home! This was when we were leaving the hospital. You know the girls had to look good for the 3 minute car ride home! It was a sweet moment for me though to get my two girls ready.
We are just loving our new family of four. Ava is such a great big sister with almost too much love to give! So far Reece is a great eater and sleeper. She is very content all the time. We feel very lucky and blessed for that - and just praying that this is her temperament and the good eating and sleeping part won't change. I am just amazed at God's goodness when I look at our family. He has blessed us immensely - and we are so grateful to him. Like I have said before - to God be the glory great things he has done.

She's Here...

2009-03-07T17:50:00.011-06:00

Reece Elizabeth

6 lbs 11 oz 20 in

March 4, 2009 11:50 p.m.

Our sweet little girl was born Wednesday night. She looks just like Ava only with strawberry blonde hair - just like my moms! It is so pretty - we hope it stays. I know I look terrible in the picture - but that was after natural child birth - so I am just glad I am alive to tell about it. When Reece was ready to come, she was ready to come. I labor fast, and this time was extremely fast - so there was no time for an epidural. I started having contractions at 10, got to the hospital at 10:45, and Reece was here at 11:50! Everything in under two hours. We are all doing great - and loving our family of four!!

Grilling in a SNUGGIE!!!!!

2009-02-22T20:36:00.006-06:00

I am laughing so hard while I post this... Tonight Steven grilled dinner for us and it was a little chilly outside. So I opened the door for Ava to go out with him and this is what I found ....

Steven was grilling in the Snuggie!!! I hope the neighbors happened to be looking out of their windows so they could get a good laugh as well. On a serious note, if you are needing some comic relief at your house you should get a Snuggie. It has provided hours of entertainment lately. They are very handy and comfortable, I so should have come up with the idea first. It's perfect for someone who is due to have a baby any day!
I have to confess the one we have is my moms - she let us borrow it. Here is the funniest part, she brought it over this afternoon and I had it on, and then Ava walked in the room and no lying she said - "Mommy your wearing a snuggie - I saw it on TV." We all started laughing so hard. It was priceless. So does anybody else think my child watches too much TV......

Disclaimer - I have been a bad blogger!

2009-02-21T01:12:00.001-06:00

Well I have done it again - I have neglected my blog for quite some time and am now playing catch up! To those who have reminded me many times - it has not been craft night at our house for two months. I have posted several posts this evening so you have will have to scroll down to see all of them. (everything down to craft night is new) I know most of you all don't care, but this is for the Grandparents and Ava. I felt the need to document the last few months of her life as a single child! I am now two weeks from my due date and was told by our doctor that "you could have this baby any day now." Ava was almost two weeks early - so I am just waiting for something to happen! As of Monday, I was 2.5 cm and 60% effaced - so we will see.
Since Christmas was have been in "prepare for baby mode." Ava's big girl room and the nursery are both finished!!! Thank you peaches for sewing and sewing and sewing. Both rooms looks so good - I am really pleased how they turned out! All we need now is a baby! Baby clothes are washed, folded, put away, car seat ready to go, etc, etc, etc. I am so scared to have two kids - but so excited to start this next journey. I am sure it will entail a lot of help from family and prayer! Ava is so excited she can hardly stand it. She has affectionately named her sister Gloria - after the hippo on Madagascar! Pretty funny!

Chillin' with Daddy

2009-02-21T01:03:00.003-06:00

I thought these pictures were too cute not to post. This is just a typical night at the Bertram house. If I had to guess they were probably watching golf, Laker basketball, or something that Steven was really enjoying like Max and Ruby or Olivia - Ava's two favorite cartoons of the moment!

Watch Out Rachel Zoe

2009-02-21T00:46:00.004-06:00

This is funny - Tonight we had a small family and friends baby shower and of course Ava had to be there. Well today when I put Ava down for her nap I laid out what I wanted her to wear to the shower - it was a darling little smocked dress, tights, and shoes. After she woke up I went in her room and she had laid out a new outfit on top of the smocked dress. This is how our conversation went...
Me - Ava what are these clothes?
Ava - Weeeellll, that is what I picked our to wear to the baby shower.
Me - oh okay - well I thought you could wear this pretty dress (holding up the smocked dress)
Ava - Well (all sentences start with well right now), Mom what I picked out is much better - my big sister shirt, tutu, I got my tights for my pants, and my new pink shoes with diamonds on them. It's all fancy wancy.
Me - well okay - you win

It was quite funny - but I must say I was proud of her. She put together a fun outfit - that for the most part matched. I had no argument for the "fancy wancy" comment. For over a year now Ava has had a definite opinion on what she wears, and this is one battle I choose not to fight. I could tell she felt very pretty in her ensemble!!

Of course once we got to the shower, I took a few pictures of her and then forgot to have someone take them throughout the shower - I know most of your aren't surprised. But we had a great time and new baby got some fabulous gifts. Thank you to everybody who came.

Christmas Morning

2009-02-21T00:16:00.002-06:00

I know this post if about two months late - but we did celebrate Christmas at our house this year. We hopped from house to house on both Christmas day and Christmas Eve covering both of our families, but made it a priority to be at our house Christmas morning.
This was the first year Ava knew what was going which made everything more fun for all. Santa must have gotten her letter because she got her beloved Princess Kitchen and a nice stack of homework in a fabulous hot pink desk - as well as a few other million things. It was really sweet though because Ava was very thankful for everything. Two months later I can honestly say she is still playing with her Christmas toys; and I can also honestly say she is already telling me what she wants next year! She's not spoiled or anything.
It is so funny having a toddler at Christmas time - We made it a point to try and teach Ava the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it when we do. I bought all kinds of books, family devotionals, and talked about Baby Jesus and the Christmas Story as much as I could. I know she knows the story, but hopefully one day it will mean a lot to her. God has been so good to our family and blessed us in so many ways - I give him the glory for such a wonderful Christmas season and 2008 at our home this year. To God be the Glory Great Things he has Done!!!

Fun Pictures

2009-02-21T00:02:00.003-06:00

Fast Lanes!!!

2008-12-23T00:06:00.000-06:00

Okay - so we had a bowling party for my Mom's birthday this year, and had a blast. In true Ava fashion she stole the show. It was so funny watching her, you know the ball weighs as much as she does - but she "can do it all by herself, and doesn't need ANY help." If you haven't been to Fast Lanes in Rogers you need to go. It really is a fun place. They have waiters, a full menu, and it's no smoking. It's very family friendly and great for all ages. Also they will program your lane so when it's your kids turn the bumpers will automatically come up and then when their turn is over they go back down. Is that not a genius idea or what. I don't remember Ava's score but it was pretty impressive for a three year old!!!

Craft Night

2008-12-16T22:39:00.005-06:00

It is always a special treat when I let Ava paint with "big girl" paints (you know, anything besides water colors). Well tonight we dragged all the paints out, and she had a ball, and then ended up in the bathtub! Her facial expressions crack me up. Too cute. On a side note - Even though it looks like it from the last few posts, I promise my child is not always half naked at home. However, as soon as we get home from being out, she does change from one dress up outfit to the next.

Princess Kitchen and Homework!!!

2008-12-09T18:47:00.004-06:00

Okay this is funny - For the second year in a row now Ava is terrified of Santa - I mean a genuine fear, so needless to say she will NOT get her picture taken with him. This pains me, I hate that I have no picture with Santa, but she is honestly scared so I can't just sit her on his lap. This year we even waited in line at the mall, but screaming started when it was our turn. So anyway, tonight Ava wrote a letter to Santa to let him know what she wanted. I knew what she was going to put, because she has been telling everybody for about a month - she wants the Disney Princess Kitchen and Homework!!! Too funny - I had to document that when she was three years old she wanted homework for Christmas! She heard Haley talk about it and Steven and I work on our bible study homework - and she doesn't have any. So here are a few pictures of her writing her letter. She was very proud of it. (Sorry about the no pants, gotta love the Tinkerbell panties.)

It's A.........

2008-11-07T16:18:00.007-06:00

...Girl!!!! We are so excited to announce that we are having a girl! So exciting. Ava is just thrilled about having a baby sister - you know she said if it was a boy he would have to stay at the hospital. It is very heartwarming hearing her talk about what all she is going to do with and teach her baby sister. For those of you with sister we all know every girl needs a sister! Sisters make the best friends.
I am now 23 weeks and go back to the doc in a few weeks for the glucose test. It's hard to believe that I am that far along....oh how time flies.
p.s. - we are open to name suggestions...

Halloween Festivities

2008-11-07T16:04:00.003-06:00

Trick-or-Treating is sooo much fun!

Some of the neighborhood girls..we just love them!

Eating dinner with Natalie the dino and Dax the farmer

Halloween "WEEK" - yes I said week was very fun at our house. Well, everyday is Halloween for Ava because her favorite thing to do is dress up. In fact while I am writing this, she is currently taking a nap in her Tinkerbell costume! Anyways, Ava had four valid opportunities to wear her beloved Snow White costume. It is about in shreds now - every time she put it on for something else I was cutting strings off of it or wiping off something that she had dribbled on it - But hey we got our money's worth! She went to the Fall Carnival at the school Haley is student teaching at, a party at one of her dance classes, a party at her school, and then Halloween night itself.
We had such a great Halloween night - a bunch of our friends came over for dinner and then all the kids went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. They were all sooo cute it watch. Ava was totally into it and literally ran from door to door. She had a ball!

Dancing With The Stars...too funny!

2008-11-07T15:51:00.004-06:00

Well Dancing with the Stars is one of my favorite shows, but little did I know that Ava would turn out to be even more of a fan. This past week Steven and I noticed something Ava had been doing for several weeks now - every time the show comes on she goes and gets her big Cinderella doll that she calls her "girl" and they dance together. It is sooo funny and sooo cute to watch. Ava studies each dancer, watches their every move and tries to do the same moves with her girl. It is priceless to watch. And I must say Monday nights are easy around our house - Ava never fights getting a bath early so she can be ready to watch "her show"and then when it's over she is worn out and doesn't fight going to bed. It's great!

Happy Fall Yall

2008-11-07T15:36:00.003-06:00

Ava's school had a traveling pumpkin patch come and visit a few weeks ago. I had never heard of a traveling patch, but it was pretty cute and the kiddos had a great time. They played around for a little while and then Ava took waaaaay to long to pick out the perfect pumpkin to bring home.

Pumpkin Carving 101

2008-11-07T15:32:00.001-06:00

Steven and Ava carved their first pumpkin together this Halloween. Ava was very intrigued by the whole process and was thoroughly disgusted by the inside of a pumpkin. It was a fun experience that of course had to be documented! She was very proud of their finished product.

We've been Suckered!!!

2008-10-13T15:58:00.002-05:00

Thanks Allison!! Ava LOVED the suckers!! She is sad they are gone, and still asks, "Where did Mrs. Allison take those suckers?" Oh, the little things that make kids happy!

Exciting News

2008-09-30T14:34:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-29T21:45:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-29T21:28:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-29T21:21:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-29T21:10:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-09-29T20:56:00.005-05:00

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!!!!

2008-09-29T20:40:00.007-05:00

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!

2008-09-29T20:16:00.013-05:00

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!

Mother's Day

2008-05-17T23:46:00.004-05:00

Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward him for the life of your young children.
Lamentations 2:19
Being a mom is such a privilege. It's the best of jobs. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be Ava's mommy. There is nothing as rewarding, full filling, exhilarating, or exhausting! Words can not express my love for this little girl. She is so precious. Everyday is a new entertaining adventure full of laughter.
We had such a special Mother's day this year. Ava got me a beautiful dress from Banana Republic that she was very proud of. As well as a card that plays music when you open it - her favorite. She has started a collection of music cards. She loves to have them all open at the same time - each playing a different song. We hit a little road block when her Daddy wouldn't let her take the cards in the car for the road trip!
Steven, Ava, and I went to the Tulsa Zoo for Mother's day. We all had a great time. It was the perfect way to spend the day. Below are a few pictures...

The Masters

2008-05-17T21:36:00.005-05:00

Well my husbands life is complete now - he went to the Masters this year. Here are a few of the 500 pictures he took! Augusta is absolutely beautiful.

Magnolia Lane

Hogan Bridge

#12 "Golden Bell"

#10 "Camellia"

#18 "Holly"

The Goose

Trip to Cincinnati

2008-05-17T20:57:00.007-05:00

Steven went to the Masters with Carter's daddy Bryson - So Ava and I flew to Cincinnati to visit our good friends Dee and Carter. We miss them so much and the kids (and the grown ups) had such a great time.

These are a few pictures from the Cincy Children's Museum. It was amazing - Ava had a ball. Her favorite part was the mock grocery store, we spent most of our time there. I kept thinking if only we had this at our house.

So proud of our Big Kid panties!!

We went to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was Ava's first trip to a zoo. It was so cute to watch her reactions to all of the different animals.

Is this not the cutest picture ever. Ava and Carter genuinely love each other so much. They walked everywhere holding hands. So cute!!!

Life doesn't get much better than this - Good friends and a big ice cream cone!

Desitin Disaster

2008-05-17T20:42:00.002-05:00

Ava was sweetly playing in her room like she always does - but this time she was up to something else. As you can tell she went straight to the bathtub. FYI Desitin is no easy to get off!

Easter Sunday and Steven's Birthday

2008-05-17T20:22:00.012-05:00

We celebrated Easter Sunday with Steven's family. Ava was very excited to see that the Easter Bunny also came to Mimi and Papaw's house. Yes the dog on the couch is pink. Steven's mom dyed her dog Charlie pink for Easter.

Ava with her cousins Mallory and Jaxson

Oh Mimi!!! She is so festive!

Little lady

Easter Egg Hunt

2008-05-17T18:48:00.003-05:00

We had an Easter egg hunt at Peaches lake house with Ava's friends Scott and Josh. She loved hunting for eggs - and she was pretty good at it too!

I love to dress myself!

2008-05-17T18:42:00.001-05:00

OH MY!!

2008-05-17T18:40:00.003-05:00

I don't even know what you say. Except that life with a toddler is always entertaining. She keeps us laughing thats for sure.

The Newest Member of Our Family!!

2008-05-17T18:33:00.004-05:00

This is Isa - the newest member of our family. He is such a wonderful cat. Ava named him after the Isa the Iguana on Dora. He was a stray that wondered up to my dad's house. He is perfect - declawed, neutered, laid-back, and so loving. He fits perfectly into out family, and Ava just loves him and Kobe has learned to love him!

More TuTus!!

2008-05-17T18:24:00.002-05:00

Ava always wants me to take her picture in her tutus on her "stage". Of course I am always happy to!

Mother's Day Out Valentines Party

2008-05-17T18:09:00.004-05:00

Ava goes to Mother's Day Out at our Church on Tuesdays and Thursday. She loves it and has made so many great friends. They had a little Valentines party and decorated sugar cookies. It was so cute to be able to go and see all the kids interact with each other at school.

Admiring her finished project!

Razorback Basketball

2008-05-17T18:05:00.002-05:00

Here is Ava all dressed and ready for a Razorback Basketball game. She is such a little sports fan - she loves all sporting events. Ava always has to know where "the pig" is.

Minnie Shoes

2008-05-17T16:35:00.002-05:00

To all my E sisters I thought you guys would appreciate this picture- these are Ava's favorite shoes of the moment. They were her Aunt Melanie's - who just graduated from high school!

Friends and TuTus!!!

2008-05-17T16:25:00.005-05:00

Here is Ava with one of her good friends Natalie who came over to play.

Such a ham! Ava loves her tutus. She HAS to wear all of them at the same time. She is too funny. She is all about playing some dress up, Which often makes getting dressed in the morning a challenge. Lets just say at two years old she had too strong of an opinion on what she wants to wear. She loves to put her tutus on and dance on the hardwoods - that she only refers to as the stage!

I Love Babies!!!

2008-05-17T16:14:00.003-05:00

For those of you that don't know - Ava loves her babies. She plays "house" with them all day everyday. She is very good at entertaining herself and such a great mother to all of her million babydolls! It is the cutest thing to watch. She is so going to be a Dugger!

2008-05-17T16:02:00.005-05:00

We went skiing in Colorado with my dad a few Days after Christmas. Ava was a little too young to ski, so her we spent a lot of time in the condo. It was so unbelievably cold - like -22 degrees cold. I think on the warmest day is was like 13degrees. We had to keep Ava inside most of the time. Also because it was so cold we only took a few pictures the whole trip.

This is where we spent the night on the way to Crested Butte. Here is Ava in her ski coat. She looked so cute in her whole outfit, but couldn't really move it in. It was pretty funny. I think she wore the coat with the matching bibs only once! She had to have a great ski outfit though!!

The only two pictures we have of us from the vacation. I think right after this photo was taken Steven fell and slid down a whole slope and the camera was covered in snow and temporarily frozen! It was hilarious. I wish I had some action shots to share with everybody. It was priceless.

Christmas 2007

2008-05-17T15:19:00.007-05:00

We spent Christmas Eve and morning at Peaches's lakehouse. Ava was sooo much fun. Besides being terrified of Santa Clause, Ava was totally into Christmas this year. It was crazy how kids can make the most wonderful time of the year more wonderful.

This is our friends June and Josh's little girl Jordan. Ava had the best time playing with her.

A little giutar hero!!!

The whole family in our Christmas Pajamas. A Weaver family tradition.

Santa Clause was good to Ava. She had a busy day opening presents. The baby doll she is holding was in her stocking. It was her favorite gift. She would have been happy only getting that baby. Whenever anyone asked what she wanted for Christmas- it was always the same thing - a baby doll!!! That baby made her sooo happy.

OUCH! I thought this picture was so funny. Ava is giving Haley a shot from her new doctor kit.

More Ava, much more Ava

2007-12-17T10:12:00.000-06:00

Devin recently had a photographer friend of ours take some family pictures for us as well as some of Ava. Her name is Jennifer Flowers and she is awesome, check out her site by clicking her name. I thought that i might add one of all of us also, even though I know that is not the reason you are checking our blog (hence the title of the post)!

We were shocked by how red her hair looked in these pictures. For those of you who don't know her, the red hair comes from Devin's mother, Paula.

I might get into trouble for posting pictures of Devin without consent, but she has yet to start blogging, so here we go.

Halloween!

2007-12-17T09:28:00.000-06:00

It has only been 3 months since our last post. Thought I might do a little updating. These pictures are from Halloween. Minnie, Mickey and friends are very popular at our house right now, along with Dora of course.

Ava with her boyfriend Carter

I think she had some marshmallows in her mouth here!

Had to show a picture of the tail. Dee and Bryson Moss, Carter's parents, our great friends and neighbors who recently moved to Cincinnati. Bryson works for Proctor & Gamble. We hope to have them as neighbors again one day. Come back soon!

Game Day

2007-09-22T10:41:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from the Razorback game against Kentucky. Several friends came in town for this one (Stogsdill's and Petty's), it was fun to see everyone. We sat in Devin's Dad's box, this is the only place for Ava to be able to attend a game, she had blast. She was constatntly wanting to know "where's the pig?" She has developed a pretty good hog call at this point and loves the basketball games too.

At the Lake...

2007-07-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

Aunt Haley's Birthday

2007-06-26T11:21:00.000-05:00

Haley turned 22 recently and we had her "surprise" birthday in our backyard. She was heading to Europe shortly after. You might have been able to tell by the cake design. Ava loves her Aunt Haley!

Girls trip to Seaside, FL

2007-05-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

Devin's Mom "Peaches" took Devin, Ava, Aunt Haley, Aunt Courtney and "Nana" (Devin's Aunt Dianne) to Seaside, FL. This has been our vacation spot since Devin and I started dating back in High School, her family had been going there for 5+ years before that. Best place in the world! Ava was 21 mos. old at that time.