Sunday, July 14, 2013

Texas Trip

A few weeks ago, we made our first trip back to Texas since Ava was born.  Although the grandparents have seen Ava multiple times, the rest of the families were dying to see her!  We stopped in Houston first and stayed with Brent's family and then went on to Dallas to hang out with my family.  It was quite a long trip for a little baby - 8 nights!  Ava did as well as could be expected.  We had some good days and some bad days and a few meltdowns in between.  But we survived, and we had fun!  Here are a few highlights.

 Ava met her great-granddad (Brent's grandfather) for the first time.  So cute!









We loaded up on Tex-Mex.  Love my Lupe's!  So does my precious nephew Luke!

Ava got to meet Lora & Pears, my two very good friends from YES.  Ava was a bit exhausted here.

Next we headed to Dallas for some play time with Winnie & Papa C.  We started every morning with some blanket time.

  We practiced "driving" in the parked car at NorthPark mall.

Ava played blocks with Papa C.
 I had breakfast with mom at Barbec's - eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits & gravy, & coffee... for $5.80.  Yes, please.

 Mom, Ava, and I took a lovely, cool, early-morning walk at the Arboretum.

... and with any good trip to the Arboretum, we made sure to get in a full-length photo shoot.




I'm such a big girl now!  I sit up all by myself!




We took pictures in front of the door where I took bridal photos and maternity photos... and now with my little munchkin.


I love this picture.  Apparently one centimeter of water is very, very scary.

Just kidding, it's not so bad.


Ava loves her Winnie!



Diva.

Time to go home!  American Eagle gave us an extra seat on the plane out of the goodness of their hearts.  (It helped make up for the hours and hours of delays!)  Ava was pretty good on the plane for a 5 month old!  See ya later, Texas!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Baby's First Fourth


Ava got to celebrate her first Fourth of July in Texas AND in Iowa.  We made a trip to Texas the week before the fourth (more on that later), and while we were there, we celebrated an early Fourth of July with a family reunion of sorts in Dallas.  It was really fun for my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to see Ava for the first time, and we had a great day just hanging out by the pool.  My Aunt Robyn is an INCREDIBLY talented photographer, and she took most of these fabulous pictures.  Thank you, Aunt Robyn!  You are the best!!

Ava met her cousin Ethan for the first time.  Ethan is the son of my sweet cousin Melissa, and he is just two weeks younger than Ava!  They were so cute together.






Ava also got to meet her great grandmother and great grandfather.  Grammy and Grampy now have two great grandsons and one great granddaughter!


Ava's Winnie (my mom) was glad to hold Ava when someone else wasn't!

We had some delicious lobster rolls for lunch, and then it was time to play!

It was an exciting day because it was Ava's first time to go swimming!  She was scared at first and cried, but then she loved it!  She stayed in the pool for almost 45 minutes.



 Cousin Ethan was kind enough to let Ava borrow his float!

 




 All that swimming wore her right out.  She NEVER sleeps on me like this, but she was down for the count!

"Never mind, guys!  I'm awake now!  Time to play!!"


 To round out the day, Ava had some quality time in a photo session with Winnie.



 Love this shot!

Then, it was finally time to go home.  Turtle says, "No more children, please!!!!"

 
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