Gardner Village

On Thursday we took Ava to Gardner Village for the witch festival. It was the first time ever going for all of us and we loved it. It has such cute little "village" style shops and everything is all decorated for fall harvest and halloween. First we took Ava to the petting zoo. For just a few dollars they let you in the coop with all the little farm animals. They had lots of goats and
they were really friendly. All the animals would come right up to us and let us pet them.

Ava seemed to like it until we stepped back to take this picture. She took a look around and noticed all the animals surrounding her and started to freek out. After that we just had to make sure we were holding her hand or holding her and she was okay.

Come and ride a goat why don't ya?

So as I am taking the pics this one goat was following us everywhere and stuck his big snout right in front just as I took the pic.. haha so here it is.

Ava petting the lazy piggie.

Petting the ostridge. Ava didn't really like that one and she is pulling back.

Kinda looks like he's trying to bite her..

Petting the bunny. She loves all her stuffed animal bunnys at home this was her first time seeing and petting a real one. I wonder if she understood they were the same thing.

Looks like the lamb is kissing her hand but really that is how she pushes things away when they get too close.

Now for her fav part the pony ride!!

Wow I was so proud of her she did awesome and didn't cry at all and held on great and really tight.

I love this one.. petting the horsie!

Look at my little smiley girl. SHe was in heaven lovin this pony ride :)

For this big water wheel Ava was so frightened every time we were near it. It was loud and huge so for some reason it freeked her out. Look at her body language. She couldn't even look at me for the pic and was fixated on the water wheel.

Witchy Poo. haha loved this one.

My 2 favs. The husband and the daughter.

I love how A has her little hand on the witch's

Just another Sunday

I love weekends and especially Sunday since Russ never has to work that day. Ava is getting so big and whenever we are doing anything she wants to do things just like us. Now whenever we are eating dinner or really any meal we sit down together she wants to sit up at the big table with us. My parents gave me that high kid chair so we can pull her next to us and it boosts her up to our level. She LOVES it! Aaannnddd she can eat with her fork now so well. She has for a while now but I had no idea. I just assumed she was too young but she totally has it figured out and is so proud of herself (as am I). Here she is eating her breakfast of scrambled eggs. Yummy :)
I love this pic. She just loves to pose for me. haha with her cute little smirk. My little cutie pie! This shows her chair better.

Then later that afternoon we decided to check out this park not far from our house that had a duck pond.

Remember Ava LOVESS ducks, stuffed ones or in pictures and books. This was her first time being introduced to real ones. ANd she was quite impressed I think.

We forgot to bring bread to feed them but we had some Nilla wafers in the diaper bag and they liked that.

Ava trying to pet the ducks. She didn't have any food and yet they still came right up to her.

Finally looks and feels like autumn.

Walking the trail around the pond.

Love this one. Little miss A leaning over peeking through the slates to see the ducks. SO cute!

Ava really wanted to hold Lucky's leash so I was helping her and showing her how.

She got it right away.

We ended the afternoon grilling up our leftover meat from yesterday. I am already so happy we have this grill. Food cooked on an open flame is just SO much better :)_Happy grilling!

A first for Everything!

On Saturday I took Ava to get her first official haircut. I was debating where I should take her and who should do it. I ended up taking her to the same salon that Russ and I go to, Images Salon in PG. Amy cut her hair. She is SO sweet and did amazing with Ava. I was so dang proud of how well behaved and cooperative Ava was. She sat there like such a big girl holding so still. Amy took her time and blowdryed and styled even spraying glitter on Ava's hair as a finishing touch! Ava loved that (we called it fairy dust).

And her is my sweetie all done! I am going to continue taking her here for all future haircuts since I know she will do so great.

I love you little miss Ava! The cutest little doll EVER!

Later that afternoon we were having a BBQ with one of my best friends, Ashlie, and her husband and 2 kids. We didn't have a actual grill so we were just gonna borrow one. Russ and I have a George Forman grill that we use all the time for just us so we never bothered to get a big outdoor grill. But then yesterday last minute we decided we should just go out and buy one instead of messing with borrowing one. So while I was putting the finishing touches to the food and cleaning the house he went out and found one. He did such an awesome job! I love love LOVE our new bbq grill. Its big and works awesome!

Here is Russ putting it together with Brian helping set it up out on our deck.

We had so much fun and it was great to catch up and just relax with good food, good friends and a good time.

Little Miss A.

Ava and Jax are only 5 months apart and they loved playing together. I was so proud of Ava for sharing all her toys so well with the other kids. Even her favorite baby doll. Jaycie was really attached to it and Ava was close to freeking out but she kept her cool and allowed them to play and Ava wasn't possesive or selfish at all. I really am so proud of Ava. She was such a kind little hostess to our guests!

Playing and hanging out!

My BFF Ashlie and her hubby Brian. He is in the Airforce and they live up on base. Ash and I were best friends since high school. We have had some good times! Love her!!

My little Fam ;)

Me and Ashlie ;)

All the kiddos. Jaycie is 6 (there she is with Ava's baby doll) and Jax is 13 months and then Ava.

At the end of the night after everyone had left. Russ and I just hanging out, kickin back about to watch Prince of Persia (awesome movie by the way!). Oh and notice little naked baby in the background. haha she decided to strip down to get a bit more comfy as well.

My cute little naked babe with food all over her face, tired and ready to go to bed so Russ and I could just hang out and be alone.

All in all it was a great day. Ava had her first haircut, we bought our first outside grill and we hosted our first BBQ party at our house. It was SOO much fun! Now I think I want to have more parties at my house ;) I love playing hostess.