Hodge Podge

I can't remember everything we did, but the pictures tell the story mostly. I do recall that I got another year older last week. Thanks for all the birthday wishes! A big thank you to Becca for my birthday pie. Mmmm...pumpkin. :)

We didn't have a number 4 candle to put in front of the 1. I didn't mind.

Listening to my birthday song.

The birthday bash meal was toddler food. Hot dogs and goldfish crackers.

Eat up everybody! It's a party.

C'mon Ava. You can do it.

Checking out some fish at Duke Gardens.

Toddler bowling.

Which way do you roll this thing?

Look out!

Olivia and Ava: The "Hello Kitty" twins.

Hugs.

Livi moves in for another hug, but gets the shoulder.

Pretty Livi.

Pretty Ava.

We had a fun picnic with the Thaynes on a warm January day.

They took turns "flying" the kite.

Up and away.

Look at this cute kid! Little man E and his sweet hat.

Off he goes.

Big, Strong Ava

Has it really been 2 weeks since Christmas? Time flies when you have a toddler. This week's developments: I lost my camera for a few days. Ava said, "Don't worry Momma. We go to a store and buy nuther one a morrow." I found the camera the next day. Now I can't find my phone! She is obsessed with being a big girl. "I a big girl.", " I strong" she says. We both have the same haircuts now as I got a short cut for the new year.

Hugs for fairy princess Olivia and fairy princess Ava.

The man of steel! Check out the intense expression! :)

The fairy of steel.

Fairy picnic.

A visit to Mihir's house. We can visit if we are not sick, so as to not aggravate his immune condition.

All aboard the choo-choo train.

Mihir's turn.

Ava is not happy with this development.

Moving on. Out on a hike.

Mommy and Ava.

Bird watching.

Ava's light toy from Christmas.

Pretty.

More hiking. Out on the Eno River trail.

Pretty smile.

Resting.

Relaxing.

Jumping.

Landing.

2012 - Starting Great!

We had a great Christmas. We are so lucky to have family close by. We opened gifts throughout the day and had a delicious meal. A few days later we took a trip to Charlotte since Rex has so much vacation time. We stayed one night a saw lots. Happy new year all. God bless you.


Christmas morning.


Ava was very happy to have the tree down at her level, previously up out of reach.


Star gazing.


Of course it toppled over once or twice in the excitement.


Books, books, books. Ava LOVED all her books.


Opening gifts was a good time!


Shake, shake, shake.


"I have twwo slinklies now!"


So cute in her Santa jammies from cousin Lily.


She got a purple princess skirt and it was a big hit.


She requested her butterfly wings to complete the outfit.


We listened to Christmas music and opened a few more gifts.


And danced.


Later in the day the Thaynes came to our house and we opened more gifts.


It was great fun to watch the kids.


There was some baby boogie too.


Olivia and Ava cut a rug. We had an awesome Christmas day!


A couple of days later we took a trip to Charlotte, NC. Have loved the hotel. "My widdle house.", she called it.


Lots of bouncing or "boinging" as she calls it.


Satisfaction.


Resting by the windows.


We made a little fort for her by the window with the curtains and she loved it.


All her books and animals were brought in.


That night we went to see "Carolina Lights." We drove around a NASCAR speedway decorated with lights.


Vroom, vroom.


Big finish.


In the morning our hotel window was wet with condensation. Ava worked hard to dry it up.


Scrub, scrub.


A bigger task than she was prepared for.


We went to the Discovery Place children's museum.


This would be fun to have at home.


Love those blue eyes.


Color wheel.


Over-sized lite-brite.


Silly mirrors.


Big girl.


Watching ourselves on a thermographic monitor.


The Nielsons look warm.


Climbing a rope bridge.


Looking at the fish tank at Outdoor World on the drive back.