Visting Family and Friends

Last week we crammed alot of visiting into a week.  Mark was sent on a work trip to Fort Campbell so we took advantage of the opportunity to visit with family and friends. The weekend before he was supposed to work we headed to Elizabethtown (two hours north of Campbell) to visit with my family.  It was my Dad's birthday so what better present than to bring his only grandchild for a visit.  Everyone was amazed at how much more Ava is talking and doing these days.  The last time they saw her was Christmas so alot has changed.  We had a great time playing in the tree house and watching Ava go.

The next day we headed to Clarksville to get settled into our hotel and ready for Mark to begin work the next day.  I lined up several visits with Mark's family and some of our friends.  Unfortunately we only had one car to share so it was a juggling act to get around.  I was able to visit with several friends and made the best of it.  Tuesday I got to spend the day at Lisa's house catching up with her and Kristi while the kids played and then we headed to our favorite lunch spot Yamato's where Denise met up with us.  I even walked to the mall one day to meet my friend Kat and her girls.  It was a beautiful day and only a 5 minute walk.  Wednesday night our friends Erin and Daniel had us over for dinner along with Regan, Mary and Keith.  All of the kids had a ball playing and keeping us adults entertained.  Earlier that day Regan's husband Josh left for his third deployment.  We were sad to miss Josh but glad we could get together with Regan and hopefully kept her mind off of the days event for just a little bit.  We really do miss Campbell and all of the great people we became friends with.  Wish we lived closer!!!

On our way back to Alabama we stayed in Columbia for the night so that Mark could race in a Mountain Bike race there.  Mark has joined a Mountain Bike circuit and this months race was in Columbia TN.  He trained on Saturday and came back feeling sick.  Also his bike was not working properly.  The next morning he decided not to race so we went and watched a few of the races and then headed back home.  We had a wonderful trip but were happy to be home and sleep in our own beds.

Papaw giving Ava a swing

Having fun with Cousins Hunter and Angelina

Ava loves her baby cousin Taylor

Ava flying like daddy

Together with her friends Sofia and Claire again

This is a picture taken of all three of the girls when they were around 6 months old.  They are getting so big!

Enjoying the wonderful food!  Thanks to Erin and Daniel for opening up your home to us while we were in town!!!

Knocked out!  Poor thing was sick with a stomach bug

She was all better by the next day!

A must stop in Clarksville was Beachaven to stock up on wine.  Ava saw the stage and wanted to put on a show.

holding her hand up as a mic to sing LOL!

She loves wearing daddy's hat while watching the DVD player on the way home.  We bought the DVD player for trips and it is the best thing ever.  So much more of a peaceful ride home.