Entertaining the Masses

Mark's new class started back in January and has 16 students.  We have been wanting to have them all over along with their spouses and so we chose the date of February 25th and just went for it.  Mark released the class early so that everyone could come over here for lunch.  The day just works better with our schedule and plus we could possibly entertain outside.  Luckily the day was a beautiful sunning day in the mid 50's.  It wasn't super warm but with a jacket and in the sun it was comfortable.  Around 25 people were hear and it all worked!  I was so relieved.  I have never seen that many people in my kitchen before but it worked pretty well and I didn't feel overwhelmed.  Ava woke up from nap in the middle of it all and was like "who are all of the these people and where did they come from".  After awhile she warmed up to everyone and had a blast running around in the yard and being the center of attention.  It was a success!

That evening I headed to Miori, a local Japanese restaurant, for a Birthday Dinner for my friend Dawn (or Dum as the Japanese waiter said when they wished her a happy birthday it was super funny).  The food was yummy and fun was had by all!

The grill master Mark.  He grilled 20 hamburgers, 16 hotdogs and a package of chicken.

Hanging out on our patio

After we were finished

Grown men playing with Bubbles

She kept saying "push push push daddy".  How can you resist that!

Dawn's Birthday dinner

Getting her pineapple boat

Trying to explain that her name is Dawn not Dum

Singing Happy Birthday 

Book Bags

My friend Shawunta recently asked if I could make something for her 5 year old niece.  She had given her one of my pillow case dresses last year so she wanted something different.  I came up with a book bag with her initials and I think it came out cute .  I plan on making Ava one for her to take to Pre-school next year.  I still have some fabric left if you are interested in one.  I am selling them for $25.  Initials are $3 and name is $5.

The inside has a pocket for the smaller things.

Can make in other fabrics. go to http://www.sewprecious.blogspot.com for my complete line

Little Helper and Pigtails!

The weather here has been pretty nice so we are starting to enjoy the screened in porch.  Ava is always going to the back door and saying "Outside, Outside , Outside".  Right now we don't have very much for her to play with (this is going to change next week on her birthday) so why not put her to work LOL! I know what you are thinking Child Labor right. Well, she was loving it and no mommy didn't make her do it.  Also this week I put Ava's hair in pig tails to go to shopping.  She shopped the whole time and didn't take them out YAY!!!

Red and Blue Makes Purple

It is so nice now that Ava can do more things on her own.  She loves yogurt in the morning and lately I let her use her own spoon and eat it right out of the plastic container.  She makes a mess on herself but it washes out just fine and she is good about not getting on anything else.  Here is what she looks like when she is finished.  FUN!

Valentines Day and Presidents Day

We didn't really have anything planned for Valentines day since we were out of town the few days prior to that.  We woke up and had breakfast and exchanged gifts.  Ava got some new toys to play with and some cool heart shaped sunglasses.  Mark and I will be going to the spa at some point for a couples retreat.  He will get an hour message while I get a European Facial.  I can't wait!  I also got some Godiva Chocolates yum!  We decided at the last minute to head out for a nice lunch.  I bundled up in a sweater and a coat only to be pleasantly surprised that it was 62 degrees and sunny.  We went on to lunch at Logan's, did a little shopping and then headed to the park to take advantage of the beautiful day.  Ava had a blast at the park.  That night we watched "Couples Retreat".  Sadly we both fell asleep before it was over.

The next day we just hung out at the house.  I did manage to go get some groceries and go to aerobics.  The Church that I go to MOPS offers aerobics two nights a week for free and they offer free child care.  What a nice treat and it's alot of fun!

More building blocks!

Dora Bubbles 

Too cool!

Hollywood here I come!

Daddy tries to look cool too!

BUBBLES!  Let me try Daddy

She needs a little more practice

Beautiful day for the park

The tunnel was her favorite

Milk shakes for everyone on the way home.  She did good until she got full and they she wanted to play with it and poked her finger through the cup.  Luckily I grabbed the cup before she made a mess with it.

5 seconds before this picture was taken she was throwing a fit to watch "Cacoons" (cartoons).  

Totally passed out!

Stopping for fun

Saturday morning we woke up in South Carolina to 4 inches of snow.  We got on the roads as soon as we could so that we could take our time driving back to Alabama if the roads were bad.  Luckily it was a sunny day so the roads were clear and traffic was not bad at all. I am sure most people stayed home unless they just had to go somewhere.  Since the drive was going so well we decided to stop off for a nice lunch at Chili's right outside of Atlanta.  Normally when traveling we just grab a quick bite on the road but we all needed a little break from the car.  Since we hadn't really prepared for snowy weather Ava had not had a chance to play in the snow.  When we saw these tall bushes with snow caps on top we decided to introduce Ava to snow.  Mark taught her how to make a snow ball.  She loved it!  Even better was when Mark decided to throw a few at me. Of course I screamed like a little baby which made Ava laugh even harder.  It was such a nice little unexpected fun lunch we had!  I was thankful that we did play while we had the chance because by the time we arrived back to our home in Alabama all the snow was melted.

Making snow balls to throw at mommy

Megan Graduates Basic

On Thursday we packed up the car and headed for Columbia South Carolina.  When we arrived we settled in our room to prepare for the early morning wake up .  We traveled the 7 hour trip to go to our niece Megan's Basic Training graduation at Ft. Jackson.  It was a cold cold morning but we bundled up and sat in the stand to congratulate the 1400 soldiers who had made it through basic.  The stands were packed with family and friends from all over cheering and clapping.  It was very moving to see so many to sign up during these uncertain times in the Army.  After graduation Megan was able to sign out to spend the day with us.  We went and had lunch at "California Dreamin" .  The restaurant was inside of an old train depot.  I wish I would have taken pictures because it was really unique.  Afterwards we headed back to the hotel as it was beginning to snow.  We popped open some Champaign and toasted to Megan and sat around while Ava entertained us.  Everyone was amazed how well Ava entertained herself.  I guess that is part of being an only child.  Sadly Megan had to go check back in that evening so she could head out on an early morning flight. We were very proud of Megan and what she has accomplished and will accomplish.  Now she is at Fort Sam Houston to go through AIT to be a medic.  Her plan is to finish up collage and join ROTC and become an officer.  We wish her the best of luck!

It was Freezing!  Look at that face!  She actually did pretty good considering how cold it was and how long we were in the stands.

Soldiers marching in!

Ava clapping for Cousin Megan.

Marching forward

Here comes Megan

There she is

Ahhh in from the cold.  Look how rosy their cheeks are!

4 inches of snow is what we woke up to the next day.

Luckily the roads were not bad on the drive home!