Sweet Ava Tate Turns 4!

Sweet, treats and fun galore... Our sweet girl turned 4 on March 5th, 2012.  We celebrated with a birthday party at Cup Cakes Yall will many friends and family.  Fun was had by all.  It was so cute to watch 3 and 4 year old (even some babies) decorate their cupcakes with deep concentration.

 They all looked so cute in their aprons and hats.

 Claire and Ava - Best Friends!  

 Ava and Cassidy showing off their art work

 My niece Peyton and Caitlyn got some cupcakes too.

The fun didn't stop there!  The next day my parents, sister and niece all loaded up with us to head to the beach for the day.  We had fun shopping, eating, riding rides and seeing the sites at Panama City Pier Park.  It was so nice to have family come in all the way from Kentucky to celebrate!

 It was a beautiful but windy day at the beach

Sweet Peyton's first Ice Cream Cone.  She loved it!!!

On Monday Ava celebrated at school with her friends.  I brought in cupcakes for snack and had fun visiting with her class.  That night we let Ava do all of her favorite things and pick where she wanted to eat.  We had to visit the rabbits and the pet store, go to the park, eat at Moe's and go to Barnes and Nobles.  Ava had a birthday to remember.

Aviation Spouses Day

Back in November I put my name in the hat to participate in Aviation Spouses Day.  About a week before the event I found out that I was picked because someone dropped out.  Lucky me got geared up on February 3rd to participate with 59 other Army spouses and go through training similar to what our husbands went through in Flight School.  Most of the women there were flight school student spouses but there were a few of us who had been around too.  It was such a fun day and I am so glad I was able to be a part of such a wonderful event.  


Here is my comment on Facebook the next day which pretty much sums up the day:  


"I survived Aviation spouses day and recieved my wings last night! I flew a UH60 Blackhawks simulator without crashing, finished all obsticals with my team within the time given, ate at the chow hall, got dressed up in flight gear to receive Helicopter overwater survival training, and shot 8 out of 10 of my targets with an M16 in a simulated range. I had a blast and recommend all spouses to experience this!"

 Started the day at the simulator.  No pictures were allowed inside.

 My group broke up into two teams to go through the obstacle courses. 

 We had to work as a team to make it from one side of the pit to the other without touching anything black or red.  We had to each get across with all supplies.

 This one was tricky and the one I fell on but we figured it out and made it through.  I fell gracefully though :)  I had an awesome team!

 At Helicopter underwater survival training we learned what to do if our air craft were to crash in the water.  We got to wear flight gear and everything!

At the simulated gun range

 Ava and Mark pinned my wings on me at the graduation ceremony

  What a fun day and great way to meet some amazing ladies!

Mark's Birthday Celebration

On Monday we celebrated Mark's 36th birthday.  I had originally planned a little surprise party type celebration for the weekend as were supposed to spend the weekend in Atlanta with friends.  Atlanta had some bad rainy weather so we decided to stay home so off to plan b.  With Ava in School Mark and I were able to have a lunch date and then I rushed home to start making his birthday cake.  Let me just start by saying baking is not my thing nor do I enjoy it but a friend showed me a mountain bike cake idea on Pinterest and I just had to try this special cake for Mark.  Once Ava got home from school we put the finishing touches on it and prepared dinner, presents and decorations while waiting for Mark to get off work.  The cake was a hit!  My favorite was the sweet family picture Ava drew to go along with her birthday card to him.  She is becoming quite the little artist!

 Yummy icing!  

 love the family picture by Ava ! 

 Helping daddy blow out his candles

Christmas and New Years with Family

This year we decided to stay home for Christmas so that Ava could experience Santa and all of the fun at home.  It also meant less to pack for us.  On Christmas Eve Oscar the elf made his last appearance with presents for Ava and a note explaining he would be going back to the North Poll and would see her next year.  She got to hug him and thank him before he headed off.  On Christmas morning Ava, who was a little under the weather, woke up with excitement of what Santa had brought her.  She was horse but still jumping up and down with joy.  Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes makes it all so much more fun.  We enjoyed opening gifts, and having a nice breakfast at home.

 Silly faces as we prepare to make a gingerbread house

 A Happy little girl!

The day after Christmas we drove to Kentucky to have Christmas at my Mom and Dad's house.  Pretty much as soon as we arrived we all gathered for a great meal and lots of presents.  Ava was a little under the weather but that didn't stop her from enjoying the festivities.  We all were spoiled this year, especially Ava!

Peyton didn't like the flash!

We had an ugly Christmas sweater contest.  I made mine LOL!  Can't get much uglier than glitter puff paint and cheap ornaments sewn on a shirt!!!

Jaime handing out the gifts

My brother refinished a baby doll crib that I played with as a child and that was my mom's.  He made a matching chest to go with it to hold all of the baby gear.

Barbie Karaoke was a hit!

Mom and Dad even decorated the Tree House

The rest of the week we spent trying to visit all that we could,  unfortunately it was hard since Mark and I both started feeling a little sickly towards the end of the week.  We ended the week with another Christmas dinner at my grandparents house and a weekend celebrating the New Year with my Sister Natalie, her husband Jaime and my sweet Peyton.  I can't believe how much she has grown since I saw her last.

Awww cousins!  

Ava coaching Peyton to eat lol!

As always we had a great visit and hated saying goodbye to everyone but hopefully we will get another visit in soon!