Where's the love!

Lately I've been getting some glimpses into Ava's teenage years.

She only responds to Dustin and completely ignores me. She craves his attention and begs for him to put her to bed every night (he does this every night, but I guess she's afraid I might try and weasel my way in there). Dustin even has to make a game out of giving me a hug at night time in order for me to get a good night hug! Sigh. I know that she loves me, but it's so sad when you plan activities, play with her, and have to discipline her all day and only get a hurried, please get out of my room hug at night. Oh Parenting.

I better start praying harder for the next 16 years...

Two weeks in Idaho...Chapter 2

We were so lucky to catch Kyle and Serrah when they were both home (this never happens in the summer because they both fight forest fires and are ALWAYS gone in the summer), and had so much fun with them! They took us for some amazing Thai food one night and some awesome bagels and coffee in the morning. Then they showed us this...
Gorgeous! I can't believe I've never been there before! So we took some pics...


Then they took us to Dierkes (SP??) to get cooled off.

Ava had a blast with her Uncle Kyle and Aunt Serrah! I think it won't be long before I need to ship her off to them so they can teach her how to rock climb.

Back in Weiser, Ava did a lot of swimming, running through sprinklers, watering flowers (whether it was needed or not), and eating tons of popsicles with Grandma.

In the mean time I was probably sleeping or reading...I miss it already. sigh.

Ava also got to spend some time at the park with Grandpa and eat some much needed icecream from Jebs with Grandpa and her Great Uncle Dave.

Mom (aka Grandma) Dustin, Ava and I also went shopping, rode go carts, played miniature golf, went for walks (where sweatshirts were needed at the start), had dinner and game night with our wonderful friends the Clark's and so much more.

After Dustin left, the 3 of us did more shopping, went to the water park (which was AWESOME and I can't wait to take Ava back). This ultimately knocked Ava out so hard that she couldn't finish eating her pretzel before falling asleep...

Ava and I also got to spend some time with the Sorenson's and their sweet boys. We had a wonderful time reminiscing and talking about all that has changed from high school days to parenthood. We also spent time with the Coleman's. Well I think it may be more accurate to say Dan watched the girls while Di and I talked (thanks Dan!). Oh and one of the many high lights of the trip...Di let me help with HS Volleyball tryouts! I had so much fun and am so excited for the team this year. Those girls have some wonderful coaches and I wish so badly I could be there through out the season! ( I may have asked Dustin to quit his job, sale the house and move us there for the vb season...I don't think he went for it though).

We had a blast in Idaho and we can't wait to go again! Thanks for a great trip everyone! Love you all!

Two weeks in Idaho..Chapter 1

Sorry no pics this time around, but I promise to add them later.

Going to Idaho couldn't have come at a better time. I'm not sure what would have happened if we would have been stuck in Oklahoma a second longer, but I'm pretty sure it would have included us exploding from heat in some fashion. Our AC has not been working very well despite several AC guys trying to help us, there's just not a lot they can do at this point. Obviously it's livable, but at 5:30 when I'm cooking with a not so helpful toddler in our 82 degree house, I think it's fair to say I'm a tad bit cranky (total understatement). So like I said, an escape to Idaho was exactly what we needed.

I often forget how beautiful it is there. The grass is gorgeous...this is real grass people, the stuff you can actually walk on, think about sleeping on. It does not resemble anything that might look like grass in my front yard. It's so awesome that Ava was almost intimidated by it.

Oh and the mountains are gorgeous and even the air seems to smell better (except for Ontario!). (Is it obvious that I miss it???)

Those are all things I never appreciated enough growing up, but miss now. Don't get me wrong, I think Oklahoma is beautiful in a different way, seriously. I just miss what I grew up with too. :)

It was an amazing trip and I'm so glad all 3 of us got to go!

Project Craziness

I would LOVE it if I could spend more time sewing and less time cleaning, doing laundry, cooking and potty training. (Nothing gets done when I sew!) The only time I seem to squeeze it in is when Ava is sleeping or someone is having a baby that I "need" to make something for. Luckily for me, Dustin's Grandma entered us into the Hillsboro Craft fair in September, so that will be my new excuse to sew. Each time I see her, she asks if I'm starting to build up a good collection of things for it and each time I give her a smile and a little panicked giggle and promise to have a ton of stuff! So the answer is obviously no. Each time I make something I think of someone it'd be perfect for. It's just so fun, but I guess I better get crackin if I'm going to make any money.

Here's a couple blurry phone camera pics of things I've made lately. I won't be selling these, but making some very similar for the show.

I will also be trying my hand at some boys tops and possibly some pants. Pretty excited about that. I don't want to leave all those cute little guys out!

So here's to hoping I accomplish what I'm supposed to!

I'm going to need a lot of sewing nights between now and then Maria!

5 years!

(Warning, this blog may be sappy).

It's been five wonderful years (tomorrow 7/8) with this tall guy and I am still so very in love.

He is such an awesome dad. Ava LOVES him and will only let him put her to bed. We are so blessed to have him in our lives!
There are a lot of reasons I love this guy...

to name a few:

-He puts up with his girls rather nicely. :)

-He's a blast to hangout with.

-He's hilarious (just get to know him and you'll see)

-He is the spiritual leader in our home and leaves me with no doubts as to where his heart truly lies (with God).

I could go on and on about how much of a handy man he is, how incredibly hard he works to provide for our family and what a stud athlete he still is even though he thinks he's "lost" it, but I better end with him giving me this adorable kiddo. She's like him in SOOOOO many ways and I love it.

Thanks for the last 5 years Dustin! I am so blessed to have met you and lucky you married me, I love you!

We went to Idaho...

At the end of April...

Ava and I flew to Idaho without anyone but Kyle and a few friends knowing we were coming. Uncle Kyle picked Ava and I up at the airport and we headed to Weiser to surprise my mom.

(At the airport waiting for our plane)

This is supposed to be a video of us surpring my mom at her school, but my blog is fighting me today and won't let me post it. Needless to say, she was thrilled to have the 3 of us there. She hugged Ava for the longest time and Ava was thrilled to see her grandma! There might have been a few tears too. :)

We got to do a lot of things while in Weiser, like go the park. They have an awesome play ground and we drove past it or walked past it anytime we went anywhere. Ava of course got super excited everytime she saw it and with grandparents and an uncle that spoil her, she got plenty of play time.

(Kyle teaching Ava to fly??)

(Eating at JEBS corner...best curly fries ever!)

We were there for Easter and luckily for Ava Uncle Kyle thought about it and planned for it, unlike her mom. Oops! Kyle and Serrah had bought Ava an adorable back-pack and a million plastic eggs which Kyle stuffed with candy. He also hid all the eggs for us. All I had to do was help Ava eat candy. It was awesome!

On our last full day in Idaho, Grandma and I took Ava to the Boise Zoo. We had a blast and Ava got to ride her first Merry-go-round. It was precious until she threw a huge fit because she wanted to go again. At least she liked it, right?!
We also took a walk along the greenbelt. It was beautiful! It's one of the many things I miss about Idaho.
We had such a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back. I think I'll end it here because this post is just making me miss my family, friends and Idaho.

Ava's Birthday

This little girl turned 2 on Friday! I can't believe it. Time is flying too fast.

We had a small get together and Ava had a blast with her friends in the sand

and the water. Which makes a disgusting combination of course!