Cool Ride

It was a little warmer today, so we were able to get outside with Ava's new bike (with pedals). She loved it. She never wanted to get off. She kept saying "Ava's bike with pedals like mommy and daddy." I know...she doesn't have her helmet on...I picked the warmer one today otherwise she always wears it.

Santa Came!

I think it took Ava a minute to understand what exactly was going on. Where did this stuff come from? Is this all mine??

granpa is excited about his ipod

First present opened. Ava got tired of opening presents and had to take a break for breakfast before we forced her to finish opening. Who's ever heard of that?

Michael (and Ava's) favorite present

Gigi enjoying her new massager

Just about sums up the morning!

Waffles, eggs, bacon...finger lickin good!

Ava was cooking up some fabulous Christmas dinner with her new kitchen.

One of Ava's favorites...Nina Ballerina

Christmas Eve 2009

We had very stormy weather Christmas Eve, but luckily Gigi and Granpa were able to make it from Greenville. Of course we had the traditional spinach lasagna for dinner with pumkin pie and banana pudding for dessert. Yummy! It is a good thing Michael was well-fueled since he had a long night of assisting Santa assemble Ava's kitchen.

Egg Bowl 2009

Ava was so excited at the Egg Bowl, she could hardly contain herself. Even while we were shopping Friday morning she kept singing the fightsong and Go State. She has also been learning the signals for most calls on the field. She is definitely a sports fan and loves her bulldogs! She stayed at the game for the entire first half--the longest yet. One of her favorite things was spending time with a bulldog puppy. Gigi said she played with it for 30 minutes.

Thanksgiving 2009

One little, two little, three little indians...

We had Thanksgiving at my Aunt Rose and Uncle Don's house. The food was excellent, of course. This is Granpa and his brother and sisters before the feasting.

Our first Thanksgiving with Mark.

Our cousin, Hannah, turned 2 and had her party following dinner. Ava was too funny with her icing "lipstick". We also loved the mouse ears.

She was so excited to see Aunt Tracy and Uncle Mark when they got here Wednesday night. She loves an audience!

Visiting Hattiesburg

On Sunday, I went to visit the Scotts (that still seems so weird) in their new house. Of course, Tracy has it decorated so cute! I wish she weren't so far away.

Mark holding their new puppy, Shelby.

Birthdays

Helping daddy blow out his birthday candle...

and playing games at Autumn's 3rd birthday party. It was her first birthday party to attend. She had a really good time, but apparently it is really scary to hit a pinata.

At the game

Thanks to my friend, Ashley, we finally have a picture of all of us at a game!

Random Shots from the Week

Ava likes to give the pups their treats before we leave the house.

Tracy and her friend, Kim prior to the MSU vs Alabama game.

My little cheerleader doing her usual best not to look at the camera.

Running through the leaves after Daddy rakes them is so much fun!

The handoff....

and there she goes streaking down the sideline!

The perfect way to end the week...a 1993 Schramsberg Reserve. ( I was just starting my Senior year of high school when these grapes were picked!)

Pageant Debut

Ava's practicing her interview skills before heading out to the Miss Tupelo pageant. Michael was representing his firm as the official accountant to certify the pageant results (it's very prestigious). We went with him so Ava could see the pretty dresses. She actually enjoyed it.

Trick or Treat

Ava is already enjoying candy from her first house to trick or treat at (the Cooks).

All our pumpkins.

We stopped by a firestation and she got to climb up in the firetruck.

Enjoying the night's candy with her friend, Autumn. It's officially a tradition now, I guess, that they trick or treat with each other. They had so much fun!

Pumpkin

We carved our pumpkin today. It won't stop raining for us to put it outside, so we are stuck lighting it in the playroom. Ava was excellent help scooping out the pumpkin inerds.

Boot Camp: Potty Style

Ava and I have been potty training since Thursday evening. She has actually done really well. Thanks to Autumn's potty videos, we have super cool potty songs to sing while pottying and after. She's been very excited and likes to tell me she's a "big girl".

Little Girl with a (lots of) Curl(s)

Ava got her first haircut today. She got to sit on a horse. She did really well and now she has "pitty hair."

MSU vs GT

Our friends Amy, Jacob, Owen, and Elizabeth were able to join us in Starkville this weekend. Even they couldn't stop the turnovers!

Ava with her Great Aunt Deborah. It's taken a few games, but she has finally warmed up to her!

360 Tour

This past week Michael and I took a trip to Charlottesville, VA and left Ava with Gigi and Granpa. We stayed at a lovely manor (Keswick Hall) about 10 miles outside of the city. We went to see the U2 concert, but also took in some other sites. Of course, the above is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Mr. Jefferson was gracious enough to pose with me.

We also had to make a stop at Fork Union Military Academy (this is where Michael graduated high school). I know Ava is really sad she won't be able to follow in her dad's footsteps (boys only).

MSU at Vandy

We went to Nashville this past weekend to see the bulldogs. This is the fountain outside our hotel...Ava loved it. She got to hang out with her Ma and Aunt Kathy while we went to the game.

Ava is showing her spirit at the pregame pep rally.

Bulldogs took over the Vandy bounce...foreshadowing of things to come.