Ava's first birthday

Today's blog is mainly for family.  This is so family can see what they missed by not being with us yesterday.  Saturday we took a little road trip to Davis.  Our niece Ava was having her first birthday party.  It is hard to believe this darling (and I don't use that word much) child is a year old. 

                Ava just one year ago.  We could see the beginnings of her red hair.

                               Ava now, with Mom Casey

Ava in her party dress.  She is ready to receive her guests.

Marty and I brought gifts for Hall and Annabella also.  Just because it isn't your birthday doesn't mean you don't want or deserve a gift too.

                                 Big sister Annabella helping Ava open her gifts.

                                       More help from Annabella.

               Why are these people looking at me?   What's going on?

 Annabella and Hall on the left.  Big girl cousin on the right.

A crown for the birthday girl.  And she was not happy with it.

 What is this dumb thing on my head?  Get it off!!!!!!!!!!!!

               CAKE!  This I understand.  Gimme!

 Notice the pretty dress is gone.  Stripped to just a diaper, the perfect way to eat my cake. MINE!

 Notice Annabella approaching the cake.  Ava does not notice, she is too busy eating icing.

I see you there Annabella.  Stay away.  Notice the swipe in the back of the cake.  Annabella did damage before Ava started watching for her.


If you are still reading this post, you are family, love goofy pictures, or a stalker.  We had a fun time with Ava and her guests from both sides of her family.  We are so happy having Tres and Casey and their little ones close to us.  

Happy Birthday Ava.

GRANDPARENTS' DAY

Marty and I have no grandchildren.  But we have several pretend grandchildren.  And that is pretty wonderful.  You have children who love you and you love them back.  You get hugs and kisses, and sometimes temper tantrums.  You get to go to school on Grandparents' Day and share that special day with them.

Yesterday we drove up to Davis so we could go to school today with Hall, our nephew.  Hall is a first grader and asked us to come since his real grandparents all live in Ky.  We were honored to be asked.  Below are lots of pictures of our time with Hall, and his sisters Annabella and Ava.  I took nearly 40 pictures.  Don't worry, I can self edit and you will only have 10 to look at.

 Marty and 2 month old Ava.  She loves to be held.  We are all thrilled to hold her.

 As soon as we arrived, Bella was waiting for us to come play with her.  She was so excited we were having a sleep over together.  She is waiting here for me to read to her.

 Colonel Daddy.  I didn't get any pictures of Tres the last time we visited.  This time Mom was left out.  I guess we will have to keep going up until I get pictures of everyone.

 The program at school began with a Mass.  Yes a Catholic School.  Marty and I are protestant.  We sat in the back row so we could fake our way through the service.  Man, Catholics get up and down a lot.  And their service is really really long.  We go to an early service that is 45 minutes or less.  Not used to that much ceremony.  It was a nice service.  The children were very involved in the service.

                      This is Hall in his classroom.  The children are singing a song with hand motions.

                                    Hall and Uncle Marty working on an art project together.

   Hall and Aunt Janet with the art project.  Notice my ID badge, Hall's picture.

 Here Hall is writing a note to Marty and me that will go into the decorated bag. 

                                               
                                                      This is a life size self portrait of Hall.

During the concert which closed the day's activities, Bella was bored.  She had had all the fun a three year could stand.  So Bella took pictures of me taking pictures of her.  She was so careful with the camera.  She wrapped the strap around her arm so if the camera dropped, it wouldn't hit the floor.

We had a great time Thursday night and Friday morning. The adults talked and drank wine.  The children played and made us feel happy. It was so very special for Hall to ask us to go to school with him.  He hugged us and even kissed us in front of his friends.  A lot of little boys won't do that.  He almost made me cry.  We have already been asked to go next year, if they are still at Travis.  I hope they are here.  This was fun.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN, PART 2

Today I drove up to Davis to visit with my sister in law, Dr. MOM, and the beautiful children.  I know it sounds like bragging, but oh my word, my family makes beautiful babies.  It is a fact, people.  You saw the pictures of just one little branch this week.

Anyway, I drove up today to have lunch with my SIL, Dr. MOM, Annabella, and baby Ava.  My drive up did not start well. My 5 minute drive to the tunnel took over 20 minutes.  HWY 24, HWY 13, and 2 frontage roads were stopped. Not just slow, but stopped. There are three tunnels, depending on the time of day two bores are open one way and only one going the other way.  In the morning two bores are open west, and going east (the way I was going) only one bore is open. Part of the slow traffic is everyone looking at the drilling of the fourth bore. Once I was out of the tunnel I flew to Davis.  NO, I do not drive the speed limit.  I go with the flow.  On I 80, everyone thinks that is the speed limit, not the Interstate number.  You drive slower then 80, you will get run over.

Big sister Annabella was in rare form this morning. She was wound up.  Baby Ava was cranky.  It was not a great beginning.  But things went well.  We went to lunch, Annabella colored, played in the fountain, and did manage to eat a huge amount of calamari.  She is three and eats calamari and satay. They are raising a gourmet.  Ava slept through lunch and allowed the adults to talk. We had a great Thai lunch.  And then home for Bella to take a nap.  SIL Ann and I went to pick up big brother Hall from school.  And then I had to leave the fun and drive back to Rockridge.

Guess what.  The tunnel was backed up going West this time.  A 5 minute drive was 25 minutes this time.  I hope I live to see the fourth bore finished.

On the road again. . .

Yesterday Marty and I drove up to Davis to see our two week old great niece.  She is the daughter of my nephew Lt. Colonel  Daddy and his wife Dr. Mom.  My sister in law is here to help for a couple of weeks.  My brother was to fly into Sacramento on Wednesday for business and then go to Davis for the weekend.  But corporate life doesn't always work out.  The trip was canceled. So Little Brother missed yesterday's party.  We did call him at midnight his time (house and cell)  so he could join the party.  He didn't answer and missed our fun.

And fun was had.  Marty and I brought champagne and pate to celebrate the birth of Ava and her Daddy's promotion to Lt. Colonel.  They had jalapeno poppers, guacamole, and lots of wine.  We also brought wine. As I said, a fun party.  Of course we had to stay very late so Marty could legally drive.

           On the Benica Bridge on the way to Davis, which is just across the causeway from Sacramento.

Looking at the Mothball Fleet.

Marty is so good with babies.  He stood and rocked the beautiful Ava for at least 30 minutes. She wasn't crying.  She just likes to be held.  And who could resist this child?

            More of Ava. She leans into you as you hold her. She wants your warmth and keeps getting closer.

           Is that not a little face to love?  She looks so tiny, yet is 8 pounds.  A big baby for 2 weeks old.

       She grabbed my finger and held on.  Loved it.  This is such a feel good moment.  Babies, wow!

         On the left Grandmother Ann.  On the right, Dr. Mom, Casey.

                                         Dr. Mom has just fed little Ava.

I just realized I have no pictures of  the Colonel.  I took pictures all afternnon.  Nearly all are of Ava and of whomever is holding her.  I know Tres held her.  I guess I was just admiring Ava and didn't take pictures.  Next time Tres, next time.