It's a Party

Ava laughing at Ashlyn and Alyssa playing volleyball with the balloons.

Lyssa thought Ava really blew out her candle. The look on her face was hilarious.

Ava giving kisses to her new doll.

Ava was done unwrapping presents after she got her little purple doll. Ashlyn and Alyssa finished up for her. She got two dolls, two cool books, and lots of beautiful clothes. Thanks everyone!!!

Ava helped decorate with the crape paper. We had Ava's party on Saturday with just family invited. We missed all their cousins who couldn't come because they were sick or had prior commitments. Ava really enjoyed herself though. She loved her presents and making a mess of her cake. She showed off for everyone. She knew something special was going on.

I took Ava to the doctor on Monday morning. She weighed 22.2 pounds and was 29 1/2 inches tall. She was in the 75% for height, weight, and head. Not as big as we thought.

Ava's One!!!

Ava only likes to eat and drink if she gets to do it for herself.

The easiest way to eat rice: hold the bowl over your entire face and open your mouth, at least some is sure to make it in.

I look a little funny because I have a whole donut hole in my cheek.

I can't believe Ava is one. It seems like only yesterday she was a baby. Then at the same time it feels like she has been one of the family forever. We went to the Donut Stop for breakfast and to Chop Chop for dinner then the park for her birthday. Mostly because I haven't been in the mood to cook this week. Saturday we'll have her real party. She still isn't walking but she's getting very close. In fact, the morning of her birthday she stood up across the living room from me, took a couple of steps, then crawled the rest of the way. It won't be long. She still has seven teeth but is cutting all 4 one-year molars right now (one has already broken through). She's still a happy baby through it all.

Hiking at Lake Marvin

Lyssa Bird with a pail of rocks and new pink puffer coat.

Granddaddy and Ashlyn preparing to throw rocks in the pond below.

Daddy and his girls by the big cottonwood tree. I was so proud of Ashlyn and Alyssa. They walked most of the way by themselves and didn't complain about the cold.

Ava was cold and tired, so I zipped her up in my outer jacket and she fell asleep for most of the hike.

Turkeys!

Canadian, TX

We ate at the Fillin' Station after hiking at Lake Marvin. It is an old Filling Station converted to a restaurant with a pud in the back. We sat at a table made from the old car lift. The glass top is just mounted to the lift.

Enjoying an ice cream at the old fashioned soda fountain.

Blaine and Ava checking out some of the wonderful antiques in the store connected to the soda fountain. I love the restored tin ceiling tiles.

I love taking the hour drive from Pampa north east to Canadian. Canadian is a beautiful little Panhandle town. It's off the caprock, so there are more trees. It's about the best place in the Panhandle to enjoy some fall foliage. That's what we planned on doing so come rain or shine we went. It ended up being cloudy and misting with a high of 34 degrees, but that didn't stop us. We first stopped at the soda fountain to warm up with some ice cream. Ava has her spoon ready to help daddy dig in to his brownie bottom sundae. Then we looked around at the antiques next door. Then it was time to go out to Lake Marvin to enjoy the fall foliage. We saw lots of turkeys and deer along the road out to the lake. When we got there, we all put on at least 2 jackets and coats. Then we were off. We hiked to the pond to throw rocks and to the 100 foot tall cottonwood tree. Total, we were outside about an hour and a half. It felt great to get back in the car. The car said the temperature was 32 degrees but that doesn't count the wind chill and mist. Brr! We headed back to town to eat dinner at the Fillin' Station. They have good home cooked food. I had chicken noodle soup with homemade egg noodles. Perfect after a cold hike. We didn't go this time, but the Cattle Exchange is a really good steakhouse there. It's pretty pricey though. So that was our adventure in Canadian, TX.

More Fun Farm

Alyssa and Ashlyn lead the way in the maize maze. It was fun because they had a maze designed for preschoolers. Perfect for us.

The girls other favorite thing: the pumpkin jumper. Ava loved the jumper, too. She thinks she is as big as her sisters.

Ava on the inside track.

Celebrating Fall at Maxwell's Fun Farm

Playing in the corn box (and trying to eat it)

That's Ashlyn, Alyssa, and I on top of the dirt hill with slides built into it. The slides went pretty fast. Alyssa and I really liked it, the landing was a little hard on me though.

Ashlyn and Alyssa coming out of the "scary" hay bale tunnel.

Playing king of the hill

The girls most favorite: the cow train

Does This Looks Like Fun?