Aren't you too little to be doing this?

 The last one to learn!  

  Since Ava got a new bike for her birthday, it was time to move Juliet up and for daddy to jog up and down the street hundreds of times.

   She caught on immediately but does get easily frustrated and tears are usually shed.

With a few bumps and bruises along the way.  This is her "poor lip" as she keep referring to it.

Ava turns 6

My spunky, sassy, silly sweetheart turned six a couple of weeks ago.

It was Ava's turn to go on an overnight hike and camping trip with daddy, so they hiked to the mountains behind our house the night before her birthday.

 You can see the mountains in the picture.

 Starting their hike!

 Admiring the strip from a rock at their campsite.

Getting ready to make their dehydrated dinner and get ready for bed.  Jonathan had actually only been home a few hours and had gotten hardly any sleep the night prior due to a long night at work.  They were asleep by 7:30pm!  

That night I took the other two girls out for dinner and shopping and we were able to flash our car lights up at them on the mountain and Ava shined the head lamp light down toward us.

The next morning, they made their way back and Ava opened her gifts fron her sisters.  They both got her new dressy outfits.

But first, Kylie had a special treat for her....  

 Happy Birthday on the piano!

Could they by any cuter?

 Reading her card from her sisters.

I love having all girls!

We headed to church (I transformed Ava from dirty camper into birthday fab in only 15 minutes!) and afterward, we told her she could pick anywhere she wanted to go for lunch.  Where did she pick?  Mind you we live in Vegas and she could have had anything she wanted....she chose In N Out!

We got home and it was time for mommy and daddys present to her.

 Kylie helping with the surprise factor.

A new bike!  Finally, NOT a hand me down bike for her since she and Kylie ride the same size bike.

We rode bikes to the park to play for a bit.

Daddy gives into the swing a lot more than I do.

I know this is Ava's birthday post, but I like this pic of Juliet.

I made Ava THIS macaroni and cheese recipe and salad for dinner-her request, then we had lemon bars for dessert.  She at first wanted lemon meringue pie but when she realized Grandpa wouldn't be there for her birthday, she changed her mind to just lemon bars.  She wanted to have the pie because Grandpa loves it.

 The yellow clip in her hair is actually a blonde hair extension for her Rapunzel doll.

 Ava-I love you so much!  Your smile is gorgeous and your giggle can brighten any room.  Outgoing is an understatement, and someone told me recently "she's never met a stranger", which is not how you were as a baby or toddler-you've come a long way socially and I like seeing you be fearless in just about any situation.  You are always asking new kids to be your friend and you are a fun girl.  You are so smart, a very animated story teller and a people pleaser.  We are so blessed to have your happy self as part of our family.  Happy 6th Birthday!

Soccer Season

Another year of soccer has begun and this fall for various reasons, only Ava is playing. 

We are almost done with the season and Ava has scored 3 goals!  She's been playing since we left Florida almost 2 years ago and had yet to score, but I think her late fall birthday and the cut off date for sports is working in her favor.  She is the oldest kid on the team and she doesn't necessarily run the game, but she's very strong and fast and really enjoys the game.  We've really seen her grow in her speed, strength and skills this season.

Here is daddy giving her a pep talk during a water break.  Ava is a mini-Jonathan in many ways, but she is especially as a soccer player!  

Ava and Jonathan have a special relationship.  She absolutely HATES it when Jonathan is out of town for work or can't be home for dinner and/or bedtime.  In the morning when she gets up, if he is home she chooses to sit with him before me.  When daddy holds her, she's got her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him.  At these games, she constantly looks to him for approval and with the "did you see me daddy" look on her face.  She smiles and waves at him constantly when she's on the field, and I know that if it were only him watching her play, she'd be happy.

 Here is Ava making her way through the crowd towards the goal.  She's great at getting the ball out of the beehive and is aggressive and likes to run to the head of the pack.

And here it is!  I was able to snag a shot of her scoring a goal last week!

Bend it like Beckham, baby!

My baby is 4

Juliet turned 4 last week.  Its crazy!  I know all mothers think it, and its true-how do our babies grow up so fast!  Even Jonathan said "I can't believe our baby is 4!"  

That morning, Jonathan got up early and woke Juliet up to go get donuts. She chose chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.

Then they came home and brought everyone else home treats.  This was donut # 2 for her.

After a morning of playing, we took the girls to, where else but Chick Fil A, and then to the park to play.  We had to be heading back to Vegas that afternoon, and good thing because Juliet was exhausted from her long weekend of partying and after a weekend of junk food, her stomach was DONE!

 

Aunt Heather came over before class to wish Juliet a happy birthday and play with the girls.  She never misses a chance to come over!

No CFA love in Vegas

 

Oh Juliet, how we all love you so much.  You are the most independent little girl! You say you love, well everyone you know, and you have the funnest little giggle.  You are teeny for your age (30lbs exactly) but are not lacking in jokes, smarts or sweetness.  You are only in a sour mood if you are tired, but other than that you are always flashing your giant toothed smile.  You are a cuddler and a snuggler and always try to keep up with your big sisters.  Kylie and Ava always say how cute you are and they are right!  I'm so blessed to be your mommy and am grateful God gave me a 3rd little girl to raise.

Joint party for my October babies

Last weekend, we traveled to California (of course) to have a birthday party for the girls with our families and a few friends.  We picked up Jonathan on Friday at the Vegas airport since he had been TDY all week, then we continued home for our drive.  

On that note, Ava hates that I call it home.  She's been correcting me recently every time it slips out and reminds me that its NOT home...just like my Aunt Gini does.

Friday night, we surprised the girls with a visit to Disney On Ice!  I took them shopping a few days sooner to pick out something fall-ish for outfits they thought they'd be wearing to the birthday party.  They had been bugging us the entire car ride about putting on their outfits to do a fashion show, but we kept telling them "later".  That drives them nuts....they hate when I say "later" when they ask to do things!  They were excited to put on their new matching digs for a show that they had no idea what to expect. 

 Of course we get there and the arena is littered with vendors selling Disney paraphernalia.  Oh the joy it brought Grammy to see her son bombarded with "daddy PLEEEASE" for all the cute stuff.  They used to take him to soccer games at this same place and he just had to have pennants for his bedroom wall as a child.

 When distracting with candy didn't work, Jonathan told them they could get something on the $10 to $15 rack of toys.  Those Rapunzel and Tiana and Naveen plush dolls you see were $24 each.  I wanted to get them, but I was turned down flat just like the girls were.

 Getting out the forms of payment.  Don't worry, I blurred out the numbers.  

 Of course we still did get treats after buying toys.

 Jonathan thought of this as his delaying another trip to Disney. 

 Waiting for the show to start.

 Kylie in the Incredibles hat they gave with cotton candy.

 If you look closely, you can see she is popping cotton candy laced with popcorn.

We did take a bunch of photos of the ice skaters, but the cards from Alice in Wonderland were quite impressive.

Intermission hugs.

 Look who had a melt down and fell asleep.

 Ooohh, a princess!

 I did wake Juliet back up for all the princesses and their individual shows.  This was at the end when they all came out...jackpot!

Saturday we did some last minute birthday shopping and went to Jonathan's cousin's wedding, then met up with friends we were stationed with in Florida who happened to be in San Diego that weekend for other events.  

 It was a great coincidence and a fun reconnect with them!

Thanks Marin for the picture steal.

Sunday after church, the Tinkerbell party began!

 Thank you Albertson's for your cute cakes, and for Target having a blister pack of all the fairies in Pixie Hollow that fit nicely on our quarter sheet.

 The girls love Grammy and Grandpas back yard.  I told the girls it was Pixie Hollow-they thought it was so cool.  No extra decorating needed!

You can't hear her, but Juliet is giving her best roar right now.

 Cake time!

 Don't bother me....

 Aunt Heather getting a bite.  Notice how Jonathan is "helping" Ava's arm.

My friend Angie (which we just relized this past week we've been friends for exactly 25 years!) has two sons.  Her eldest, Christian, is 3 weeks older than Kylie and she and I were commiserating on how both our kids continue to put their hands in their mouths!

 Cards and presents.

 Oh dear....this spells injury!

So excited to finally have her own scooter!

 Ava got a Razor Rip Rider from Uncle Jeffery.  It has casters for the back two wheels that make it so you spin in crazy circles while riding it.  Jonathan tried standing on the seat and making it spin.  I din't end pretty and I did NOT get it on camera!

Thanks to all who came!  The girls just love their family and are always excited to see everyone.