Love Bug!

Tonight we took Ava Kate, our Love Bug, to the fall festival at church. Nana got to come with us but Ethan and Keller didn't because Keller was sick so hopefully we'll get some pics of the cousins in their costumes on Halloween. We mostly enjoyed seeing friends and eating a little festival food since she isn't quite big enough to enjoy all the games just yet.

Fun Fall Firsts

Yesterday Ava Kate had a fun fall day filled with firsts. Justin worked a volleyball tournament all day so we got up early and went out to Nana and Pop's. Ava got to take her first bath with Keller in Nana's big tub! Keller likes to "swim" in the tub and as he swam by Ava he made such a big wave she fell slid back into the tub on her back which judging by the look on her face she found to be quite exciting! Then we all loaded up and went to the Palmer's ranch. Jerry and Charlotte have been friends of the family for many years. We were treated to buffalo burgers and then we got on the gator and headed out to see the animals. Keller and Ava got to see buffalo, horses and a precious miniature donkey. Ava Kate even got to stand and sit on the little donkey, Derby. After we left the ranch we all headed to the pumpkin patch to take some pictures in the pumpkins. Natalie and Ethan and Matt, Shelly and Lily all met us there. Needless to say the kids were not all that interested in taking pictures. Here are some pictures documenting Ava Kate's big day!

Another Month Gone By

Well so far our fall has proved to be busy as it always seems to be, the reason I’m so late in getting around to a new post. I love this time of year- the cooler weather, turning leaves and quickly approaching holidays. What I don’t love is the illness this weather seems to bring with it. We’ve all been a little under the weather and Ava Kate had her first ear infection and it absolutely kills me to see her not feeling good. I think we have all pretty much recovered now though. It is hard to believe she is already 7 months and that her one year birthday is quickly approaching. Sometimes I want to tell her to slow down and stop growing up! She is quite a flirt! She loves guys- in fact her teachers at MDO have told me that multiple times. Looks like Justin might have his hands full down the road! She is getting more independent, more vocal and more mobile. She still smiles all over her face. She continues to thrive at almost 22 pounds now. When we are out and about she is constantly looking for someone new to engage with her big smile and her eyebrow raising. She loves to zoom through the house in her walker. She also has learned to spend more time playing independently in her room with her toys. Even though she is keeping us from getting much sleep at night she is still a constant source of joy to us and our families!

ACU Homecoming Weekend

This past weekend we got to see all of Justin’s family again. Justin’s dad, Vince, was inducted into the ACU Hall of Fame for his 18 years of coaching and his many successes in those years. We are all so proud of him and were so glad we got to be a part of this honor! They had a very nice dinner and presentation Friday night for all the inductees. They even had a photographer there to do family pictures so hopefully we will get those soon and I will share them. Lots of his former golfers came in town for the event which meant a lot to him and it was fun for me and Ava to get meet some of them and their families over the weekend.