Girls weekend in Nixa/Springfield/Branson

This weekend Ava and I traveled to Nixa to see MeLeah and family and also my friend Catrina and family. On Friday, Mimi, MeLeah and I took the kids shopping in Branson then had a nice time playing at the Strain house. Saturday, we had more playtime then went to Silver Dollar City. Ava had SO much fun, as did Madison. Maddie was in to the "fast" rides, but she and Ava had fun riding together. Makenzie wasn't so interested in rides this time around. On Sunday, we headed over to my friend Catrina's house and played with her son, Maddux, who is two months older than Ava. We had such a FUN weekend!!!! Thank you to Clint and Brenda for having us, and also to Andy and Catrina for their hospitality. We hope you feel better Aunt MeLeah!!!!!

Ava and Maddux

Maddie and Mimi are at the very top of the picture!

latest and greatest!

here are a few of the latest and greatest.. enjoy!

my parents hosted a dinner in honor of our family friend Joe, who is a U.S. Marine and is being deployed to Afghanistan in the middle of May. Joe completed his training in Japan and his desert training in California. We are SO proud of you Joe! Thank you for serving our country!

(it's not open, she kept putting it in the dog bowl :))

growing girl

I had a *mommy moment* this morning when I went to get Ava up and she looked so much BIGGER than she did last night when I put her to bed! We took a few pictures this morning because she was in such an awesome mood. She will always be my baby, but from the looks of things -- the baby days are over!

Ava LOVES powdered sugar donuts. She giggles and does *more more more* signing and gets so excited. Maybe not the "healthiest" option, but it's too cute and she had already finished her banana :)

and, finally.. more car pictures from nana and poppa's house...

Easter *part three*

On Easter Sunday we attended church in McPherson then had a wonderful lunch at my parents. Ava was so tired from the weekend that she took a 3 1/2 hour nap after lunch! Ava did her first Easter egg hunt later that afternoon then we headed back to KC. Thanks Ginger for the pictures. This will be my final Easter post (hehe)!