Happy Anniversary!

We spent the weekend in Minnesota for Chris's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary party. The celebration was at the same church they were married in 60 years ago.

 This is John and Mary Lou with their 10 living children. 

The kids were so good during the ceremony! This is Ava with her cousins, Lauren, Parker and Brydon.

 Brydon had to check out Uncle Josh's scruff. What a great uncle!

LaCrosse Rotary Lights

 Friday afternoon, we headed to LaCrosse so we could see the Rotary Lights before heading to Minnesota. It was SOOOO cold out, but we managed to enjoy the carriage ride through the light display.

Ava loved the carriage ride!

Of course, this was our favorite part of the light display! GO, EAGLES!!

Thanksgiving

Nonna and Papa's neighbor girl made these cute teepees for our dinner. They were filled with cake. 

 After our yummy meal, I helped Papa make grasshoppers. We made special grasshoppers for Mommy and I. I had fun cooking in Nonna and Papa's nice new kitchen!!

 I opted for a teepee for dessert while everyone else ate pie. 

Decking the Halls

Yesterday morning Ava woke up bright and early so we decided to put the Christmas tree up while we drank hot chocolate and watched the Macy's Day Parade. Ava thought taking the "saran wrap" off the tree was pretty cool. It quickly turned into her "cowgirl rope."

 Ava got her special ornament to hang first.

 She found the Santa hat in the bin and had to put it on. I giggled a little because she only left it on a few seconds last year and this year couldn't wait to get it on her head. She was a good helper with hanging the ornaments.

 We took out Ava's little tree for her bedroom. She had fun decorating it.

 This was my first ornament to hang. 

 This was Ava's first ornament.

 She loves looking at all the ornaments!

Mickey Mouse Live!

This afternoon we took Ava to the Milwaukee Theater to see Disney, Mickey Mouse Live. It was an awesome show and the theater setting was very nice. Ava was glued to the show the entire time.

 Ava patiently waited to Ariel to take the stage. She was disappointed that the intermission was smack dab in the middle of The Little Mermaid portion of the show. She had to wait until after the intermission for Ariel to make her appearance. The wait was well worth it. The look on Ava's face when Ariel came out was priceless.

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Today was my 3rd birthday! 

 When I yelled for Mommy to open my door, she couldn't come in my room to get me like she always does because there was paper over my door! I had to crawl out of bed myself to get to Mommy and Daddy!

 Mommy said I was suppose to run and break through the paper. I preferred the duck under and admire approach. 

 First, I pulled the balloons down and then I ripped the paper down. 

 I got a special birthday present from the baby. It was some magnetic dress up dolls. I really like them!

 We got dressed and Mommy and I went to Monkey Joe's while Daddy helped Papa tile the back splash in their new kitchen. 

Mommy and I bounced and played catch in one of the bouncies. 

I started with a smaller slide but quickly moved to the big slides all by myself. 

When Daddy got home we went to Olive Garden for lunch. I picked the restaurant myself. It took Mommy and Daddy a little bit to figure out what "the grape restaurant" was.

Before my nap the mail came! I got special mail from Dave, Jenn, Brydon, Kerry, Scott, Nadia, Cruz and my Great Aunt Jolene and Great Uncle Bob. I was so super excited to open my mail!

 I got to have the special birthday Scentsy warmer for the day!

 Papa, Nonna, KK and Josh came over for ice cream cake and to sing to me. I was so excited to blow out my candles again! I had a fun and very special day! Thank you to Nonna, KK, Addy, Nikki and Breeya for calling to sing happy birthday to me! 

Ava's 3rd Birthday Party!

Ava requested a Little Mermaid themed party. She was thrilled when her cake was delivered!

 She kept running to the counter to admire her cake. 

 Watching and listening to her open her presents was so fun! Each present she'd say, "Ohhh...it's a (insert gift name here.)" 

 She got the scooter she's been asking for for a few months. 

 Too busy laughing at KK to look at Mommy!

 KK had to lift Ava up to get closer to the candles. This was the first year she blew the candles out on her own.

 KK then taught Ava how to take the candles off of the cake and lick the frosting off.

 We even managed to get a photo of the birthday girl with Josh! Usually she just gives him the stink eye. He must have scored with the Little Mermaid dress he gave her because she sat on his lap and gave him a hug before he left.