Ava goes to school!

Yesterday was Ava's first day of Preschool!

We figured with Ava's 3rd birthday right around the corner, it was time for her to venture out of the house and learn new things and meet new friends. We found a wonderful Preschool and Kindergarten in our area that was highly recommended by some friends. After visiting this spring we decided it was the perfect place for Ava.

She has been talking about it for weeks and was really excited to see what school was all about. We made her the perfect back to school dress which made the day even more special.

After waking up bright and early and having breakfast we took a few pictures and headed to school. Walking in with Nick and I on either side she said good morning to everyone and headed to Miss Kristi's classroom. She was so confident and excited which I was thrilled about, which made it much easier to leave my butter bean in someone elses care. For all you other Mom's wondering...the knot in my throat still hasn't gone away and probably never will especially when it comes to sending off my sweet girl to embark on new adventures. However, just knowing that she is happy to be there makes it so much easier!

She had a wonderful day and said she can't wait to go back! Now Mommy just has to figure out what to do with the 3 extra hours she has 3 days a week :)

Eating breakfast...obviously we didn't tackle that wild mane yet!

Posing for a pick outside before leaving

Miss Kristi & Ava

When we got home...Ava reminded me that we forgot to take a picture together, so here is our self portrait.

Ava after school with her happy face necklace they made...so proud :)

Happy 80th Birthday G-Paw!

Last Wednesday Grandpa Gene/G-Paw celebrated his 80th Birthday! On Saturday we threw him a little Birthday get together to honor him and this huge milestone. We had a great turn out of friends and family, and it was so nice spending the day together. Ava had the most fun in her role as the "unofficial" hostess and of course loved the attention from all of Gigi & G-Paw's friends. Here are a few pictures from our day...of course the majority of these have Ava in them (go figure :) I'll post some more once I get them from Mimi & Papa.

Here are some fun pictures throughout the years. I made a video that played during the party of G-Paw through the past 80 years. I won't post it because it's over 15 minutes long...so here are just a few to look back!

Below Right: Betty & Gene at Prom

Their wedding Day

My parents wedding Day

Below: Jennifer & Grandpa Gene early 1980

Chris and Grandpa in Montana

Our wedding 2004

The boys & Ava 2005

Noah's Ark

On Saturday, we headed over to the Noah's Ark Animal Refuge in Locust Grove. It's a really great place that runs strictly off donations. You are free to wonder amongst all the animals (deer, goats, a lion, a bear, monkeys, birds, llamas, and many other animals). You might have heard of them a few months ago in the news as they rescued a lost Zebra that was found wandering around this area. We had a great time even though it was 100 degrees and we highly recommend it to anyone that loves animals.

Kenny Chesney

Summer wouldn't be the same without seeing Kenny Chesney in concert. We were excited when we were able to get last minute tickets...even if our noses were clearly bleeding. Oh well, when good friends, good drinks and great music are involved everyone is bound to have a great time!

Even though the weather started out rough...it didn't hold us back as in typical tailgating fashion we pulled out the trusty UGA tent and huddled underneath for a fun time. We didn't make it in to the concert until Sammy Hagar (not quite sure why he was even there), and really enjoyed Brooks & Dunn & of course Kenny!

I didn't get too many pictures...as I was too busy dancing and singing away :0

The girls before going into Turner Field

(Marisa, Jenn Long, Amanda & Me)

Smile Boys!(Chad, Chris, Brandon, Nick, Todd & Cory)

Wiffle Ball Reunion 2008

While Mommy and Ava were away for a few nights working on Dizzy Dragonfly stuff with Mimi, Daddy and some friends decided that a wiffle ball reunion was long over due. This was a frequent event that took place during our time at West GA, so Nick, Todd Long, Todd Meyers and many others dusted off their "hitting it deep" t-shirts and got ready for baseball, beer & brats. Here are some pictures that Nick took of their fun time...I think they are already planning the next reunion sometime in the near future...next time Ava and I are out of town that is!

Goin' Bowlin'

At the end of June, Nick and I had to attend a wedding reception for his good friend Brian. Mimi and Papa met us in Buford, picked up Ava and took her to dinner, bowling and ice cream. Needless to say she had a great time and has been asking for us to take her bowling again soon. Mimi and Papa said when one of them would do well she would jump up and down and yell WAY TO GO PAPA! She had so much fun and was super excited that they had a baby ball just her size. We met them after bowling at Brusters and of course she pitched a fit when she saw us because she did not want to leave!

She asked the lady for pink shoes...this is what they gave her.

A squeeze from Mimi

Ooh...this ball is heavy!

"Ava Day"

Even though, Ava has a small library of her own she was super excited when "Ava Day" arrived and we visited the library, played at the playground and ate lunch at Zaxby's. When we switched Ava to a big girl bed we told her if she stayed in her bed for several nights straight she would have her own special day...Ava Day. Well that day came and she decided she wanted to go to the library, play at the playground and have lunch at Zaxby's.

I had so much fun spending the day with Ava...even though that's what I've been doing for the past 3 years :) It was just a fun and special day not worrying about the time, where we had to go to next, or rushing around doing errands. Now we just have to somehow convince Ava that not every day is Ava day!

God Bless America!

The 4th of July is always a day that we look forward to. Once again we had a fun filled day. What could be more American than spending the day with great friends on their boat, having a picnic, napping in your daddy's arms, playing with your friends, and watching fireworks!

Early in the morning we met our good friends Todd & Jennifer at the lake. We had tons of fun skiing, tubing, floating and just wasting away!

Getting ready to ride the tube with Daddy.

Todd & Jennifer on the tube...right before Nick decided to take them for a "real ride"...it didn't end so great!

Floatin away with Uncle Todd after a picnic lunch.

Taking a little snooze on Daddy.

Later that afternoon we grilled out with Todd & Jennifer and headed over to the Robertson's house to hang out and watch the great fireworks show over Lake Spivey. We have been lucky enough to spend 4th of July at their house for the past 4 years and this year Ava really loved the fireworks and hanging out with her friends Abigail and Hana.

Posing for a pick in the dress Mimi made for her...check out the matching flip flops Mommy made!