Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Tuesday evening. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. All rides $.75. Not knowing that Ava rides for free on half the rides, we bought $20- worth of tickets. Looks like we will be going back every Tuesday evening for the rest of summer until the tickets are gone.

My handsome husband enjoying the People Mover with Ava.




Ava's new favorite ride. She screamed when her turn was over!


Ava's other favorite ride. What a big girl riding the rides all alone!


A short simple video clip of Ava getting ready for take-off!

Ava's Perspective

Today we went out to lunch with Grandma Betty, Cousin Ashley, Great Aunt Barbie and our friend Chris. Of course I brought along Ava's camera because it is endless hours of entertainment for her. Her are a few snapshots she took from today. Ava really is getting the hang of taking photos.

Cousin Ashley...


Mommy...


Grandma Betty's hot legs...


Ava started to get a little antsy so I sent her on a mission to take a picture of a flower. Here is the photo. Not Bad!


View from the stroller...

A Day at the Park

We love spending time outside. Today we practiced soccer with Ava!

Ava holding her new pink & white soccer ball. I told Jacobe he didn't have to buy the pink soccer ball but since we now have two girls "...it just makes sense" I was told.


Ava getting ready to kick the soccer ball...


Ava running off for better things at the park...


...such as the swing...


...and look who finally woke up!

The Shortest Parade in the World!

Happy 4th of July! Ava and Kaitlyn enjoyed their 1st ever 4th of July parade in Aptos. The parade is actually called "The Shortest Parade in the World" as it is less then a mile long.

Ava enjoying the view in Daddy's arms.


The girls riding in style.


Hanging on for dear life on Daddy's shoulders. It's a long way down!

Pump'd

Today we ventured to Pump'd Inflatable Fun House in Watsonville. This place rocks! It's a giant warehouse filled with inflatable jump houses, slides and obstacle courses. It was a blast! We had so much fun with our friends!

Ava and Hayes climbing away on the obstacle course...


Jessica enjoying a ride down the slide with Ava and Hayes. We were so impressed that our little ones could climb up to the top of the steep slide and weren't even scared!


Ava enjoying jumping off tumbling blocks.


Bounce House Fun!



All this fun for only $7-! What a deal!

Daddy's Girl

The pictures say it all...

Wilder Ranch State Park

This afternoon we escaped to Wilder Ranch State Park to enjoy the fresh air and visit the farm animals. It was a much needed get away from the house! Ava checking out the chickens... ...and the goats... ...and the sheep... ...while baby sister Kaitlyn did this... Of course Ava wanted to walk and of course she got a little tired near the end. Being that we had a hill to climb, we got creative and turned our single stroller into a double. Today I will be going to REI to buy a new double stroller.

Ava's 1st Pictures

Ava's 1st two pictures with her new camera.

Ava captured the theme of the party and drink of choice for adults...


Were still working on aiming up and not at the ground.

A Star is Born!

Ava and her new Hannah Montanna Karaoke machine which brings endless hours of laughter!

Ava's version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star...

A little more practice and she'll be ready for American Idol!

Party Time!

Some highlights from Ava's birthday party with Grandma kathy, Grandpa Craig, Great Aunt Patsy, Great Aunt Terry, Great Grandpa Ray, Cecelia, Pugsly and of course Mom, Dad and Baby Sister Kaitlyn!

The family photo...


Ava trying out her new Dora the Explorer digital camera...


Playing with her new Elmo phone...


Finally getting a little worn out...

Ava's Birthday Afternoon

It's official! Ava is now 2 years old! What a day she has had so far! The morning started with opening birthday gifts, going to the donut shop (Ava's favorite) with Mommy & Kaitlyn, and riding the Merry-go-Round with Mommy, Kaitlyn & Grandma Kathy. Tonight we will be having a party at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Craig's house. Good thing the girls are sleeping. It's going to be a long day! Some highlights thus far:


Ava proudly showing off her new dress up shoes!


Ava enjoying her water lasers that she will use to help Daddy water the garden with.


Playing a round of golf with her new dress up shoes and rhinestone shorts Auntie Stacey got her. So glamorous! Think she may be setting a new fashion trend in golf!


Riding another Merry-go-Round this time at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Thankfully she did not cry when her turn was over! Whew!


Riding the People Mover with Grandma Kathy. Hold on Tight!!

Pre-Birthday Bash

We can't believe Ava is already turning 2! Today we spent the day with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Roger at Tilden Park in Berkeley where we enjoyed riding the steam train and merry-go-round.

Daddy & Ava on the train. I think they rode the train at least 4 times! Ava loved it!
Ava & Daddy strolling through the park.
Daddy & Grandpa Roger riding the merry-go-around.
Ava picked the dog to ride this time around.
Ava did not want to go home!

Ava's New Bed!

All it took was a set of Dora sheets from Target for $20- to transition Ava into her new big girl bed! I wish I had a video camera to capture the moment Ava saw her new sheets. It was too cute!