Trip to WI

Curt's grandmother passed away last week so we made a trip up to Wisconsin for the funeral. Ava and I took advantage of the trip and stayed a few extra days to visit with friends and family. It was a very busy week but it was great to see everyone too. Here are a bunch of pictures from our week!

My friend Jenny and her little girl Lyla. My Mom and I drove to LaCrosse to visit them. Little Lyla is such a sweet little girl! Thanks for having us Jenny!

Since we were in LaCrosse, my Aunt Faith drove over to see us as well. It was great to see you Faith!

Ava loved her Great Grandma Maxine!

And her Great Grandpa Lyle!

Ava with Aunt Mel!

We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Mezcal. They had this horse in the lobby and Ava just thought it was so much fun!

Ava with her cousin Jacob!

Grandpa and Grandma Cattanach with all the grandkids!

The Cousins! Emily, Ava, Rachel, Jacob and Ethan.

The cousins again!

The Cattanach Family: Michelle, Curt, Dad, Mom, Scott and Melanie.

Great-Grandma Clouse (My Grandma) and Ava. Grandma got to babysit Ava on Thursday morning while my Mom and I went to the gym to workout. They had a blast reading books, playing and singing songs! Thanks Grandma! Ava can't wait to see you in May for her birthday! :-)

When we were getting ready to leave for the airport on Saturday, it started to snow! I was so excited and couldn't wait to take Ava outside. Too bad she was getting sick so she didn't get to enjoy it too much but she couldn't really figure out what it was.
Back in Florida! What a change in weather!

Ava helping me unpack the suitcase. She was pulling everything out, even if it was folded and clean! What a big helper!!! :)

Look Alikes?

Most of you have asked, "Who does Ava look like?" Well, there are many features that resemble her Daddy and Mommy. Below is a picture of me when I was 6 months old and a picture of Ava at 9 months old. We think that she looks a lot like Mommy as a baby but has many features of Daddy as an adult.

AVA LOVES...

FRENCH FRIES!!! We went out to eat with some friends this week and Ava absolutely loves french fries. What kid wouldn't though!?! Sorry about the lack of pictures lately. I've kind of forgotten to take pictures the past few weeks. oops!

We have been busy hanging out with friends and going to the park. Ava loves to swing and since it is within walking distance, we love to go there on a daily basis. I will try to put more pictures in the next few days.

Fun with Papa and Grandma!

My parents have been here for the past 2 weeks. We have had a great time with them and are sad that they have to leave soon. They came for Ava's dedication and then left for a cruise for 4 days. They have been at our house since last Friday and we have had a blast! Ava just loves her Papa and Grandma so much! She always had a smile for them, even when she wasn't feeling well because of teething! She is currently getting her top 4 teeth! Ouch! Her top left tooth has already come in but the other three are still working on it. She is not feeling the greatest but is still having fun despite the pain. She is growing so fast! I took her to the doctor this week for a recheck on her ears (she had a double ear infection). They were shocked at her weight--she gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks!!! She now weighs 17 lbs. 11 oz. She is now wearing 9 & 12 month clothes!

Ava and I are headed to St. Augustine today. My parents are spending the week there before heading back to the freezing state of WI. Unfortunately, Curt will be staying at home because he's sick but Ava and I will be back in Orlando on Sunday afternoon to continue taking care of him. I will post more pictures when we get back.

Ava and Grandma cooking!

Grandma reading to Ava

Playing with Papa

Eating finger foods! YUM! YUM!

She has started cocking her head when she looks at you. It is so adorable and just melts your heart!

Ava loves jumping! Everytime we put her in her jumper, she goes crazy! She thinks it is one of the best places to be! What a silly girl!

Ava's Dedication

Ava was dedicated to the Lord at church yesterday. She was a great little girl and never cried once. She received her first "tiny Bible" from Pastor Dale. We had a great day and it was wonderful weather. My parents were able to be here for her big day and our friends Tim, Shari, and Bre were also able to come to church to support us. Here are just a few pictures from her big day! She looked beautiful in her little pink dress (thanks Aunt Ellen and family!).

Ava and Daddy!
All dressed up!

The Cattanach Family!
With my parents!

In front of church getting dedicated.

Rachel the Butterfly

We received Ava's Christmas present from her Uncle Dave, Aunt Michelle and cousins Jacob and Rachel today. It was great! Ava got this butterfly that moves around and plays music and encourages crawling. It's great for Ava since she is just starting to crawl all over the house and now she has something to chase instead of Shadow. :) Thanks for the present!

Random Christmas Pics

Alex got this dump truck from Papa and Grandma. We (adults) had fun putting the babies in it. Emily loved being pulled around the house in it. Ava loved just sitting there. Not sure if she knew what was even going on, but it's a cute picture. :)

SHOES!!!! Every girl loves shoes!!! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Cattanach!

Ava playing with Emily's castle toys...she better watch out!

Ava is wondering if this castle is her Christmas present! Ava loved Emily's castle and couldn't stop looking at it and playing with it. I think it might be a future Christmas gift from Santa though! :)

Ava got this stuffed cow from Uncle Nelson and Aunt Jenn. We named her Maggie Moo and Ava absolutely loves her and always has a smile when we give her Maggie.

Obviously, Ava loves books. Thanks Aunt Mel!

Ava reading a new animals book with Daddy. Thank Uncle Dave and Aunt Judy.

Fun in Ohio

Ava with Uncle Nelson.

Papa with Ava and Alex.

Grandma reading to Ava. Ava has started to just love books. On our drive to Ohio and back, if she got even a little fussy, all we had to do was show her a book and she would immediately get a huge smile on her face! :)

This is one of my favorites!

Ava with Uncle Nelson again!

Fun with Cousins

Ava had a great time in Ohio playing with her cousins. Now that she is crawling, she is getting into everything that she sees...even Emily's toys! :-) Emily didn't mind too much but really didn't want Ava playing with her new castle toys. But, as you can see in this first picture, Emily loves Ava and gave her lots of hugs and kisses. They will be best buds growing up!

Ava and Alex playing on Papa and Grandma's lap in the morning. I don't think Alex is quite awake yet.

Ava and Alex got matching PJ's from their Aunt Faith. Aren't they adorable?!

Ava and Alex playing together on the floor. It actually looks like they are holding hands too. How sweet!

Another shot of them playing together.