Let it Snow!

Today the snow started coming down in big chunky flakes so Ava and I decided to go play in it! She loved it until she fell down and she didn't like the cold on her hands at all! But before she had a chance to topple over I got some good shots of her.

Home for the Holiday

The holidays have really come and gone fast this year. Thanksgiving was an amazing mix of the families and an awesome turnout of 28 people. It could not have been more fun to see everyone and eat till we all were stuffed! I think I was a tad bit overboard on the menu because everyone ended up taking leftovers for the rest of the weekend as well as have leftovers for dinner that night. Then Christmas came and we did it all over again!

There were a few mishaps along the way, but we pulled off an amazing Christmas. Hayden, Chris and Jackson ended up staying home and coming to Brownwood because the weather up north was not letting them fly to Chicago. Then Heather and the boys ended up on the road for 8 hours instead of 3 because of ice, I cut my finger open, Grandma set her purse/Mimi's china cabinet on fire, Mimi burned her arm on the over rack, I hit Grandma in the face a few times, Grandma burned her fingers, I burned my hand but we made it alive!

Ava had a blast playing with all her new toys and spending time with her cousins. Santa brought her a kitchen for Christmas which she absolutely loves! She is already mixing things up and feeding Chris and I. I already can't wait till next year to see what she is doing then.

She has started feeding herself with a spoon, or trying to at least. She has already got the "I do it mine own self" attitude her Aunt Hayde had. She wants to be a big girl already! She is talking up a storm and always wants to call her Mimi or Daddy on the phone. Yesterday I was wanting to get a snack from the kitchen so I said to Ava "Do you know what mommy wants?" and she said "Daddy!" She is one smart cookie.

Chores and Duties

Ava was assigned her first chore around the house! She absolutely loves checking the mail. Everyday when Chris gets home she's ready to go. She will run to the front door and wait for him to come hold her hand so she can walk out to the mail box. She is so excited when there is mail in there and will bring them all straight back to me. I let her have the junk mail and flyers to read through, but she loves the journey more than anything.

Halloween Big Style

As promised in our last blog here are the pictures of the adult costumes. Enjoy!

Spider Sprout

Well October has come and gone with the wind. Texas Tech played some lousy football and we had a fantastic Halloween party! Hayden and Chris came down with Jackson to celebrate the fun weekend and he was possibly the cutest dinosaur ever in the whole wide world! I mean he was definitely the show stopper! Hayden and Chris dressed up as tourists with their matching attire from Hawaii, which I heard Chris insisted on buying. Mimi and Papa Keith were Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf. Owen came as the cutest pumpkin in the patch! Aubrey was a sweet bumble bee, Tyler was a mighty firefighter, and we can't forget Baby Trenton was an adorable little tiger. The kids won the contest by far but you have to admit Chris and I were pretty creative. Chris was a "stick in the mud" and I was a "babysitter." Pictures of the kids are below and pictures of the adults will soon follow.

Also, the 2nd photographer posted her preview of the wedding! Check them out! http://kandicerayphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/chris-and-becky-autumn-wedding.html

Pumpkin Munchkin

We took Ava to the pumpkin patch in preparation for Halloween next week. They were so nice they gave her a little baby pumpkin to take home with her and she carried it around the whole time we were there. We had already bought pumpkins to carve but we spotted another golden egg in the bunch and couldn't resist. It is a monster of a pumpkin weighing in at more than 30 pounds! I can't wait to carve a giant Double-T in it so all our Texas neighbors can see. Ava will of course get another Ava pumpkin, but there is one more I'm not quite sure what to do with. Guess it will have to be a surprise. I also went out and bought candy to give away to all the Trick-or-Treaters and let's just say I hope we have lots of them because I went a little overboard.

Also awhile back we took Ava to the Brownwood Reunion and for those of you who don't know it's much like a fair. Fair food, fair rides, concerts, games and lots of vendor booths. One thing in particular they have, which I have personally never heard of, is the corn boxes. Very much like a sand box but with lots of dried corn instead. Ava was not a fan this year, but next year I think she will be swimming in it!

October already?!

The time has flown by and so many things have happened since our last blog! After getting Aunt Hayden and Uncle Chris moved down to Texas we were in a hurry to put Hayden to work on the wedding. There was shopping and creative madness for the last 2 weeks before the wedding and then it came. The wedding of the year! It was perfect and everything turned out better than imagined. It will take Chris awhile to get used to his new bling, but he hasn't taken it off since the day I put it on him. AVA however has not been allowed to have hers since then! Her wedding locket will be stored safely in my jewelry drawer until she is old enough to appreciate it and understand its meaning a little better. She did get to taste test it and said it was pretty good silver.

After the wedding when we came home there were boxes of presents and wedding decor everywhere! You better believe Ava was the first to jump at unpacking them and putting things together. You might be surprised that most everything she found in the boxes was a toy of some sort. (At least she thought so) One of them actually was for Sprouty, it came from Chris's boss and his wife (Scott and Terry). She even got to help her daddy put it together and that was probably more fun than trying to ride it. It's a John Deer Tractor tricycle which for now she just pushes around and walks behind, but sooner or later I can see her chasing her daddy through the yard fast as lightening!


Then just for fun here are some random riding in the car pictures since we have been doing plenty of that these past few weeks. I will also add pictures from the wedding as soon as I get them, but for now get a preview from the photographers at http://www.jacquelinereitzphotography.com/weddings/.

Utensil User

Ava is growing by the mile these days! Walking on Monday and eating with her fork on Wednesday! If anyone had told me she would be a baby one day and a toddler the next I wouldn't have believed it. Now seeing her go from my little swaddled screamer to my walking mess in just a week I'm amazed. I wish we could keep these days forever.

Time Flys and Summers Gone

So many things have happened since our last post. We went to the Gillespie Country Fair in Fredricksburg, visited Aunt Ludy in Santa Anna, helped Aunt Hayde and Uncle Chris move back to Texas and started walking! Well with her walker anyway, but that's walking!

So at the Gillespie County Fair Ava got to see roosters, pot belly pigs, sheep, goats, baby cows, and the biggest bull ever! She loved the animals but the merry-go-round was her favorite part so she rode it 3 times. There were also horse races which would have been more fun but it was very hot that day so we only saw one run. They went by so fast Ava hardly saw what they were but since the fair she knows exactly what a horsey says.

Sprouty also got to visit Aunt Ludy Jane in Santa Anna where she met her pet goat, Martha. Did we mention she loves animals?! Aunt Hayden of course brought Lucy and Moto the cats so Ava had a ball chasing them around the new house in Roundrock. Lucy actually gave in at one point and let Ava pet her! The cats weren't the only interesting thing in the house. Sprouty loves her little cousin Jack! She was very sweet and wanted to share her book with him. She also tried sharing her juice, her pacifier, toys and anything she could find on the floor. You can see she is Jackson's favorite cousin.

Then there was this walking business! One day she just up and took off! You can see in her video she is already moving at the speed of turtle so we all know what's next. RABBIT! Good thing Chris and I need some exercise because were going to be running for the next few years.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Ava had the best birthday a one year old could ever have! All her friends and family came to play, eat and witness the cake mess and since pictures are worth 1000 words (and I don't want to type that many) here is a slide show of her birthday party!

Thank you to everyone who made it and I have to say I could not have pulled it off without Heather, Jay, Daniel, Darren, Jennifer, Mimi, and Grandma! You guys are the best and I will remember that next year when we get ready for Ava's 2nd birthday!

Ava traveled East

Oh my goodness where to begin?! Last Monday Ava and I took off to the Big-D to prepare for our trip to see Hayden, Chris and Jackson. We had errands to run and people to see so Ava was almost worn out by the time we were heading to the airport on Wednesday. I have to say I have no idea how single parents would ever travel by themselves! Heather was a GIGANTIC help and I am absolutely positively sure Ava and I would not have made it without her. To start the trip we had the stroller, car seat, 2 big check-in bags and 2 carry-on bags each. (Let's just say on the way home somehow our suitcases grew.)Ava was very interested in all the new people at the airport and enjoyed waving and talking to everyone. Thank goodness on the 1st flight we were able to save a whole row of seats so Ava could have her own. She enjoyed crawling back and forth between me and Heather so when we had to share our row she was not very excited. She liked looking out the window, but after a while the plane hummed her to sleep so the rides were pretty relaxing.

At both Aunt Heather's and Aunt Hayden's she had stairs to climb and boy she did. Every time you put her down she would run for the stairs! It was amazing how fast she got by the end of the trip. She would be up the stairs in seconds where as the first few times it took her a little bit. Ava loved Moto and Fat Lucy but I'm pretty sure they did not love her quite as much. Although Moto grew braver over the week she was still not convinced Ava was not going to hurt her. The cats were also the cause of so many trips up the stairs because they just thought they could hide from her under the bed, but I guess she's just too smart for them.

We tried to take Ava to the beach one day, but we happened to pick the day it rained. So instead we took her for a ride with a dinosaur. She loved it! We didn't even have to put quarters in it she just wanted to sit and steer. I don't think she wanted to share the car though because she kept trying to push the T-Rex out.

We had lots of fun in Delaware with baby Jackson and in a few years him and Ava will be into everything, but so far she was not real interested in him. She mostly just wanted to trade pacifiers and take his toys. Jackson does have some pretty cool toys though.

After all was said and done Aunt Hayden taught Ava a new dance and Aunt Heather had her sticking her tongue out at everyone on the plane. She grew a mile while we were gone and I'm told her hair is getting thicker although I can't really see it. I know we are both very glad to be home and even more happy Jackson is moving just 2 hours away! We can't wait!

Brownwood Rodeo

As you all know Ava will one day be a Rodeo Queen so she can ride around the arena looking pretty and waving at everyone. She is destined to at least love horses because she wasn't at all afraid to sit up on these 8 foot Clydesdale's. (They were probably more around 7 feet for those who are counting)
To celebrate the rodeo in Brownwood there is a big city parade with all the Queens, clowns, cheerleaders, high school band, and this guy. Of course next year he will have some stiff competition since we have already started planning the family float!

Country Girl

This week Ava mowed Mimi's lawn. (She loves to mow!) And then took Mimi for a spin in Papa Keith's big truck. She is definitely going to be a country girl.

Ava's Daily

I just wanted to document a day in the life of Ava. She doesn't realize it now but later she will be able to see she had it pretty good as a baby. Well I imagine as long as there are grandma's and Mimi's in her life she will continue to have it fantastic for as long as she will remember.

So in the mornings we get up and going with some Cheerios. Of course when I say we I mean Ava and Mekah since she's figured out throwing them on the floor makes dog come over. After breakfast there is play time where Sprout crawls all over the house getting into things she is not supposed to. She has definitely figured out what the word "no" means and is starting to find out how she can get around it. I think she has also realized not everything she finds on the floor is good to eat. After snacking on a few rocks and clumps of dirt she is now just handing them to me. Pretty helpful if you think about it.

After play time it is of course nap time when we change the channel to CMT Pure Music and lay on the couch together. She slowly drifts off and will usually manage about a 2 hour nap as long as I lay next to her and cuddle. After nap then it is time to eat again. Usually a hot dog for lunch but if we're lucky we sometimes get leftovers from the night before. As you can see in her video hot dogs are pretty fantastic. After lunch there is more play. Then after more play there is "Daddy's Home!" She usually insists dad hold her for at least 30 minutes before he can do anything else. Then after they bond the chase is on. It's all about chasing Daddy and Dog wherever they go. It's not too long after that we start the getting ready for bed rituals.

Bath time has become so fun its turned to the phase where it's never time to get out. She crawls back and forth, sticks her face in the water, throws toys over board, splashes and just has a good time. Then after bath it's off to the rocking chair to be smoothed to sleep. It usually doesn't take long for those heavy lids to close and drool to start pouring out. So you see she has it pretty good, not a care in the world. As it should be for Grandma's only granddaughter and Mimi's only grandchild.

Panhandle with a BANG!

Ava and I drove up to Panhandle to visit Murr and Dandy for the holiday this past weekend. We visited friends and saw family, got a drug store coke, ate some La Fiesta and managed to sneak in Taco Villa a few times. Ava loved getting to crawl to some new places and hang out with other kiddos. Jayden was very helpful trying to teach Baby A to put on her shoes and catch a ball. Neither of them got it down yet, but by next year they will be thick as thieves! We managed to make it by the Panhandle City pool for a dip and Sprout just watched Rylee and Aiden swim all over the pool. You can tell she's ready to be out there adventuring with them.

To celebrate the 4th all the kids dressed up in proper red, white and blue to go watch the traditional parade on Main Street. Dandy rode in the veterans float, Pokey the Rodeo Clown drove his funny car, and Rylee drove her Escalade we decorated for her. Ava and I even got our toes into the patriotic spirit! I would have to say the best part of the parade was of course the horses! Sprout couldn't get enough of them! We definitely have an animal lover on our hands. After the parade and festivities at the court house it was time for a long nap before the fireworks started.

We went over to Jennifer's house for BBQ and music both of which were excellent! Ava tried some grilled bologna for the 1st time and didn't think it was all that bad. After her big feast she was lulled to sleep by the band, but quickly woke up when it was time for the show! She ohhhhed and awwwwed at the sparkles in the sky and loved to point at them to make sure we were all looking. Ava's first 4th of July celebration I have to say was a success. She saw horses, watched fireworks, ate new interesting things, played with new friends, and got to be held by both her great grand-parents. Of course after all that excitement mommy's little firecracker was all tuckered out.

She's a Rodeo Girl

We took Ava to the Coleman Rodeo last night to see the goat scramble and bronc riding. She absolutely loved it! She was dancing and waving at all the cowboys riding through the rink but her favorite part was when the cowgirls came riding through. They wore bright pink sparkle tops, held flags and rode really fast. What a time. I told her the story of her friend April who was once a rodeo queen so now I think she is destined to follow. We all know she already has the wave down packed. I mean really who wouldn't love a face like this!

Locomotion

As you all can witness in the videos above Ava is a crawling machine! Well not quite but she will be soon enough! (Yesterday she crawled around so much she ended up with a little carpet burn on her knees.) Of course, she is already into everything she can reach so were in the process of moving everything up. The taller she gets the farther up everything goes. All the sockets have been Ava proofed now we just need Chris to install the cabinet door latches. Since they involve screws and a drill it is man's work so I'm told.

As most of you know Ava and I went on a trip to Dallas to visit family and friends and while we were there she learned how to clap! We had been working on it at home for awhile, but I guess she needed an audience. Grandma and Daniel were very excited to witness the event and I didn't waste the chance to get it on video. She was also giving great hugs to her cousins and Aunt Heather. They were eating it up every time she gave them a big squeeze. Her hugs are probably the best hugs you can get.

While in Dallas Ava had lots of adventures and at almost everyone she gained a new toy. Grandma insisted she have everything she wanted and boy she got it. Now that were back home though the toys don't seem nearly as fun. Instead she wants to play with the junk mail, the plastic her toys came in or kitchen utensils.


So since her big Dallas trip she has been a bit of a pill getting back into routine and learning she isn't going to be held 100% of the day. She has also demanded a trip to Panhandle to see Murr and Dandy and show them all her new skills. We have set the date for the holiday weekend of the 4th so she can see her first parade. If she was only 2 months older she could enter in the Little Miss pageant, but maybe next year. I'm sure the cheese on a stick and cloggers dance will be enough excitement for one year anyway. She will get to see her friends Rylee and Jayden for the first time and I know she can't wait! She loves children so I'm sure they will keep her occupied. It's going to be a fun weekend!

Summer in full bloom

Ava couldn't wait to go swimming and since the weather predicted in the 100s everyone thought sitting in some cool water would feel good. She loves being outside and taking baths so having her 2 favorite things in one sitting was way fun! By the time Chris drug her out she was more wrinkled than a raisin, but man she slept hard that night. She also gave Becky some time to sleep in...Sprout slept in her bed all night till 8:45! What a deal!

Miss Lake Brownwood

Ava experienced Lake Brownwood for the first time this past Memorial weekend. She was a little weary at first since she was forced to wear the most uncomfortable life jacket in the world! But once she heard the roar of the boat engine and saw the water splashing in the back she was amused and gave in to her big blue floaty. After about 10 minutes out on the water it was time for a break so the group decided to pull into a sandy beach area and enjoy some waves. Sprout was not very happy with the cold lake water on her bum but thought it was ok if her feet were in it. She enjoyed splashing and yelling at the other kids around her. On our way back to dock the hum of the engine soothed her right to sleep and she got to enjoy a nice nap in the shade.


After the lake adventure the family was off to Mimi's for a home cooked meal. She slaved over a hot smoker all afternoon cooking a delicious brisket! Chris and Becky scarfed down brisket sandwiches while Sprout had a couple beans and kept the dogs in line. After filling their bellies to the brim it was time for baths and bed. Ava was in bed before the sun went down and Mekah was snoring before her head hit the pillow. It was a long day for the Hathcocks, but it was only the 1st of many trips to the lake! Never fear there is always more to come.

In the Swing of Things

Now that the weather has warmed up and the rain has subsided the family has been taking trips down to the park for some swing time. Ava loves to be outside so the walk would be enough but when she sees and hears all the other kids at the park she's in heaven. Ava stares in amazement at the children playing and laughing and I bet she can't wait for the day she can climb the jungle gym! Chris and Becky plan to get her a swing set in the backyard sometime but it will have to wait until Chris can get some grass growing.

Chris has worked hard on the yard and getting the new sprinkler system in and things are finally looking greener on our side of the fence. It may be the overcoming weeds but it's better than mud. Becky has finally got the living room painted and loves the soothing blue light but you will have to wait with anticipation for pictures because the accessories have yet to come. The dinning room although a bit bare is the only other room partially finished. Becky painted and Chris put up the fantastic chair rail which makes the room completely "chic" (as Chris would say). The family is taking suggestions for window treatments so feel free to leave your thoughts and volunteer your sewing skills.