Ava is 17 months old

So 2 days ago was Ava's 2nd Christmas and now she is 17 months old, this post isn't going to be long.

Its been hard to do our weekly playdates since the holidays and the snow.

Ava is really into her new ball pit, kitchen and "uppy" (which mean puppy)

Ava is in her own little world, she is a very happy toddler. So I have been slacking on the photos and since i just had a post 2 days ago, this is what I got.

Christmas 2008

Christmas morning we woke up and waited for the kids to get here to open present. Santa gifts were opened first.

Ava got a learning kitchen from Santa.

Taylor got a pitching machine and baseball bat from Santa.

Kelsey got an iPod Shuffle from Santa.

Katy got a cell phone from Santa .

The kids got a lot of presents too many to list, but it was a great Christmas.

We went to the Castillo house for Christmas Dinner, we had glazed ham, Chito's scallop potatoes, roll (just for Anthony) and green beans, it was so good, but a very busy place.

Ava was dressed in her finest attire (that grandma picked out).

Here are some random pictures of Ava in her new dora ball pit and my awesome snow angel.

A New Edition to the Land Family

We got an early Christmas present today.

It all started with a dog on our door step 1 week ago, all huddled up under the door and Geoff almost tripped over it. I think Geoff wanted to keep the lost pup, but instead he called animal control and a Polk County Sheriff came and picked her up. Here is just 1 picture of Baby.

So since then I have been looking everyday for a puppy and I found one for free. Geoff and I thought about it and I left the decision up to him. He drove and got her today and we surprised the kids, they couldn't even believe it.

We have named her 'Mollie', she was born on October 31st and is so cute. Ava loves her and points and say "uppie" and "woof". So here she is, everyone needs to come by and see her. (now that Geoff has his baby, maybe i can work on baby #2).

More pictures to come ( I just havent downloaded them yet :) )

Snow Day

So this is the 1st real snow we have had in a few years, this means NO SCHOOL!

We now live in West Salem on a hill, well I wasn't going to drive anywhere. We let the kids play out in the snow for a bit, but it was way too cold for Ava to stay out for long.

I found some snow bibs to fit Ava and Geoff found the cutest snow boots this morning.

Ava and Santa

So here are Ava and Santa pictures from last year and this year.

2007

Ava and Santa at Washington Square.

Ava and Santa (Uncle Bob) at the Kasper Christmas gathering

2008

Ava and Santa at Haugens (this is a close as she would get)

Ava and our stuffed Santa (thanks Aunt Eileen)

Ava, Mommy and Santa (Grandpa Lenny at the Salem Elk's)

Ava is 16 Months Old

So I have been a little behind, Ava has been 16 months old for over a week and I am now just getting to the posting.

Thanksgiving was good. We went to grandpa Jim's for dinner and then headed over to Grandma Mimi's and Papa Chito's for dessert.

Ava is finally walking and has been for a little over 2 weeks now. She weighs 19lbs (finally). Just since the last post she is doing so much more. Like starting to copy what we say and do (no more bad words).

Well Ava does not like Santa this year, I took her to go get photos and she cried when she got close to him. But we did get 1 good picture and will post it as soon as I get them. After pictures we went and had lunch at Burgerville with Amber and Jack and Grandma Cindy, Ava got an ice cream cone as the pictures will show.

Wishing A Very Happy Birthday To....

Kelsey

Who turns 9 today. We had a party this last weekend, but wanted to post a little note to let her know we were thinking of her. Hope you have a great day.

Love

Dad, Adria and Ava.

Did someone say PARTY?

Katy and Kelsey's Birthday Party

So Katy's Birthday was on November 12th and Kelsey's is on the 20th, so we decided to have 1 big party for the both of them. Each girl got to choose 1 friend to stay the night and go to a movie. Katy invited her friend Jocelyn and Kelsey invited Madison.

The girls opened their presents from Geoff and I before the movie.

Katy and Jocelyn

Madison and Kelsey

Katy opening her boots.

Kelsey opening her new boots

The girls wanted to see "Beverly Hills Chihuahua", so Geoff and I took all 4 girls to the evening movie

The girls before the movie started

Katy and Jocelyn

Kelsey and Madison

So the movie was so cute, I would have to say its a must see. We got home and the girls stayed up till midnight playing their DS'S.

We had a few family over for some cake. The guest list included The Thalman's, Grandma Mimi and Grandma Cheryl.

(yes we got 1 cake, they both wanted the same thing and it was a big cake)

We sang to Katy 1st and here she is blowing out the candles.

Then came Kelsey's turn and I wanted to thank her for removing her gum right before she blew the candles out.

The girls got some cute gifts. The earrings are from Grandma Cheryl.

Thanks to everyone who came to help celebrate Katy's 11th Birthday and Kelsey's 9th Birthday. It was fun.

Until next year.