Kitchen Studio

Going to the Chapel...

No, Ava's not getting married yet, but her Aunt Lisa is in about 4 months!! I asked Ava to go with me to the bridal store today to get fitted for my dress; I said she could also try on some pretty dresses...that was all it took. She was EXCITED! Granny + Papa came for the weekend so we asked Granny to come with us too (Livi was napping)...definitely some fun girl time. Can't wait for Livi to join us one day too. Ava was such a little ham, she almost ran into several people, and displays, while looking at herself in the mirror while walking and dancing around the store (definitely her mother's daughter). The lady helping me was not amused, but most of the other customers were...so cute. Ava, thanks for the preview of many good girly moments to come! I love you!

* Lis, so which top do you like on me? Mom likes the straps; either is fine with me.

** No, these are not Lisa's colors, it's a pretty aqua since she's getting married in Key West.

Snow Princess

No, it's not really snowing here, but this cute outfit just makes me think of a snow princess. I could dedicate a whole blog to the cute outfits Ava + Livi get from family and friends. I am so grateful for the clothes! I'm usually bad about getting pictures when they put a new outfit on, but this one did require a post.


This was the outfit I had planned for Ava to wear to see Santa, and Livi has one just like it. Thank you to Cindy + Ronnie for these adorable sweater dresses! Anyway, after we were so sick we never made it see Santa again for pictures, and I wanted her to wear this before it gets too warm. Today I took Ava with me to try on bridesmaid dresses for my sister's wedding; I suggested to Ava she could try on some pretty dresses too....she was SO excited. So we dressed for the occasion... (pictures from the bridal store to follow)

Everyday Stuff

Just some images from the week.

Web Cam

One of our Christmas presents from Grandma + Grandpa was a web cam so Grandma could chat with the girls and see them at the same time. Too bad we didn't have this for Granny + Papa when we lived away! After living with my parents while Ava was young, and during Livi's birth, it's hard to live far away now where they don't get to interact on a daily or even weekly basis. We've only played with this a couple of times, but it's worked out great!! I captured my computer screen below so you can see a bit of the experience:

*Mom, if it were up to Ava we would call every night...she requests to talk to Me-you on the computer! Thank you for the web cam!!

**Lisa, thanks for the technical support!! We look forward to talking to you (and Uncle Andy of course) more often too!

The Aquarium

We took the girls to the Dallas Aquarium today. We had been telling Ava about it for a couple days before. She was so funny, at first she was scared because we said we might see some sharks, she didn't want to go. But after we assured her that they wouldn't be mean or "get" her, and Daddy would protect her she was OK with it. Although she was still a little apprehensive right up until we saw the sharks! Once we left + headed back home, we asked her in the car what her favorite thing at the aquarium was and she said, "the little sharks; not the big ones, but the little ones." For those that don't live here, the aquarium is pretty cool; there is a rain forest on a couple of floor levels above the water; you start at the top and as you head down you go under the water and see the aquatic life. Pretty neat set-up I think.






We also saw some people dressed as Mayans doing some sort of dance; they had some other Mayan exhibits throughout the museum. We were behind them so we didn't get to see the whole dance, but the music was pretty cool.

Ava even danced a little to the music:

Livi almost missed the entire thing! She fell asleep on the way there + didn't wake up until we were almost done. She did get to see the black jaguar (above) and the flamingos though.

It was so cold today too, well only in the 40's/50's (sorry for those in colder climates!). Ava was playing with her hood as Daddy rushed her to the car. She was SO cute, she had such a fun day. Well Daddy + I did too; can't wait to take her to the zoo!!

Afternoons with Mom

My transition into a working mom has been really smooth, so far. I'm so thankful for that! Here is a little view into our afternoon routine.

It's snack time when I get home:

A sisterly snack time:

Then some playing in the girls' room. Ava is reading her baby, Feeper, a book:

Then Daddy comes home!!!

And some more messing around after dinner: