Suiting Up

T and I broke down (after realizing, along with Many of you, that Ava DID look like the little boy from A Christmas Story) and bought her a snow suit and boots. No tears this time and tons of fun. Thank goodness for Taylor and Riley who actually Like going out in the snow and playing for hours on end!

The two boys getting Ava clipped in, zipped up, cinched in, pulled, prodded...

Look at the expression: boredom? annoyance? preserverence?

WHEW! Almost there!

Whoo hooooo! We're finally outside!
*note: lately when we say, "Ava, SMILE!" she'll do this crazy, squinty, lopsided goofy grin... what a nut!

A small (and I mean SMALL) ditch that Ava sled down... "WEEEEE!"

There was really no need of the person at the bottom to "catch" her, since Ava pretty much stopped mid-way on her own.

And to finish with a cute picture of Ava's Besties: Destry (or "D" like Ava calls her) and Riley (or Wiwee" in Ava-speak). We're so excited for their baby to arrive! I'm sure Ava will take it upon herself to teach the little guy the ropes.

Tagged by my Niece Natty Jane!

One of my very most favorite girls just started her own blog! Our niece, Natalie, is one of the sweetest gals I know. She's funny, so bright, and a great big sister to her three younger siblings. Taylor and I are so lucky to have such a FUN family-- keep up the GREAT BLOG, Natty girl! We love you so much, Aunt Katy, Uncle T, and Cousin Ava


Tag about favorites. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What is your favorite:

color: green
holiday: Fourth of July
sport to play: tennis
pet: none yet... one day a dog!
friend: Taylor
season: fall
number:7- generic, I know
food: chocolate count?
drink: water
wild animal: tiger
mythical creature: mermaid
toy: computer
movie: You've Got Mail
book: today it's Greatest Salesman in the World
song: Big Girl You are Beautiful by Mika
scripture story: Christ Comes
teacher: Mr. Hellman, high school history
board/card game: Settlers of Catan

Merry and Bright

Just a few random shots of... you guessed it, Ava-Lou!

Shama commented on my last post how long Ava's hair is getting, so while she was watching Peter Pan the other day, I realized that it IS getting so long! Love her curls, afraid to cut them off in fear they won't grow back!! Does anyone have any advice/stories for this scardy-cat of a Mom?



Snow, snow! Ava is very interested in the cold fluffy stuff (to my utter disappointment... hoping she was going to take after me... take on winter hibernation-style)

She (and Dad) had a GREAT TIME getting all her warm gear on. Mmm-hmmm. Yeah. Right.

Her arms were literally STUCK out to the sides of her... just a tad on the overprotective side when it comes to staying warm.


Zoning out and giving in.
(All this for about 10 measly minutes of her walking around on the sidewalks, tentatively stroking the snow every once in a while)

"HI!"-- This is Ava's Big Flirt wave... she LOVES the boys

Just a few pictures of our (humble/meager) Christmas decor... I love the holidays- the smells, music, lights, FOOD!!! Hoping everyone is having a happy and safe holiday season.

Yes, everything is just wrapped up in gift paper... not too thrilling, BUT all under $10!

Our "Charlie Brown Christmas" Tree.. three feet tall, on our table, but still manages to get pulled down by what I like to call-- "Ava's Gimme Fingers"

Again, just wrapping our existing wall stuff with paper and ribbon

I'm particularly proud that I only spent a couple of bucks on this... I already had a lot of this stuff!



Ava spent a good 20 minutes playing with the figurines-- this has got to be a personal best for her!

If you have 7 minutes...

copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (it was a mock-disaster)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie/commercial
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (once a long, long time ago... I think they were called "mobiles" back then)
99. Been stung by a bee




This was pretty fun to do-- thanks Pamela! It's fun to remember some of the random things you've done in your life.. or want to do one day!

If you're interested.... DO IT!!!

Thankful Thankful

Ava Loved watching the Macy's Day Parade-- I thought she was going to explode with excitement when Hello Kitty came floating on by

Dinner with the Hursts and Baydon. Amazing food and company!

The dessert spread... yeah we realized went a tad overboard. I don't regret it at all.

Post-Feast games "Settlers of Catan" anyone?

Ava making her round of calls on Riley's phone. I love those toes!

I'm sure you can agree, listing off the things that you're grateful for would be like re-writing a full set of the Encyclopedia Britannica-- just NOT plausible. So to narrow it down, I want to mention just a few of the things that I'm particularly thankful for in my life.

• Family. Our families who love us and want the best for Taylor and I. I'm So thankful that I have a very true friendship with my siblings, including my in laws, and our parents-- I consider us very blessed to have so much support from the ones we admire the most.
  
• Taylor. He keeps my head on straight. He sees the Big Picture with so much more clarity than I do. T is helpful and kind, always kind. I appreciate him in every aspect of our lives. I'm thankful that we have each other.
  
• Ava- oh, Ava! There are times when I heave a big sigh, flop down into the couches and exclaim: "HOW do I have such an independent, high-spirited, dramatic daughter?!!!" But really, those are characteristics that I actually love LOVE LOVE about her. She wouldn't be our Sweetface without all the nuttiness swarming about her. I'm thankful for Ava, for she gives me ALL of her love and trust and I want to live so that I won't ever lose that.
  
• I'm thankful for our friends, here and away, who know our quirks and still love us!
  
• Blogging...being in contact with cousins, faraway family and friends, even making NEW friends through Blog-Stalking!-- boy I love that blogging has made our world a smaller place!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!

Spills and Smiles

Darn it all-- gravity sure takes a toll on an 18 month old!

Last night Ava comes charging into the kitchen with socks on her feet and as she hit the slippery linoleum floors the poor dear fell and hit her mouth on the corner of the dishwasher.

The most heartbreaking part was that she cried for only a minute but the rest of the night she just sucked on the FAT LIP... like when I chew on my numbed Novocained tongue or lips after a visit to the dentist, and had this sad, puppy-dog look on her face. She's a quick learner too- for the rest of the evening Ava would look so SILLY as she literally tiptoed around the house... that's right, up on her toes, one tentative step after the other. Well, we'll see how long the CAUTIOUS AVA sticks around!
One thing's for sure: Ava's one tough cookie and now we're trying to teach her how to say, "Yeah, well you should see the OTHER guy!"




Now for some happier times... Ava and Taylor having a ball, as always.

Can I get a Hallelujah!

Basking in the warm glow of my computer screen... with beloved internet running at full speed once again... ahhhhh- if they could bottle my emotions right now it'd be called, "Eau de relief-happiness-and-annoyance-at-whoever-the-IDIOT-was-who-downloaded-a-copyrighted-video-in-out-complex-and-shut-us-all-out-from-the-outside-world". It's sweet with a tangy hint of bitterness. Hmmm... wonder if I can get that out on the shelves next to Jessica Simpson's newest perfume?

I'm just happy as a clam to be back. Whooppeeeeee!!! Oh and just so you know, I'm a little shocked to not read as many "Election" posts as I was thinking! Maybe the bulk of you blogbuds are like me... just praying for the best now that it's all said and done! Don't blame me, I tried to write in my candidate: Voldemort (that's for you, Ami. Word.)

In an Internet-LESS world

Dangit. Dangit. Dangit.

Again we're living the low-tech life of NO INTERNET ACCESS. Right now I'm working from Destry's computer- thanks D!
As for the internet: I have HAD IT. Last night I had a breakdown, tirade, rampage- this just Sucks. So, as we NOT-SO patiently wait for our apartment complex to FIGURE out what the issue is I'll be sitting in the dark, mourning my formidable loss and getting increasingly behind in your blogs... oh how I've missed you all. But don't worry, all of my nagging and bugging the landlord is sure to pay off some day soon... I hope. Until then... keep posting all the goods and I'll return--- eventually.

SPOOKY WITCH FINGERS

For the recipe requests for the Halloween Fingers I made--

Here's the Link: Spooky Witch Fingers
Allrecipes.com is the
"lazy-girl's-livin-on-a-dime-who-suffers-from-creativeless-food-imagination" lifeline!!! Enjoy!

BOO!

Happy Halloween to All!

Today started off with a fresh stack of pumpkin pancakes (well, orange-dyed Krusteez mix). Ava was thrilled to help me out (well, getting fudge syrup all over the countertop). Oh and the white one is supposed to be a ghost... but little Miss Antsy Pants was getting hungry.. and Nutella does NOT work for the face!

Getting Festive
Beboo got this Halloween outfit for Ava- Thanks Beboo!

T just loves his Mullets!
Before work, Taylor whipped up this "Plasma Dispensing Hat" and went as a White Trash Plasma Collector.... oh the nastiness! All those who have worked in the Plasma biz will notice that the bottle on the left is lipemic plasma (fatty) and the right one is, well, contraceptive-filled. The bottles were filled with juices, but please don't gag, he didn't drink out of the bottles! If you look closely, the sexiness just gets better with the WORST facial hair in the history of facial hair. Oh what we do for Halloween.

Now this is better- No mullets here! We went nice n' frugal this year and with the combo came up with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz- complete with a "not-very-cute Todo" dog toy. But I think Ava pulled hers off very nicely!

"EW. What IS that thing?"

Practicing the art of Trick or Treating


Helping me make my "Severed Finger Cookies"


Grotesque

I'm sorry I didn't get dressed up this year... I truly had a PLAN and even the dress, but time just escaped me and before I know it the end of the day is here!

Tonight Ava and I went trick or treating to our neighbors' homes and collected some good loot (when prompted to say "Trick or Treat!" she would just say, "Treat!" That's our girl- priority, right! Then we went to Taylor's work and hung out with him and his co-workers who were closing up for the night- some of the workers dressed up and they looked awesome!

Then we were invited to go to our friends' home, the Porter's, to eat with them their traditional dinner-in-a-pumpkin! It was INCREDIBLE (just like the past THREE years we've had Halloween dinner at the Porter's home!) and it was just so nice to talk and have fun with them and Cassie, Jake and their sister-- Thanks, Aly and Ryan- we had a BLAST and we LOVE your sweet little girl!

AHHHHHH.... contented sigh of relief, the day is over (now on to the next holiday!) Ava just passed out (finally winding down from her major sugar high) and I'm about to go in, cuddle up and watch a movie with T-- oh and eat ALL of Ava's hard-earned candy!


Happy Halloween

Costumes of Halloween Past

Into the archives we go!! Just wanted to dig up a couple of last years' Halloween costumes. This year has been more difficult pinning down any solid ideas for all of us: Here were a few of our top options (mind you: cheap, cheap, and cheap were the only three criteria)

- Struck by lightening (from Rachel's blog ideas)
- Down-n-Out Stockbrokers
- Canadians (just in case "you-know-who" is voted President... and no, I'm not talking about Voldemort
- Mormon Tabernacle Choir singers
- Wizard of Oz characters
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono

The ridiculous list goes on and on... Stay tuned and find out what we ended up choosing for Halloween '08. (I don't have pictures of this year yet)



A Girl Scout and his Cookie
(T refused to be a girl ever again for Halloween, hmmmm- don't get it, he pulls it off so well!)


Ava thought it was a little weird, "Dad, what's up with the skirt and beard combo?"




Last year Ava was a Bumble Bee- easy and oh so cute!


Oooh baby, so hot. This was Two years ago- I thought I'd put it up for nostalgia's sake. We spent an awesome Halloween with the Bennett's and Thueson's- for more hilarity here's a great post made by Britt that led us down hysterical memory lane: TRIBUTE
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
Love, The Wilson's

I love Fall- the colors, smells, soft blankets, big sweaters, scarves,cuddling with the fam, hot cocoa... the list goes on!
mn gotjlfkds to runm avas getting hans3e3y witht the keyboard