Merry Main Street

Our weekend was super busy! We packed in a lot of fun activities. On Saturday night we braved the very chilly temperatures and went to the Frisco Merry Main Street. It was fun to go out and see the lights, hear the music, see Santa, his reindeer, and his elves. We only lasted about a half an hour because I was FREEZING! I hope I survive Utah temperatures over Christmas.

It's Christmas time!

Our tree is up. Our stockings are hung. Let all the fun Christmas things begin!! I love this time of year and we will be packing in as much fun as possible before we leave to Utah in two weeks!!

Busy, Busy, Thanksgiving, and a San Antonio Trip.

It's has been so busy and I am behind, but I think I'm just going to have to skip some things. With 6 birthday parties last month, class socials, Thanksgiving, a trip to San Antonio, and the chaos of everyday life- it's hard to blog about everything!

I am pretty sure that as long as we're living in Dallas we'll make going to San Antonio at Thanksgiving a yearly tradition. We drove down the morning after Thanksgiving. And speaking of Thanksgiving- I skipped right through that, so maybe I should write something about it...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I cooked up a storm and we had a fabulous dinner together, just the three of us. Eric knows that I will NEVER cook a turkey (poor guy), but I did make sure to buy a pre-cooked one, so I guess I should score some points there, right?! In my defense, he's the only one who would eat it, so it's better not to be wasteful. Anyway, it was wonderful! Ava told me she loved coming to my tea party- she is such a girl! I am so thankful for so many things- but I can tell you that I am thankful everyday. Not just on a day designated for it. I am truly blessed.

We drove to San Antonio the next morning. We checked into the famous Emily Morgan Hotel on the Riverwalk and got our things settled. We freshened up and went to eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk. After filling our bellies we walked over to the festival- where they were playing live Christmas music. Once Ava got her reindeer ears, she danced away. She is such a little mover! She got a flower balloon, her face painted, and a snow cone too. It was definitely a fun afternoon for her! We walked over to where Disney Radio was and let Ava play some games. She didn't stand much of a chance of winning against the other kids up to 16 years of age, but she had a blast!!! We had people commenting on how smart she was and wanting to know how old she was. When we replied, "She just turned three," we had some in disbelief. I know- my girl is so smart!!

After our very fun afternoon, we walked a few steps back to our hotel to get ready for the annual boat parade. On the Friday after Thanksgiving they light up the entire Riverwalk!! We got settled in our front row seats and waited for the parade to start! It was fun seeing all the boats decorated, lights shining- coming down the river. The best ones were the ones with a live band playing and singing Christmas songs. I just love this time of year!! After the parade was over we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to our hotel room. We may have had some fun jumping on the bed and being silly before going to sleep.

The next day we took Ava to Sea World. It was a gorgeous day- perfect weather. However, I had not been feeling well for the last couple of weeks, and felt pretty horrible on this day. I had body aches, chills, and could not get warm. I didn't want my girl missing out on anything though, so we did everything she wanted to do and stayed until she was ready to crash out- and crash out is what she did the instant we put her in her carseat. Back at the hotel, Ava slept, I took some medicine and relaxed, and Eric went to the gym. We had made dinner reservations at a really nice restaurant- but since I was sick and didn't have much of an appetite and Ava was a little cranky from her fun-filled day, we cancelled. We decided to have a relaxing dinner on the Riverwalk, so we could leave when we needed to. We had some yummy mexican food and afterward took Ava to get some ice cream! We walked around, listened to music, admired the beautiful Christmas tree, and headed back to our hotel. It was a fabulous day- minus my being sick, of course! Oh yeah, and you can tell you're a mother when the Shamu Christmas Miracle Show makes you teary eyed.

Sunday morning we woke up and got ready to head out. We stopped on the way and went shopping. We found things we just had to have! Hehehehee. I don't NEED anything, but I did end up with a few things I wanted. After a quick lunch, we were on the road again. We finished off our wonderful weekend by watching Tinkerbell together (Ava's choice, of course) eating cake/pie (that's what Ava calls it anyway), and enjoying time together as a family. And I am very thankful for my family. They are everything to me!

I have SO many pictures to share....

SAN ANTONIO DAY 1

I definitely wasn't a cheerleader. :)

SAN ANTONIO DAY 2

Now on to a very busy December.....

New Pics.

I have been wanting to get some new cute pics of Ava. It's really hard to take any of her, because she hates my camera. So, we were at Target the other day and Ava saw a HUGE lollipop and wanted it. I bought it, again thinking it would be cute for pictures. It was, and I am glad that I can still bribe her a little bit. So, here are some more lollipop pics....

Hat Day.

Last Thursday was hat day at Ava's school. She looked adorable as usual, so I grabbed a quick picture before heading out the door. She is loving school and it's so fun to help out in the classroom, so I can see what she does!

Date Night with Ava.

Eric had to go to Boston last week for work. We missed him a lot, so we tried to keep ourselves busy! On Friday night we decided to go on a little date. We went to get pedicures, then went shopping, and then out to eat. It was really fun to watch Ava get her little toes painted!! I took my camera, because I figured I had to document her first date to the salon with mom. I love my little girl SO much and I am so thankful that I am her mom!

These are not the best. The lighting sucked- but I am still glad I got them!

I brought her books, so she could read something too!

The other Ava's party.

The other Ava had her party at Sharkarosa Ranch. It was a lot of fun. We saw a lot of different animals, went for a wildlife ride, and the kids got to ride the train. My Ava loved it!! It was a very fun birthday party!

The birthday girl

One more of the birthday girl

Don't you love her look? My hair looks a little disheveled.

Valeria.

While we were at the Arboretum, Lorena asked if I could get some pics of Valeria. I did just that, and seriously, she is SO cute!!!

Arboretum with the girls.

On Friday, Liz, Lorena, and I all met up at the Arboretum with our girls. We had fun letting the girls chase each other, share their purses, play in the water, and giggle... a lot! I also got some great pics of Valeria- so I'll post those next. I always love my time with them! They are the best!

Hugs for the girls

Liz and her cute pregnant belly.

Ava's Birthday Bash!!

On Wednesday, November 4th, was Ava's birthday party. We had it at Boomerangs again, since she is overly obsessed with bounce houses. We arrived a little early to decorate the room, and shortly after, her friends followed. We had a little mishap with the hand sanitizer machine squirting her right in the eye, but we flushed and flushed it with water, and soon she was alright.

She had a great time running around, bouncing, and playing with her friends! Eric and I had fun chatting with our mom friends!!

When it was time to round everyone up, we went into the party room. We ate pizza and took pictures! Then it was time to sing to the birthday girl. This was Ava's favorite part. She had been talking for MONTHS about her friends all singing to her. She made a wish and blew out her candles! It was a fun birthday and we think Ava really enjoyed being queen for the day!

Thank you everyone for coming, celebrating and making it such a special day for Ava! We really appreciate you all!

I cheated this year and did cupcakes. We got home too late for me to worry about a birthday cake. They turned out cute with the princess crowns on top.

This might be the cutest picture EVER!!! The princess kissing her prince.

Ava's Official Birthday.

Ava's official birthday was the 3rd of November. We had arrived home late the night before and Eric was in Boston. So, on the morning of the 3rd, I went into Ava's room singing happy birthday to wake her up. I continued singing and singing, and when Ava woke up, she said, "It's not my birthday yet, mom." She had heard that so many times from me before, I just laughed. Then I informed her that it was, in fact, her actual birthday. She was really excited! Since Eric wasn't getting in until night time, I let her open only one gift. It was the Snow White movie. She watched a little bit of it while I cooked her pancakes in the shape of princess crowns and eggs. I put candles in them and sang her happy birthday, and let her blow out her candles. It was great! Then it was time to get ready and get to school!

At Ava's school it was picture day, so she was looking especially cute. I didn't get pictures of her, because I was in a mad rush to get to the grocery store to get some treats for her to share with her class. We made it just in time. When I picked her up from school she was so happy. Everyone had sang happy birthday to her, and she had frosting remnants from the cookies, so I knew it had been a good day.

The princess requested McDonalds for lunch- my favorite place, NOT! She got her wish and to Donalds we went. She enjoyed a lovely happy meal, complete with nuggets and apples, and I enjoyed my bottled water. :) She quickly made friends with some other girls and they enjoyed chasing each other and squealing. It was really cute!

When we got home it was time for a nap. And she took a good one! When she woke up we played together and then got ready to meet Grandma Susie, Aunt Lindsay, the boys, and daddy for dinner. We took her to the Olive Garden, since it's her second favorite restaurant, and daddy made it from the airport just in time! We enjoyed eating, watching Ava put on her make-up, and opening up her gifts. We ordered desert and sang her happy birthday again!

When we got home Ava was pretty wiped out, but she had a truck load of presents to open. We asked her if she would rather do it the next day, and the answer was a definite NO! So, we opened presents. She had been dying for some roller skates, so let her open those first. She insisted on putting them on and trying them out right away. Then she wouldn't take them off. She opened all of her presents wearing the roller skates, elbow and knee pads, and her helmet. It was hilarious, and I am so glad we have video of it. She is so funny! She got beyond spoiled, and we even put some stuff away to give to her later, because it was a bit ridiculous how much stuff she had.

We got the wiped-out princess to bed, but we stayed up to prepare things for her birthday party the next day. When the clock struck midnight, we decided we were exhausted and went to bed! It was a wonderful day and I am so thankful for my little three year old. I adore her.

Just woke up and opened Snow White.

Opening a gift from Aunt Lindsay. She loves it! Thank you!

Kisses anyone? Yes, she did that all herself!

Birthday Princess

Skating to find a mirror. She just had to check herself out!

Opening presents in all that gear. Too funny!

A peek for Liz.

Before we left for Utah I took some pictures of Liz and her pregnant belly. She looks amazing, she has the littlest bump. I am so excited for their family and can't wait to find out what she has!! Less than a month now! We better get going if we want to get some more pics! :)

I am thinking this one might be my very favorite one. She looks so beautiful!