Ava's Birthday Celebration

We had such a fun weekend celebrating Ava's 3rd birthday. We were so lucky to have auntie Coffey and Faline and Duncan come stay with us to help celebrate! On Saturday afternoon, we had 8 of Ava's friends and their parents over for a big birthday bash. My mom made an awesome carrot cake (at Ava's request) and we rented a bouncy house for the day, and let me tell ya, it was so worth it! Ava and her buddies had such a great time! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate! I cannot believe how many gifts she got, she is so spoiled! Her bedroom still looks like a bomb went off...I have to get in there and organize all of her new stuff today!

Here's Ava and Grandpa Duncan getting ready to BOUNCE!

The Birthday Girl with her "sister" Jadyn. (They're actually cousins but introduce each other as "my sister" Too cute!

Some of Ava's buddies eating lunch
Auntie Coffey bouncing with the kids

Me and the birthday girl...notice her wardrobe change! I think this was her 3rd of the day!

The "after" shot. This girl partied SO hard (reminds me of myself in college after a long night of drinking at Vahalla! Hopefully not a sign of things to come! ) She's ready for a LONG nap!

After the party, Faline was nice enough to put the kids to bed while Coffey, Galen, Dunc, and I went out on the town for Oktober Fest!! We had such a fun night, I honestly haven't laughed so hard in years! It's so fun having people around that you love so much it hurts!

We're still pretty cute, even with huge veins coming out of our foreheads!

While she was here, Coffey also took lots of pics of my family as well as Kylie and her fam and my friend Gina and her fam. Stay tuned for her pics, or check out her photography blog: http://headoverheelsphotography.blogspot.com/ I cannot wait to see them!! Thanks so much for coming down, I love you Coff!!

Happy Birthday To AVA!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to YOU. Happy Birthday to AVA, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

Ava this morning before school. 3 Years Old!

2nd Birthday Party.
1st birthday party. Introducing...Ava Renae Blyth! September 24, 2006

I cannot believe how fast 3 years has flown by. Ava, you have added nothing but happiness to our lives. You have become such a beautiful, smart and wonderful little girl. We love you So very much!

In honor of your birthday today, here are a few of your favorite things:

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite thing to wear: Actually, you just like being naked, but if you had to choose: Skirts and your purple Crocs.

Favorite Book: Gingerbread Man.

Favorite Food: Tortillas and/or steak.

Favorite Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (performed by Mommy and my terrible voice:).

Favorite Person: Dad (hopefully I come in a close second!).

Favorite Toy: Bike, Dolls, and Miles.

Favorite Saying: "But MOM!!" or "Gosh Darnit"

Favorite thing to do: Be outside playing with friends, and school.

Favorite Place: The cabin with your cousins.

Favorite Game: Hide and Seek or Tag .

Favorite TV Show: It's a toss up between "Dora", "Diego", and "Olivia".

Favorite Movie: Anything "Dora", and "Cars".

Favorite Pet: Monty (sorry Cali, that's what you get for hiding from her all day!).

We LOVE you Ava. Can't wait for your party on Saturday!

Calling All Mommies...

I need some advice from the fantastic mommies out there. We've been having some trouble lately getting Ava switched over to undies at night time. She's been potty trained for 8 months now, but we've put her in a diaper at night.

A few nights ago, she said she was a big girl didn't want to wear a diaper to bed, so we kept her in undies and of course, she woke up in the middle of the night crying cause she had wet the bed. Since then, we've tried lots of things: no drinks a couple hours before bed, waking her to go potty right before we go to sleep, waking her up in the middle of the night to go potty...but we've had no luck. She's wet the bed every night to no avail.

I feel so bad for her cause she really wants to be a big girl, and she's so discouraged when she wakes up wet, plus, it doesn't make for very pleasant mornings in our house after we've all been awakened in the middle of the night.

Does anyone out there have any advice to give a tired mommy? Please let me know! I really want her to feel like a big girl. Thanks!!

Here are some pics from the past week, enjoy!!

My little Hawks fans. Too bad we lost on Sunday to the dang 9ers!

Another great outfit choice. She wore just these tights around that day, no skirt, just tights. And check out the gloves and hat, it was 70 degrees outside!
Princess Ava with her trusty companion Monty

Miles, 5 1/2 months old!

Miles and Daddy chillin on the floor

6 Years of Wedded Bliss!

It's hard for me to believe it was 6 whole years ago we were on Maui getting married. I think back now and realize we were practically babies! I remember being such an oddity to all of our friends, the only married couple in the group! Wow, time has flown, It's been such a great ride.

Galen, I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. You're incredible both as a friend and a husband. We've known each other for so long now...22 years to be exact...and we're so lucky to have been so close for so long!

Thanks so much for asking me to be your wife. I love you so deeply. You are the most supportive, trustworthy, and loving person I know. I love you. (Nice fro by the way!)

Here's to many more wonderful years of love and laughter!!

Go Seahawks!!

This past weekend, we went to the cabin for our last summer hurrah. The weather was great and we got to swim in the lake and Ava got her last boat ride in before it was pulled out for the season. On Sunday, we watched the Seahawks of course!

Daddy and Miles, taking a snooze during 1/2 time. Isn't this the best pic?!

Here's Ava! Please ignore my dog Monty (she is always trying to get on camera!) AND, the half naked hunk of a hubby in the background!!

Labor Day Weekend Recap

Smelling the wild flowers in Sisters.

The family at the head of the Metolius at Black Butte.

Ava loved chasing the chip-munks. There were hundreds of them!

Miles and Daddy on our little hike.

My Happy little guy!

Okay, so it's been a week since last weekend, but hey...better late than never!

Last weekend was great. Faline and Duncan (Galen's parents) came to town and we did some of the tourist activities with them since the weather wasn't the greatest. It's always so great to have visitors cause we actually get out and see things we haven't seen or done before.

Isn't weird how we all get so caught up in our daily lives, we hardly know what great activities there are right out your own front door? I mean, I've never been to Crater Lake and we're only a couple hours away from it, never been camping here, never been to Mt Bachelor in the summer time, never hiked the 3 Sisters, none of it! I'm making myself a promise to get out more in Central Oregon and see the sights from now on!!

Getting Ready to Crawl

So, being the technical genius I am, after a year of having my new camera, I just figured out that it took video the other day...Anyways, I took this of Miles yesterday...he's trying SOOO hard to crawl, it's too cute. He's such a happy boy. Sorry it's sideways! I can't figure out how to make it go the other way...oh well!

First Day of School

All dressed up for her first day of school!

Ava was ready! See ya Mom and Dad!

Ava is off at her first day of pre-school today. I just cannot believe my little girl has gotten so big so fast. She has been so excited to go to school. This morning we got up bright and early to get ready. We took a shower, did her hair, then she made me paint her finger nails pink. She even picked out her own outfit and actually did a really good job! Galen and I dropped her off at 9...and it's so quiet in my house it's weird! Although Miles and I are kinda lonely here without our Ava, I have to tell ya, it's pretty nice! I said good-bye to her today with mixed emotions, I was so excited for her, but also worried she might beat up some little kid for a toy, or pee her pants cause she's just too excited to stop playing...hopefully not!

I was not, however, the least bit sad or worried that she would miss me...is it weird that I'm not heart broken and ready to cry like the rest of the moms were today when they left their kids? Maybe it's because I know that Ava has no problem meeting new friends? Or that I know she's been ready for this for awhile? Or that I know she's never been one to cling to me? Or...maybe it's just because I'm ready for some "Mommy and Miles" time? Not sure...but I think Ava is having an absolute blast at this moment, and I couldn't be happier about it. I can't wait to hear all about her first day!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Well, it's official, my Dad is OLD! hehe. Happy Birthday Dad. Love you so much! Hope you have a wonderful day...we all love you very much! Happy Birthday you old fart.