Thanksgiving

We were so fortunate to be able to drive to LA and Orange County to have a nice Holiday with extended family. We spent Thanksgiving day with Uncle Tom, Aunt Monique and Robert. What a wonderful feast we had and great fellowship. Aunt Monique's parents and sister also joined in the celebration.

Robert was the greatest 2nd cousin to Ava. He didn't leave her side all day and was a wonderful helper. She loved listening to Robert play guitar and piano for her, and was thrilled when Robert shared his cars. They were so cute and inseparable!

Wine Country

We decided to rent a car and take a trip to California's wine country. We went to Sonoma as we were advised that it is less crowded and has great wine. First we went to Viansa, a larger winery that had quite a crowd but beautiful scenery. Ava slept through our lunch, and then woke up just in time for a walk around the grounds. She loved the flowers but once she got her hands on them she thought she needed to taste them...yuck! The landscaping was beautiful and so relaxing. It was a great day for our family to relax and reconnect after Dave's hectic work weeks.

After our first stop we went on to Nicholson Ranch, also in Sonoma. A smaller family run winery which was far less crowded. They also had a horse that was very nice and friendly. Ava loved him and He didn't seem to mind her much either. By the time that we made it to Napa Ava was back asleep for the afternoon. So Dave made a stop at Domaine Carneros, a beautiful French winery that specialized in sparkling wine. We were able to take a bottle to Orange County for Thanksgiving with Uncle Tom and Aunt Monique.

Yerba Buena

The Yerba Buena is an art and childrens center just across the street from our apartment in San Francisco. The childrens garden has a huge outdoor play area and tons of things to do. There is also park staff that comes out to play with the kids, give them balls and hoola-hoops to play with, and also entertain them with juggling and other things. Ava loves to walk around and watch the older kids run.

The Zeum which is an interactive childrens muzeum is attached to the outdoor play area. Ava loved checking out all of the things to do and play.

The Metreon

We live about 1 1/2 blocks from the Metreon which is the big mall and convention center. They have fabulous frozen yogurt and also a great video game that you play on the floor. It is made by Sony and called the Reactrix. Likely by the time Ava is 10yrs old they will be everywhere. Anyway, she loves to walk on it and play, sometimes she thinks that she can pick up the things that she is playing. It is one of her favorite things to do and she always makes sure to stake her claim.

I love this picture of my 2 crazy kids! They were just playing as we were walking around.

Of course Ava and Dave are quite the silly pair. There is a large water display all around the Metreon and Ava is a fish out of water.

Trick Or Treat!

Halloween was so much fun for Ava. She was invited to a party full of all of her friends at playgroup. She of course had to dress up as the princess that she is. She has gotten pretty good at doing her princess wave.