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.

Ava loves playing with her friends at group. However as the day went on the other babies were interested in her crown, which lead to a bit of hair pulling. About then Ava decided that she wanted to play by herself for a while

Technology

We have begun to prepare Ava for school early... teaching her how to use a computer. As you can tell, she loves it so much. If she sees us on the computer she will tug at your leg until it is her turn. Once she is up there she has searched some pretty interesting things, but has a ball!

Just having fun!

Ava got her toes painted for the first time just after she turned 9 months. How cute are her little toes!

Family night

The evenings in San Francisco are so enjoyable. The temperatures are perfect for long walks at the bay or in the city. We had a great dinner at a restaurant called The Palomino, where Ava was of course a hit with all of the restaurant staff. After dinner took a walk along the Embarcadero on the bay. The art work in the area is wonderful with the Art Institute being right in the city. Ava had a blast and then decided to sleep on the way home. We are so blessed!

The Rock!

So, once we saw Alcatraz from the pier, Dave had to go. It was so interesting and a bit eary to know how long ago this was built and the events that had taken place with prisoners here. The tour was so detailed and we were allowed to roam around as much as we wanted. I think we added a few new names to the list of prisoners that day.

How would you like to live in here?

Let the adventures begin!

Fisherman's Wharf is one of the first adventures we took. It is known for the mass of Sea Lions that perch themselves on the docks at night, and the large amount of Dungeoness Crab that are caught year round. This is also a major tourist area for the Ghiradelli Chocolate factory which in the more recent years has been turned into a shopping center. The view from Pier 39 is a great shot of Alcatraz.

Our Apartment in San Francisco

We are here! This is our new place right in the heart of the city. We are on the 7th floor, second from the top in the picture. We live 2 blocks from Market Street (the main shopping strip), 4 blocks from AT&T park, and just 3 block from the bay bridge! Our view is beautiful, looking over AT&T park and over the bay to the houses built into the hills.

Cali girl!

We are absolutley loving living in SF and the city has so much to do. Ava loves to stroll around and look at all of the people and lights.

Yaaawn....airplanes are boring

Dave and Ava crashed while we were in flight. How cute!

San Francisco or BUST!

So, we are moving Sept. 2nd, 2008 to San Francisco! Dave has accepted a new position in Wells Fargo's Wholesale Bank. We will be living there until at least Christmas! So Ava is taking her first plane ride and the family is moving across the country! Riding in the car on the way to the airport...all smiles!

Splish-Splash

Loving bath time, and boy can I make a mess!

Family Photos

While we visited the Hayward family on Aug. 9th in Holland, MI we took some family picts. It was such a beautiful day out at Lake Michigan.

Nap Time!

We were just resting our eyes.

Lions and Tigers and Bears...OH MY!

The zoo is so cool! I love Potawatami Zoo, and my first visit was on July 16th with my cousins and my Grandma DeCraene. We had so much fun and I even got to sit on a pony with my cousin Ashtin. I picked out a tiger stuffie at the gift shop and took a ride on the train. What an eventful day!

Beach

My first visit to the beach was on the 5th of July, 2008 at Indiana Dunes State Park. I had so much fun and was the happiest baby there. I'm not too sure about the sand or cold water.

Mmmmm Chocolate

Daddy shared his fudgecicle with me!

Cereal!

June 6th, 2008 Cereal! Wow! Ava has gotten a taste of her very first solid food, and boy did she love it! We did make quite the mess but it was fun anyway.

Meeting Uncle Bub

On June 2nd, 2008 Ava got to meet her Uncle Bub for the first time. He was over seas in Iraq serving in the Army fighting in the war. We were all so happy to see him and Wes was able to see his Princess! I could cry just thinking about how special this moment was.

We're free! (if only for a moment)

Mommy and Daddy got out! We were so fortunate to have a night out and little miss Ava was a doll for the sitter!