Our Country Girls

Yesterday Pa came by Grandma's at lunch and mentioned to Carli that when he got home, he would take her to see the cows. Carli did not forget! All afternoon she wanted to know where Pa was, where were the cows and she needed to go see them! Needless to say, she did not take a nap she was so excited. True to his word, Pa came by after work and Carli was ready to go! He and Carli went out and saw all the cows - the Mommy Cow, the Daddy Cow (aka Bully), the Baby Cow, some white birds, a bridge and the water in the creek. I think the went in circles b/c Carli was enjoying herself so much!

When Pa finally convinced her it was time to come back and check on Grandma, Momma, Ava, and Grammy, close to an hour had passed. Carli was so excited when she walked in and immediately wanted to go out and see all the cows again! Finally she convinced Pa to take Grammy, Ava and herself out again...Momma met them at Grammy and Pa's house with her iPhone camera on the ready....

Ava rode like this the whole time...

Carli helped Pa drive...

The Whole Crew

After we all go back to Grammy & Pa's house, Grammy was watering her flowers and the dogs and found this toad. Ava thought it was pretty cool. She poked it, but when it refused to move for her she thought it was kind of boring and started playing with rocks. Carli just squealed and refused to touch it but she was very concerned about it.

The girls had so much fun yesterday! Carli wanted to know when she could see the cows again this morning! :)

Cousin's Weekend

This past weekend Aunt Chelle, Uncle Andy and Logan came to visit. Acutally, we were having a neighborhood garage sale, so Aunt Chelle brought some things to put in it and Grammy came up to "shop!" The girls were in bed with Aunt Chelle and Grammy arrived late Friday night, but Saturday morning Carli had to know where her Grammy and Aunt Chelle were! Carli and Aunt Chelle were good buddies all day - I wish I had gotten a picture of them sitting in the lawn chairs chatting away. Carli really enjoyed Aunt Chelle's company!

After the garage sale, all the ladies ventured out to do a little more bargain shopping around town and when we got back Uncle Andy, Logan and Pa had come to visit. Carli was so excited to show Logan her new play set!

Such a patient little fellow!

Having a conversation while they swing.

Teamwork!

A little later we all headed out to the lake house so the guys could do a little work on the dock. The night was perfect for sitting out and just enjoying the breeze! Logan FINALLY got to hold his Ava-Bo! He was so excited that she cooperated!

Pa got some lovin' from his pumpkins.

Everybody had to give Ava a kiss!

Logan with his Ava-Bo, giving her a little sugar.

Grammy with her pumpkins enjoying the nice breeze.

It was a LONG Saturday, but it was fun! Thanks Aunt Chelle and Grammy for an awesome day of Garage Selling! And to "Carli's Logan," we can't wait for you to come back and play at the "big water" with Carli and Ava again really soon!

Grandma's Darlings

To say going to see Grandma is the high point of our week is an understatement. Carli looks forward to our weekly trips and is telling me to go to work so she and Grandma can play! Last week, we attempted to get some pictures of Grandma with her two little darlings...

I love this picture of Grandma looking at the girls!

Lady Bugs

It is so fun to see the similarities in my girls, but even more fun to find their differences. Their personalities are so so different. Ava is into EVERYTHING! I kid you not, my house is not baby proof. Yes, Carli did get into things but apparently not to the degree that little Ava does! ha!

All that to say, that last Thursday we were at Grammy and Pa's house and we found some lady bugs. Carli's most recent thing is to find bugs and demand the fly swatter so she can "whack" them. The other day she refused to come into the kitchen because there was a fly, a little fly and when I finally "whacked" it, she still had to be carried to the table! So, when I found the lady bugs, and showed them to her, Carli wanted the fly swatter. But Grammy prevailed and with both girls in her lap, Grammy made the "bugs" fun!

Look at their faces. Carli is squealing with delight but absolutely refusing to touch the lady bug. Ava on the other hand, is in intense concentration poking the lady bug and letting it crawl all over her!


Carli finally worked up the courage to let the lady bug on her but it lasted a mere 3 seconds! Their faces are priceless!

Later that weekend, the June Bugs made their annual appearance and Ava thinks they are awesome. She picks them up and examines them closely - and yes, they are still alive and kicking. Carli in the mean time is freaking out! I've got to get that on video!

Ava's First Water Play

The weather was warm enough last week long enough for Carli to convince me to let her play in the water. This was Ava's first real water playing experience. We got all decked out in our little swim wear and out to the yard we went!




Carli loved it as always! She is most definitely my water baby. Ava wasn't so sure, but I think as the days warm up, she will warm up to the idea that playing in water is much more fun than bathing in it!

Fun in the Hamock Chair

A few true smiles for one beautiful little girl!

Ranger's Opening Day

Keith has been dying to take the girls to a Rangers Game - so when the opportunity arose to go to opening day, we jumped on it. We had an unspoken agreement that the likelihood of making it through the entire game was zilch! But we went in expecting to enjoy the festivities and the girls excitement!

We got to the ballpark about noon. Parking was a breeze - we used the old back way on good 'ol Randal Mill and had no problems and didn't have to walk far, if only we hadn't made our rounds at all the tail gating parties! :) Keith's work had a free BBQ, so we went there first and got some free food. And grabbed some pics too!



And then it was a walk all the way on the other side of the stadium to find Michael and Kelli at their tailgating party. Really, it wasn't that bad of a walk. Ava had a grand time! She loved the front infant carrier. Fit her perfectly - feels safe and secure, but still able to be little Miss Social and smile and wave at all the people we passed.

We had a good visit and then it was time to go into the stadium...


Our seats were way, way up high! :) Carli LOVED it! When the bomber flew over the stadium she was in complete awe. We weren't able to sit still long, but we knew we wouldn't be able too. After the first inning, we headed down to see Uncle Kevin. I forgot my camera - blah - but Carli had an absolute blast playing and playing with him. We finally convinced her to let him go back and watch the game, but I am pretty sure she melted his heart when she said, "You come with me Uncle Kevin, PLEASE?!" :) Priceless.

We made it to the middle of the 5th inning and the heat and lack of a nap finally got to Carli and she was out. Ava wasn't far behind, and the prospect of holding sleeping babies in 90 degree weather was not a good one, so we made our exit. We must have been a sight carrying two sleeping children, because a lady in a golf cart drove by, did a U Turn and commented that just looking at us hurt her back! She gave us a ride to the car.


So, we didn't have to deal with traffic and when the girls woke up about Terrell, we stopped for some supper and to walk around the outlet mall before heading home. All in all, I think the day was awesome - definitely an opening day that only parents can appreciate, but it was fun. Carli now refers to all baseball games as "Ranger Games!" We are looking forward to July when we get to go to the Astros game and watch it from a Suite - pretty sure we will make it through the entire game that time!

Ava Takes a Bottle

Ha! Not really, but this is one of her favorite "teething" toy choices!

Ava's Teething Biscuit

I am not a fan of teething biscuits. They get so nasty and messy that I avoided them at all cost with Carli. But Ava is teething harder than I remember Carli doing so, and she is constantly picking up things (not small objects, but larger items) and putting them in her mouth. So, I gave in and got her some biscuits...



By looking at these pictures you would think she would be a pro at feeding herself cheerios and puffs too - but that is not the case. She refuses to put small things in her mouth. She will try to put them in your mouth, but not hers! Ah, the intricacies of the mind of Ava...

Carli's New Shoes and Gloves

We got home last Thursday and Carli had had an awesome day with Grandma. She had a nap and got to play outside - so she was one happy, fiesty little girl (this has nothing to do with the few M&Ms she may have eaten on the 45 minute drive home!) And where there is energy, there is imagination!


And pretty much, my oven mitts have disappeared more times than I can count over the last few days now. And I can't just ask Carli where are my oven mitts, I must ask, "Carli, where did you put your new shoes and gloves?!"