Ava loves to show off her mad basketball and walking skills.

Ava and Her Bandaids :(

She still fits in the sling! Yes!

The mittens are too big, but cute, nevertheless.

Just an Update

Yesterday, Ava had a doctor appointment and got 5 shots! She is almost 13 months old now, and weighs 18.­6 pounds and is 27 1/2 inches tall (or 28 1/2, we can't remember which and I didn't write anything down).­ I was surprised, because on our home scale, I thought she was 20 pounds.­ I think their scale was off.­ She started really walking two weeks ago and now uses walking as transportation probably just as much as crawling.­ She is becoming more and more individual and independent all of the time.­ For example, a couple days ago I made her a delicious lunch of baked potatoes and broccoli and she responded first by throwing it piece by piece on the floor, then when she saw me coming, grabbed the whole plate, and with a sweet smile, dumped it into her lap.­ The same thing happened at dinner.­ I think I need to start reading parenting books.­.­.­She says a few words now ("Daddy," "Mama," and "Cheese," her three loves), and signs please, thank-you, more, and all done.

Josh's semester starts next Monday and he is really excited.­ He is taking a child psychology (thank goodness, now I will know what goes on in Ava's brain), English, PreCalculus, information systems, weights, and a Doctrine & Covenants institute class.­ He will still be working as a math tutor in the afternoons and evenings.­ I am excited for him, too, but will miss having him around.­ We've had some great times while he has been home in the mornings.­ We have gone on bike rides, had picnics, ran errands together, and other fun stuff.­

As for me, my sister and I have been walking in the mornings which is very cool.­ I love being a mommy and staying home with Ava! She is so fun to be with and makes me laugh a lot! The End.­

This was Ava's first bike ride and she loved it. We have taken her on a couple more. We think that she is the most adorable girl in the world!!!!

Holidays are GREAT!

Sorry we haven't posted anything for a really long time! Hey this is my (Katie's) first time writing a post and I am excited!
We had a fabulous holiday season! We spent Christmas in Queen Creek, Arizona with Josh's family. It was great: we went iceskating, ate delicious foods (with emphasis on the desserts! a lot of 'em!) re-enacted the Nativity with a thrift store dress up twist, sang Christmas songs, wrapped presents until the wee hours of the morning, watched Christmas movies, had nerf gun wars, played board games, danced! It was so fun and made us realize again why we love Arizona and its people so much! The time there flew by and we returned on the 26th to Las Vegas. So now I am going to figure out how to post pictures




Ava's Christmas outfit from Great-Grandma Carol

We celebrated Ava's first birthday in Arizona. Poor child didn't know what to do with a cupcake.

With Aunt Aleese

Our loveley gingerbread house, complete with flagstone walkway and frosting snowman by Josh.

A visit with Natalie, friend since birth:)