Arizona Fall Fun

With the arrival of cooler weather we get to spend more time outdoors, whether it be at the park, going for walks, or just playing in the backyard. Ava loves being outside, and Ali seems to really like staring at the trees, sky, and especially dozing during our family walks.

Ava recently had two birthday parties to go to. One at the ranch, which of course was a western-themed party.
Here’s Ava showing off her cowgirl hat.

Feeding the chickens.

Panning for gold.
And of course riding a horse. Note that we had to wait for the brown horse – which was of course the biggest of the horses they had out that day.

The next weekend was a train-themed party at the railroad park. The kids got to play some games outside before riding the train.

Ava loves her little engineer’s hat.
And the girls all had fun on the train.
The cooler mornings have made it more fun for some hiking…here’s Ava from a recent Saturday morning hike.

And of course it is nice enough to ride the tricycle.

And the really big tricycles…



We’ll leave you with a video of Ava on her morning runs with Chase…

Click the image above for the video

Ali at 3 Months

Dear Sweetpea,

Time really goes to fast.  It was just the beginning of summer when you were born, and now we are at the beginning of fall.  3 months of getting to know your sweet and easy going personality. 

This month started with your 2 month immunizations, and you were a rockstar.  You barely cried for a minute, and had no ill effects later.  A few days later you went on your first plane ride to MN.  Of course, you slept the whole time, but that was welcomed by all around us.  You met Uncle John and Aunt Marcy, as well as some cousins and your Ameduri grandparents all for the first time.  Smiles have become a regular occurrence and you laugh at bit at daddy and big sister too.

Sleep has been going well.  We have started an 8:00 bedtime, and you either go all night until 5 am or wake for a 3 am feeding and sleep until 7.  Either way, Mommy gets up more than you do!  Naps are still irregular, but you are always happy to hang out and just watch what's going on around you.  You rarely fuss if tired, and tend to go with the flow of whatever we do during the day.

You are eating well, and growing quickly.  Sometimes a bit of fussy feeding in the evening, but that could be due to being tired and hungry at the same time.  Lots of drooling lately, I wonder if you are starting teething? 

Things you don't like;  tummy time and big sister's loud whines.  Otherwise, you are a very happy baby and enjoy walks outside, baths, being cuddled and playing on the activity mat. 

We can't wait to see what the next month brings! 

We love you with all our hearts,
Mommy, Daddy, and Ava

 

Ali after bath time.

Laughing in her little chair.

Posing for pictures.

Ready to go swimming.

Click the image above for a video of Ali in her bumbo chair

Minnesota (Ali’s first flight)

Ali got to take her first flight  - we spent the first week of September in Minnesota. It was the perfect time to escape the summer heat of Arizona, and let us all enjoy the nice Minnesota weather outside.

After the flight, Ali was ready for a nap…

While Ava had to check out NeeNee’s garden.

Ava’s favorite is always the grape tomatoes.

But she loves showing off the bounty of other veggies that she picked.

After all that work, it was time for some swinging (Ava had to swing at least 3 times a day).

Uncle John and Aunt Marcy came to meet Ali…here’s John with the newest niece.

Ali of course gets to sleep a lot still…

And yes, proof that Ava can wind down…

Pops likes to show that he can still get down to Ali’s level.

And Mom can too…

Cousins Alicia and Maya as well as Papa and Lola came down to see the baby. Ali was all dressed up with her little bootie socks on for the day.

Here’s Ava and Maya in the banana chair.

Lola and Alicia with baby Ali.

All 3 girls were excited for the train to come at the Depot.

Ali still gets dressed up like a baby doll. Let’s just hope that Ava doesn’t start trying to dress her up. Here’s Ali in one of her cool outfits.

Ava and Pops built a little house for her to play in – of course it is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house.

Ava wanted to drive the boat whenever she could. Sometimes even with flowers in hand.

Ava also had fun skipping rocks into the creek at the Nature Center.

Of course a September trip to Minnesota is timed to celebrate Mom and Uncle John’s birthdays. Ava was ready and willing to help open presents.

And we did have to take a ride on the boat too. As Ava’s hair shows, the kept asking Pops to “go faster please”!

When we stopped Ava liked walking on the sand barge. Oh, and she also went skinny dipping….

A trip to Minnesota in the fall isn’t complete unless we take some pictures with pumpkins.

Our little girl is getting so big!

Ali at 8 Weeks | Ava in Ohio | Other Adventures

Baby Ali is growing up fast! She is now 8 weeks old – every day is a new adventure in awareness and exploring for her. Ali is now much more curious about the world around her – the mirror is definitely something she enjoys now too. Of course she still loves to snuggle up on Mom for a little nap as well.

Ali all wrapped up in the “Baby Burrito” pose.

Sleeping in the car seat.

Showing off her new outfit from Lola.

Playing in the activity mat.

Sacked out after eating.

 

A few weeks ago Ava went with Dad to Ohio for a couple of days to see Papa and Lola (Scott’s parents) while Dad had some meetings. For the whole week leading up to the trip, Ava was chatty about going on an airplane and seeing Papa and Lola. On the flight out Ava was super good – she watched movies, played with Play Doh, and read books.

Breakfast at the airport with her suitcase in the background.

Trying to catch fish in the creek.

Riding the penguin at the swim club, where she of course had to show off her swimming to Papa and Lola.

Ava and Lola went to the part one day. Ava got to see a real policeman!

And she found a car to drive.

And of course she loves the rocking whale.

And the swings.

On the way home, we had to take a picture of the T Rex in the airport. Ava also had to take a picture of Dad with the T Rex. And of her backpack with the T Rex. She actually did pretty good photos with Dad’s iphone.

 

Back in Arizona, Ava started preschool on the 15th. She loves her new teachers, playing with old friends, and meeting new ones.

We also managed to have a cool(er) morning last weekend, which is perfect for the train park. It was a light crown, so Ava got to sit in the train engine for a picture.

And of course she did the carousel. Note the purse that she has on – a gift from Lola that she has been carrying around (with “real money” in it) almost everywhere she goes.

This past week Ava decided that she wanted to take Chase for a walk…which turned into a bit of a run for Ava.

Speaking of running…off to chase the kids!