Tea party fun!

Ava having a tea party with Abuelo...too precious!

Santa Baby...

Ava's back pack...such a big girl!
Ava and her first baby doll.

Showing off her baby.

Our little santa bunny.

Ava and her full gear santa outfit...which she sported to church the next day.

Hello Everyone,

So we celebrated Christmas a little early with Abuelo and Abuela this weekend. Ava got a lot of fun presents...a tea set which she has yet to stop playing with, a sweet back pack, and her very first baby doll. She says the word baby so well now- and it is so sweet to hear. She cradles and kisses it often. Such a good little mommy...

Corey and I actually went on a little date this past friday...our good friend Christin took care of Ava, and Ava had such a good time that she wanted to leave with Christin! HA! So much for being missed!

I have been busy trying to prepare for our road trip- tons of packing still to do, and a lot more details to think up- but still trying to be calm...and at peace. The EXCITEMENT is just killing me though to see and spend time with family. We are set to head off to Indianopolis on Christmas Eve, and then head the rest of the way to Minnesota. Pray for good weather...it supposed to be icy conditions in Indy.We really need wisdom more than anything. We calculated the overall mileage of our trip: 2,000+ miles....YIKES! Enjoy the latest pics...and the short video of Ava and Abuelo's tea party...too cute.

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Ava and her new rocker...

Ava seeing her rocker for the first time (A present from Grandma & Grandpa Garris)

Our big girl...

Ava and her pigtails...first official hairstyle :)
Ava's pigtails waving "bye-bye" to Daddy in the morning...So sweet.

Ava and her new rocking chair. (A B-Day gift from Grandma &

Grandpa Garris- Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!)

Hello Everyone,

Here are a couple of picks of Ava..in her new rocker...a gift from Grandma & Grandpa Garris :)...made by Amish Originals. It's absolutely beautiful, and Ava has already taken a liking to it...although she has attempted to stand on it a few times! YIKES! She really thinks that she is big stuff! Too fun! In all seriousness, she is growing rapidly. I was able to keep her head straight enough to make some cute pigtails. LOVE IT! Can't wait to do more hairstyles with her one day :) We head off on another adventerous road trip soon...covet all prayers for safety and an overall good time :)....Expect more of an update soon!

(I will be posting video footage of Ava seeing her rocker for the very first time...too cute!)

Blessings,

Cyndia

Thanksgiving memories...

Daddy and Ava in a tender moment...so precious...

Loving the Christmas tree I just put up yesterday...she keeps pointing at it!

Mom feeding Ava some yogurt...YUMMY!

Sitting with Abuelo eating a Maria Cookie (Straight from the Island)

Already learning about church planting

What static will do to you...YIKES!

Stacking blocks like a big girl...her highest is 5, impressive!

She claps for herself every time she gets one on top of the other. So cute!

Sitting in her big girl car seat for the first time! SO BIG!

Hello Everyone,

Quick update: Thanksgiving was WONDERFUL...loved every minute. Relaxing, good food, and good times. Of course Ava and I are still recovering from our colds, but she slept well, had a great time, and made lots of memories. Abuelo and Abuela are going through Ava withdrawl...Things I will miss: 1) Ava's ongoing conversation with my Dad...she talked his ear off! (Nothing understandable of course!) 2) Dancing and enjoying music with the fam 3) GREAT food...3) Mom and Ava stacking blocks 4) Ava blowing kisses to abuelo and abuela when we left...so precious! (She even makes the smacking sounds!) Enjoy the latest!

Warmly,

Cyndia

Bundled Up

So I think she just looks adorable in her little winter hat (also a Canini orginal). The pictures don't do her justice...

Update and cute shots of friends & Zoo fun

Ava and Jordan at the zoo...aren't their little tushes cute?
Charlie Lorsen (in Ava's pink onsie after a blowout :), Ava & Jordan Mazak. Notice how Ava stands over them? Ha! A princess for sure!

Ava pointing at the animals.

Barbara and Charlie (aka Charlize after the blowout!)

Ava and my good friend Laura...who moved to Bloomington. (I miss her...:)

Hello Everyone,

So I know that it has been a while since my last real update...so I am going to try and attempt to brief you on the latest regarding our family.

I have been learning a lot about what it means to be a good wife, and mother...and have found out that I fail miserably at trying to be the best at both of these things. BUT- that's okay, because it makes me realize how much more I have to learn, and allow God to do in and through me.

Corey has had some really growing times as work...I have been so proud of how he has dealt with things in the midst of disappointment and times that have asked for an increase in his faith. He is an amazing man...and I am so in love with him. The way that he loves and serves others...the way that he gives of himself...he really is a great example of humility and wisdom. Some of the best times of my day are spent debriefing with him- hearing about his day...and then allowing me to share the many new things that Ava and I did or that she learned. (Which has been incredible to see and be a part of on a daily basis.)

Ava continues to steal our hearts..literally. She has always had a really compassionate heart, but now you can visibly see her concern for others who may be sad...or even happy. She shares in people's joys, and grieves when she sees others grieving. She is walking fast now. I am going to post some footage as soon as I get the chance. She loves the outdoors, and has more of...ummm..an opinion about going back inside. :)...She is eating, sleeping, and playing like a champ. She LOVES to be out anywhere..park, store, church...you name it she just wants to be out there. She waves at people even when they don't care...and smiles and dances like there is no tommorow. It makes me laugh daily.

We are planning to go to Cleveland to see my parents for Thanksgiving, and then we head off to Minnesota to see my Sister and her family for Christmas, and then head off to Nebraska to see more of our family for the New year...So once again Ava will be clearing some serious mileage. I am hoping for the best as always..and I think having a better attitude than last year is helping:)...(Have you ever noticed that when you complain things seem even worse?)

Well I hope to most more pics soon. I have had a really patient little girl waiting here for me to get ready so that we can head off to the library :)...Much Love!

Warmly,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Styling and Profiling

Check out Ava's stylish gear...provided by friends. Her boots our rockin'!

Go BUCKEYES!!!!

We may not win...but we are hoping and sporting the goods ;)...GO BUCKEYES!!!

Video # 3 Eating Cake

A video of Ava eating her cake.

Video # 2 Singing Happy B-Day

Our shy birthday girl.

Video #1 Gift Digging

Ava digging into her gifts.

Ava's One Year B-Day Party

Hello Everyone,

Here are a few shots of Ava's B-Day party. It was held at our good friend Monica's house. (Her place is really classy :) & Ava adores her.) You will see Monica handing her to me when we begin to sing Happy B-Day in one of the videos that I have posted. We had such a good time, and Ava got some sweet gifts. She was really shy trying to dig into her cake, but she liked the taste of it :)...My good friend Sara Nauman and I made the cake, and cupcakes. It took forever, but I think they turned out fantastic! :) (In my humble un-biased opinion)

Corey read a letter to Ava, one of many that he will be writing to her every year on her birthday. It brought tears to my eyes. He had spent several days trying to get it just right...I think his words were the best gift of all...even though Ava couldn't appreciate them yet:)

A BIG thank you to all who could come! We were so grateful for all of our friends that made the day so special!

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Ava is ONE!

Hello Everyone,

So I am a bit behind, BUT on Friday October 3rd...our baby turned ONE! WOW! Corey and I have commented that it was fast and slow all at the same time. We have been cherishing our time with her recently. She is at one of the funnest stages. She is trying to talk more and for the most part is a joy to be around :)...There has not been one instance that I can recall where someone hasn't commented on how joyful Ava is...I could be running errands, going for a walk, or just out visiting folks, and inevitably Ava will turn heads with her smile. Corey and I giggle every night about whatever she has done...whether it's crawling head first into the laundry basket, belching like a sailor, giving us hugs and kisses in the morning, riding her Daddy like a pony...just writing these things makes me laugh.

I have been recovering from a small breakdown last week...for a while Ava felt like waking up at 4:30 a.m. ready for the day...and unfortunately not even the roosters are up at that time of day! BUT she has recovered and is now waking up at a decent hour, and sleeping through the night. I had to put life into perspective once again...and get out of my little bubble. So much is going on in the world...is it not? I have been pressed to reflect on the things that really do matter...and the things that I cannot change. God is good...no matter how crappy I feel like the things around me are. He is still good...Enjoy the latest. We FINALLY caught Ava walking!

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Videos of Some of Ava's New Tricks

Ava discovering her Belly Button! So cute!

You will have to listen pretty closely, but after Ava brushes her teethe she looks at Corey says,"Dada!", and then points at me and says, "Mama!"You will also see her getting off of the couch, as well as walk some...She's so talented!

Ava's New Tricks

Hello Everyone,

So I thought I would post some more Ava TV for your viewing pleasure of some of her latest and greatest...Of course we still have not filmed Ava walking- even though she has become really good at it lately. Last Sunday she made Mom sweat! She can now officially brush her teeth & hair, "ride the pony", crow like a rooster, gives hugs and love, waves "hi" and "bye", gives high fives, and can climb up and down from things (really pretty scary for Mom)...Hope you enjoy...Some of the pics were taken on Ava and I's trip to the park by our house. You will also see a picture of her friend Cian only a week younger than Ava. Ava has also taken a liking to reading the paper like her Dad...so funny! She also supported her other team...the Cornhuskers. (Of course she still says that she bleeds scarlet and gray :) GO BUCKEYES!!!)...

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Wind Storm 08 - aka Hurricane Ike

Hello Everyone,

So there is much to report! Recently here in Columbus,OH we were hit with a massive unprecedented windstorm that took out nearly 50% of all residents power. We unfortunately were one of victims of Hurricane Ike's wind. We lost power on Sunday of this past weekend and did not get it back until 7:30 p.m. last night. I was NOT the greatest trooper about things, but thankfully I have a husband that looks at things like this and says, "It is what it is, and everything will be okay..." We lost most, if not all of the food in our fridge, but thankfully we had not gone to the grocery store...It gave us perspective on all the people that are currently without power in Texas who not only don't have power but have also lost their homes. Corey kept reminding me that there are many countries that take cold showers, and have less than 1 hour of electricity a day...I kept reminding him that this is why I live in the US :)...All kidding aside...you never know how much you appreciate the luxuries of this life, until you lose them. I have been griping for quite sometime that I don't have a house...BUT then when the power came back on, I was so thankful for our apartment. There are many in Columbus that STILL do not have power. Corey actually had a day off from work because the church still does not have power.

Ava is growing more and more daily. She is walking...her record is 13 steps. She is talking, and clearly knows how to say Mama and Dada...When she says "mama" it sounds like a whine...but when she says "dada" it is with emphatic enthusiasm...hmmmm...she is kind of a manipulator. She is also starting to sleep through the night on a somewhat regular basis. Last night she slept from 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m....WOW! Mom feels like a new woman.

My Awesome Family

Hello Everyone,

So Corey just finished another wedding this past weekend. He did yet another wonderful job. They were an adorable couple. Ava was making friends all over the place dishing out her awesome smile and waves. Everyone fell in love...of course who could blame them! Enjoy!

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava