Vacation Memories...

Hello Everyone,

So we made it back from vacation! YIPPEE!! It was quite a memorable vacation, as we headed off to Branson, MO with our good friends Paul, Kelly & Jordan (1year old). We decided to try and drive through the night so that the kids could sleep, BUT the kids had other plans. As we began our journey Ava cried for about an hour and half trying to get comfortable and sleeping off and on between the cries. Jordan was a trooper and fell asleep in the midst of her struggles, but unfortunately he too was rather uncomfortable and continued to battle a drooping head as he fell asleep- so after about 3 and half hours into the 12 hour trip both kids were screaming their little heads off. Corey began to try to do the double "shushing" action to try and soothe the kids, along with everyone else in the van trying to re-assure the kids that everything was going to be alright. We proceeded to make the decision to rent a hotel room and sleep the rest of the night. We slept at a Super 8 in Terre Haute- where we then proceeded to try and soothe the kids to sleep (VERY HARD)...Ava slept on Corey's chest, and all of us were just plain exhausted. The next day however the kids did so well, and we arrived in Branson to find an eager Grandma and Grandpa Garris. The rest of the trip was spent by the pool, shopping, visiting some of the sites, and enjoying good company...Some of the fondest memories of the trip that I will miss...in no particular order:

1.) Jordan saying "bask-eet- ball" a million times (The biggest basketball addict at age 1!)

2.) Ava and Jordan bonding and hugging each other

3.) Grandma and Grandpa chasing Ava and playing with her

4.) A racoon-ravaged trash that we mistakenly left out the night before

5.) Playing canasta and watching the olympics...(the girls won the ultimate championship)

6.) Watching Ava just LOVE the pool, and leaving her mark everywhere...(she did some really BIG poopies as Jordan would say!)

7.) The drive home to be back in the place we love...

Enjoy the shots from the trip...

Love,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Our Princess

Hello Everyone,

So we are off to vacation today...a little anxious, but hopeful that it will be a fun time, especially being with our friends and family. Hope you enjoy the latest shots of Ava...she is wearing a Canini original...Thanks guys- for blessing us with the use of all of the girl's beautiful clothing. (For those of you that don't know we have some friends that have blessed us with the use of their twin girl's clothing...It is truly one of our greatest gifts!) You rock Ben, Jeanie, Sophie & Lily!!!

Peace,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Ava Clapping

Ava and her clapping skills :)

The Latest Slide Show

Hello Everyone,

I thought I would post some of the latest pics of Ava since I am sure you would like to see more :)...She is getting cuter by the day...Some of the shots you'll see Ava playing with her favorite toys...the DVD's and Videos, as well as the laundry basket that she now likes to climb into. Hmmmm so much for all of the fun toys she has right next to the DVD's! The other day she climbed into the toy chest...by the time we grabbed the camera she had done a face plant into the carpet...and of course the tears came. She also did a face plant into the entertainment center as she was playing with her DVD's...she cut her upper lip, as you can see from the hat shots. I about died...I was right next to her, and unfortunately it all happened so quickly...I was reminded that I can't protect her from everything...Humbling, and of course a reminder to me to continue to pray for safety for her, as I am sure that I will continue to pray this for the rest of her life...Enjoy the latest video of her clapping skills. Whenever we say "good job" she claps for herself! Too funny! She also claps when there is music playing...it's really the sweetest thing to see.

Lots of LOVE,

Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Ava Dancing

Ava dancing...I really like her "strike a pose" move...NICE...

Living up to her Name...

Hello Everyone,

So here are some of the shots from Abuela's visit to Columbus, and our visit to Cleveland. Ava is 10 months old today, and getting herself into a ton of trouble lately. She seems to understand the word "no", but does not obey it. Today she wound up giving her father fits as she turned the TV from cable to antenna...we were down to 36 channels in a matter of seconds...and for those of you who know the both of us we are VERY technically challenged. It took us about half an hour to get it back to normal....Ahhhhh the joys of parenthood. She also has a competitive spirit as she tried to race her father and I up the stairs. We have no idea where she gets her competitive spirit from! 'wink' wink'....We had a wonderful time with Abuela although I think Ava wore her out...as she admitted that having one of Ava is like having three! Enjoy the latest...I have also attempted to post some more video footage for your viewing pleasure....More to follow...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava