Langers Lovin Life

Welcome Wil Mathew

2011-03-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

On December 29, 2010 at 5:31 pm we welcomed Wil Mathew to the Langstaff family. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. We didn't know the gender before he was born, so needless to say, it was a very exciting surprise! We are so happy to have Wil as a part of our family and can't wait to see the exciting things a boy can bring to our household.

Shredded Beef Chimichangas!!

2011-03-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows that cooking is definitely NOT my forte. However, since I've been off work for the past 6 months and moved out to BFE, I've had to take on the challenge of learning how. I'm happy to say that I am a cook in the making and have actually found a certain fun in cooking. A once dreaded occasion has become something that I somewhat enjoy and I think Shane would have agree, something I've gotten much better at doing. So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to my new favorite recipe blog and a wonderful shredded beef chimichanga recipe. The blog is called For the Love of Cooking and here is the link to those delicious chimichangas I have been raving about. http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2008/05/shredded-beef-chimichanga.html

The beef in these chimichangas is so good. It has the most amazing flavor. I would say that it is better than any beef I've ever eaten at Mexican restaurants. It is really THAT good. I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!

That little voice...

2010-05-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

You know how you hear people say, "and then something told me to....". Maybe it has even happened to you. Well, I have never actually heard that something telling me to do anything until last night. I was sound asleep dreaming about what Shane and I were going to be for halloween (totally random, I know) when it was interrupted by a voice that said in these exact words, "go pull the blanket of your daughter's face or she will suffocate." It was like when you are in the middle of watching something on TV and your show gets interrupted by an emergency broadcast message--just like that. Well, anyway, so I shot straight up out of bed and went to Ella's bed and sure enough, her big fluffy pink blanket was sitting in a giant clump directly over her face! None of the blanket was even on her body. It was all over her head! So, I gasped and took it off and rubbed her little foot to make sure she was okay. She made a little noise so I knew she was okay. I shudder to think what probably would have happened had I not listened to that voice. Thank goodness for the angel watching over us.

Ava's 3rd Birthdayssssss

2010-04-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

Over spring break Shane and I decided to take the girls to St.George to visit my mom and dad (Grandpa and Grandma Cummings) and spend Easter with them. While we were there we were able to throw an early birthday party for Ava (birthday party number 1). Andrea and Casey were there with their kids and then Steve joined us as well. We had so much fun. We also had a picinic followed by rolling easter eggs at the "sand dunes"--a long standing family tradition (which I forgot to bring my camera so when Andrea posts her pics I'll refer you to her blog.) Andrea and I spent a few hours shopping and then the guys and mom golfed. The kids were also able to get in a little swim time at the resort pool. I'll post all the birthday pics now and the Easter pics another day since there are soooo many birthday pics to post! She actually had 4 birthay celebrations. I thing she was very confused, but she woke up almost every morning the week of her birthday with someone singing her happy birthday....doesn't get much better than that!

Birthday party number two was thrown the day before Ava's birthday at her daycare. What a fun time she had! Then, on her actual birthday , April 7, we had a little birthday time (birthday party number 3) where she opened the present we got her, a bike, as well as the presents from Grandpa and Grandma Langstaff. Later I took her and Ella to the park and then that evening Shane helped her ride her bike. She did pretty and it took her no time at all to figure it out.

Ava loves her new Art Desk/Easle that Grandpa and Grandma Langstaff got her

Ava's fourth and final party took place this Saturday where we had a big birthday bash with some of ours and Ava's friends a families. Ava decided she wanted a "Tinkerbell birthday cake" so we did a Tinkerbell theme. There was a giant Tinkerbell bounce house that everyone, including the adults, enjoyed! They really are so much fun! We all had such a great time socializing and spending time with our friends and Ava really loved all of the fun presents she got! I took lots of pictures so sit back because there are lots here for you to enjoy!

My sweet Tinkerbell

This is Ava's good friend Taylor.

Ella had fun playing with the balloons. She had herself all tangled up in the strings. It was so cute!

Lunch time!
Suzy and Josh
Mike took great care of Ella for me!
Taylor, Brandon, Mason, and Ava
My friend Jen also took great care of Ella too! Thanks so much Jen!

Time to eat cake and open presents!

Shane REALLY enjoyed the birthday cake!

Now it's time for the bounce house!!

The Tinkerbell Bouncehouse!

Connor getting his bounce on
Ava LOVED the bounce house!

It didn't take long before the adults were getting their bounce on too!
Jen
Meagan

Bubbles!!

Connor
Brandon

Ava and Taylor

Hangin with our Buddies!

Jen, Me, and Meagan

Dennis chillin!
Nicole, Christine, Tasha, Me, and Laurie
The family pic!
Awww!
Shane Hangin out
Meagan, Suzy and Me

Sad Duck Story

2010-04-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday Shane and I took the girls to St. George to visit my mom and dad over spring break. We figured the duck eggs would hatch so we were anxious to get back and see them. Well, after our 5 day vacation, when we returned on Monday we found 4 of the 11 duck had hatched, but we weren't quite prepared for what we saw. The four baby ducks were "floating" in the pool, and by floating I don't mean swimming. I think you get the idea. It was so sad. We think that they weren't able to get out of the pool and got too cold and died. We discovered there were a couple of eggs still in the nest, and we don't know what happened to the other eggs, so we were hoping that "Jill" would come back and sit on the other eggs. Well, as Shane researched it, he learned that if all the eggs don't hatch together usually the mother will abandon the rest of her eggs. She was flying around the house for a few hours after Shane pulled her babies out of the pool, but we haven't seen her ever since. I just feel so bad for her :( RIP baby ducks!

You're Invited

2010-03-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

I was able to finally get Ava's birthday invitations finished and sent out today and you are all invited! Wish you could all make it! :)

Ducks

2010-02-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

A couple of mornings ago Shane noticed we had a couple of new visitors...a male and female duck.

Meet the daddy duck, "Jack"

And the momma duck, "Jill"

The next day Shane discovered Jack and Jill decided to make a nest next to our pool. Here is the first egg she layed. She has since layed a couple more but she has covered them up so well I couldn't get a picture of them. So, looks like we might be sharing our pool this summer!

Hopefully the eggs will survive the stray cats and unusual environment. Shane has since pulled off the pool cover to give the ducks a nice area to swim (what a softie). Guess he doesn't mind cleaning duck poo out of the pool! I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on the exciting events until they hatch!

Angels Among Us

2010-02-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was preparing dinner and cleaning up the kitchen I decided to slip outside to take something out to the backyard. As I turned to come back into the house, Ava decided to lock the door, so she was locked in the house and I was locked out. For a second I didn't think anything of it because if she knew how to lock it, surely she knew how to unlock it, right? Apparently not. So, for about 10 minutes I tried explaining to Ava through the glass french door how to turn the little knob with no avail. Now I'm starting to get a little bit nervous. We have two other sliding glass doors that open up to the back yard so I decided to try the one that we use frequently knowing that it was probably locked...and it was. So by this time I'm starting to freak out a little bit. I had a pot of boiling water sitting on the stove, Ella sitting in her highchair and Ava getting a little scared not understanding why I'm not coming in the house. Then I remembered our neighbors have a spare key, so I jumped over the fence (Shane keeps the fence door locked and the key is where else? In the house), scraping my hand and ran to the neighbors house, but...they weren't home. I ran back home, jumped back over the fence (who knew I was so good at scaling walls?) and decided to try talking Ava through it one more time. When I got back to the door Ava was starting to get really scared, she had her blanket wrapped around her neck and was sucking her thumb. She had a look of fear and kept asking me why I wouldn't come in the house. I tried again telling her how to unlock the door, but she was turning the lock the wrong way. By now it had been at least 20 minutes and I was really beginning to panic and looking for something to break a window with. So before I did something so extreme I said a little prayer and decided to try one last obvious (but not likely) thing and try opening the other door leading out to the backyard from our bedroom. This door gets used maybe a handful of times a year so I really didn't expect it to be open, not to mention Shane checks all the doors every night before bed, so I just knew it would be locked. Well, wouldn't you know it....the door was unlocked! I wanted to cry when I finally made it into the house.

Now, I'm not trying to suggest that the door miraculously got unlocked, but I do know that it gets checked regularly and is rarely used, and for some reason that door was unlocked. I know someone was watching out for us and am so grateful for little miracles like this to remind me there is something greater than us and I do believe that there are angels among us!

Ava's First Haircut

2010-01-29T22:55:00.000-08:00

Today was a big event for Ava. She got her first haircut. Our neighbor, Tasha (who Ava just adores) cut it for her at her shop. When I told Ava she was getting her hair cut the night before, it was all she could talk about. When we got there she couldn't stop smiling and she loved making faces in the mirrors. Doesn't she look so much older with her hair straightened? I love it! Thank you Tasha for being a part of this. It really means alot to both Ava and I.

Langstaff Family Photoshoot

2010-01-28T16:34:00.001-08:00

Last October, while Andrea and her family came out to California to visit, we got the opportunity to sit in for a family photo shoot with her. I just wanted to share some pictures she took as well as share her talent. These aren't all of the pictures she took, just some of my favorites. I would like to invite you to look at many of the others at her website as well as view other photoshoots she has done. http://andreaspon.com/photography

Andrea is very talented so if anyone is looking for a great photographer give her a call and book an appointment! Thanks Andrea!

Christmas 2009

2010-01-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a VERY long time since I last posted something so I decided to share some pictures from Christmas this year. Ava is at an age that she is starting to understand the excitment of Christmas, so it was a BIG deal this year! She asked Santa for a Barbie house and was really excited when she woke up Christmas morning. Unfortunately we weren't able spend the holidays with family this year, so it was a quiet year with just us, but it was nice anyway!

Helping a Little Girl

2009-10-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to a cause for a little girl, Taylie Abbott by a friend who is a close friend of the family. Taylie is currently living with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and the family is seeking help for their little girl and her treatments. While on Facebook I stumbled across this blog http://adashofseason.blogspot.com. This woman did not know the Abbott family but has come up with a very selfless way to help with donations for this cause. For every person who posts information about "Taylie's Hope" to their blogs, $2 will be donated. Please refer to the above link for details. I don't know little Taylie, but I have two little healthy girls and couldn't imagine what this family is going through. It is my hope that by doing this post, I can help in a bigger way than I would be able to do myself. Taylie's website link is www.tayliebug.com. Please take the time to participate in this cause.

Ella's Birth Announcement

2009-09-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share Ella's birth announcement (in case you haven't seen it already).

Ava's Eventful Week

2009-09-12T21:55:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to share the exciting events that have taken place this week. First, on Monday Shane decided he had had enough of changing Ava's diapers so somehow we convinced Ava to try wearing her big girl panties. After telling her that her diapers were all gone she has been going to the bathroom with very little prompting and doesn't seem to miss those diapers anymore! She is doing very well with her potty training! Yeah! She does have her accidents here and there but overall she is doing fabulous. Even better, after spending a day at her daycare without a potty chair, requiring her to use the "big girl toilet", she only wants to use the toilet now! Yeah again!! What a huge relief to only have one baby in diapers! Way to go Ava!!

Ava's next eventful act also took place this week. I had just stepped out of the shower when Ava came running into my room saying "I did it, I did it!" Well, that usually is a bad sign. When I found her she was holding scissors with pieces of her hair hanging off her arm! She had cut a chunk of her beautiful blonde curls right out of her bangs! I wanted to cry. I couldn't figure out where she learned to do such a thing since she has never received a haircut, nor seen anyone else get a haircut....or so I thought. Well, yesterday as I was watching a recorded episode of Sesame Street there was a segment of these dogs dressed as humans in a barber shop giving each other haircuts! I finally found her inspiration. I guess Sesame Street is quite the educational program! Here are some pictures. It was kind of hard getting a good shot so just look for the short hairs sticking out! Oh, and yes I did save the locks to put in her baby book for her first haircut--ha, ha, ha!

This isn't the best picture. Look at the hairs sticking out on the left. I tried pulling her hair back in a ponytail to see if I could hide it, but this is how it looked after swimming lessons.

Lake Tahoe

2009-09-11T22:31:00.000-07:00

I just realized I promised to post some pictures of our trip to Lake Tahoe we took about 6 weeks ago. We were able to stay at our friend Deanna's family cabin and had a wonderful time. Ella was only 8 days old when we ventured out and she did awesome! Thanks Deanna for showing us such a great time and for your wonderful hospitality!

Ava loved her "Nina" (Deanna)

After we left Lake Tahoe we took a detour to Deanna's home in Nevada City, CA. What a beautiful place. Her neighbor had this giant swing we had so much playing on.

Love My Girls

2009-08-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some pictures of my girls. Ava is doing so good with Ella and is such a great big sister!

Excuses For Being The Worst Blogger Ever!

2009-08-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am officially the worst blogger ever! I realize I am way behind, but in my defense I have had lots of things happen over the past 3 weeks which have caused me to be such a slacker. Case in point:

1. On July 19th the girls from work threw me a baby shower. It was such a great shower. I really didn't need anything except for a double jogging stroller. I have had my eye on this quite expensive, but well worth the $$$, BOB duallie stroller ever since Ava was a baby. After some much needed convincing on Shane's part, I registered for my stroller. So, the girls from work pitched in and got me a gift card to go toward my stroller! I just got the beauty today! (I'll be sure to post some pics later so you can see why I'm making such a fuss over this amazing stroller!!) I will also be adding some pictures of my shower later, which brings me to the next reason I am such a slacking blogger!

2. Ava threw scissors at my brand new lap top, which I have only had for one month,and ruined the monitor! Therefore I am unable to retrieve the pictures from my baby shower until my computer gets fixed! I also dread using my desktop computer and avoid it if I can, so I haven't been too motivated to use it until now. So, you might be wondering why Ava had scissors in the first place? Well, that brings me to the third reason I have been such a bad blogger.

3. On July 23rd at 2:46 am we welcomed Ella Kate Langstaff! Yes, I had my baby! My labor started at about 6:30 that evening. We arrived at the hospital at about 1:00 am and Ella was born 1 hr and 46 minutes later! It happened very quickly and painfully, but it was a great delivery! Ella is perfect. She weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She has been the most perfect baby and Shane and I couldn't be more proud. Ava just loves her to peices. She loves holding her and helping me in any way---let me repeat---any way possible! Oh, what a helper!! She really has adjusted well to having her new little sister and is just so cute with her. So, here is where the scissors comes into play... I really feel like I need to explain. I was cutting a string off Ella's umbilical cord and put the scissors down on the table. I was unable to put them away because Ella was crying and needed feeding. Well, Ava found the scissors and just as Shane went to take them from her she threw them, barely missing me and Ella, and hit the computer screen dead on! I do, however, have pictures to share of Ella's birth since those didn't quite make it on the laptop (thank goodness)!

Love my doctor, Dr. Kaneen

My great nurse, Laura Charleton

4. And the fourth reason I have been such a bad blogger is 8 days after Ella was born, we decided to take a our first family vacation and spent a few days at Lake Tahoe. Again, those pictures will be coming, but I think I'll wait until I get my laptop back!

I Got Lucky!

2009-07-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's just my daughter or a typical toddler, but Ava hates getting her picture taken. So, I decided to take my chances yesterday and got a few good shots of her. Fortunately, I'm using good photo editing software. It's amazing how good editing software can make even the worst pictures look good! Now, I just need to learn how to take pictures so I look like I know what I'm doing!

Love My Daddy

2009-07-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

I just finished another page and thought I would share. I'm trying to figure out how to use these templates so I'm really just playing around. It was fun and I'm so happy that I'm finding the fun in scrapbooking again! This was Ava and Shane when she was 4 months old.

My First Creation

2009-06-29T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well it took me all day, but I did my first digital scrapbook page. I hope now that I'm kind of getting the feel for the program that I might "artsy" side will kick it up a notch so I can do more than one page in one day~ Oh well, it was fun and I'm glad to be figuring it out!

Giving Digital Scrapbooking a Try!

2009-06-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Years ago back when scrapbooking was all about Creative Memories, dye cuts, fancy scissors, punches and stickers I was an avid scrapbooker. I kept up pretty good and actually really enjoyed it. Well, life happened, scrapbooking supplies were put away into storage and I haven't scrapbooked ever since. Needless to say, after years of missing out on the latest scrapbooking trends, my old ways are, well, "old school," and I now have to catch up with the new. So, after looking at lots of different scrapbooks and being educated by my sister, Andrea, I think I'm ready to take it up again. I have been introduced to some new words in my scrapbooking lingo such as Photoshop Elements, embelishment, elements, overlays, brushes, etc... way different from the good ole days! I've decided that rather than doing the traditional manual cutting, sewing, gluing, and taping blah, blah, blah-- you know all the stuff that takes way too much time, I would allow my computer to do the dirty work. I am taking on DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING!! I have learned there are several ways to perform this challenge so for my first project, just to get my feet wet, I went to a website called Smilebox where all I had to do was add pictures--so easy! While I don't plan on this being my method of scrapbooking I thought I'd try different techniques to find what works best for me. Eventually, I hope to move up to expert status and someday become as good as my sister, Andrea Sponenburgh. You really must check out her blog to see the adoreable scrapbooking pages she has done both traditionally and digitally http://andreaspon.com. What an inspiration!

Below I have put together a scrapbook of Ava's birth. I chose this so that when the new baby is born I will put together some scrapbook pages and be able to share a comparisons of their births. I can't wait to see what this little princess is going to look like! Anyway, enjoy for now and I'll be sure to add updates as I learn more and more about the digital scrapbooking world. Andrea, I'll be in touch!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Trip to San Diego and Salt Creek Beach

2009-05-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

We were able to take a little vacation a couple of weeks ago down to San Diego where we visited the San Diego Zoo, followed by Sea World. What a hit! I have to say I love Sea World! It is so refreshing and clean, and not to mention, Ava had a blast! After all of the park fun we headed up a little bit north to Mission Viejo where we met up with our friends, Ken, Rachael, and Paul Franklin who were out visiting from Maryland. Rachael and I took Paul and Ava to Salt Creek Beach while Shane and Ken played (what else?)--golf. It was such a beautiful day and I just have to post these pictures of sweet Paul! What a beautiful little boy! Ken and Rachael, we had a blast with you--even if it was short lived and we can't wait for you to move out here!!

San Diego Zoo!

Sea World! Ava loved the Shamu show. Everyday she walks around the house yelling "Shamu, Shamu" waving her arms up and down like the whale fin. She loved the whales and talks about it all the time.

Ava got the chance to meet Elmo and Big Bird. She didn't really want to pose with them she just wanted to give Elmo lots of hugs!

Ava and Shane before the 4D Sesame Street show. It was so funny watching Ava during the show as she tried grabbing for everything and falling back when things shot toward her face! True entertainment!!

Salt Creek Beach!
While waiting for Shane and Ken to play golf, Rachael and I took the kids to a local beach and it was absolutely beautiful! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the kids had a great time!

Paul--Isn't he adoreable!!!

I love this picture of Rachael and Paul--so precious!

Ava Turns 2!!

2009-05-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

It seems like she was just born, but our little Ava turned two years old on April 7th. We had a small birthday party in our backyard with Minnie Mouse as the theme. We had our close friends over and had a great time. Thank you to all of our friends who came to join in the celebration. Times like this can be difficult with family living so far away, so your friendship means so much to us. Thank you all for your loving support! We truly treasure your friendship. Ava had a great time!

Ava pushing Cameron Cardoza

Opening presents! Sophie Garcia, Mason Cardoza, Ava and me

Looks like trouble. Ava and the boys: Brandon Cardoza, Ava, Mason Cardoza, and Trent Wanagitis

She refuses to smile because she hates getting her picture taken, Ava eating her birthday lunch.

Tasha Wanagitis and Jayden Mcnew

Lots Going On!

2009-05-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

So, I have been very bad at keeping up my blog. I guess I'll use being super busy as my excuse as you will see by the pictures I will be posting. We'll start back at the end of March:

Shane, Myself, and Ava took a spring break trip to Idaho where we had an early Easter celebration and also did an early celebration of Ava's birthday. It was such a great time. Ava loved playing outside ALL day long and getting to play with her cousins. She had a blast doing the easter egg hunt, and you can't forget the CANDY--always a hit! For her birthday party we had the entire family up to my mom and dad's house where we colored easter eggs and enjoyed eating "Pooh" cake--all of us except Ava. She actually started dry heaving when she tasted it. I'm not sure if it tasted that bad or if she just couldn't handle eating Pooh! It was such and wonderful trip and we look forward to the next.

The kids all lining up for the easter egg hunt!

Ava and Jake looking for easter eggs

The kids all got kites. Looks like Jo needs some help.

Jordyn flying her kite

Ava and cousin Dillon playing with bubbles

Ava and cousin Jaislyn sportin their new shades!

Now on to the birthday party:

Ava, cousins Jordyn and Kylee coloring easter eggs

Ava's design

Grandma Cummings made Ava her own apron and she was so excited!

The infamous Pooh cake!

No pooh cake here--only icecream for the birthday girl!

Ava having fun opening presents

It just wouldn't be Idaho to mix up the beautiful 70 degree temps with a little snow and 20 degrees the next day. It was pretty fun for us since we don't get to see the snow much. Shane took Ava on her first sleigh ride and then built a snowman together. She had a blast!

I hope this isn't yellow snow.

Our Sweet Blessing

2009-03-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

It was Thursday afternoon on February 26, 2009. I was driving home from the mall when I received a call from my Obstetrician. When I saw her number show up on my phone I knew it couldn't be good news. I had just had my AFP levels drawn 2 weeks prior (AFP stands for alpha feto protein and is a blood test that measures protein and hormone levels which can help determine if a baby is at risk for having Down Syndrome, neural tube defects or other chromosomal defects) and knew if she didn't call everthing would be fine, but she did. She told me my AFP test came back positive and that our baby had a 1 in 44 risk for possibly having Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, a rare chromosomal abnormality which is a condition essentially incompatible with life. The children have a wide range of multi-system anomalies which can include heart defects, brain defects, webbed hands, rocker bottom feet, kidney problems, cleft lift and palate, the head may be small with low set ears, just to name a few of the problems these children have. As she was telling me the information, my mind drifted back 2 1/2 years prior to an experience I had while I was working in the nursery. I was called to a delivery to a baby born with an unknown diagnosis of Trisomy 18. I remembered the CPR I had to initiate to this poor little deformed baby while thinking and praying that our savior would take this broken child home with him. The child ended up dying after 3 days.

She told me that my next step was to set up a Level II Ultrasound with a Perinatologist and that an amniocentesis would also be an option. After hanging up the phone with my doctor I pulled over to the side of the road and sobbed. I couldn't escape the images of that poor baby and the grief his parents were experiencing, and just knowing that I may be carrying the same type of child was too much to bare. When I got home I told Shane the news. We went to the internet and did lots of research where we found that there was a high false positive rate for AFP results. We also found comfort to know that the odds were on our side. 1 in 44 meant that my risk was only a 2.2% chance that our baby actually had the disorder. Needless to say, we did a lot of soul searching and a lot time praying. I don't think I prayed so hard in my life.

The following Tuesday we had our appointment with the Perinatologist. The ultrasound showed a normal baby girl. We found so much relief in that visit, but opted to go ahead with the amniocentesis to confirm the diagnosis. The results took 7-10 days which were the longest days of my life! Finally, yesterday, on the 10th day, Friday, March 13 we received our amnio results. The doctor called me at work and told me she had good news and that Shane and I were having a healthy baby girl and the amnio was negative! I just started crying and thanking my doctor over and over again, and then she started crying! What an amazing relief! And who said Friday the 13th was an unlucky day???

Shane and I feel so blessed and thankful that our prayers were answered. We had so many thoughts and prayers extended to us and we couldn't be more grateful. Thank goodness for our sweet little blessing! In just 2 weeks my love for this sweet angel has grown into something so special and I just can't wait for her to arrive and be able to share this love with her.

Photo Tag

2009-02-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

I got tagged by Andrea

***Rules***
1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.
3. Post it on your bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 other glorious peoples to do the same thing and leave a comment on their bloggy tellin’ them ’bout it.

I love this picture. This picture was taken of Ava when she was 5 months old and we were spending a nice warm day outside by our pool. I was drinking my water and she kept trying to suck on it, so I decided to give her a taste and boy did she every enjoy it! She kept putting her mouth back on the spout for more. It was so cute to see her little expressions!

I tag: Christine Grontkowsky
Amy Henry
Misty wray
Tim and Lori Hoffman

Disneyland

2009-02-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

This year for my birthday I decided to make it a girls trip to Disneyland with Ava, my good friend Meagan Gagliardini, and her daughter, Taylor. We went for 2 days and had a great time! Ava really loved the rides and especially loved the characters! I had such a fun time watching her.

The "Terrible Twos" Are Beginning!

2009-01-31T11:52:00.000-08:00

While I was working and Shane was busy making dinner, he noticed that unsettling quietness. When he went to check on Ava this is what he found....

Yes, Ava was taking dirt from my plant and burying her yippy dog all over my couch! Needless to say, the plant's not doing so hot right now, and as for that yippy dog...the batteries are dead (hee, hee, hee!)

CALM

2009-01-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

We took Ava for a visit to a local zoo called CALM (California Living Museum). She really enjoyed the animals and being able to just run and enjoy the outdoors!

Day at the Park

2009-01-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

I can hardley believe it is January! We decided to take Ava for a day at the park to enjoy the beautiful 65 degree temperatures, yes I said 65! Ava loves going to the park and today is the first day in a few weeks that we have been able to go. So, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather. She loves to swing, swing, swing and then fit in a little bit of sliding, then it's right back to the swings! It was so much fun watching her play--oh, to be a little kid again!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

Here it goes....

2008-12-28T14:58:00.001-08:00

So my sister, Andrea, has been trying to convince me for months now to create a blog. I'll have to say, I have always been interested and enjoy looking at hers as well as many of my other friends' blogs but have never felt like I have had the time or patience to keep one up. So, here it goes! I'm about to take on the challenge. So far it hasn't been too bad, although I have needed a little technical support from someone who knows what they are doing (thanks Camille!-- I'm sure we'll be in touch :))

I guess I'll start by telling about our holidays. They were so much fun and so many fun memories were made! Thanksgiving was spent in Idaho this year. Unfortunately, Shane had to work, so Ava and I ventured out together from the nice California 70 degree temps to the frigid Idaho 20's! It was kind of nice to be able to have a change in seasons and break out the sweaters, but I think I've had my fix until next year! The whole family was at my parents house and we had a great Thanksgiving. The next day we hit the "Black Friday" shopping, and although it was rough and exhausting, I think we all got some great deal! Shane sure is loving his new Blue Ray I had to fight for!

Christmas was spent in Bakersfield. Shane's parents, Mark and Sherry, came out from Rapid City, SD for a week to help us celebrate and spend time together. We had a very nice Christmas and Ava got very spoiled. Now I'm just trying to find room for all of the new toys Santa brought for her (dang Santa)! Anyway, the holidays were wonderful and we are so grateful to everyone for all of the nice gifts and wonderful time and memories we were able to spend and create together.

I hope you all had holidays as great as ours. Until next time...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ava and Grandpa Cummings

2008-11-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Ava and I spent the weekend in Idaho after my dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor. These pictures were taken a couple days after his surgery. I might add he is doing very well!