The Fighter's

Ava had her first "arts & crafts" class today at our local rec center. The class lasts an hour and every week they'll make something artsy. She was SO excited to go...not only does she love doing arts and crafts, but she was excited about other kids being there and felt like such a "big" girl as this was the first class (besides Sunday School) that she got to go without Mom. I went in to fill out paperwork at the beginning of the class, and she very confidently said to me "this is just a kid class Mom." On that note I left! Today she made an Octopus. Instead of hanging on to every piece of art work (as much as I would love to)...I decided I'll take digital pics which will save some space for the extra special things she does through the years that I'll want to keep!

About twice a day Ava decides to tackle Kate or visa versa , and it ends up in a wrestling match. They roll all over the floor, giggling like crazy. I'm a little nervous about this new found game because Ava is so much bigger than Kate, but it seems no matter how hard Ava tackles Kate...she goes back for more. I stand by through the matches and am usually able to break them up before they end up with someone crying, but they do have so much fun together...and I just love their sweet sister giggles. Much different than the spit tortures I used to give my brother's (hopefully the girls don't ever learn that trick;-)).

2 giant truckloads, piles and piles of boxes and lots and lots and lots of greatly appreciated help from family and friends later...we're moved in! What a whirlwind! There are still boxes everywhere but we are making a good dent in it day by day. As someone who likes to have everything in order, right now ...it's been a tad tough looking around at the disarray , but I keep reminding myself that it will get done. And...we are so happy to be in our new home! I made dinner for the first time tonight in our new kitchen which was so fun (just need to remember where I stashed everything...took me 5 minutes to find the cutting board!). We are so thankful to everyone that came to help this past weekend...Mom F, brother Bobby and his girlfriend Katie for driving all the way up from Columbus for the day to help. Mom F is a pro at this moving stuff and helped keep things flowing...always going above and beyond! Katie was great with the girls, and I loved watching Bobby and Doug just be ...

...Can't describe how much I love to hear my little munchkins speak their first words. Kate's been speaking new words every day...sentences (her favorite..."I got you"...followed by a cheeky grin and laugh). It really is one my favorite things about being a mom...watching them learn new things, speak new words, do new things. Not much can compare. Even Ava's 50 billion questions in a row..."Mommy...how does the sun go down?" or "Daddy...how does it rain"...followed by 50 more "why's" and "how's". I don't think I could ever get tired of that! We snapped a quick movie of Kate's speaking her word for Grandpa..."Pee-paw". Yes...she calls him "Pee-paw".

Caught a few pics of the girls snuggling with their Grandma to read the new children's Bible they got for Easter:-) Ava's favorite story...the "sneaky snake".

One of our favorite games to play lately is "Ava & Kate's beauty shop". I am the customer, and Ava & Kate "beautify" my hair with a brush and goody barrettes , and in return, I pay them pretend money. Ava also likes to do Kate's hair...as is evidenced by the many barrettes in the picture below. It is so funny to watch...Kate sits patiently, letting her sister tug and pull at her small bit of hair:-) Kate is also a BIG fan of headbands. She puts them on herself...sometimes multiples...and it's always good for a laugh. You should give the shop a try sometime...

We had a double whammy this weekend. Not only did we celebrate Easter, but we celebrated our guy's 32nd birthday! Uncle Pat made the drive home, making our weekend family time more complete! Easter morning began with the girls finding their Easter baskets...they were thrilled with jelly beans, crayons, paint, bubbles and a new Children's Bible. After that was breakfast (egg casserole made especially for my birthday boy), then church, followed by an Easter egg hunt. While the girls were down for a nap, Doug and Uncle Pat went out for a round of golf and my mom and I went and picked up coffee and then for a stroll around Lowe's (needed her advice on paint colors and carpet)! We came home and put together beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes and veggies for dinner. Uncle Rob & Aunt Carly came to join us which made the girls extra happy (especially when Aunt Carly painted their fingers and toes red...she makes them feel so special:-)). After dinner we sang happy birthday t...

We are so excited to have a new place to call our own. Closed on our new house yesterday and couldn't be more elated! Our family lived so many great memories in our house in Columbus and we're looking forward to the prospects in our new home. We are going to take the next few weeks to clean and paint and other odds and ends before officially making the move. My parents have been awesome letting us bunk with them until the house is ready...we are truly thankful for their generosity and giving up of their space for a few weeks. They have been troopers to say the very least. Here's a first picture of the girls in our new home...many more to come!

Kate found Grandpa's glasses today. She has a little personality all her own...that's for sure. Our little comedian always looking for a laugh. And once she finds a way to make us smile she hams it up even more! Ava had to get in on the action as well. And Grandpa...isn't it maybe time for a new pair of glasses? We're not in 1980 anymore:-)

We had planned a while back to take a trip to Florida with our neighbors...little did we know it would fall smack dab in the middle of all our moving craziness. But...it ended up being perfect timing...just what we needed to take a break for some much needed relaxation and fun! Day 1 - Airplane! Ava was SO excited to go on the airplane. She insisted on carrying her Dora book bag onto the plane herself and sat by the window to watch all the action. Her little sis followed right behind her. They did great on the plane...I packed some activities and the DVD player! Not to mention snacks...all wonders when stuck on a full flight with a 3 and almost 2 year old!! Day 2 - Pool and Downtown Disney We started out with intentions of heading to the beach for the day...but because of rain, decided to go to the world's largest McDonald's . Kids always love McDonald's ...so we thought what the heck! And we were right...not only were there hundreds of food choices, but lot of games and ...

Grandma made cupcakes with the girls for Aunt Carly's birthday....well...Ava helped...Kate helped herself by stuffing her face....:-) Still eating...Kate likes her cupcakes!!

We've had a crazy month and a half of selling our house, moving, vacation and buying a house...so I've been slacking on my blog and now trying to play catch up! We're still in the midst of the busyness...so I'll do my best! After about a year of "sitting" on the decision and lots of prayer for guidance...we made the decision to move North. A new adventure! So.... Step 1 - Sell the House: Check! We did it! Despite the recent downturn in the housing market, gloomy reminders and prospects from the media, a few blank stares accompanying the question... "in this market?"...we did it. We sold the house. I think it was the most exhausting thing we've ever done. It's hard to get used to the idea of living 2 hours away from those we so dearly love in Columbus, and to leave the city where we met, fell in love and started our family. And constantly preparing for showings with a 3 year old and 1 year old...not the easiest thing in the world as they'r...

We've been taking advantage of the springy weather we've had this past week. Looking forward to warmer days!

We broke out the hot air popcorn popper and the girls thought it was the best thing ever! Anticipating... Popcorn!

Ava and Katelyn have a fake dog named Lucky that Ava has grown quite attached to. This dog isn't an ordinary stuffed animal. It is battery operated, and listens and responds to about 10 commands including "sit", "stand on your head", "go to sleep" (the dog actually snores), and "come here". Ava carries Lucky around throughout the day, puts things in his mouth, talks to him and has him help her do things such as pick up, play trains and color. Below are a few shots of Lucky, Kate, Ava and daddy coloring. Ava put the crayons in Lucky's mouth and said that she was "teaching him how to color".