Crazy Love Gamble-Style

We went up to my Mom's house yesterday to get a pumpkin. She also gave us a whole bowl full of gourds. That is about the extent of my holiday decorating, at least when it comes to Halloween... My mother's yard is filled with beautiful flowers & trees so I made Ava pose for me. She is pretty used to that, however she is starting to look too posed if you know what I mean. So pretty... We went on a frog hunt and found no frogs but we did find the trampoline... This girl loves to jump She even loves to fall. But jumping takes the cake. It was fun watching her jump, it reminded me how we used to take her up there when she was a baby. She would just crawl around and bounce when she held our hands, now she is solo and DANGEROUS!! My mom and I stood on the side lines yelling for her to stay in the middle, over and over, and over, all the while being ready to catch her if it came to that. Super staticy hair The only way she would get off the trampoline was if Grandma would jump nex...

The tomatoes were filling up the counter again, there were way more then pictured here. Something had to be done. This time rather then canning I chose to try freezing them. You prepare them the same way you would for canning but seal them up tight in freezer bags instead. It is supposed to retain the flavor much better then canned tomatoes, we will see... I looked really beautiful during this process which was good because Ava insisted on taking my picture. After I was finished we got ready and headed over to visit my good friend Rachel & her family. Before we left the house I tried convincing Ava she had to change because this was far too many polka-dots. She didn't agree at all, she things hurting people's eyes is FUN!! Oh well... She eventually got hot and lost the coat so that was much better. We had a lovely visit with the Pope family. Rachel & I were completely inseparable back in the day, total partners in crime. Now our relationship has evolved into somethi...

Saturday was a busy but super fun day. We got to go to Amelie's fourth birthday party. Here she comes! Ava was so excited she was screaming at her across the street, "I have a present for you! Happy Birthday!!" All the girls wore tu- tus . Amelie was a beautiful butterfly. The party was held at The Painted Plate in Sherwood. The girls all got a plate to decorate. Art projects make me nervous. I have no skills. Strangely that fact doesn't let me just let Ava do it herself, no the control freak in me needs to help her. I really should of just let her do it. See that fake smile? She is thinking are you sure the plate shouldn't say Sarah on it??? Beautiful girls Sammy & Tracy Playing outside Time for presents! Amelie was so cute with how happy & thankful she was for each gift. Cupcakes Party Girls Happy Birthday Amelie!!

Figured I better take a picture of Ava on the way to the pumpkin patch, you never know how long a hat she insisted on wearing will last... When we told her we were going to the pumpkin patch she of course assumed we should bring her pumpkin with us. Winco pumpkins don't belong in a patch! She was super thrilled when she got word that Colton would be joining us. Happy girl Funny kids I love that she poses for pictures! We went to Plumper's , just like last year. It was MUCH busier this year but not too crazy. Perfect! Checking out the bees on the flowers. We let her ride a pony, last year we decided she was too little to care either way, this year it was a must. This is her second pony ride, the first was Rock Star at the fair, this one was named Fancy. $5 buys quite a bit of happiness!! Trying to find Colton, looking in on the section we didn't pay for her to go into, maybe next year : ) Cuteness They even had a play structure! I can't think of any other way I woul...

I got Ava this outfit I am in love with from Gymboree the other day. This is her first headband. Not sure how well that is going to go, periodically throughout the day she hands it to me and says "I am tired of wearing this." This little girl is growing up too fast. She literally talks all day long, not a second goes by that is not filled with her constant chatter. I have begun prefacing statements with many reasons why something is the way it is but yet she still asks The Question... "WHY????" Didn't I just answer that?? In 3 different poignant ways?? The other day I was in my room trying to find something to wear. I was throwing things all over the place and whining about not fitting into anything, Ava peaks her head in the door and says "Mommy you can come out of your room when you finish crying, ok ?!" Ava is my official photographer, 24 weeks. Although I much prefer taking pictures of her! Seriously, could she be cuter?? I am soooo excited, ...