Weekend Visit

Grandma and Grandpa K came for a visit this past weekend from I-O-W-A. Joey and Ava stayed with them on Monday and Tuesday all day long. Grandpa and Joey played in the snow while Ava napped. Grandma took Ava to have some special pictures taken in a dress that she wore when she was a baby.

Playing Hi-Ho-Cherry-O with Grandma and Grandpa


Grandma showing off Ava in her dress when she was a baby

In front of our CHRISTmas tree

Fun with cousins

This past Saturday night, 3 of our nephews (Joey and Ava's cousins) spent an evening with us. Joey had so much fun and looks up to his cousins. Actually, all of us had a really good time. I made a gourmet meal of macaroni and cheese and broccoli. Then "Wuncle Jason" and little Danny made banana splits for everyone. GoGo (me) and Nico snuggled on the couch while Wuncle Jason popped some popcorn and put Polar Express on.

Look what Wuncle Jason taught little Danny

Christian and Joey shooting the breeze over some banana splits

Nico riding on Thomas

Ava and Nico seeing who could crawl the fastest. It was a tie.

This past month

We've finally made some time to post some pictures. Ava saw Dr. Santo 2 weeks ago. Our baby girl weighs over 18 lbs. She is really enjoying table food here and there (especially when her daddy feed her ice cream). She is crawling, standing and walking while holding on to furniture. Joey is the only little boy I know that gets excited to see his pediatrician. In the car on the ride over, he explained to Ava that Dr. Santo was "his Dr. Santo" and that he loves her and she loves him. I think that might have changed since his Dr. Santo gave them both flu shots. We'll see how excited he is next time he gets to see her. : O )

Ava trying out her sippy cup. She isn't really digging it too much!

Joey sporting his new Jeff Gordon hat from Papa

Ava borrowing Joey's Jeff Gordon hat from papa (Papa did buy Ava a pink Nascar doll which she loves)

Being a ham as usual

Playing nice together

Sweet Home Chicago!

This weekend we got the chance to spend the night in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Chicago! Joey and Ava had lots of fun. Mommy and daddy were happy to sleep on a bed that was actually comfortable!







Getting ready for the pool...
Joey driving "Thomas the Tank Engine" at Navy Pier
Mommy snuck Ava some pancake at breakfast
Me and my prince by Lake Michigan
My Prince again... (Jason not Howie Mandel) in front of NBC Studios

Lions and Tigers and Cubbies...Oh My!

Joey receiving his vest Proud New Cubbie!
Playing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes"
Ava wanting some Ramen Noodles :)

Tonight at Awana Cubbies, Joey earned his official Cubbies vest and his Hopper Handbook. He was able to recite the Cubbies Motto "Jesus Loves Me" and his first three verses (God loved us and sent his son, All have sinned and While we were sinners Christ died for us). He was very proud. It was also parent's night so Jason, Ava and I all got to stay with him. We are so proud of him and could not think of a better way to spend our anniversary.

Too cute for words!

Brotherly Love

Ava is now officially crawling...armycrawling that is. She is on the move. She has 2 beautiful teeth too. Joey has been a big help with her as well. He now spoon feeds his little sister. He still does not like sharing the spotlight with Ava but he is warming up!

Here is a picture of them right after Joey got done feeding her. Not bad for a 3 year old!

Joey and Ava have had lots of fun by Ms Sandy's this month. They have gone to Brookfield Zoo and Pirate's Cove. Here are some pictures from the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Recent Happenings

Here are some recent pictures of Joey and Ava. They have been enjoying summer so far as have mommy and daddy!

Our 4th of July weekend was fun. Especially with Ava being here now! We woke up in the morning and walked to the South Elgin Parade with our neighbors, Dan and Meagan and their two boys, Dylan and Brendan. We met our friends Mike, Katie and Tyler Litz there. Joey and Ava had lots of fun. Joey hung with Dylan and Ava hung with her boyfriend, Tyler. Daddy got to have some guy time with Dan and Mike and mommy got to hang with the girls. It was fun.

We had Nana, Papa, Uncle Danny, Zia Rosie, Anthony, Danny, Christian and Baby Nico over for a BBQ in the afternoon. we had lots of yummy food and it felt good to see everyone. At night, we watched fireworks from our house. (Mommy watched from bed and just looked out the window).

The next day we had some fun in our plastic pool out on the deck. Mommy baked chocoloate chip cookies and besides the fact that she ate half of the dough, they really turned out yummy!

Now...back to work...back to reality!

Ava's first foods

Ava started on cereal and baby food. Mommy said she did not care too much for the cereal alone but mommy started some adding in some peas and sweet potatoes and now she can't get enough. Here are some pics of Ava chowing down.

Cation 2008

Mommy and Daddy took me and Ava on cation (vaction). we drove to Milwaukee Wisconsin. It was alot of fun. Our first trip in the green mini van. We stayed at a hotel with a pool. We got to go swimming. We went to the Milwaukee County Zoo, the Betty Brimm Children's Museum (twice), and the Jelly Belly JellyBean Factory. We had so much fun!

Enjoy our pictures!

Daycare

Joey and Ava started at Ms Sandy's house last week. They are doing phenominal and to be honest, I can'e beleive such a great daycare exists. So far, the kids have been to a program at a local elementary school where they have storytime and free play with other children and they have been to Kline Creek farm. Next week, they go back to the elementary school, they have a kindermusik class and are going to the DuPage children's museum. Sandy's house looks like a real daycare. It is neat, very clean and organized. She has all sorts of activities for the children, great toys, a sensory table, a sandbox, a water table, and her back yard looks like a park. If you wanna check out her website the address is http://www.geocities.com/sandyshousefcc/.

Here are some pics of the kids by her house: