Pushing the Button

Ava got her first toy that makes noise for Christmas from her cousin Madeleine. Between then and now she's figured out how to turn it on. On purpose of accident it's still pushing it. Watch the wrist!

Talking

She's almost got the giggle down! I love it when she gurgles, she's trying sooo hard to talk!

Jumpy Jumpy girl!

Look What Ava got for Christmas!

Blessing day

I wish I knew how to take pictures like Amanda or Heidi. I have a great model but these pictures do not do her justice.
I wanted to make all my kids blessing outfits soooo, here's the first one. Poor Ava, being the first she's going to have lots of things "tried" out on her! Love the girl!

My mom made my wedding dress so she brought me the scraps when she came to help just after Ava was born, and this is what we came up with. I had a pattern but it had short sleeves and I wanted long. It had a slip and I did not want one, anyways, this is what we got.

My mom was so nice to answer the phone and try to help me with all my silly questions. Both of us had dreams about it as we were putting it together.

Ava's Grannie (Cameron's mother Annie) made the bonnet even before she was born in anticipation of her arrival.

Ava's Aunt Leslie made her blanket for her. It's sooo soft you'd love it!

Happy little family!

Because we had all the extended family gathered Meghan brought her in-laws and had Zachary's blessing just before Ava's! Happy blessing day kidos!!!

All the Fam with the Vances who drove up from Vancouver (waking up at 4:00am) to be with us at our 9:00 am meeting time. Thanks Vances, it was soo cool to have you there!

The fam with the Beans! Love these people!

Cameron and Uncle Joe! (they both need this pic on their desk at work, don't you think?)

Oupa with the blessed babies! Look at that Smile!

Oupa and Granny love these babies soo much!

The ultimate project

The DRESS

It was the ultimate project, and I'd like to say Cameron was very supportive the whole time. (first part true, second part NOT true)
My mom was helping me, so I'd get done with one thing, take a picture of it and then send it to her and ask what to do next. I have all these pictures so I thought I'd document it.
Here it is step by step.

Skirt opening

I did not like how thick the top collar was and Ava REALLY did not like it.

Bodice w/no sleevesShe worked better as a model when she was asleep.

Sleeve and hem

Attaching the sleeve. Could have used a few more pins.

Bodice w/sleeves

My first button holes and buttons with a machine. I was so excited to do them I did them too early which made attaching the skirt a little difficult.

One more thing...the gather

All done. The blood and tears are over with!

Look, she's so surprised it looks as good as is does (me too).

Posing for the final shot!

Christmas Dinner

We had Christmas Eve dinner at my house so Christmas dinner was at Meghan's!
(to Cameron) David (father) with Ava (daughter), Cameron (self) and Andrew (brother)
Look at these four. All of them have great smiles but not a one could give me one!

What a cute boy!

Ava and her Granny!

She might have a sweet heart, but she also has sweet cheeks!

Here's Meghan loving her life! The dinner was sooo yummy!

Ava and Kensie Chilling!

Trying again...I got a few smiles!

I now know where Cameron gets his resistance to cameras and looking normal in pictures...Dave, what is this!?!

Ava and the stroller

Ava loves her stroller. Her first one had issues so we got a new one and here she is Christmas morning enjoying it!

Showing you her new Santa socks. She has some strong tummy muscles!

Ava's Christmas

Look what the girl got for Christmas!
She does not have the unwrapping down quite yet, so dad did it for her!

Trying it out!

Cameron putting it together just right!

Utterly amazed by the hanging toys.

All played out!
Merry Christmas everybody!

Christmas at home!

Merry Christmas!

This was mine and Cameron's first Christmas at home. We've always been away with family or friends. Having Kensie living with us and getting Cameron's parents to fly out here to the west coast made it easy to stay at home.
Ava's first Christmas morning and first present of the day!
Of course, a bathing suit from Grandma Brown (someones asking for a visit)!

Opening stockings, is my favorite part. I could not sleep all night in anticipation of Kensie and Cameron finding the treasures in their stockings. Kensie is so good at being and acting excited. It makes it fun to get her surprises.

I was even excited about my stocking...I stuffed it! So silly!

Merry Christmas Kensie!

A Happy Christmas Girl!

Cameron loves Goonies! Did you see the post about Astoria?

Sticky buns...need I say more?

This pic I call"Christmas Euphoria"

Wearing Christmas wrapping!

Wearing more Christmas wrapping!

Merry Christmas from the Braithwaites!
Mom, we love the blanket. Thank you so much (look how happy we are all wrapped up in it)