Halloween in St. George is PeRfeCtioN! In the 70's and no worrying about coats. Every year we go to the ward Trunk or Treat and it is great to do all of our trick or treating in one spot. All day long the kids were so excited to go. They all looked adorable!

Snow White and her protector, Wolverine

"She has brown hair like me", was the reason Ava chose to be Snow White this year

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

Max made sure to remind people that he was Scary and Tough and not "cute"

TRICK OR TREAT

At the trunk or treat

Matt and I may be crazy, but we let the kids eat as much candy as they wanted last night before bed. We will limit to 2 pieces a day from now on, but it was hilarious to watch Ava try to eat all the candy she got. She was so overwhelmed with all of her choices that she would take a bite of one candy, then throw it away so she could take a bite of another. Max had no problem finishing what he started. Ava ended up in our bed last night. She had a hard time getting to sleep. I wonder why?

3 months old

Look who's 3 months old already. Isaac is growing up so fast. We love him so much. Isaac loves to smile and coo. He likes to practice standing when we hold him . He loves his older brother and sister to talk to him and play with him. He is starting to get some rolls and we LOVE it! He is such a happy little guy. I don't know how we got so lucky. He is such a JOY!

Fall is in the air

We took a trip to the park yesterday and you can definitely feel fall in the air. This is my favorite time of year. It usually takes St. George a while to enter Autumn, and when it does it is pure heaven.

Ode to Toddlerhood

Today, Max and I were talking in the kitchen when we heard a voice calling out , "Hey...Hey....Mom.....?"
I walked over to the table and stand next to Ava and say," Yes?"
Ava, with a very serious face says, "Please Be Quiet!!!"
Caught off guard, I laugh.
" What ??"
" I am trying to eat my sandwich!" she says, with a huge emphasis on 'trying'.

P B and J is better enjoyed in complete silence.

Oh Ava. My always-has-a-smile on her face, (except when she doesn't) spunky, independent little girl. Ava is now officially potty-trained!! I have to give credit where it is due and say that she pretty much did it all herself. She has been wanting to "go" on the potty for 6 months or so. I have been telling her no and trying to change the subject. It's not that I don't want her to be rid of diapers, because believe me I do, I just didn't want her to regress when Isaac was born and then be up at night feeding a baby and also changing sheets. So I waited and it paid off. She loves the one-on-one with mommy and I love that she is an expert already.
Now that I am a little bit sleep deprived, I have mastered the trick of getting Ava and Isaac down for a nap at the same time, while organizing activities for Max in the living room. Then I make a break for the bedroom and try to get an hour nap. Sometimes it takes some convincing. I start with getting Ava ready for a nap. She doesn't want to miss anything, so I have to make sure that she knows that life is boring outside her bedroom.
Me: " Mommy is taking a nap, Isaac is taking a nap, Grandpa and Grandma are taking naps, Max is taking a nap, your friends are taking naps, Dora the Explorer is taking a nap, etc....."

Then I move on to her favorite inanimate subjects:

" The bike is taking a nap, the park is taking a nap, the books are taking naps, the milk is taking a nap, the kitchen is taking a nap...."

IF she is convinced.... then I know victory is mine and my reward is a blissful hour of sleep.

Ava is in the stage where she loves to dress up. She loves dresses and shoes and hats.

Not only does Ava fall asleep in funny places, but also in funny positions

She is extremely flexible :)

Here she is standing up.....asleep

Ava keeps me on my toes, and makes everyday exciting. I love my little girl so much!!!