Highlights of January 2010...

It's all about accessories...

Cousin Tammy & Ava

The new trampoline

I'm not sure where the month of January went, but it is gone already! Between the blizzards that destroyed plans and then finding time to make things up, it didn't seem like we had much spare time this month. We even had house guests because of the wonderful weather. Brad's cousin Tammy spent the night with us this week as the interstate was closed yet again! It was fun to have her, and Ava certainly took a liking to her and her cell phone!

I had wanted to get Ava a little trampoline for Christmas, but the one I wanted was sold out on every website I could find in December. So, it finally was available and I ordered it after the first of the year. I have to admit that I'm not very fussy about getting Christmas gifts on time right now because Ava doesn't really know the difference, but some day this may become a problem. Ava loved it just as much as we thought she would. She literally giggled hysterically the first 15 minutes she was jumping on it. I chose this model because it plays songs to the beat of the jumping. She loves the music and has already selected her favorite song which she plays over and over! I have to admit, I'm kind of wishing I had gotten one without music!

Aunt Sandy Comes to Visit...

Playing ball with Sandy

Ava & Aunt Sandy

My sister Sandy came home from Tucson for Grandma's funeral. Ava finally seemed to warm up to her on this visit, much more so than in the past. Ava seems to recognize people from pictures and she knows who Sandy and her family are in pictures. They had fun playing together. Hopefully, when Sandy comes back this summer, it won't be a difficult transition.

We Say Goodbye to a Special Grandma...

Easter 2009 Mom & Dad's 40th Anniversary Party July 2008 Ava's 1st Christmas 2007

Ava, Grandma Flo, & Toby December 2007

My Grandma Floretta was a very sweet lady and I have been close to her my whole life. I have many fond memories of her house growing up. She made a point of making her famous chocolate chip cookies every time I came to visit because she knew how much I loved to help her bake, even if she already had plenty of cookies in the freezer. She always made up a bed on her loveseat in the living room when I stayed even though she had a guestroom because she knew I loved to sleep there. My sisters and I played smurfs and got to go to the swimming pool when we'd stay with her which we thought was the greatest thing ever. We took many trips with Grandpa and Grandma to the A&W in Sheldon to eat broasted chicken. On summer afternoons, we'd walk down to the drive in to have coffee with Grandma's friends and she'd always buy me an ice cream cone. After Grandpa passed away and I was driving, I'd stop by and she always be there with a welcome smile. It wouldn't be long and she'd be grabbing her purse so we could go shopping or out to eat. I will miss our talks and trips to the local cafe together. Ava will probably not remember much of her which makes me sad, but I want her to remember how much she loved rocking her when she was a baby, and she always was able to get her to fall asleep. On January 14, 2010, God decided her time here with us on earth was over and called her home where she would no longer be in any pain. She will be missed more than I can say.