Labor Day 2009

Layne & Ava on the swings at the park

James, Ava, & Layne

Sieve Family Photos

We had a very fun and busy Labor Day weekend. On Friday, my sister Shelly and her family spent the night with us. On Saturday, both Brad's sisters came down with their families to stay for the weekend. We had Roy, Lisa, and Layne stay with us. On Sunday, we got together out at Gary & Joyce's for lunch and spent the afternoon visiting. We utilized the timer on my camera and took some family photos which was fun for me because I love pictures, but I don't think too many others would agree! On Monday, we all met at the Luverne city park for a picnic. Layne was a great sport and played with Ava on the playground equipment which she loved! It was a bit windy, but the temps were very nice. It was a beautiful weekend and great to get the family together again.

Ava is 22 Months Old....

Ava enjoying corn on the cob Taking a stab at running Daddy's screwdriver "how did he get the batteries out again?"

Ava and Daddy having their nightly chat

She discovers a new "spot""Where is she?"

"There she is"

Fall is coming so we'd better enjoy the park while we can

At 22 months, Ava is certainly starting to show more independence. Things she wouldn't think of doing at the beginning of the summer, she will now do without a problem. She loves the park and will go down the slides, swings, and just about anything you put her on. It is sad that the seasons are changing and our park days are numbered. You can often find Ava walking around the house saying "Where is she?" and then waiting a little while, then replying "There she is". Her own little game she plays with herself. There are lots of neat imaginitive things she does and many new phrases she is picking up, most of which we can identify by the inflection in her voice. She still loves music and we often turn up a song with a good beat in the car to keep her from crying if she is sick of riding. Usually she will stop fussing and start bobbing her head back and forth.

The potty training is still going pretty well. She averages about one accident every 7-10 days, so we can't complain. The more we stick around home, the better she does. She is still not pooping in the potty, but we are hoping that comes with time. Ava is starting to sleep less lately. Naps have been a bit of a struggle and she is waking up earlier. I am sure it is just another phase we must go through.

Summer Fun....

Daddy & Ava swinging at Blue Mound State Park Fun in the sprinklers!

Ava loved getting wet!

Presley, Ava, & Madison

Ava really likes swings!

Ava loves the sprinklers! The other evening when we got home, Brad turned on the sprinklers. Well, to Ava, that was invitation to run through them. We decided after she got a little wet, just to let her enjoy herself. She would stand in one place and wait patiently for the sprinkler to get to her and then soak her each time while she laughed. What is it with kids and water?

More fair fun and the markers....

Ava sitting on the mower at the Nobles County Fair Ava & Daddy Ava loves markers!

Thank goodness the markers are washable!

Just some fun pictures from the month of August. We have been hitting the area county fairs pretty hard this year. It's nice relaxed entertainment for kids and Ava loves the animals. We saw lots of people we knew from Worthington and, of course, hit the malt stand which is always a hit in our family!

We recently had to take away the markers that are deemed "safe" for 18 months olds as my toddler managed to make a thorough disaster of them. She discovered if she laid on the floor holding the marker abover her and pushed the side of the tip of the marker, the liquid would run out on to her face. It missed going in her mouth by about a 1/2 inch. Maybe we'll resurrect those for when she is about 6!

Ava is Potty Trained During the Day....

Modeling her "big girl underwear" Waiting patiently....

I almost hesitate to put this in print as we may curse ourselves, but Ava seems to be potty trained. We started the ordeal on August 7th, and it was about a week before we felt comfortable that she wasn't going to have accidents if we left her unattended. The first day and a half in underwear were filled with potty accidents. Then, she figured out that it would be better to hold it. She was down to just using the potty about twice a day and that wasn't pretty, and then going in her diaper at night. Well, on day 5, I decided that wasn't going to work. So, I waited several hours (after two glasses of water) and then we literally "camped" on the potty chair in the living room when I knew she had to go. She didn't really cry, but I had to remind her several times to stay on the potty until she went. We read lots of books and sang many songs...but eventually after 1 hour and 50 minutes, she went. Then later that evening, she decided to test Brad for over an hour, and then finally went for him. It took a couple of more days, but she goes whenever we ask her too now. She won't volunteer to go potty very often. We are hoping this comes with time. She still wears a diaper or pullups at nap and bedtime and that has been when she waits to have her bowel movements. Obviously, we still have some work ahead of us, but at least she is using the potty. We just recently got her to go on the big potty with the special seat, so at least we don't have to cart the potty chair everywhere we go. Baby steps....

Okoboji Trip 2009

Ava lounging at Arnolds Park Taking a break from the rides.. Ava & Mommy on the carousel Brad & Ava on the pontoon docked at Arnolds Park

Ava was very cuddley on the pontoon at first

Jason, Sam, Addie, & Brad decided to jump in the lake off the pontoon

Arnolds Park from the water

Grandma Chris, Brad & Ava

Ava was not sure about the whole boat experience

Grandpa Glenn & Ava on West Okoboji beach

Ava liked playing on the beach

She loved to pour water on herself

At the Taco House

Ava & Aunt Shelly

Family Photo

Brad & Ava playing at Arnolds Park

The only photo of Ava & Addie together- Addie doesn't really like to get too close to Ava

Ava, Sam, & Addie riding the boats at Arnolds Park

Some misc photos...

We had a very nice getaway to Okoboji again this year with my sister Shelly and her family. We enjoyed the nearby amenitites of Arnolds Park and the beach which were just a couple of blocks from the condo. We also enjoyed jet skis and rented a pontoon boat for an evening. Mom & Dad came up for the beach time and boat ride so that was nice. Ava certainly seemed to get more out of the vacation than she has in the past. We decided to skip naps and just have fun all day long. Ava did pretty well. She enjoyed a few rides at Arnolds Park including the carousel, the train around the park, and the boats. She was a little frightened of the pontoon at first, and was cranky by the end of the ride (mostly due to being way past her bedtime and no nap). My sister and both her kids were very ill most of the trip, so that was the major downer this year. Overall, it was a very fun trip and great to get away!