Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

Ava turned 2 on July 2nd and we've been partying ever since!  What a fun celebration it has been.  Starting on her birthday, Matt and I both took the day off and we were able to hang out as a family.  We went the lake for the afternoon, had a yummy dinner of grilled salmon and fresh corn-on-the-cob, and finished off the day with Cold Stone cupcakes.  After Ava went to bed that evening Matt and I sat by the chiminea talking and shedding a few tears about how surreal is was to be celebrating our daughter's birthday.  God is so good to us and has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams!!

This was the first trip to the lake where she was ok sitting or walking in the sand.

Opening gifts from Mama and Baba:  a bug barn and lots of books!!

My WHOLE heart!!

Lau Lau and Pappy were able to come visit on July 4th and stay for several days.  July 4th was spent with our amazing neighbors; lighting fireworks and enjoying each others' company.  Ava loved the fireworks!  At times we were having to hold her back because she kept wanting to get closer to them.  Have I told you already that she's not afraid of anything??!!

 

Ava stayed home from daycare on Friday to get some extra time with her grandparents.  While Pappy and Baba spent the day building a sand box for Ava, Ava got to "help" Pappy and Baba and spent a lot of time at the park and splash pad with Lau Lau.  Special memories...

Playing with her new water table from Lau Lau and Pappy

Friday night, Ava's other set of grandparents arrived for Ava's Birthday Party on Saturday.  Saturday we spent the day preparing food, decorating, and setting up for the party.  My dad, father-in-law, hubby, and brother also made my day with new back patio steps.  I've been talking about needing new ones for awhile and they felt like the day of Ava's birthday was a great day to start this project!!!  LOL.  All I asked was that I had steps done in time for the party and they made it happen.  So happy!!  Our family was so much help getting things ready for the party and helping serve during the party.  Our guests showed up around 5 and we were able to spend some time talking, playing yard games, and broke in the new sand box and water table.  The rest of the evening was spent eating delicious BBQ, cake and ice cream, and opening gifts.  Ava is a pro at blowing out her candles.  We think it's because she loves pinwheels and has been trying to master blowing air in order to spin the pinwheel for several months already.  Good practice!!

What a blessing to be surrounded by so many family and friends to celebrate our baby girl's birthday!  We are so thankful to have you all in our lives.  Ava is beyond blessed to have Grandparents that love her to the moon and back.