Playing in the snow

Southern California recently had a huge snowfall with some snow even falling on the highest peaks in Orange County. We waited a couple weeks for the crowds to die down and then drove up Highway 38 to the San Bernardino National Forest to play in the snow. We took a side road a few miles past Angelus Oaks to East Flats, a totally open area of virtually untouched snow, where we were able to run around, throw snowballs, and make little snowmen.

Before heading home, we stopped at The Oaks Restaurant in Angelus Oaks, were Ava got to eat and talk to her friends on her phone.

Animals on land and sea

Over the last couple months, Ava has had many opportunities to visit with animals - both local animals and exotic ones.

Just before Thanksgiving, we went to the Cabrillo Marine Acquarium in San Pedro with Grammy and Poppy.

Ava got to see lots of sea creatures, and got to touch starfish in the touch tank.

While we were in Oakland, Grandma and Grandpa took us to the Little Farm at Tilden Regional Park. While there were lots of different animals there, Ava's favorites were the flock of black sheep which Ava loved feeding. Lesson here - make sure to bring plenty of lettuce so you don't run out.

Grandpa and Grandma also took us to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where we saw lots of animals in the African hall including African penguins.

We also spent plenty of time in the Steinhart Aquarium, home to over 38,000 live animals.

One of our final stops while we were in Oakland was a trip to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. The museum rehabilitates wild animals - many of which were foolishly kept as pets by local people - and allows visitors to learn about, view, and touch the animals.

Ava even got to pet a snake, but her favorite part was looking into the powerful microscopes.

In January, we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park for the first time. We explored the park and saw all kinds of wild animals including lions, rhino, and okapi.

Most importantly, however, was the fact that they had a petting zoo where Ava found a very docile deer.

Everyone was knackered, so on the way home Grandpa, Ava, and Grandma had a group nap.

Christmas - Part II: Oakland

After a little delay at the airport (United forgot to put Ava's car seat on our plane so we had to get a loaner), we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house and were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Pooh and Tigger!

On Christmas Eve the whole family bundled up and went to St. Paul's, Oakland (not to be confused with our church, St. Paul's, Tustin) for the early evening service.

The next morning started with a trip downstairs to the living room to make sure that Santa came. Sure enough, Santa filled all our stockings and since she was a good girl Ava got lots of fun stuff including a wind-up horse,

and a pink tricycle with a matching princess helmet.

Ava's favorite gift from Santa, however, was a candy cane. It's always the simple things that make her the happiest.

The family then opened up all our gifts and Ava had plenty to open including a dollhouse and a new water bottle.

Throughout our visit, Ava helped around the house, and even helped Grandma decorate cookies for all our guests.

In the days following Christmas, Ava practiced riding her tricycle on the paths surrounding Lake Temescal and started to get the hang of it.

Christmas - Part I: Irvine

Ava's Christmas celebrations started with a trip to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train where Ava got to ride on the train,

play with her friend Jilly,

and visiting the one and only Santa Claus.

Next up was picking out a Christmas tree and decorating it.

In fact, our whole house was decorated with Ava especially interested in our Advent calendars and our singing snowmen.

Ava's playgroup had a wonderful Christmas party with another visit from Santa and a chance to decorate and eat Christmas cookies.

Grammy and Poppy visited us the weekend before Christmas for an early Christmas dinner and to exchange gifts.

Every Day Fun

Even when Ava isn't going to a specific place or event, Ava's days are always filled with fun.

Some days it's dress up time,

some days she plays at the park,

some day's Grammy and Poppy measure her height,

sometimes she's enjoying her dessert,

and sometimes life is just so funny.

Great Grandma's 80th Birthday

Just after Thanksgiving we were able to celebrate Ava's Great-Grandma's 80th Birthday. Ava got to visit with lots of family and friends. While it was a joyous day, not all of Ava's cousins enjoyed taking pictures.

Before we left, Ava gave Great Grandma a nice birthday kiss.

Princess Aurora's Halloween Adventures

Ava and her friends began their extensive Halloween preparations by visiting Tanaka Farms where they got the chance to each pick their own pumpkin. They also tried other tasty treats such as carrots freshly picked from the ground.

She also went to Irvine Regional Park on multiple occasions where she got to choose her own pumpkin and play with her friends.

Before Halloween itself, Ava's play-group got together for a wonderful Halloween party. After months of prepping to become Princess Aurora, Ava finally got to wear her costume. Her friends all came as their favorite characters as well, including fairies, a boxer, Superman, Thomas the Train, Elmo, Jessie, Cinderella, and Buzz Light Year.

On Halloween afternoon it was time for us to carve our pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. Ava helped us take out all the pumpkin goop and seeds so that Mommy could roast them in the oven.

After dinner time, Ava dressed up as Princess Aurora again and Ava went outside to trick or treat for the very first time. We had practiced many times over the last month and Ava knew exactly what to do. With just a little bit of prodding Ava knocked on our neighbors' doors and said "trick or treat," and "thank you." We didn't expect to get further than our block, but Ava loved trick or treating so we stayed out a long time.

After returning home, Ava got to eat a lollipop - something she usually only gets after visiting the doctor.