Just when I thought I had covered our trip to CA I realized I hadn't tapped into our digital camera/video recorder. The shots I have shared so far have been from our phones. Steve and I were viewing these new pictures and clips tonight and were almost in tears from laughing so hard. I was able to download and edit one but there are others I will share later.

In this clip we drove to the Dana Point Harbor to watch boats, all lit up with Christmas lights and people (all lit up) dancing on the boats and touring through the harbor. It was pouring but

we were able to watch from the car.

This is a clip taken during lunch at the Coyote Cafe in Old Town San Diego....

Here is a shot from our hotel room. Initially we flew into San Diego and stayed on the naval base on Coronado Island for a few days. We went to the San Diego Zoo, which Ava loved. We also toured Old Town San Diego which was great.

We then traveled up to Dana Point for Steve's conference. Due to the weather we weren't able to truly take advantage of the trails and beach. Instead we went to the library and hit a few Marshall's. I was even able to locate a deluxe indoor playground which I drove to in a torrential downpour. Ava loved it and it tucked her out so I could go to said Marshall's and enjoy an hour or two of discount bliss.

One day we visited my friend Kathy who lives in San Diego. We drove back down north, ate at Old Town again and visited with Kathy. It was so worth the drive. We had a great visit with her!

Here is a shot of Ava in the hotel lobby. The artist made the sculpture out of water and sand only. It was amazing. He had created one in NY and was off to Rome for his next work. This was a BIG hit with Ava.

Ava and I stopped in Old Town San Diego for lunch before our visit with Kathy. We ate at the Coyote Cafe. Two gentlemen even serenaded us while we dined alfresco. Ava, God bless her listened intently with black beans ALL OVER her face :)

After lunch she got ice cream. She kept asking "Dar-Buddy?" "Ice cream, Dar-Buddy?", "Sometimes, Butters hurt Ava"

Translation? Ava will forever associate ice cream with her buddy Darlene from The Golden Guernsey in Oneonta. Butters is a cat that frequents the grounds of the Guernsey and let Ava know he didn't like her paws baby-handling him. She recites these lines all the time!

As we were leaving the restaurant the hostess noticed Ava and began playing with her. She moved some items near her station so Ava could check out the fountain.

Ava became a fan of the Dana Point Public library. She especially liked the tiger and teddy bear. When I suggested we return there the next day she was all for it. Sure enough she took the same seat and gathered the same animals for company.

Wordless Wednesday

Dancing Queen

We have returned from our trip to San Diego and Dana Point. We had a lovely time but we were a bit disappointed with the weather. It rained cats and dogs all but two of the days we were there (one of those two days was the day we left!). I was able to bring Ava to the beach the morning of the day of our departure while Steve attended his last meeting with Lutheran Medical Center. While at the beach Ava and I walked barefoot and played in the sand. It was SO BEAUTIFUL! It was so hard to not imagine all we could have done had the sun been out. Oh well. It was still a fun trip.

I do have some funny stories and great photos but it is late and sleep is calling. I couldn't resist posting this video clip though. We stayed at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel and while there we were treated to Christmas Carolers dressed up in Charles Dickens-type outfits. They were singing a capella and they were very good! We wanted Ava to experience the singing and boy did she!

By the way, I'd like to send a shout out to the one and only Grandma Witthohn who I hear is up North and has been surfing the internet checking out the blogs. See you soon!

While Ava was eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich today, she decided she wanted to discuss her visit with Santa yesterday and I was happy to oblige. She kept saying "remember Santa?" over and over again. I caught the tail end of it. It amazes me how enthralled she is with Santa and she doesn't even know about the presents part yet. By the way this is the first video clip that I recorded, downloaded to the computer and then EDITED it! Yahoo! I have been meaning to teach myself forever and it finally worked. In learning how to edit. I spared you all 3 additional minutes of me goading Ava to look at the camera and say cute things.

Ohh What a Sweet Baby!!

On Thursday we continued our Christmas-time celebrity photo circuit. This time we went to "Spoiled", a boutique that offers a free photograph with a great Santa if you bring in an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. The photographer took Ava's newborn photos. Its a win-win tradition we started last year and I love it. This year I opted to go early and let Ava "warm-up". We were the first ones in the boutique. We even arrived before the photographer and Santa which made us look like the eager beavers that we are NOT! I had to explain that we were there to ease Ava into it, not to be the first ones in line.

To kill some time we went to the sister boutique next door. Ava was having fun hiding behind a display when I saw Santa walk in looking for the photographer. As he chatted with the clerk, I got Ava's attention. She came out from behind the display and....ahhhh.....I wish I could have captured the look on her face as she saw Santa in real life for the first time. It was pure magic. She stood there in awe as he continued to talk. When he was finished he left the shop we were in to go next door. To my surprise Ava began to follow him out. I fumbled with my camera trying to get the shot and managed to get something. Ava and I headed over to the boutique next door and the scene was a bit more "lively" as many more children and parents had arrived. I let Ava run around and watch the other kids sit on Santa's lap. I believe in her mind she had some unfinished business with the man in red and was very curious. Luckily the children that went before us were in good spirits so that helped set the tone a little more. When it was Ava's turn I put her down and told her "okay Ava, go see Santa". And just like that, this little Angel in front of me with her brown curls and little reindeer dress walked right up to Santa and let him pick her up. For a brief moment she looked a bit anxious but as he spoke to her she relaxed. Santa smoothed out her dress so her little reindeer showed and Ava began playing with his beard. We got some great shots and I can't wait to see them.

When the photographer was finished, I was about to call Ava to me but I paused when I saw her sitting so quietly on Santa's lap listening to him talk to her. When I did call her, Santa picked her up and placed her on her feet. As she walked away I told her to blow Santa a kiss and that she did. She blew Santa a sackful of kisses. Then she blew kisses to the photograher and then to all the kids and parents on line waiting for their turn. I could have stood there and watched it forever. I was so proud of her!! The whole experience was pure sweetness.

Wordless Wednesday

I subscribe to a cooking blog and every Wednesday the writer submits a "Wordless Wednesday" photograph. It is usually of a cookie or muffin or something. I love the idea but in my case it will most likely be of Ava eating a cookie or muffin. In this shot taken yesterday, Ava is eating a frosted cookie while we shopped at the military base's grocery store.

Our visit with Star

So we suited up and headed to downtown Anchorage to see Santa and Star the reindeer. Steve wasn't able to join as he got a stomach bug. I got it a few days ago and still can't eat anything too intense. Word on the street is that Anchorage got a shipment of bad turkeys :)

If one ever finds themselves driving around Anchorage looking for a parking space, in a pickup truck no less, I say GOODLUCK. As we made numerous laps, Ava repeatedly saw all the fake stuffed bears out on the sidewalks meant to lure people into the souvenir shops. It wouldn't really be noteworthy except that she is in that repeating phase where she mercilessly says the same phrase over and over again without taking a breath or even stop to hear me respond. Ackkkk!

We finally found a spot and were off. We got to Ray's Camera Shop (the folks hosting the meet and greet) and see 4 hay bales out front but no santa or reindeer. I entered the store already wondering what was up. I greeted the two women at the counter and informed them why we were there. They looked at each other and one of the girls said "oh, yeah, well, the reindeer got tired and Santa's out back and out of uniform". Now I am the first to admit that timely is not a word that describes me but the flier said 12-4 and we were there at 2. I stood there holding Ava with my jaw open and not really sure what my options were. I felt like Clark Griswold at Wally World when he found out they were closed for repairs. Given our locale, chances were good that if I looked around the camera store I could have found a fake moose's nose to punch. Anyways the owner of the shop said that the reindeer was walking back to his house a number of blocks away but since they just left he would call them. I urged them not to as I didn't want to be responsible for further tiring a reindeer. Besides, who knew how Ava would even respond to it. As luck would have it they weren't too far and agreed to turn around. . Then the owner looked at his assistant and asked about Santa. I jumped in and said "thanks but not necessary. We can see Santa some other day". So a few minutes later Star, the tired reindeer came back, walking down 4th Avenue. At this point about 5 or 6 people from the store had gathered to see the look of wonder and amazement on little Ava's face when she saw the reindeer. I felt the mother of all anti-climax's coming on. I prompted Ava (who was playing in a mud puddle) to look. She did and cried out "moose!" which was cute. But as the reindeer approach she headed straight to the back of my leg saying "Mommy". I thanked the handler repeatedly and he kindly indicated it was no problem. He sat down on a hay bale with Star beside him. I sat down on a haybale with Ava on top of me with her back to the reindeer. We goaded, and prompted but no dice. She was not going to warm up to Santa's little helper. The handler even gave her a frosted mini-wheat to feed him which she kind-of, sort-of but not really got in his mouth so I tried to feed him but he spit it out. Twice. He was probably thinking "you're the pain in the ass that dragged me back here. It's going to take more than a frosted mini-wheat lady". A few pictures were taken while Ava climbed ever higher in my arms and people stood around and watched. They printed the pictures out and we were on our way. Funny thing, the whole drive back and every day since our encounter Ava has said "pet...reindeer...nose" and "feed....him" and to her the trip was a complete success.

Going to see Santa and a Reindeer named "Star"

The plan for tomorrow is to go into Anchorage and visit Santa and a real live reindeer. An actual photo taken by someone paid to do it is still up in the air. Our plan is to take the nonchalant approach. We will arrive, take it all in, and give Ava the impression that it really doesn't matter if she sits on Santa's lap or not. If that doesn't work we may go for reverse psychology and tell her "whatever you do....don't go near that man in red and for heaven's sake don't look at or smile for the camera". I am curious to see what unfolds. So far Ava says "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas" and has read a couple of Santa books, so she is able to recognize him. In fact while in the general store in Talkeetna a man with a white beard walked in and she called out "hi Santa!". It took a minute to register but once it did I felt like such a goof sharing it with everyone waiting in line. Tonight while Steve was rocking Ava to sleep, she nixed her usual round of lullabies and instead asked about Santa. She also revisited other recent events. For example, while rocking she pointed to a scratch on her hand and said "kitty....hurt.....hand" then let out a really loud hiss (she has been on a roll with cats lately). Later once she was in her crib, Steve heard sounds coming from her room so he turned on the intercom to hear her saying "Santa....yap (lap).....big hug" over and over again. Too darn cute!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving Day and now we are sleepy and full. Before we nod off I wanted to send out some clips and photos. We got to the cabin last night safe and sound. This morning we headed out, on foot, (in the dark) to look for some breakfast. All restaurants were closed so we opted for pre-made breakfast burritos at Nagley's General Store. We met up with our friends for a great hike later in the morning and then had Thanksgiving dinner with them and other guests at 2pm at The Roadhouse. Ava and our friend's daughter Keena did GREAT! We were so proud of them. After the meal we headed to Erika and Ross' cabin for a very nice visit. All in all a great day and fond memories were made. Now we set our sights on Christmas and the treat of great food and the company of dear family and friends. Love to All.

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Hi Porkchop". She's been doing this for a while and we had to get it on film. She had already played along numerous times before we got the camera out. I hope we don't burn her out on this before we get back home for Christmas.

Ava REALLY wanted to "walk around" as she puts it. So after a few cups of coffee this morning we were ready to hit the main drag of Talkeetna and look for breakfast. This clip was taken around 8 or 9 this morning. We were headed towards a restaurant for breakfast when I called to see if they were open. Based on the fact that no one answered we opted to turn around and get some food at the general store.

More pictures and clips to come but it appears I have misplaced my camera AGAIN!!!

We climbed out of the cold snap and are no longer in the single digits. My phone shows me the weather of locations that I have programmed into it and I saw how warm Texas was, is, and will continue to be and I felt like tossing my oh so flattering long underwear into the garbage.

We have been busy but for the life of me, as I sit here I cannot really recall what we did in the last few days. The only thing that comes to mind is picking up after Ava. It is like Tornado Alley around here. Last night I discovered that the cleanest room in the house was Ava's. How ironic.

For Thanksgiving we are going to drive up to Talkeetna. We are meeting friends there and will have Thanksgiving, family style, at The Roadhouse. It is a very quaint bakery/cafe and lodge. In the summer they cater to locals, tourists and moutaineers attempting to summit Mt. Mckinley and surrounding peaks. We are looking forward to skiing around X-Y Lakes (again) only this time Ava is a year older, a few pounds heavier, and a bit less passive. All in all a great way to work off all the food. Here is a link for the fun of it.... www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com/index.html

Later this coming weekend, Steve and I are looking forward to an evening of dining out and doing some Christmas shopping while my friend Maggie watches Ava. We hope her time with Maggie goes better than her visit to the nursery at church last Sunday. On that day we dropped Ava off before mass started. As Steve and I sat in the pew it occurred to me that it was the closest thing to a date we've had in a while. Unfortunately the woman running the nursery (on a volunteer basis. God bless her) was probably not feeling so at ease. It was my turn to check on her after Communion. As I approached the nursery a really persistent woman tried to get me to donate blood. I told her I was on my way to check on my child in the nursery. She replied "oh she's fine, just go donate". Quickly miffed by her approach I felt like telling her "sorry but I am fresh out of blood. My daughter has drained me dry of all essential fluids and I currently operate on extra-bold French Roast coffee". I continued on and peeked into the nursery. As I peered in, the provider saw me and her eyes got big and I thought "uh oh....run". She looked like "Ol Mother Hubbard" with Ava clinging to her like a monkey and a gaggle of other children running around the room. She explained that she contemplated coming to get us at one point. I could just picture it. Her looking for us and Steve and I slinking down loooooowwww in the pew. We are not really sure what's up. She does great on playdates with one other child but put her in a room with a bunch of other kids and all bets are off. This morning as we drove to the Gymnastics Center I was reading Steve an email I received from Tony about how to handle good and not so good behavior in children. We are thinking of arranging a nice little "meeting" with Buttercup and her Uncle Tony while we go out for a couple of drinks. Tony- we'll be in touch :)

Well before she wakes up I wanted to share some fun clips from this morning.

Steve had the day off today so he joined Ava and I at the Gymnastics Center. We met our friends Erika and Ross and their daughter Keena there. Enjoy!

At the Gymnastics Center

In our quest for fun, stimulating activities that allow me to hold a cup of coffee while we play, we came across the Arctic Gymnastics Center. It meets 2 out of the 3 criteria previously mentioned. Guess which one got benched? We discovered it when our mommy group met there. It was AMAZING!!! I love it. It is open every week day from 9-11 for toddlers. It is the real deal too. They have every thing a gymnast could want. Ava loved it too. We got there late (surprise) but she was still tuckered out by the time we left. She even learned to say and comply with "wait your turn" when on the trampoline. We bought the punchcard so it looks like we will be back. I can't wait to see who has more fun, Steve or Ava when he has a chance on Fridays to take her. Expect footage. For now I have a short clip of the facility and Ava. I am learning that toddlers have this innate ability to eye what they want and snatch it with lightening speed. Ava has an added talent of guarding her objects of desire, sending off a message of "go ahead buddy, I dare you to take it" when others are around. Often these children are not even interested in the toy. I think they just watch her, wondering watch she is up to. Enjoy!

Picasa Photos and the Blog

I am a big fan of Picasa, mostly because you can download the photos from Picasa to your desktop. In addition you can use Picasa to connect with Walgreens to order photos and pick them up at the store. There is a link at the bottom of the blog page to connect to our Picasa account. All of the pictures I post will automatically go to our Picasa account as well. I am sharing this as I don't think I will be posting as many albums to Picasa as time is limited. Now all I have to do is show Mom how to purchase photos this way and I will be set!!!

Swim Lessons and our Weekend Getaway

So the swim lesson last Wednesday went really well. Ava is growing accustomed to the routine of undressing (we actually cheat and arrive with our swimsuits on to save on time), showering before we get in the pool (here again we cheat and just look like we rinsed our entire bodies off), and then wait with our new friends until the senior citizen water aerobics class ends. Ava did really really well and only cried when the instructor has us put the babies on the side/edge of the pool to encourage them to jump into our arms. Ava was NOT happy with this part. She does love when we get in a circle and sing "swim" songs to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus" her fave. She is blowing bubbles, splashing and thinking about kicking. She actually like when I support her so she can float on her back. The funniest part is when parent and child go from the wall to the lane divider (the long buoyant thing that makes lanes) and back again. Most child reach the divider and smack it with their hand but not Ava. Why smack when you can kiss. And that is exactly what she does.

On Friday, Steve Ava and I embarked on a trip to Homer, AK (the Acapulco of Alaska). We left waaaaay later then we expected and got into town at 6:45. We checked into our cottage and headed to a WONDERFUL restaurant called Cafe Cups. We committed the cardinal sin of dining out with baby....delaying ordering until we were settled and had time to look over the menu. In hindsight we should have told the waitress upon entering the restaurant to bring whatever the cook could make in under 15 minutes. As it was, by 8:00 p.m. Ava was barking like a dog at the top of her lungs and yelling out "Wags! "Wags!". Steve had the most excellent idea of having our food wrapped up to go and that is exactly what we did.

The cottage was very quaint and cozy and had a great view of Kackemak Bay. The owner, who lived next door brought us homemade cookies. We went for a little hike and ordered take-out from the same restaurant. We read books and even watched the original Wizard of Oz on t.v. Ava was mesmerized (Apparently she took in more than I thought because today, back at the ranch, she kept saying "Auntie Em!" "Auntie Em!")

On Sunday Ava woke up a wee bit early so we decided to just pack our things up early and head back and make the most of the day. It was actually really nice to get on the road at that hour as once you get behind a string of cars it is impossible to pass and you are stuck that way for hours. So there we were cruising along in the dark at around 8:30 a.m. when the car in the opposite direction turned on its lights....and no they weren't the headlights. It was the Five-O.

As the trooper approached our truck he saw Steve, me (behind in my quota of caffeine) and Ava in the back seat. We had strapped our little critter in her car seat, still in her pajamas and her hair was all askew. If ever there was a time for her to say "hi" but no such luck. I think she was too busy hanging on EVERY word she heard. The trooper approached the car, Wiggles playing on the stereo and asked Steve "so, uh, you in a hurry?" He was nice about the whole thing and let us off pretty easy. As we said our goodbyes and Steve was rolling up the window Ava says "Daddy.....ticket!.....slow doooowwn" Steve laughed and said "yes Ava, Daddy got a ticket".

The rest of the drive was uneventful albeit COLD. The car temp gauge read -20 degrees (yes, minus) along the way.

Here are some fun photos of our trip....

Ava changing "ducky's diaper on the drive to Homer. If only it were that easy.

The cottage we stayed at.

A view of Kachemak Bay from our cottage the night we arrived.

Ava loved this rug in the cottage. The owner decorated with all sorts of antiques.

A view of the bay and the mountains beyond, the next day.

On a hike. How pathetic are the two different mittens?

My foot next to a moose track.

Cookies for breakfast....for everyone :)

Brrrr!!!

I just got this from Sarah, the lovely woman who watches Ava for a couple of hours every week. Her daughter Caitlin is a month older than Ava. It is so cute to see them hug and kiss goodbye after each visit and pick up where they left off the following week.

The Shot

Earlier this evening as I was changing Ava into her pajamas I gave her legs a little squeeze. She looked at me and said "big shot". To fill you in, one day last week she got her seasonal flu shot. There we were, in the doctor's office. I was talking to the nurse for a few moments and the word "shot" came up I don't know how many times in our conversation. Well up until that point the only time she heard "shot" was when someone called her a "big shot baby". So to her it was something funny. Well everything changed once she got the vaccination. As you can imagine, she was NOT happy. Later that same day as I was changing her diaper her fingers found the band-aid on her thigh. She looked up at me and said "big shot baby". The poor thing!!! It took me a moment to realize how she connected the two. It is amazing how "in the moment" babies are and what they pick up on. It never even occurred to me.

Ahhhh innocence.

She has become quite the little observer. I fear it is only a matter of time before she drops her first string of swear words. As it is now she is like a sportscaster narrating my every move in the car. I sneeze and moments later I can bet money I will her say "sneeze" from the back seat. Same for cough and phone call. All the signs are there for her to become my conscience. I am waiting for the day she says "are you sure you want to eat that second doughnut?"

Stay tuned. Tomorrow will be lesson 3 in an 8 part swimming lesson series I signed her up for at our local YMCA. It is a love-hate relationship at the moment but I have seen some encouraging signs. Take the picture posted below for example. During her first lesson she pretty much cried through the whole thing. We muddled through the blowing of bubbles and kicking but I didn't think she got a thing out of it. Then, on a walk a couple of days later she laid down on the ground and started saying "swim! swim!" As usual it took me a moment to figure out what the heck she was talking out. We really didn't get very far but at least we got some fresh air. Luckily I had bought a cup of coffee before heading out on our walk so I was more open to the kind of spontaneity she had in mind.

My tardiness in getting this out to friends and family is simply shameful. I am turing over a new leaf in promptness and getting this out not matter what!! We call it the Rayes Blog and from time to time news of Steve and I will trickle in but who am I kidding really. This is Ava's blog.

The little cutie is growing like a weed and talking up a storm. Like all children, she says and does the funniest things that have us laughing constantly. Like for instance, the other day we put Ava in the back seat of the truck and headed down a sizable hill into town. Steve and I were talking and Ava was chatting away to someone or something in the back. At some point she broke into our conversation saying "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" to which Steve responded "yes Ava", to which she responded "careful". She then called my name and said the same thing. Apparently she was reminding us to be careful while driving down such a steep hill. I sat there thinking to myself "man! it's like she has a direct line to Grandma or something!!!" Speaking of Grandma, we were playing around with Ava's stuffed puppy to other day and for fun I called it her "puppy dawg" to which she yelled out "Grandma!!!" It's seems she has an ear for regional accents :)

Her inner German is showing itself lately as all her "w's" come out as "v's". The other day I asked her if she wanted to go to the store and she replied "no vay". She reminds me that Daddy is at "verk" and that she is "vun" years old. Great Grandma Anna would have loved it I think.

We were at a holiday bazaar the other night and I had Ava in a back pack carrier. She pointed to a woman and yelled "Grandma! Grandma!" The woman looked at me and I explained to her that she looked like my mother. I got the impression that this woman had not embraced the "grandma" role yet and we quickly moved on.

Another funny careful story....(I am sitting here trying to recall them all before she wakes from her nap). I was sitting on the couch one night and Steve walked into the room having just put Ava to sleep. He had a grin on his face and shared that as he went to sit down in the rocker in Ava's room (in the dark) he had a bit of a collision with the foot rest I had put on the rocker while vacuuming. He went to sit down with Ava in his arms and had to try to divert mid squat before falling on his rear-end. Upon recoving he heard Ava say in the darkness "careful Daddy". I laughed so hard!!

Okay, one more story; I am ratting myself out with my lack of cleaning on this one....the other day I was in the bathroom putting on makeup and Ava was in there "inspecting" the shower. She pulled up the drain and attached to it was something resembling a wig (of hair). She jumped back, toppled over and looked at me saying "something yucky, something yucky" over and over. Then shuddered as if she had just gotten shivers down her spine. Now whenever we go in there she says the same thing but doesn't go anywhere near it. And yes, I did get rid of the "wig".

Love to All,

Lisa

Here is a clip of Ava chasing some ducks at Fly Creek Cider Mill near Cooperstown.

The "Messy" Duck

Summer Visit

We have been busy during our summer trip back east! We went to Indiana to visit Steve's sisters and brothers, their families, and Nanny! Now we are in Oneonta, enjoying more friends and family, in addition to ice cream and LOTS of pizza! Ava's vocabulary is growing by the day. Some of her latest additions have been "messy", "Elmo", "Hudsey", "whoops" and "Busy busy busy bee". She still loves to give hugs, give "pat pats" on your back and rub noses (her Daddy taught her that). She is a VERY social baby, saying "hi" to everyone and everything. She loves to laugh and make others laugh. We have a friend here in town by the name Darlene. She is Ava's ice cream connection but also has brand new kittens and some horses. We have been making visits to her land to see these animals which is a highlight for Ava. The other day Grandma, Ava and I went to Fly Creek Cider Mill to feed the ducks. Ava LOVED it and so did the ducks (the feeding part that is. The chasing part was a different story).

Behind Bars!

Up to something!!!

Look out ducks, here I come!!!

"No Ava, the Duck Dinner is not for you"

5 a.m.

Some fun photos

Finally!

Here it is! The Rayes' Website! We are posting 2 days shy of Ava's first birthday. How timely of us. Ava is currently walking....quickly.....everywhere. She loves her books and dolly. More than anything though, she loves to say "hi!" to anything that moves. She is a joy and every day is an adventure. Enjoy the pictures and visit often!