A new day has begun

I realized after looking at my dear friend Paige's site that I need to add something to Ava's...*Thanks for the reminder P!

Today marks a very important day in history that I want Ava to look back and realize she was a part of. Today is the first day of our new President, the FIRST EVER black President of the United States, Barack Obama's term. I feel like this is going to be the beginning of many positive changes for our nation. I'm thrilled I got to experience this in my lifetime. Change, Hope, Courage...all words that he used in his speeches yesterday and today, it all begins. Ava this is something you will learn about in school and it marks a very powerful turning point in this nation's history.

Bye, Bye, Bye 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Happy 100th!)

Before starting my New Year's post I wanted to say Happy 100th AvaHope.com! I can't believe it's my 100th post (and I actually caught it) I happened to notice it when I was in the edit mode on blogger. I'm so glad I have all of this for Ava to look back on one day. Thanks for all the faithful followers. Here's to 100 more!


Ok, so New Year's Eve...Still in Houston we weren't sure what the plans were. Andy has a friend whose brother recently opened a nice bar close to their house and invited us to come. Our great friend Sarah also came with us which made it even better! G'ma Sue was soooo nice and offered to watch the three little ones while we went out for a few hours. We didn't leave until they were all asleep (well Carter & Ava at least). Sue said she checked on Ava every hour but she was OUT and never made a peep, even with all the noise! Sweet baby.

The bar was really nice, we had a great time talking, laughing and meeting new friends. It was a great way to say bye to '08 and welcome '09! Wishing you all a very happy, healthy 2009!

Me and my best friend on the planet, my sis Lisa (aka Lili)

Sarah and I

Hottest couple in the WORLD Andy & sis

This was Andy's friend who owned the bar's bike...Ok, I am NOT a fan of motorcycles but I can admit this thing...er Hot Rod, rocks! It was gorgeous! They were just sitting on it, not going on a ride so Mama Rossi, no worries!

Happy New Year to all and much love to my angel Ava!

Christmas at the Farm 2008

The Saturday after Christmas we all packed up and headed to my parent's farm. It's so beautiful out there and sooo relaxing. My Aunt Carol and Uncle Abel, Cousin Alicia and her hubby Jason (JV) and little angel Kayla came as well. We all had a blast!

Alicia pushing the girl's in the swings

Aunt Carol joined in the action!

Before going on a family walk Bammy surprised the kiddos with Chocolate Covered Pretzels with Rainbow Sprinkles! What more do ya need?!

Sweet Kayla and Daddy JV
As we were walking we came upon a pile of leaves and these kids went nuts. Had a BALL in them, yelling, screaming, laughing, burying each other... so sweet!

For real...this is one of my FAVORITE Ava pics in a very, very long time. Look how peaceful and content she looks. Hmmm love it.

Oh Happy Day! Carter-man is in heaven!

Kayla can't stand it! It's leaves people! Leaves. Who knew that's all we needed to be happy?! I don't know about you, but I'm goin' to rack a pile in my yard tomorrow and jump on in! If this is the result that should be a daily activity for all!

When we finally gathered the little one's from the leaf fun, we continued our walk to the back of the farm and to the "small pond" (they're all named: small pond, catfish pond, big pond/one by the house, windmill pond...)

So, the small pond is a puddle right now. With such little rain ALL the ponds are seriously the lowest I can remember

Ok, so Papa Rossi's walk was getting a little long for some of us so Lili grabbed one of the golf carts and we piled in to go see the miniature donkey's

Kayla, Alicia and A

Coley is in heaven with the donkey's (Selena, Margarita, Cha-Chi and Autumn-white one not shown)

Love this pic! Ava and "King" one of my dad's horses

"Buddy" and Miss A

Cole

Ready to roll again...

Ava & Uncle Abel

Love the wagon pics! I think this was my dad's when he was little! Not for certain (need to ask) either way, VERY old and the little one's love it

Pooped cousins watching Little Einsteins

Next we headed to Aunt Gina's to celebrate Christmas with her...I PROMISE she was there but I don't know why we don't have any good pics! I need to ask Lili if she has some...*stay tuned This was in her beautiful backyard

Christmas DAY 2008

Merry Christmas Everybody! :o)
Here's some pics of Christmas Day with Lili, Uncle Andy, Carter, Cole, Sue & Sunny! We had a BALL!

Ok, I L.O.V.E. this pic, it was from my cell Christmas morning. The kids were sooo excited to open the gifts and I had to snap a pic, I can't believe they let me take it! I had the BEST Christmas Eve night. Coley got to sleep with me out in the "apartment" at Lisa & Andy's so they could prep for Santa's arrival. He was the best snuggle-buddy ever! In the morning he woke up bright and early just staring at me until I woke up. He stayed in bed huggin' on me saying "Zia, I'm just sooooo excited! I can't handle it. I know I need to stop talking but I can't because I'm just soooo excited!" It was hilarious. Ava woke up a little while later so she and Cole watch a little TV while I tried to "buy time" for Lisa and Andy (Carter was still snoozin' inside). We were texting back and forth and finally they came out and said it was time to come in. We stalled them a few more minutes then G'ma Sue and Sonny arrived and the gift opening began!

In Ava's stocking she got lip gloss...let me tell you people, this was probably one of her FAVORITE gifts by far!

Cole super ready to open some gifts!!!

Carter man checkin' out his new "gun"

Everyone busy seeing what Santa picked out this year

How gorgeous is my eldest nephew?! For real.

Lisa came to Austin to see me a few days before Christmas and Andy had the boys wrap her gift. He said they picked out the paper and did all the wrapping themselves. I LOVE how it turned out. Check out the tape wrapped around the ends.

Me and my little lady!

Ok, so close to the end of the gift-giving Carter quietly got up and stripped down...totally. Lisa and I were watching but not really saying anything and off came the shirt, then pants...then diaper. We just laughed and he stayed that way for the next hour or so. Whatever, it's Christmas! Live a little, right buddy?! *Meanwhile, Ava was helping her Lili get her (much-wanted) scooter put together.

Here's Miss A's first spin on her new wheels. It was HILARIOUS to watch her learn. She stuck her hiney WAY out and barely moved around the house, soooo super careful. She didn't realize she could steer it so would kind of jump off when she was done or whimper until one of us turned it around for her.
Later in the day we took the scooters outside. Carter is a total Pro on his, Ava got more and more comfortable as the day wore on. She loves it now!
Look at this handsome fella. He looks about 15! We looked over and he was just chillin' taking a little break on the scooter, watching the other kids play around him.
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OK, these deserve attention. I CRACK up every time I look at them! Sue (Andy's mom) really wanted a family photo. The first thing she mentioned to Lisa when she came in that morning was that she wanted to make sure she got a family pic before everyone scattered. I promised I would help out and take it.
Well...we did in fact get the pic however, it wasn't quite what I think Sue was hoping for. It may not be on the mantle anytime soon but I LOVE it!

TAKE #1
Note from left to right: Andy's glaring at Cole who was throwing a fit about being in the pic and wanted to play with his new toys. Carter's still in the buff not caring because he has a biscuit, Lisa's fake smiling, Sue & Sonny perfectly posed.

TAKE #2
Andy's happy, Cole's even more pissed, Carter's really diving into the biscuit now (& still doesn't care), Lisa's still wishing the pics were done...Sue & Sonny Perfectly Posed.

TAKE #3
Andy's over it. Cole's fake smiling just to get through it. Carter's now picking his lip. Lisa's fake smile is fading. Sue & Sonny PERFECTLY Posed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!