Camping 2010

We survived our first ever camping trip with Ava! Last year we went to the Frio but we stayed in a cabin on the river since Ava was only 3 months old. Much different experience! We have always camped in a tent so we decided that Ava was old enough now for us to brave it. Ava did amazing on the trip and had more fun than I imagined. I'm not gonna lie though, the first few hours I was Miss Grumpy Pants and starting to regret our decision to go camping. We had a few mishaps with the tent situation so we werent able to really get our stuff set up and the campsite that we were in this year had a ton of big rocks all over the place so I was predicting lots of accidents. Things started to get better after a few hours and I was able to relax a little bit more and enjoy our time there. I thought the biggest challenge was going to be Ava sleeping in a tent for 5 nights but that wasn't the case at all. She LOVED her tent! Yes, we gave her her very own tent that was large enough to sleep 10 people! Her pack n play fit nicely in there and she had her own fan and sound machine to drown out the noise. She slept 12 hours every night and about an hour nap each day (not the usual but we took whatever we could get). The biggest challenge of the trip was making sure Ava didn't trip and fall due to all the stinkin rocks. For the first 3 days we followed her around everywhere and were not more than 2 feet from her in case she fell. I had visions of her tripping and making a face plant right in the rocks and knocking out teeth. Thankfully God pulled through and answered my prayers and kept her safe. She only had a few minor scraps and bruises. She eventually became comfortable with the rocks and was running around the campsite with hardly any falls. Ava's favorite thing to do was play in the water with all the rocks. She watched Macy swim enough that she wanted to try it too so we took her in the water so she could "swim". She never wanted to do that in the pool so thank you Macy for being her inspiration. Our group was a small one this year (Alli, Mom, Bri, Aunt Sah, Uncle Kent, Hayden, and us) but we still had lots of laughs and a great time. I am so proud of how well Ava did camping. She went with the flow and adapted to every new situation so well. It was surreal bringing my little girl to a place that I hold so dear to my heart and where I have made so many fond memories. I have been every year since I was a baby so this year made it my 30th year to camp at Mager's (and Mikey's 10th). Crazy! I am so glad that Ava loves it just as much as we do.


Fast forward to a day before the river...We spent the night at the Reynolds house in Boerne on Friday night. They are always so gracious to let us stay with them. The river is just too far of a drive to make it in one day with a toddler and plus we love the opportunity to visit with them. Paige is one of my best friends from college and Ryan is one of Mikey's friends from high school. They have a little boy, Ray, who just turned a year old. (I mentioned in a recent post that I went to his 1st bday in Sequin). This was only the 2nd or 3rd time for Ray and Ava to play together so Paige and I were really looking forward to some time together and with the kids. They were precious together! Thanks again Reynolds family for letting us crash at your house and for being such gracious hosts. We love you guys!

Ray and Ava

"Ray, you have such pretty eyes. Can I poke them?"

"Hey Ava, check out my new piano I got for my birthday"

Love this girl!

The Dads

Camping Pics (just a warning, there are a ton!)

Our little family was the first to arrive

Putting our toes in the water for the first time

Playing in Aunt Alli's tent

This is how we were the whole trip. Naked and on the go!

Lounging in the chair Kay Kay and Bri gave her.

This is the only picture I have of the whole group (bad photographer!)

Ava loved splashing in the water

And throwing rocks

This is how we found Ava after she woke up each morning or after a nap. Always so happy and just checking things out in her tent.

We had the fan blowing on her so this is her wind blown look

This is one of my favorites. Such a happy little camper!

Ava's tent is in the middle, ours on the left. Sad, right? I am pretty sure I slept with my face buried in the side of the tent every night due to lack of space (oh and Macy slept in our tent too) As long as Ava slept well that is all we cared about.

Daddy and Ava

One tired pup

Eating messy meatball sandwiches for lunch

I am not a huge drinker but I did take a ton of tequila shots with these 3 over the course of the week. Don't worry, most of the time it was after the little munchkin went to sleep...most of the time. ;)

Cheers

Yummy

Daddy and Ava by the river

Throwing rocks for Macy

Macy is a dog of many talents, one being that she can dive underwater to retrieve rocks.

and not just any ol rocks, GIANT ones! She cracked us up.

Ava and her doggy

Sisters in floppy hats

Mom and Bri

Alli caught a catfish but as you can see was a little terrified of it touching her

Alli, Dad would be proud (even if you used a hot dog for bait)

There was some clay on the bank of the river that Ava loved to play in and smear all over people

Swimming like Macy

She now tries this maneuver in the bathtub

Mom and Alli

Who are those cutie patooties?!

Kay Kay and Ava

My little camper. She loves being a wilderness girl just as much as her mommy!

Here are some videos we took while we were camping.

On our way back through San Antonio we stopped by Carla's house so that I could meet her new baby Andrew and see her and Izzie too. Jenny and Bekah also stopped by since they were in San Antonio for a few other events. It was SO good to visit with these sweet friends, whom I have been best friends with since high school, and to once again watch our girls play together. We don't see each other nearly enough so I am so glad we got to spend a little bit of time with each other before we had to hit the road again.

I loved that Ava and Izzie could actually play together. Even though Izzie is a lot older and more mature it was neat to see them interact on a little more even playing field.

Meeting little Andrew who I have been dying to meet for the past 3 months! He is just as adorable and sweet as I imagined.

Big girls

Bekah, Ava, and Izzie

Picking out DVD's

Mikey wanted to hold Andrew and Ava was interested in the real baby

wow, I look awful, but at least all the other girls (and gentleman) are looking beautiful

Carla and Jenny, I loved seeing you and your beautiful children. It's never enough time with you girls...

Flashback of the Week

We just got back from spending 5 nights camping on the Frio! This was Ava's 2nd trip. Until I can get my act together and upload all the pictures, and video, from this year's trip here is a flashback to Ava's first time on the Frio River.

Click Here

16 Months Old

Dear Ava Marie,

You are 16 months old now! Finding time to write you these letters on your "month birthday" is becoming harder and harder since you are awake most of the day now and you are constantly on the move. Each month seems to go by faster and faster. I don't want you to grow up so fast! Here is what you have been up to this month:



*You are officially taking 1 nap a day now. Love it and hate it at the same time! As long as you allow me 10 minutes to get ready in the morning we usually try and get out of the house before your nap time so we dont get too bored. Mommy looks like a ragamuffin these days since I can't shower till you nap at 12! Oh well, such is the life of a mommy.


*You have about 11 teeth....I think! It is hard to get a good look in your mouth but you have gotten at least three of your mollars including 4 teeth on top and 4 on bottom. You HATE having your teeth brushed. This could be a problem.

(Don't let this picture fool you. We hardly ever sit still like this to read but I managed to take a picture in the 30 seconds she stayed on the chair to read)

*You are talking up a storm these days. You are trying to say more and more words and I love how they sound coming from you.

*Although I still consider you to be a good eater you are becoming a little more picky with what you eat. You like condiments on your food now such as ketchup on your chicken nuggets and fish sticks and ranch dressing on your cucumbers. Whatever keeps you eating!

*Some of your favorite things to do this month are walk around in mommy's shoes, sweep the floor, find bugs, climbing on the play equipment at the park, and sliding.




*Another new thing that you have started doing this month is singing! You have the most beautiful and sweetest little singing voice. You love to sing the "Halleluiah" and "Holy" parts of your praise baby songs. I have also heard you attempt to sing many other familiar songs to you. Hearing you sing from the back seat of the car melts my heart!

*Well, I am sad to say that you had your first time out this month. You seemed confused and unhappy that I was making you sit by the wall but I didn't expect you to get it the first time. You haven't been in time out since but I have a feeling that we might be doing that more often now that you are becoming older and testing your boundaries and mommy's authority. You are still my sweetheart though.




*I thought "your firsts" were over but you did get your 1st pedicure by mommy! You saw me painting my toes and sat down beside me and put your feet in my lap so I painted yours too. You were pretty squirmy but they still look cute. You were so proud to show daddy your red toes like mommy's.

Happy 16 months old precious girl! From the words of one of your favorite books "I love you as the thirsty duck loves a sudden shower". :)

Hugs and Kisses,

Mommy

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