Newly Discovered...

Before:


After:

Even though Curt and I have the same exact IMAC as my parents as well a fancy pants Canon camera, I had no idea you could do such fantastic editing using the IPHOTO program. Not that Ava needs any photo shopping, but I'm all about enhancing her natural beauty! Look at these before and afters...


Before:


After:


Before:


After:


SO FUN! Chances are you will never see a un-retouched photo from me again. I'm ADDICTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gerber Babies

I mean, could I be more obsessed with these two? Our life is a constant photo shoot and they are my only subjects. Here are a few pic's from outside of my parents house. They have an awesome yard that is just screaming for some kiddos to start tearing across it as fast as their little feet can take them.

Enjoy!

Everybody PLAY!

Okay, so when Ava naps I should be doing the following:
-laundry
-sit ups
-showering (???)
-napping myself
-cleaning up the mess that Ava and I make when she's awake...

But, instead I am plopped in front of the computer going from one blog to the next, facebooking, e-mailing, and yes-shopping! Anyway, I came across this fun list thingie and although I just did this on FB a few months back, I want to do it again. And seeing how it's my blog, I'm gonna do what I want. So there!

I guess the object is to write 20 things about yourself. No limits. I "tag" everyone that has a blog who is reading this blog. Do it so I can have something else to spend my time on when Ava is snoozing...

Here it goes!:

1. I was super excited to make my way back to the states but extremely bummed that Curt had to stay behind. I secretly felt really alone there and Curt and Ava were the best things I had when I was so far from my home and family. Anyway, we are super excited to get him back here with us, where he belongs!

2. Ava is now 7 months and I am just now starting to feel like I know what heck I'm doing. But, ask me again tomorrow and I may have a different answer.

3. I can't stand being around competitive people, especially when they feel the need to "one up" me in whatever it is I'm doing. I also avoid confrontation like no other and sometimes others confuse me with a door mat.

4. Curt is the best thing that has ever happened to me, even more so now because he gave us Ava. He listens to me, understands me, cares for me, and loves me unconditionally.

5. My favorite food on the planet is, hands down, SOUP! Nothing fancy, plain old Lipton Double Noodle. It's comforting and delish. I love it.

6. I think waaaay too many people think that teaching is a "fall back" career. As in, "My first career fell through, I guess I'll teach!". It takes passion, dedication, and hard work to teach. If you don't love it, good luck to you and your students.

7. I drink about 8 bottles of water per day and allow myself 1 sprite, but only AFTER I just drank a water. This way, I probably won't finish the soda but got enough to satisfy my craving.

8. I have never had a problem gaining/losing weight, ever, and now I need to work out to get my old body back. It sucks.

9. I hate talking about money with anyone other than Curt. I think it's so RUDE when people pass judgement on how you spend your own money. I would never criticize someone on what they deemed important enough to buy, no matter what the cost. (yes, I'm speaking from personal experience.)

10. Some of my oldest friends are coming back into my life in a big way, and I couldn't be happier.

11. If I could go back to my wedding and change something, it would be the bridesmaid dresses (tea length!) and my hair (a low bun, NOT an updo)! Oh well, I was young and in love so all I really wanted was to say "i do". I guess the most important part of the day is what I will always truly remember!

12. My favorite car on the planet is a Lexus RX350. It's beautiful. Expensive? Yes. Oh well...someday! I'm pretty sure I'm going to be the proud owner of a brand new Honda Accord at the end of the summer, and that's pretty great too.

13. I am obsessed with purses. OBSESSED. I always have my eye on the next one... I treat them extremely well, as in they are always tucked away in their dust bags when not in use and they never go out when it's raining. I'm actually serious. :)

14. I tend to keep to myself when I'm around people I don't know and it comes off as rude and snobby on my part, but I do much better when others introduce themselves to me. That sounds horrible, but it's true.

15. I have the worst memory when it comes to learning and remembering names. I usually forget someone's name within minutes of meeting them.

16. My perfect outfit is some beat up jeans, flip flops, a sweatshirt, and a baseball cap. You can often see me in just that running errands. Classy!

17. I love getting really dressed up and I have been known to buy new cocktail and formal dresses even when I don't have somewhere to go on the horizon.

18. I watch the TV Food Network all day long. I still can't cook anything.

19. I am a germ FREAK! When people touch my hands or food I pretty much consider them contaminated. FUN!

20. My new goal is to learn to play the guitar and go play at an "open mic night". I love music, singing, and sharing it with others. There is no time limit set on this goal, but I'll do my best!

Okay, so fun! Now YOU, yes, YOU do it!!!

Katie Meets Ava!!!

Lil background: Katie was my bestest of friend when we were in High School and I haven't seen in her like, 3 years! So sad! Well, as luck would have it we were finally in the same state because I am here with my family while Curt is away and she was here visiting from Colorado where she lives with her hubby . Phew! Okay, so she came to hang with us for the afternoon and we had a blast. She is a professional with the babies as she is a nurse in a children's hospital. Here a few pic's from our visit together. I hope we don't have to wait too long until we can see her again!!!


What a difference 10 years makes! We still look 18, right??? My goodness... I'm happy to look around and see the people who are still in my life. Where would I be without them?

"You're My, Blue Eyed Girl"

Yea yea yea, it's a play on the infamous song we all know...but Ava clearly has BLUE eyes so I had to modify. These are just some new pictures that I snapped of Ava while she was playing on Grandma's blue leather couch, which is perfect for bringing out the color in her eyes. She's a total ham for the camera, I love it. No fear of the big black lens anymore.

Elmo is the coolest Muppet in her book. "Oh you tickle me...youuuuu tickle me, you make me laugh I'm happy as can be...you tickle me!"


Are you kidding me with this whole tongue obsession? It's kinda cool, though, because whenever Curt is fixing something and he focuses really hard, he also does this weird thing with his tongue. So...looks like ANOTHER thing she got from her Daddy. Pretty neat!!!


Touch and Feel books get a big thumbs up. Especially the pages with faux fur. Loves it.


We. Love. You. Ava.

Look Closely!

Hi Momma,
While you were on the computer e-mailing Daddy (and probably shopping!) I found a new toy...and I ate it.
I love you,
Ava


Everything Ava can get her hands on goes right into her mouth, that's a given. So, as I have said before, if she can reach it we now know that it's fair game. Well, while I was on the computer and Ava was playing in her jumper she managed to keep herself quite busy and content for a while. Why? Because she FINALLY reached the tag that was hanging on the bottom of it (don't ask why I didn't remove it, I have no good reason!) and decided to eat it. Yum.

Ava Playtime

Okay, so this video is pretty uneventful because most of the things she is doing in the video we've already shown before. It's a shorty, too, so you won't need any popcorn or candy to get you through it. :)

Ava has surprised is in the past 24 hours with some really fun new things BUT I'm totally obsessed with showing Curt and you all through a video. Much more fun, I think.

Lastly, and very importantly...THE BOLARS ARE HEADED HOME!!! Yahoo!!! Much love to my friends and family in England!!!