Pumpkin Patch 2011

We visited our local pumpkin patch again this year, which is a lot more fun but also more expensive then just picking one up at the grocery store. There ended up being 2 separate trips since the first one ended in a rain storm. The second was sunny with a chill but Ava was able to play and have her face painted.

First School Concert

Ava participated in her first pre school Fall Concert. It was really only a 6+ minute sing along but still super cute. Her class (holding leaves) performed with the older kids (wearing scarecrow hats) in singing a few songs which talked about the harvest and giving thanks for all we have, which was appropriate for the day since we were celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving later that afternoon. I'm proud of Ava and the way she sang out. She did make a few funny mouth gestures which made us laugh. She loves being in school and doing things away from mom and dad. I think it gives her a sense of independence, and I love the great teachers that let her explore at her own pace.

Harlech, Wales

For the first weekend in October we decided to take a last minute trip before I give birth. We chose Harlec, Wales. Dave found a amazing vacation rental that was sweet and charming. The weekend weather couldn't have been any better, with highs of 83 F. We toured the local castle, which could be seen from our bedroom window and spent a day at the beach. We delighted in the locally made ice cream (more than once) and walked the gardens of Portmeirion. Ava loved being on "vacation" and thought that having her own room with 2 twin size beds (one for her and one for her animals) was the best thing ever! We brought our own food and tried to just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Wales is so beautiful with tons of variety: mountains, grassy hills, sandy beaches, wildlife, and tiny villages. I would love to go back and see more someday.

Standing in the backyard of our rental house, with the castle in the background

Taking it easy on the castle grounds

Yummy Ice Cream Shop

Owen at the beach in Wales

The beginning of a Super Sand Castle

Ava wrote her name in the sand

and found some interesting things on the beach

The water was really cold but Dave got all the way in a few times, Ava ran until Dave grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder every time a wave came.

The gardens of Portmeirion

A real life "money" tree. Coins were hammered into multiple tree stumps. . . WIERD

35 weeks pregnant

Warwick Castle

I want to jump back to August, before Ava started school. We took a quick overnight trip to Warwick Castle, thanks to our friends the Meekers who watched Jessie. After long drives in the car Ava is always so excited to check in and explore the room. Hotels are almost always the same but Ava gets excited every time! She picks a bed, puts Lamby under the covers and starts unpacking whatever toys she brought. We had a fabulous (but expensive) dinner at TGI Fridays the night before and then spent the whole next day at Warwick Castle. I had previously bought discounted tickets on base but we soon found out that everything else cost money too. Parking, food, entrance into the haunted dungeon, Merlin's Dragon . . . and of course no pictures allowed.

We brought Ava's Belle dress so she could really play princess for the day. Her favorite spot was the Princess Tower, where she met real life princesses and was able to take a special magical pea home to put under her mattress.

Dave loved the Haunted Dungeon, but it was not for little kids so Ava and I explored other places while he was being scared to death. It was 2 full days of FUN with our little Princess Ruby.

Meeting "real life" Princesses and Knights

Ava living the life of luxury

We called this the Witches Cauldron

Battle Enactments

Quick child's game of "Chuck the Rat through the Hole"