The Beach

Ava had her first beach experience this week. She loved the giant "sandbox", but was unsure of the ocean at first. We went to Southport, where the beach is less commercial and the parking is free.


We finally got her back down to the water after a lot of playing in the sand. I think she wanted to be down with mommy and daddy.



Apparently I used to run from the waves like this when I was a toddler. I'm sure most toddlers do that. It was cute.




I was too busy focusing on the kids and cut off my dad and sister's heads. Not my best photography. But the kids are cute!

Other Fun with Cousins

I love being an aunt!

Ava just started doing this recently-putting her fingers in her ears. We don't know if she thinks it is too noisy or is just something fun to do that will make people laugh. Either way, I caught it on camera.

Pullen Park

Michael and Ava gave the Merry-go-round a try, but Ava didn't like it at all. She wasn't in a great mood. She wanted to be carried almost the whole time.

Having sno cones because it was HOT.


Ava missed the train ride because she didn't want to get off the swings.

Ava Meets Her Cousins

My grandparents and step-sister came down from Minnesota for a week, so Ava was able to meet 3 of her cousins and her Aunt Andrea for the first time. These are some pictures from when we were all hanging out. It was really hard to choose which ones to post. The kids are all so cute together. In the picture above, Ava and Zara are jumping on the trampoline.

Max, Zara, Ava and Alex. We are just missing Hunter, who lives in Colorado.

Alex really loved cuddling up on Ava.

Uncle Jim and Max (who always liked to look goofy in pictures).

Ava loves to play with towels.

Michael and Max.

Ava swinging with her cousins and Aunt Mary Kay.

Fun with Friends

This is video of Ava playing with her friend, Quint. You can see that they had a LOT of fun playing in the curtains. They really enjoy being friends. If I need to get Ava to playgroup, all I have to say is, "Do you want to go see Quint?"