The Veldmans: Long road trip

A "long road trip" is what we told Ava we were going on Friday morning. We packed up the car and hit the road for De Soto on Friday morning. Ava did a great job on the trip down. Unfortunately she slept at odd times in the car and didn't exactly want to take a nap that afternoon, which led to a slightly cranky little girl. Perhaps she was just too excited to play with Reece and Zacky, and all the new toys that she doesn't have at home. Friday we all picked Zack up after school and took him to bowling. Ava didn't seem to mind the bowling alley at first. But once Zack threw the ball and knocked down the pins she was Extremely distressed that "the pins fall down". After a healthy snack of french fries (which seemed to calm her down) I opted to take her to the grocery store next door to pick up a few things since she seemed so worried about the pins.

Saturday morning seemed to fly by. My sister and I spent the morning baking some of our favorite Christmas goodies while Ava played. I was also getting a few things put together for the baby shower that I was throwing for my best friend from high school. She and her husband Craig, who live in Kansas City, are expecting their first baby at the beginning of February and we are SO excited for them. The shower was low key and it was great to see Lisa, some of her family, and more of my high school friends that afternoon. I wish we all would have had more time to catch up. I have the greatest group of friends from high school and we just don't get a chance to see each other enough. Unfortunately I did not get any good pictures from the shower, which makes me sad.

Saturday evening Aunt Lori and Dave came over to play and have dinner. Ava had not seen them for months, so I'm so glad that they were able to make it over. Dave had spent the day smoking meat and brought Nate over a sample...it was delicious!!! Ava soaked up every ounce of attention that she got from Grandma, Grandmpa, Lori, Dave, Uncle Brent, Aunt Lisa, and Reece. She showed of by repeatedly singing her ABCs, and added a few more songs in there as well. Thanks Aunt Lori and Dave for spending the evening with us!

Sunday morning we went to church, came home and had lunch, and then hit the road for our "long road trip" back home. Ava was exhausted from all the attention and slept for about 3 hours. It was Fabulous!!! I even got a little snooze in since Daddy was driving. We stopped in Medford since I had to return something at the mall, and needed a bathroom break/diaper change before making it safely home that evening.

Tuesday evening Ava had her music class. She is really getting in to this class, and seems to look forward to it. Unfortunately there is only one class left. She was so cute on Tuesday evening; singing the words of the songs, doing the actions, playing her instruments. While getting ready for bed that night she was singing one of the new Christmas songs that we had learned that evening. She loves Ms. Kim, the teacher. I am planning on enrolling her in the same type of class in January in Mounds View. Unfortunately Ms. Kim only teaches classes in Plymouth and I would like something closer to home during the winter months when the roads aren't always in the best driving conditions. Hopefully she'll like the new teacher just as much.

This morning Ava and I will head to story time at the library, and Boppa is coming over this afternoon to watch Ava while I work an evening shift. Nate took vacation tomorrow so we can finally get a Christmas tree, decorate, and do some fun holiday stuff. We'll be going to the downtown Macy's store tomorrow with Ava to hopefully enjoy their Christmas display that they do every year, maybe a puppet show, and hopefully she'll sit on Santa's lap and not yell "no, no no". Cross your fingers! :) I'm looking forward to this weekend of relaxing, Christmas decorating and baking, and spending time with Daddy & Miss Ava.

I hope that you're all able to find some time to relax during this busy season. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Ava Loved this "bear-in-a-box". Every time that it popped out she would jump and squeal with delight. It probably helped that Zacky was playing it with her...she loves her cousin Zacky more than anyone can imagine!!!

Ava & Zacky at the bowling alley.

Ava & Aunt Lori playing the buckle game. One of Ava's favorite things to do is buckle things. Then she'll yell "out", meaning that she wants you to unbuckle whatever it is. We do this over and over and over.