Young Grasshoppers: HOLY COW!! AVA TURNED FOUR!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY AVA!

Ava had the best birthday weekend for having a birthday that landed on Friday the 13th! It was also the start of Andy and my vacation so it was a little extra special and relaxing. On her actual birthday we took her to her favorite restaurant - Panda Express and then home to watch home videos of her as a baby and open presents. She got her "haircut thing" she wanted so badly from her Grandma. :) We had a big day the next day followed by our camping trip so we sort of kept it quiet to prepare. The next day we took her friends and her bowling and we rented this super cool area with couches and cool black lights - we had it all to ourselves! We also played a ton of arcade games which was a little more fun than the bowing for me but you know - I'm the world's most un-enthusiastic bowler so that would probably be why! I did spend most of the game beating Andy which was bonus though! He decided he bowls better while fueled with "spirits" aka BEER. ;) That night we had our friends over for a BBQ and cake and ice cream and that turned out to be super fun! It was the best day!

RA-RA-RA! Ava got some pom-poms!

Big Four Year Old Girl!

Opening her Mimi's presents

OMG! A Zhu-Zhu Pet!

Talking on the phone to Mimi.

It's a bowling party!

I don't know why I look so ghostly white in this picture and it mildly freaks me out.

Having a super time bowling.

Mason couldn't bowl but he made the best of it by snacking on some chips and salsa!

Jojo going for a big strike

Jack....he did really good!

Check out my ball!

Crazy picture of Ben

Midway through the girls and Mason decided playing with the bowling ball storage area was more fun.

Andy did not so hot bowling!

Super cute Lily

The kids got some pizza too

And a trip to the arcade! We all had a blast doing that.

LOOK! MAMA!

Ava and Jojo working the air hockey....so cute that they had a mini one!

The adults got in on that air hockey action too!

Andy and I rocked this one.....Ava had so much fun getting the tickets!

Think Mason needs a haircut? His hair is so long!

Ava and her cake - it turned out so cute!

Everyone getting all sugared up!

Opening her friends' presents....more Zhu-Zhu's! And a Leapster Pen.....it was a good birthday for Avacakes

She got the cutest cards from them too.

LOVE this picture of Ben!

Ava got some Strawberry Shortcake sunglasses in her goodie bag!!

CAMPING!

We got invited by Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Mike to go up north to Wesport, WA to go camping with them a few months back. We jumped on the idea since #1 it's Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Mike and #2 we have wanted to beach camp for forever! It was awesome there! A little chilly but the campsite was super clean and you could hear the waves from your tent at night which was just the relaxation we needed! It was so nice! The kids slept with Carolyn 2 of the nights and we got some peaceful sleep and I got to sleep in..... I was so zoned out by the end of the trip from all the rest and relaxation! The kids had fun getting sandy and going crabbing on the docks as well as exploring the campsite! It was the perfect trip!

On the way into Westport.....seeing the marine layer holding over the beach

The beach!!!

OK this was GREAT! As soon as we were driving alongside the beach Mason just kept saying "LOOK!" and gasping!

It was just TOOO MUCH!

Classic dashboard shot

the TENT! best thing ever for them! But oh man did they think it was a bounce house not for sleeping. We thought that they were going to pop our bed!

Loving being "at camp" as she puts it.

Enjoying a little dinner - we went easy the first night and they loved the PB&J

Mason cold chilling in his camping chair.

They were hamming it up this trip!

This was great fun for them and great grief for me this log........Mason kept falling off it.

Our campsite! Hopefully next year we'll add a few things to our gear. But this was a good start (thanks Aunt Carolyn for the sunshade!)

Nothing says camping like some glo sticks!

I think he was comfy - what do you think?

Ava all cute and comfy!

Aunt Carolyn got Ava the CUTEST little birthday cake for her birthday!!

Ava had such a blast!

Crabbing!

These puppies were tasty!

Ava was a born fisher...........she was in there every time a pod got pulled. She just had to see them!

This ones a keeper!

Mason was a little "crabby".

Ava got some spending money for her birthday from Aunt Carolyn to spend in town - all she wanted was FOUR peach rings and a play cell phone. It was ridiculously cute!