My big girl is eating big girl food now! She loves it! So far she has gobbled down everything I've offered to her. It's so fun to see her expression when she tries something new.
I love this one of Eliza reading to Hailey and Ava. 
Here are the girls in the forest just outside our apartment. Michigan is so beautiful in the Fall. 
We had so much fun playing on the beach, running up and down sand dunes, walking to a lighthouse, eating out, watching episodes of Sponge Bob Square Pants and Man vs. Wild (that guy is crazy) on tv, and just being together without any other obligations in the way. It was the perfect weekend.
I thought I'd better post some updated pictures of Ava. She is such a sweetheart. It doesn't take much to get her to smile. Unfortunately whenever I get the camera out to capture that cute smile she just stares at the camera. Occasionally she'll give me a little courtesy smile. 
The girls still find it amusing to dress up Ava. Poor baby. She doesn't find it quite as amusing.
Here's that courtesy smile I was talking about. Isn't she just the cutest! I love my baby.
I can't believe my baby is in second grade! Eliza is really into being 'twinners'. She's past the whole barbies and princesses phase, but being twinners is still on her 'cool list'. In this case, she and her friend Jordan decided they wanted to arrive in style together on the first day of school. So, Jordan's mom took them out shopping for twinner outfits.
Eliza likes second grade so far. She wants to be involved in EVERYTHING. She ran for student council representative (and won!) and she also talked me into letting her do Brownies girl scouts. Cookies anyone?
And I can't believe my other baby is in Preschool! Seriously, where has time gone? Hailey got a new back back which she filled with all of the necessities for preschool: lip gloss, notebook and pen, a Hannah Montana folder, and a stuffed animal. Here we've got the twinner thing going on again. Aren't they so cute?!
Hailey and mommy at the Preschool. Hailey was so excited to start school!
Shane and I celebrated our 9th anniversary on August 18th! We went out to eat and then ordered dessert to go (we had Ava with us and she was done being good). We came home and ate our dessert while we watched the Olympics. It was such a fun night. I'm so grateful to be married to Shane. He is seriously the best husband and the cutest dad ever. The girls and I just can't get enough of him. Being married is the best!
Ava is coming to find out what being the 3rd child is all about. She is at the mercy of her two older sisters. Here she lies defenceless on the floor with a shirt on her head.
The girls also think it's hilarious to put objects in Ava's hands because she can't figure out how to let go of them. (Note: the Polly Pocket in her right hand-a common object found in a house full of girls). The other day Eliza put a sock in her hand and tried to convince me that Ava had pulled it off by herself. I only believed it for a second.
Yes, being the 3rd child has it's ups and downs. But, our little girl just keeps smiling through it all.....and crying. We love you baby Ava!
Eliza, Hailey, and Ava
Big sister number one!
Big sister number two!
Coming home from the pool!
Our sweet little Ava was born on May 23, 2008. What an amazing experience it was. She was our smallest baby weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 1/2 in. long.
It has been so much fun having a baby in our home again. The girls love having a little sister and they are such a big help. Although the last couple of months have been challenging, we absolutely adore our new baby girl- I mean how could you not love a face like that?!
