Decorating for Christmas 2012

                         
                                                     Decorating the tree

                                                   Stockings are hung with care

                                                   Ava used the tree skirt as a cape

                                        Putting the star up with a little boost from Daddy

                                                 Playing with her Nativity Scene

                                                   Reading her Christmas books

This morning we woke up and decorated our house for Christmas.  I love having Christmas decorations up, so we try to put them up each year right after Thanksgiving.  This year was so much fun, because Ava has really gotten into the "magic" of Christmas this year.  She loved decorating the Christmas tree, we have lots of decorations at the bottom of tree this year...but it is cute.  We hung our stockings, including Anna's. I love having family time and continuing family traditions!

Blessings

A few weeks ago I did a "talk" at our Cedarcrest Women's event.  At the end of my testimony, I signed one of my most favorite songs, "Blessings" by Laura Story.  I hope that this encourages you!

Halloween Fun 2012

                                                       
                                                    Group shot of friends Halloween party!

                           Yee Haw!  Ava and McClellen riding horses at the festival at ERBC

                                                Happy Halloween from the Cooler family of four!!

                                               Daddy is a great trick or treater!

                                                Ava loved trick or treating!

                                                   Riding George the Train

                                                Walking the enchanted forest trail with Doc

                                        Ava was so excited to meet Snow White

                Dressed up with cousins: McClellen (Tiger Lily), Hudson (Batman), Ava (Cinderella)

                                          YEE HAW!!  Ava wants her Daddy to buy her a horse!!

Halloween 2012 has be fun of fun, family and friends!  The fun festivities started this weekend in Greenville.  On Friday night, Ava enjoyed Halloween fun at the Pavilion, riding on George the Train, walking the enchanted trail, meeting fun Disney characters and of course jumping on the jumpies.  The best part of the night at the pavilion was when she met Snow White.  Her face was so cute, and it was priceless when she grinned and said, "Mom, it's Snow White!!"  On Saturday, Ava had fun at the ERBC fall festival with Hudson and McClellen. Ava's favorite part was riding on Scarlett the horse!  As she took off riding, Ava screamed out, "Yee Haw, I'm Jesse!!"  Then on Wednesday, Halloween our family enjoyed a great time with friends.  We had a fun cookout of hotdogs and chili and then the kiddos were off to trick or treat!  This year Ava really got the hang of trick or treating and was full of laughter and smiles!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

                                                   Look at all the pumpkins!

                                                   Southern girls love green tractors

                                                     YEE HAW!!  Ava loves horses

                                          Riding on the hayride with Mommy and Daddy

                                                    Ride' em Cowgirl

                                                  The pumpkin patch is exhausting

                                                   Playing pumpkin ring toss

                                                 Having fun in the hay maze

                                                  Riding in the stick horse race

                                                    Ava loved the petting zoo

                                                   It's Llama, Llama, in pajamas!!

Today we had our annual Pumpkin Patch visit!  We rode up to Adairsville to a new place (for us) called the Pumpkin Patch.  It was a great day full of a petting zoo, hay ride, hay maze, and many games. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time making memories.  I love family traditions!

Family Fun at the Fair

                                                                                         
                                                     Ava petting the goats

                                      Riding the Merry Go 'Round with Brooklyn

                                           Watching the kiddie roller coaster with Lyla

                                                    Having fun at the fair with Daddy!

                              Ava is all ready for the fair...complete with cowgirl boots

                                                Ava's first pony ride

Today we continued our family's fall tradition of going to the North Georgia State Fair.  It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time.  We took advantage of the free admission and free rides from 10:00 am - 11:00 am today, since it was family day.  Ava's favorite part of the day was riding on the Merry Go 'Round.  I think she rode it five times!  Mommy's favorite part of the fair was watching Ava on her first pony ride.  The day was even better because we were hang out with some of our fun friends, the Culps and the Evans.  Even though Daddy doesn't love going to the fair, he was a trooper and "faked it until it was fun!"  I love having and continuing fun family traditions!!!

Gymnastics!

                                               Doing a forward roll down the wedge

                                              Getting ready to do a backbend

                                              Learning to do a split

                                               Waiting for class to begin

                                              My little gymnast

                                             Learning to do a forward roll

Today is Ava's first day of gymnastics!  It is a tumbling/cheer class for 3-5 year olds.  Ava had a blast, even though she was the youngest of the group.  She enjoyed "rolling" down the mat and jumping the best.  I am so glad that she had a great time.  Secretly, I hope that there is gymnastics and cheerleading in her future!

First Day of K3

                                         Ava getting into the car after a great first day

                                         Walking to the car like a big girl....sniff, sniff

                                               Putting her bag in her cubby

 
                           Picking up her heart of the door, to show she was here today

                                              Ready for the first day of school...K3

                                           The traditional "on the front steps" picture

Today was Ava's first day of K3!  I am not sure who was more nervous, she or I!  Okay, I was more nervous because she slept great last night and I didn't really go to be until way after midnight.  I was so nervous about her new teacher (who is wonderful), making new friends, going to the potty at school and the waiting and walking to my car at pick up time.  All of my worries have been set aside...well a little bit anyways.  She did great!  She walked right into class, said hello to her new friends and even followed the teacher's instructions perfectly.  At the end of the day, she walked confidently to my car carrying her little blue school bag.  I will have to admit that as I was sitting in car line and saw her walk out of the school building and wait for me to pull up, I got a little teary eyed.  How did she get so grown up all of a sudden.  I feel like I dropped off my little girl this morning and a few hours later, I picked up a big girl.  I am so very thankful for the wonderful preschool that Ava's attends and thankful that she had a wonderful first day!