Fall?

Although it's technically fall, we've still been in the high 80s in Montana. Seriously...I'm ready for some cooler weather. Ava and I have been busy playing outside trying to take advantage of these remnants of summer.

Some of the residency kids playing by the Yellowstone River

Chris is finally off nights (Thank GOD) and onto dermatology or as a cardiologist recently told me - dermaholiday. The schedule is MUCH better for everyone and we're finally getting some decent sleep around here.

Not to mention quality family time.

As for me, I have decided that one year of slothful living is enough. You can't call it baby fat after 12 months; it's just fat. So, I'm whooping my butt into shape through a workout program called P90X. I'm sure many of you have seen infomercials on TV. If you watch TV late at night or early morning, it's unavoidable! Anyway, it's been great to be on a rigorous schedule but also to have the flexibility to do it at home. I'm already seeing results. I just hope my back holds out...it's pretty intense.

Not bad but I think my abs still need some work.

Ava is continuing to show more personality. Some of her new "things:

• She LOVES toothbrushes. She'll sneak them out of the drawer and carry them around all day.
• She can't get enough of books. I read Brown Bear, Brown Bear at least 20 times a day.
• For some reason, she loves to wrestle pillows. She'll grab them off the couch and pounce on them.
• She's starting to know when she's being naughty. For instance, if she grabs my deodorant or toothpaste and I see her with it, she'll stop in her tracks and then TAKE OFF in the other direction. She can reach into drawers so I've had to do some more safety proofing.
• She's starting to sign a few words. She's starting to reliably say "Mama" and "Dada" and it seems to be intentional.
• She also cannot get enough beans. That girl will eat an entire can if I let her.
• Ava is also fascinated with toes and socks. She will pull on your toes if she sees them. She will also take off with socks and carry them around all day. That's fine when we're at home BUT when we're at the play area at the mall, I think it freaks out the other little kids. I mean, why is this baby cuddling up with their socks.

Alright, time to get some cleaning done. Enjoy the pics.

Wrestling with her monkey.

Labor Day

Life has finally resumed its normal routine for us, thankfully. It took quite a while for Ava to adjust to being back home. Our days are full of errands, playing, sleeping, eating and more playing. Although it's still been pretty warm during the day, the nights are cold and drop down to 45 degrees. Fall is definitely here!

Anyway, over Labor Day, Aunt January came up for the long weekend. Although Ava played hard to get, Aunt January was able to win Ava over pretty quickly. We attempted a hike outside of Red Lodge but after practically destroying our car to get there, the hike is now on private property and angry signs posted everywhere told us to basically get the hell off their land. So, we headed down to Powell for the rest of the weekend.

We did have some fun stuff this week. Grandma Ruth came up for an appointment so we got to spend some extra time with her. My cousin, Eric and his wife Bennette had their 3rd baby girl so we went to visit the little peanut. She is very cute! Aunt Cindy made a special trip up to Billings to babysit for me - all she required was a jar of raspberry jam. Finally, we went to our friends housewarming/40th birthday/wedding party. Lots of fun was had. Rory, one of our friends, has a french bull dog named Budda. Ava and Budda became good pals.

Here are pics in no apparent order. By the way, January took most of these pictures and videos. She's sensitive about getting credit. :)

Playing at the park behind our house. The benefit of living near my parents - never ending supply of beef.Ava even had her own sirloin.

Ava was pretty happy to look at the cows.
She practically wiggled out of Aunt January's arms to get closer.

Ava and Grandma Jenna taking a walk on the farm.

Our attempted hike of the Palisades outside of Red Lodge.

Ava in her party girl dress for Mike and Rory's party. I'm afraid the snarl face is back!

More snarl face.

NOTE: If you are reading this in an email, you will have to go to the website to watch the next two videos.

Ava has also become quite the little beggar. She's worse than the dog.

Chris and Ava dueling with wrapping paper tubes.