Celebrating her First Fourth

We had a great weekend up in Athens for the Fourth of July holiday (I can't believe it's already the fourth!!). Well, actually we were home for the Fourth and then the next day we went to Athens. It was Ava's first Fourth of July and we didn't see any fireworks--shame on us! I don't know that she would have like them anyway. Every year I start thinking about the Fourth and want to go see fireworks somewhere and have a picnic, but then when it comes down to fighting the crowds I just say "forget it!" So we opted to stay home and cookout there. It was very relaxing and quiet. When she gets a little older I think we'll venture out. Then on Saturday morning we headed up to Athens, baby and dog in tow. Ava was in her holiday garb. I found her the cutest dress that says "I'm an American baby!" all over it! I guess it looked like a flag...but I thought it was adorable on her. Clark, Ashlie and the kids came over and we grilled steaks and corn and had quite a spread. No fireworks. I almost bought sparklers but figured mom had bought some, o well. No such luck. I should always go with my first instinct I guess. But we did have a water balloon fight. When we were there a few weeks ago and Jennifer's family came and John, sensing the kids were bored, decided to surprise them with water balloons. So he and Brian and Clark went outside and filled the balloons with water. They made three water balloons for the kids to defend themselves with and then kept the rest for themselves! They thought they wouldn't have a chance. We called all the kids out and if I'm remembering correctly, the guys threw all the balloons they had at the kids and not ONE of them got wet!! Because the guys didn't want to throw them too hard at the poor unsuspecting children, the balloons would just bounce off them, hit the ground and then pop! So their plan was not working out as they'd hoped, but the kids got into it and it was quite a show. The guys definitely got their due. Then when papa came home from the store, they all hid in the garage until he got closer and then ran out and screamed "happy father's day!!" as they pelted him with balloons! Unfortunately only his shoe got a little wet. Drats. I believe I heard the kids say this is a new tradition...the water balloon fight that is, not attacking Papa!It sure is a great way for kids to cool off in the summer, and let off some frustration with the parents at the same time!

This past weekend Clark had gotten Wade some more water balloons so that was also on the schedule for Saturday. So Clark and Wade and Ashlie tried to get each other wet while Brian and Papa filled the balloons with water. Brooks tried to help as well.:) Ashlie sort of inadvertantly got in the mix. Wade got her good! He loved that...I'm not so sure that Ashlie did however. From this picture I'd say she wasn't thrilled. Wade looks rather pleased with himself!

Ava had a big week last week. She learned how to sit up on her own. I turned around to do something and when I looked back, I caught the last second of her pushing herself upright! I couldn't believe it! It took me by such surprise. I would clap after she would do it successfully and say "yaaayyy Ava!", and so she also learned how to clap! Well, she can't make the sound but she loves to sit up and then do the clapping motion. It's the cutest thing. AND her two bottom teeth are coming in nicely. You can see them a little bit in this picture. She hasn't had too much pain with these. Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come. So we're making progress over here.

We don't have too much going on this week. I do have to take her for vaccines. Yuck. Never fun but necessary. And then we may go to the park Wednesday morning with some girls from church. We'll see how that goes. It will be nice to get out of the house and outside.

Hope everyone has a great week!!