The Hamrick House

Halloween

2009-11-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

It's the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse....

Once again, Ava showing off her photogenic skills and Tripp just hangin' in his own world.

Tripp looking at Ava wondering if she will ever leave him alone.

The cutest Mickey Mouse!

The cutest Minnie Mouse!

Tripp one month

2009-11-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I know everyone says it but I seriously can't believe Tripp is one month old already. It feels like he has been with our family forever and hard to believe he hasn't been with us forever.

Thanks, for the cute pj's Aunt Sheila!

And, while Tripp was turning one month old, Ava was doing her October craft of painting a pumpkin - I have never seen the kid so serious she couldn't even smile for the camera while painting she was totally focused! Of course, the finished product was one that only a mother could love. It sits on our dining room table and she gets more impressed with herself everytime she sees it - cracks me up. Literally not a day goes by that she doesn't open her eyes really wide and say wow, pumpkin!!!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-02T19:48:00.001-08:00

A little shop in our small town did a small pumpkin patch so I thought it would be a perfect thing to take the kiddos too to get some pics, Ava was everywhere except where I wanted her to be. This was pretty much the best pic I could get of them and due to the smallness of the patch there really wasn't anywhere to put Tripp and if you think I am going to let Ava hold Tripp - you are out of your mind!!!

Tripp in his outfit, looking ever so handsome!

Ava's new pose - this is how it goes Ava say cheese and Ava literally squats like she is going to the potty and says cheese. You can't get her to say cheese and smile standing up only in this position - nice!!!!

Random Pics that I like

2009-11-02T19:36:00.001-08:00

This is Ava's favorite thing right now is when I get her up from her nap (she doesn't think she can get out of her bed without me) is for Tripp to lay with her for a little while she thinks it is hilarious!

Tripp just looking cute!

Tripp sitting with his Daddy contemplating life.

Ava looking so big in her first pair of boots and she was just way into the book that she couldn't look at the camera in fact anytime I asked her to say cheese she just stared at the book and said book.

Ava just being hilarious in her Ava ways - she just got the boots (thanks Aunt Haley) and of course had to add a few touches to her outfit.

We are home

2009-09-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well, in case you didn't get the message on Facebook - Hughes Heath Hamrick aka Tripp arrived Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 11:25a.m. weighing 7.7lbs and was 19.5 in long. He is beautiful and healthy and we are now adjusting to a family of four. Thus far, he is a good baby and we are loving just looking at him and watching all those cute newborn things.

As everyone else puts their labor stories I will put mine it is pretty uneventful. I went to the dr. friday and there was absolutely nothing going on. However that night I felt horrible, all day Saturday I felt horrible. Then about 5:45 Sunday morning I woke up went to the bathroom - had a contraction, had another, then another. I thought I should time these things starting at 6:15 they were coming every 5 minutes. So, at 6:30 I woke up Heath and said if this lasts for 45 more minutes we are going to the hospital. They lasted - we went to the hospital got there at 8 was at a 3, at a 4 at nine, at a 6 at 10 had the epidural and he came at 11:25. All I can say is that when my babies decide to come, they come and don't waste a lot of time which is fine by me!!!!

Anyway, here he is on Day 1

Ready to come home (you know, I know carseats are the law but why must they look so uncomfortable.)

Proud Big Sis - she is doing ok with him has her great moments and not-so-great moments but for the most part is doing good. She is feeling a little under the weather right now so that does account for some drama.

Shout Out

2009-09-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have to give a big Shout Out to my friend Cami - you have to check out her embroidery website at her latest entry - those cute little things are for our little man. Arent' they just precious, I just can't wait to see sweet Tripp in those cute little things. She does awesome work - so next time you need something sweet for those little ones keep her in mind!

http://sugarbritchesemb.blogspot.com/

First Day of School

2009-09-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I am so far behind in blogging that I am thinking I may just skip the month of July and start with the biggest thing in Ava's world and that is the start of preschool. Here she is on the first day of school and she just started her third week this week. She has done pretty well, up until today she has ran right in and saved her meltdowns for later in the day. Today they had to take her screaming and kicking but after the intial meltdown she had the best day yet... go figure just like her to be a little backwards.

Such a big girl! I may have some random July posts we did a lot that month - the fourth, Ava turned 2 with two parties, and vacation to Estes Park, CO and a visit with our favorite little boy Corbin and his precious little sis Callie.

Currently, we are pretty much done with Tripp's nursery and I will post pics of that soon. We are just waiting on him, I have about a month left. Nuts - somedays it feels like this is taking forever and other days it feels like it is flying by.

What up

2009-06-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I realize I haven't posted pics of our happenings in months - so in one swoop I have shortly recapped every month since April. We have been busy around this joint getting ready for Tripp (yes, this is what we are calling the new bambino). We have almost converted Ava's room for her big girl bed and have started moving her furniture into Tripp's room.

Spring and summer have flown by we are outside as much as we can or as much as the heat will allow. Ava is a fish and would live in the water if we let her. I will have more pics of that later on. Hope you all are finding great ways to stay cool for the summer.

Oh, and as for those of you who have asked me to post some pics of how big I am getting they are coming. I just seem to look so tired in the evenings when I think of taking a picture - can't imagine why?!!!!

June

2009-06-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

First Ranger game of the summer and with this heat it will probably be our only Ranger game of the summer. Ava had a great time dancing to the music and just playing. Here is she is with our sweet friend "Jess". Jess is already back in England and we are ready for her to come back. Ava loves her so much she even sat still for Jess and Rachel to paint her toenails - amazing!

Life is grand with a mouthful of M&M's all the while saying cheese for the camera.

About 10 attempts of a family pic at the game and I know this is just going to get harder when we add another.

Happy in Gree's lap with her new favorite kind of water bottle. She loves the tops on these particular bottles and down 20 oz. of H2O in a heartbeat.

Met up with the Shuttlesworths' for lunch. As you can tell the kiddos were having a blast. The adults had a blast too. Heath commented that Lindsay and I didn't visit much and I just laughed and said welcome to playdates with kids you start a conversation in the midst of it make sure your child hasn't ran out of the restaurant or beat some stranger child, then try to remember where you were in the conversation to finish it. Isn't motherhood grand?

May

2009-06-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

The month of May was nothing too exciting, great weather fun times outside. Oh wait, Ava you have on such a cute outfit let me take your picture. How about a big fat "NO!!"

You can have a picture of the back of the outfit and that is it!

Let's try a little golf in the bottom picture we started out with our plastic clubs but shortly moved up to the real thing for my short game. Let's just say Daddy tried to show me the ropes but I am so good I know I can swing better by myself without any help.

Who needs both hands, I can swing with one!!!

April

2009-06-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

Here is what is going on in April, we love shapes in this house and Ava is obsessed with this shirt because it has a heart on it she was thrilled when she actually got to wear a shirt with a shape on it. Oh, the things that make a little girl excited!

We are always so full of joy for life here she is just screaming at the top of her lungs because she thinks it is funny, can't say that I don't think it is funny. She thought it was even better that I was taking her picture while doing it.

I know some of you are thinking I just injected my child's lips with Botox but no this particular evening she was just really into saying "CHEESE!!!".

Nothing like studying a cookbook upside down with your sunglasses on!

And, yes this is her beautiful Easter dress and the best picture she was willing to take that day. I keep telling myself I will dress her up again and try it one more time but things are always so nutso on Sunday mornings.

Surprise

2009-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well, this past Friday we found out we are having a little BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a total surprise I wasn't scheduled to find out but thought hey Heath is with me so I will just ask and maybe she will sneak us on in. The doctor was totally cool with it.

The name is Hughes Heath Hamrick. A little background - Heath's name is three H's, his dad's name is three H's, his grandpa was three H's. So, in other words I could not marry Heath unless I agreed that one day if I had a boy, I would use three H's. Hughes is my grandmother's maiden name and it is a little obvious where we got Heath. I don't know at this point what we will call him Hughes or Hugh. My sister is planning on calling him Trip for triple H. It too is cute we will just see what I think he might like when he gets here.

We are super excited he is healthy everything looks great. I have gone through a little grieving about not seeing Ava's clothes again, the dreams of matching smocked dresses, bows, all things girl. But oh well, I now have to think - khacki's, jeans, polos and sweater vests and blue, blue, blue!!!! Nuts, I still can't wrap my mind around it sometimes.

March

2009-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Where has the month of March gone? I know it has been a while since an update but the picture below shall explain why.

Yes, my friends there is going to be an addition to the Hamrick household. Looks like the little bambino is coming October 5th. We are excited however this momma has not been feeling well at all and once it passed Ava has decided to quit sleeping at night. I think it is her two year molars and it is whippin' the parents. Any suggestions on how to make this a little easier for all involved would be appreciated.

So, now that the announcement is out here are a few things that are going on. Ava's new favorite accessory - this hat. She now wants to wear it since it is 70-80 degrees outside. She will wear it around the house for hours. She loves to pull it down over her eyes and act as though she can't see and walk around the house and yes, she does run into things and keeps on going.

We had some chocolate doughnuts one morning and as you can tell she likes them.

She went to her first carnival and it was not a success, see how serious she is in the this picture that is how she was throughout the whole three rides she rode. Poor thing was scared to death.

But the carnival ended well with her first taste of cotton candy!!!

With the nice days we have had we have been outside alot. The other day she was playing on her playset in our yard and got tangled on the slide and did a face plant once she was at the bottom. Once I got over to her, this is what I found - beautiful don't you think. To top it off she was chewing the dirt off her lip - good stuff!!!

Well, that is all for the month of March. Hopefully, I will be more on top of blogging in April but can't make any promises. We are quickly approaching the twos in this house and that means testing every boundary of every day so alot of times at night instead of blogging I just sit and stare at the walls and wonder what happened to my little newborn that was a by the book baby. Don't worry I do think she is a by the book kid now but it is the book entitled "Strong Willed Child" it is next on my list to read.

People have asked how we think Ava will be with the new baby - answer I have no expectations. As of right now I will hold one her babies like a baby and she will proceed to take it out of my arms and chunk it across the room. One of my aunt's said you better hope you can find a helmet for this new one because it will need it with the big sister it is going to have!!!

Who knew

2009-02-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

Who knew such small things can be entertaining for hours on end. Like this crown on top of Ava's head she has never shown much interest but the other day she put it on and left it on for like two hours, like she knew she was a Princess and of course no princess is complete without her cell phone she gabbed forever on that thing all the while wearing her crown and she thought she looked great. In fact, she went and looked at herself in the mirror for quite awhile with her crown on. And, this is her new smile, can't you tell she is literally saying "cheese".

The other small joy in her life is this balloon she is holding. Every time we go into the local Wal-Mart she sees these balloons and just points to them and gets so happy and I have never gotten her one before. However, when Valentine's day was approaching and we went into Wal-Mart these balloons were everywhere, so I decided why fight the battle it is for a special occasion and bought her this balloon. If anyone dared looked her way while we were shopping she would hold up the balloon and shout yea and clap her hands. She fell asleep with it when she went down for a nap and it is the first thing she gets when she wakes up from her nap and first thing in the morning. She absolutely loves the thing and it cost a whopping $2. Oh well, whatever keeps them busy.

Ears, ears and more ears

2009-01-29T18:12:00.001-08:00

Since mid-September we have been in for nine ear infections. We are now allergic to two antibiotics, a couple don't work, we have been to the pediatric allergist, but today was the day for tubes and let's hope this cures the problem of constant ear infections!!!!

Pretty sad when this last ear infection has lasted more than two weeks we have been on three antibiotics and the Dr. said today that he drained a ton of junk from both ears, poor little girl!!

So, at 5:15 this morning we headed out to the hospital - and what could make a girl so happy as this hour is to realize she has a new stuffed Barney which was so kindly given to us from a very special person.

Ava enjoyed pre-op, she especially enjoyed hiding under the chairs Heath and I are in. Each time a new nurse or dr. would come in she was always under the chairs just looking at them, like what's up?

Here we are in the pre-op enjoying a little Barney on the portable DVD player. Just having that today was worth the $50 Gree and Grandpa spent on that jewel.

Don't I look so cute in my gown?

Gotta love hospital gowns!!!!!

Overall, the surgery went great and hopefully this will be the answer to the problem!

The days I never thought I would have...

2009-01-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

Let's take a look back shall we let's say oh 8 years ago. I had just graduated from college and started my job in corporate America. I worked in downtown Dallas on the 38th floor of the TXU building, rode the train into work everyday and loved it. I loved my job, loved the people I worked with, the company I worked for everything. I wanted to succeed and was well on my way to doing just that. Can I just say during this time how many times I said I never want to have children. They are fun and all but I really like to give them back to their parents when they get cranky!!!!

Well, today was a day I promised I was never going to have. Ava has not been feeling well but it seemed as though it was just the junk that every other kid has right now, just the time of year. Well, last night it got worse, blah, blah - called the dr. this morning said to come in. From the time I called the dr., Ava broke out in a rash all over her stomach and back and I am thinking glad I already called the dr., I am so on top of my mother's intuition today. Well, then we head for the dr. which is a little bit of a drive for me. She started crying this so sad pathetic cry and then about halfway there it happens projectile vomiting everywhere. I immediately pull over praying that I don't get hit by a semi which seriously could happen on this particular highway. Get as much of it cleaned up, realize I don't have a change of clothes for my child. On the way to the dr. I am fretting about taking my child into the dr. in a diaper but then realize I did have a onesie in the back. So, if you can imagine we both smell like throw up my child is in a onesie, socks and tennis shoes (high fashion in the toddler world) and here we go walking in to sign in.

I sit down and my poor child can not even hold her eyes open. Then, I see this new mom with her newborn (make-up, cute outfit and all) there obviously for a well-check I know she is looking at us or smelling us and thinking that will never happen to me and new mom I have news for you, I thought the same thing too!!!! In fact, I never dreamed this would ever happen to me because I was never supposed to have children!!!! Once we get back in the room as we are waiting I just start to giggle at the wonderful paths our lives take and how I wouldn't trade being a Mom for anything it is just funny that at one time I couldn't have even dreamed this day.

So, I thought I would post some pics from last week of a happier time here at the Hamrick house.

The other day Ava was playing with the hand towel in the bathroom and although it looks like she is closing her eyes this is how she winks at people, cracks me up everytime.

Aren't I beautiful and the queen of drama.

I have to hide from the paparazzi.

This is her latest trick to get the trigger of the spray bottler in her mouth and push it backwards with her teeth, therefore, spraying herself in the face. Weird I know.

I mean don't you want your face dripping with water 2-3 times a day?

Then, just to prove her Taz self, I was trying to get some cleaning done so Ava played on her stool in the bathroom and within a matter of minutes had everything pulled out of the open cabinet and all over the floor.

Well, that is all for now, please excuse me while I go whip out my engineering degree to figure out how to put the car seat back together after it has all been washed!!!!

18 months

2009-01-12T18:40:00.001-08:00

Well, I can't believe it Ava is 18 months old. Man, the time is flying some days more than others but I just can't believe that she is almost two. As my mom said the other day it is almost depressing to look at clothes because she has grown out of all the cute baby stuff and is now a little girl!!!

Here is what she looked like one year ago!

And then today. We were outside playing and I can't believe how big she is.

Here are some of the things I want to remember about her at this age:

She loves little boys ages 5-9. She loves to hit and act wild and crazy and wrestle with them. She thinks it is just hilarious. In fact, the first name she can say is Drew and he is a third grader that is so sweet to her anytime she sees him even in the middle of church she starts shouting his name. It is hilarious and I know it drives him crazy but he is sweet with her.
I often refer to her as the Taz short for Tazmanian Devil. When she is finished playing with a toy she just throws it behind her and moves onto the next. You never know where stuff might end up in this house. I honestly think Fisher Price ought to hire her for durability testing.
She is not a nurturer. I laugh as people write about their little girls getting dolls and how they instantly start loving on them. Ava likes to poke their blinkie eyes and them tosses them aside.
She is passionate (or what most would say she has a temper and is strong-willed). In fact, yesterday she was so mad at me she started jabbering off something and it probably was a good thing I didn't understand a word of it because I am sure it would have warranted a big punishment.
Although I mention she is a Taz right now her favorite thing to do is take a lid of, remove the contents of whatever, put the lid back on, then take it off put everything back in and put the lid back on, it can provide tons of entertainment for her.
She has just started gaining and exploring how far she can push her independence.
She loves to dance, it is quite spastic but so hilarious.
She loves Barney and when the I Love You song comes on she drops whatever she is doing, comes to find me and gives me a hug and a kiss. So Sweet!!!!

She is truly a joy and so much fun!!!

Christmas with Gree, Grandpa, & Aunt Haley

2009-01-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Well, Ava's fourth and final Christmas event was with my family. After getting home from this Christmas and looking at all of the loot together, I looked at Heath and said we need a bigger house. He told me to keep dreaming!!!!

Ava had a great Christmas in Snyder, below Gree is helping get her drum set together, lovely music to my ears. She is holding a toy off her super duper cool stroller from Aunt Haley.

Here is her Aunt Haley with the cool stroller, any baby doll would be lucky to ride in such a cool thing, in fact I think Ava wishes it were her stroller.

The next two pictures are of her play kitchen that is a diner. It is way cute and has a million accessories that without fail end up all over the house every single day. Ava loves to sit and the booth, play the juke box and dance. She has also learned how to serve coffee and cook burgers - little chef in the making.

She also got many other things such as a new purse and shopping cart and a vacuum cleaner. All of which she loves. Thanks Gree, Grandpa and Aunt Haley for a great Christmas!!!

Tradition

2009-01-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

Each year Christmas Eve is spent in Snyder with Mammy and Pappy. Everything about it is traditional not just the fact that we are together each year but the way we do Christmas is the same each year. We have a pretty large family and usually it is ran like a well-oiled machine. Stockings are done first from the youngest to the oldest. The cousins draw names that is the first gift that is opened one at a time from youngest to oldest. Then, we open our gifts from Mammy and Pappy again youngest to oldest. The aunts and uncles then take their turns opening their gifts. Then, Mammy and Pappy open their gifts from their kids and grandkids.

Below is the gift from the grandkids this year and it says it all - Generations. The picture Pappy is holding is a picture of them with all their grandkids (16 of them) and great-grandchildren (12 of them). I think I can speak for all of us cousins that now that we are older it isn't at all about the getting of the gifts, while it is nice and fun we are all grateful for the memories and the time together that this tradition has allowed all of us to share. Each year and throughout the year someone will always talk about something that happened at one of our past Christmas's and then someone else will add something in and then before you all know it we are all talking about something and crying from laughing so hard. This year was no exception, several hilarious memories were made. I am so grateful to Mammy and Pappy that although I know it isn't always the most fun thing in the world to make tons of homemade candy every year and tons of great food to feed an army this tradition has given us all such great memories to last for generations.

There is no particular order of these pictures it really is just for family members to see some of my pictures that I got and I know Mammy is going to kill me for putting a picture of her on my blog.

Santa Came

2009-01-10T19:45:00.001-08:00

Well, these pictures are totally backwards and I don't feel like messing with blogger to get them in the right order. This was after a morning of playing with all her new stuff that Santa brought, all that stimulation can wear a girl out so let's take a rest in my new sweet convertible.

Let's go Bitty Baby in my new sweet ride that I don't know how to drive but it makes lots of cool sounds!!!

Here is the loot

Aren't I the cutest little thing around?

Christmas Dress

2009-01-10T19:38:00.001-08:00

Here is Ava's Christmas dress this year, complete with matching tights and Christmas pacifier holder thanks to Aunt Haley. Doesn't she look thrilled to be in her cute dress. I am sure she is thinking seriously peeps are we really going out in 20 degree weather, you have got to be kidding me!!!

Here we are trying to add last night's Christmas package bows to our outfit. The more the better with this girl!

I think Daddy needs a bow with his outfit too!!!!

Christmas with the Hamricks

2009-01-10T18:40:00.001-08:00

We had a great weekend and Christmas with Heath's family. Despite the fact that Ava woke up the morning we were to head out with double ear infections, she really did great and had a lot of fun. As soon as they said it was time Ava acted like she knew exactly what we were talking about and went and started trying to rip all the shiny bows off the presents.

Here is she looking at her Dad thinking are you sure it is ok for me to rip this paper off, because you have been telling me no for a long time.

I finally got my hands and mouth on one of a few of those bows. And yes, when I told her they were bows she immediately put them on top of her head, I was so proud!!!!

Here are all the girls in their matching aprons.

Here they are with their matching signs for their rooms.

And Ava's favorite present was the indoor/outdoor slide. She loves it!!!!

Things in December not related to Christmas

2009-01-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

Here are just some things Ava was up to in December which have nothing to do with unwrapping gifts, just her being her every day self.

We are still into accessories, we love mittens and may wear them around the house for an hour or so just clapping our hands together who knew they could be so much fun!

We still love bows but apparently need a lesson in matching our bows with our outfits red does not go with pink. And yes, an old phone charger can be necklace and that is what she is in the process of doing is putting it around her neck.

Apparently, we are trying to make a fashion statement in the toddler world, don't you think it looks cool to have an unbuttoned onesie hanging out under your jacket with no pants on?

Here is her new hiding place between the file cabinet and toy bins. She can barely fit in this area and has to have help to get out but because it is the most difficult place to get into and out of, of course Ava is bound and determined she needs to spend time there. She is also sporting her new favorite look of hanging your tongue out of her mouth. We do this if we are excited, trying to be silly or sometimes just walking around. It isn't the most attractive thing but it is pretty funny!!

And, last but not least our new favorite toy, the laundry basket. She will put things in and take things out (including herself) for an hour or more everytime I do laundry.

Christmas Time

2008-12-06T20:49:00.001-08:00

Well, I can't believe it is December. Oh the joys of Christmas and Christmas outfits for little kids, I love it! Apparently Ava loves her new Christmas outfit too....

(This was after she got in trouble for touching Christmas decorations - it is going to be a long month.)

I don't know why but this week Ava has just started looking a lot older especially when I look at pictures from this time a year ago.

And then this year...

Here are a few shots with Mom and Dad before leaving for our Christmas Party

And as you can tell Santa was the highlight of our Christmas season.

Play Time

2008-12-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week we had a sweet friend come over to spend some time with me and Ava. It makes me so sad to see these pictures because this precious girl was Ava's age when we moved here and now she will be in kindergarten next year. She is so sweet to Ava and Ava had a great time with her and I always love when other people come to exhaust my child because 10 minutes after she left Ava was out for almost 3 hours. It was fantastic!

She pulled Ava around the yard in the wagon.

She pushed Ava in the swing and Ava thought it was absolutely hilarious. They had a great time together and I am sure her poor little arms were sore when she left!

Less is more

2008-12-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

Apparently at the ripe old age of 17 months, my child who loves accessories needs a little lesson on how Less is more... I did not set this up she picked out all of these bows and handed them to me to put in her hair at the same time. She thought she looked great and I thought it was pretty funny and cute too!

In case you can't see them all there are 5 bows in her hair and yes she did wear them around for quite awhile.

Rock and Roll

2008-11-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I know all of my posts involve the child but tonight this is a post about pain and agony. Yesterday I completed the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in San Antonio. Why, did I choose to do this - out of pure peer pressure and at mile 10 yesterday I was hating everyone who talked me into this and hating myself for choosing to put myself in this much pain. There was a large group of us that went (check out Life at the Bowden Household to see the whole group I somehow didn't end up with a group pic on my camera). We have all been training since August for this thing.

Most of you that know me, know I despise running. Honestly I don't really love running now but it keeps the clothes fitting a little better and it is always nice to have the "You have lost weight" comment.

We had a great trip and road with two couples down there. Here are the girls on the way down there don't we look happy and pain free.

Here are the guys at the Expo on Saturday after we checked in.

Here are the girls at 5:30 a.m. on race day and yes it was 35 degrees. Our toes were numb when we started this thing.

Here are the girls after the race, I honestly don't know how I am even standing. I seriously have never been in so much pain.

Here are the guys after the race. A little background Heath and KW (in the middle) did not do one bit of training for this thing, they just decided they would just walk it and if you know these two this is not shocking at all. They are absolutely hysterical together and we laughed so hard on the way there and back and in fact the guy in the middle bought a hat, that he wore in the race, that says "In my dreams, I am a Kenyon". He even wore the bright green shirt in case he passed out people would find him in the ditch! The guy on the right, JD, trained hard for this and ran a great race!

And this is what 13.1 miles will do to a person. I know she looks like she is talking but seriously she fell asleep on the way back to the hotel from dinner. I am not talking a light sleep, she was out!

The picture below is a special one of me and my running partner LD we have been friends since we moved here but there is just something about running for weeks on end that you just form a bond and one I wouldn't trade for the world. When we started training for this thing she could run 2 minutes before she was breathing hard - this picture was after we completed 13.1 miles. Each time we trained for this she was so bitter about getting up in the morning and if it was cold just forget it, she was mad at the world. However, come race day I didn't even know who this girl was. She was happy, ran the best she has ever ran, was Ms. Chatty to all the random people cheering us on. She looked at the 10K sign and was like "Oh, I can totally do a 10K no prob." We did a total role reversal I was the one at mile 10 when someone asked How are ya'll doing? My response was "I have no skin on the bottom of my feet, my knees and and hips ache with every step I take and at this point I just want to amputate the bottom half of my body but other than that I feel great." You go LD, I am so proud of you!!!!

All in all the trip was fun despite the aching body and all the times we were lost (which was just about everytime we got in the car). I seriously could barely walk last night and I am still hurting tonight but for all the laughs we had on the way there, while we were there and on the way back you just can't trade those great times with friends.

Accessories

2008-11-12T08:34:00.001-08:00

Lately Ava has been obsessed with accessories. She used to just rip glasses, hats and jewelry off. However, now if I put something on her and say "Oh, pretty Ava" she just opens her mouth really big and you can tell she truly thinks she hung the moon and just walks around the house smiling at whatever it is. In the picture, she was playing in the doctor's kit and got these glasses out and brought them to me to put on her. I did and I of course went on and on at how pretty she looked and she left them on forever. They don't have lenses so she loved that she could touch her eyes through the glasses and here she is just chillin' in her glasses.

We have also received a huge bag of the biggest bows ever. It will be awhile before she has enough hair to hold the bows, but lately she has been getting these bows out for me to put in her hair. It is hilarious there are times where we have three or more bows in her hair and she thinks she looks great! I haven't had a chance to capture a picture but maybe by the time I do my next post I will have it.

Let's go to the hop

2008-11-04T12:26:00.001-08:00

Isn't this trick-or-treator as scary as they get? Ava had a blast on Halloween and truly loved her costume. She clapped when she got to wear it and loved looking at herself in it. I don't know how some of you parents get these adorable pictures it is impossible to get one of Ava standing and smiling because if you are standing you should be moving, right?

Above, she is groovin' to a little Lights, Camera, Action before we head out for loads of fun. Below I was just trying to get a picture of her smiling at the camera and she just smiled at her Daddy instead, so precious.

It was actually kind of funny how much Ava loved Halloween. In our neighborhood they mark off some streets where trick-or-treating is only allowed at those homes and only golf carts are allowed as a means of transportation besides walking. So, some people really got into their decorations and the scarier it was the more Ava loved it. I am not kidding you she watched some thing take its head off five times. Then there was this guy dressed in a really scary costume that would just walk around his driveway while all other children screamed and ran for their mothers, mine ran for him waving hello with a big smile on her face. Then stood perfectly still for my sister to take a picture of him with Ava. Crazy and I haven't decided if I should be concerned about this or not. In fact, if the people didn't have a dog or some sort of decoration she would just sit in their driveway, like what fun is this? Below is the picture of how excited her Aunt Haley and Ava were to receive a couple of Dum Dum suckers!!! Fun times! (My sister has a lot more pictures of this night captured on her camera especially how excited a little girl gets at the first taste ever of a Dum Dum sucker.)

Ava's new hiding spot

2008-10-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

So, I have been on a little dry spell from blogging. I don't know why, I guess time. I would like to say I have been cleaning my house but now that the tazmanian devil lives with us, my house never looks clean. I feel like all I do is pick up, pick up and I turn around and the taz hits another room. Awww the joys of motherhood and I know all you mothers out there are saying it won't get better or wait till you have more than one and I personally want to thank you for your encouraging words.

But really, Ava has been sick for a month I think and for two weeks now we are finally well and my child is back to her happy self. Along with the wellness, she has decided to catch up on a month of eating. She is slowing down a little but last week the girl could not get full anything you put in front of her she ate and ate and ate. One night last week Heath was not going to be home for dinner and my mom was like well good you don't have to cook and I was like oh we have forgotten about little Miss Piggy and I did have to fix a meal for her (a roasted chicken thigh, almost an entire can of green beans, two huge spoonfuls of mashed potatoes and rainbow sherbet for dessert).

Today she has started the funniest thing. She just left the playroom and walked into her bedroom and it was so quite in there. Well, she was hiding in between the wall and the crib. She was so perfectly quiet and just sitting there that when I found her she just smiled and waved. Tonight when we got home from church she went to her little spot and again just sat there and would just poke her head around and say Boo and smile, she thought she was hilarious and I finally had the opportunity to take some good smiling pics of the little one.

Peek-a-boo sweet girl!

Don't I look like I get into some major trouble!

Although some days I just want to think what else can you get into to, she is so much fun and has so much fun playing, dancing, saying new things, praising herself for anything, jumping on our bed and just all kinds of fun things - she definitely keeps us laughing.

West Texas again

2008-10-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was Heath's 10 year college reunion at good ol' ACU. It was so fun and we got to see lots of people I haven't seen since I left. We had a great time hanging out with the Paty's all day. Friday night of course we went to see my parents and it was the big Snyder Tigers vs. Sweetwater Mustangs high school football game. Some good friends of ours had us over before the game for dinner. We had a great time visiting with our family friends and here is a picture of our little munchkins. My child of course decided she no longer likes grass so this is the only picture she is in and not crying and notice the Princess is standing while all the other children are sitting.

Here is my little Snyder Tiger before the game. Of course her Gree made sure she was going to sport her Tiger colors. No picture is complete without something in our mouth. I rarely get smiley pictures anymore because we have to know what everything tastes like and I do mean everything! Her auntie made her a matching bling, bling pacifier holder - it is super cute and she has started her own little side business so if you are interested let me know.

I don't have any pictures from homecoming seeing as how I left the child with her grandparents so I didn't feel as though there would be tons of picture opportunities since all of our pictures consist of the child. Someone asked if I missed having her there and I said do I miss pushing a stroller, hauling a diaper bag, dealing with her schedule or lack there of on that day - ummm, simple answer no!!!!! It was a fun day Patys' - loved catching up and due to Ginger's persuasion I may start looking at starting Face Book apparently all the cool kids do it and I sure don't want to be left out!

Weekend in Talty

2008-10-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we went out to visit Heath's family. We went to celebrate the September birthdays (just a month late). We went and ate at Gloria's and did some shopping at The Harbor in Rockwall. We had lots of fun with the cousins and Ava of course was on the move constantly.

Noni (Heath's mother) wanted to have some pictures of Ava in this witch hat she had. She is holding onto Heath's leg like save me would ya!

But then after getting some attention she decided she might like the hat and then began posing.

Here are the cousins getting ready for some yummy food at Glorias'.

Nothing to top off the weekend like a little ice cream from Cold Stone.

Tagged

2008-10-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been tagged by Mrs. Leslye Roberts. This is a picture from my sixth folder and the sixth picture in that folder.

This picture was from our family vacation in 2006 at Estes Park, CO and this is Calypso Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ava wasn't even around during this vacation. We went with our family friends we vacationed with every year while growing up and the little boy in the picture is their son. Anyway, it was fun times. We love Estes Park and try to go annually in the summer it is just gorgeous!

I tag Lindsay Shuttlesworth (maybe you will come back to blogland) and Heather Blevins.

Is my child spoiled or what

2008-10-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

Most of you who know my child, know the answer to this question and if you don't it is yes!!! She is my parents first grandchild and she has been with them for four days. I left my camera with them and these are the pictures I had

Is it her birthday you might ask, because when else would any sane adult allow such a mess. No, Gree and Grandpa decided she needed some Oreo cookies for dessert one day. I think she liked them in fact they said she was clapping out of pure joy and stuffing one in right after the other.

I think Elvis entered the building on this one.

And no weekend would be complete without chillin' with Grandpa and watching none other than The Wiggles!!!

West Texas

2008-10-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well folks, we headed out to West Texas last weekend to my parents house. Ava just got back from West Texas tonight so yes my house has been in one piece for four solid days - ahh the little things I appreciate now that I have a child. Heath and I have had a lot of fun this week but we were ready for the munchkin to return.

We did not know we were in for such a treat it was the big motorcycle rally for White Buffalo Days that weekend (this rally is ranked 6th in the nation!) We started off the rally on Friday night with a motorcycle parade. At first, I thought are you kidding me but it was my kind of parade it was at night so it was cool and it only lasted 15 minutes and we got to see a lot of cool bikes. Saturday morning my sis and I went for an 8 mile run and met the rest of the family at the soccer fields because some of our favorite kiddos were playing (Jax in the yellow, Jadan in the
green)...

Ava enjoyed the games and thought she needed in on the action.

Then, for lunch we headed down to the square to see what the vendors had to offer for White Buffalo Days and there wasn't much, but as in any small town got to visit with some people I hadn't seen in awhile. So, we had some lunch laid around all day because if you saw above I ran 8 miles I really couldn't do much of anything just because I was in pure pain!!! Then, for the main reason we went was for a big birthday celebration. On my mom's side of the family all 10 of us cousins were pretty much born and raised in West Texas and grew up like brothers and sisters. Some of us are married with children so the family is growing at a rapid pace. My brilliant cousin Lauren came up with the idea to do three birthdays a year for the great grandchildren and they will just be combined birthdays which is great because it gives us all a reason to get together at least that many times a year. So, we kicked off the first birthday celebration. Here Ava is enjoying one of her favorite things about birthday parties balloons.

Here are two of our little girls Mallerie and Tymrie showing Ava some love, I don't know if you can find Ava in there because Mallerie really had the love going on

Then here are all the little ones in their shining glory it is impossible to get a dazzling picture of this many kids but this is the best I can get. And that's not all, yes we are missing two - Steeley and CJ weren't able to be with us this time around and we missed ya'll!!!

I did have a little better picture but this one so adequately shows most of their personalities...
I am going to have to jot them down just so we don't forget what all these precious kids are like
Starting at the right...
Mallerie - This girl is so skinny and eats everything in sight you can't really tell but she is looking at this cake and smiling and she so did take her big piece of chocolate cake and sat ate it while the other kids played - she never misses dessert

Tymrie - She is usually a total ham for the camera (just like her mother) but in this instance I honestly think she thinking this is like my 4th or 5th party can we just get on with it.

Jax - Sweet Jax is probably just watching to make sure everyone is included and helping each other, he is always concerned for others.

Jagger - Happy baby Jagger with a smile that can melt your heart. In this picture he is being a total third child and just going with the flow like whatever let's move on with this.

Ava - She was nearing the breaking point of enough already

Micah - She is beside Ava and was the first great grandchild. She is growing up to be a beautiful little girl and this is total her she never misses a minute to pose in front of the camera.

Stryker - He is above Ava and it was his first birthday, he is usually a very happy baby but he was pretty much done at this point, poor guy.

Taylor - Taylor isn't facing the camera because his sweet spirit is making sure Stryker is ok. We are very blessed to have such sweet boys. Taylor is always the first one to run in and hug every person in the room and doesn't leave until he has hugged everyone goodbye.

That concluded our weekend. Everyone laughs about how much I love going to West TX and with this kind of entertainment I know you are all jealous you can't enjoy the beauty of pure flat land without a tree in sight for miles. Although I really do think it is beautiful we love to go see family when we are altogether it is fun to catch up and just watch the kiddos play (even though some might mistake it for a three ring circus), it is loud and crazy and I could go on and on about all the memories but I am so glad we all have these memories and so look forward to sharing many more. Oh yeah, if you want to know more about White Buffalo Days because you are thinking about taking your next family vacation to it, just google it to learn its purpose - I know you can't wait to go!!!

There's a first time for everything

2008-09-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

I know you are thinking from the title of this post this is surely about Ava and while it is, it is about a first time for myself. This weekend our class activity with our Bible class was camping. My friends, this was the first time in my life that I have ever been camping. I know some of you are thinking spoiled brat but honestly I love air conditioning and electricity and a bathroom within a few feet of my bed, call me crazy but those are things I enjoy in life! I simply went out of peer pressure and it was fun. So, the reason for no blogging lately is I have been making list after list of things for this two night trip. Below you can see the car packed to the top and I promise everything in here was a necessity - we just happen to require a lot more things than most people there that had two or three kids! (And, all meals were provided so there is no food in this car!)

Below was our crib for the weekend. We found this jewel at Sam's for $75, what a deal. I mean if I was going to do this, I wanted space and I had space. In fact, we had the second biggest tent of anyone there, it so kindly became known as the Taj Mahal seeing as how every tent around us that was much smaller than ours held families with two and three kids and we had one but c'mon people I had a pack -n -play.

Ava did great! This was her means of transportation around the campground, she had so much fun.

There was a playground right by our campsites so that was entertaining here she is with her Daddy going down the slide she could have done that all day I think.

And of course no camping trip is complete without her mother's friends feeding her full of cheese puffs and covering herself in orange that then took like 10 wipes to get off of our face and hands. This was probably the only thing she sat down and ate, the rest of the time if her eyes were open she was on the move because she might miss something if she fell asleep and we wouldn't want that now would we.

Overall, I would say we survived our first camping trip and we will definitely make sure this is an annual thing. I can definitely appreciate that people enjoy camping. Is it going to be the next family vacation - I am afraid not seeing as how I looked at Ava as we were both in the shower and I am trying to not let her slip off the handicap bench and a butterfly decided to join in on the fun as well as a few other small creatures I just said next time we are on a vacation I think it will be at a hotel!!!!!

Thanks to Alisha for a wonderful first time experience in the world of camping. You did a great job of planning the trip and the meals were awesome.

American Girl in the making

2008-09-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I can't believe my 14 month child has already been to the American Girl store, this wasn't planned for a few years down the road but this was a special occasion. The sweet girl with Ava is Jessica she and her family are missionaries in England. They were in the states for a visit and she has a doll so while her parents were taking care of business in Houston my mom took her to the American Girl store so of course Ava got to go. When we got Ava's stroller out of the car Jessica asked if this was her push chair. I was like sure we call it a stroller but push chair makes sense too.

I can't believe they have so much stuff for dolls, it was insane but so much fun. The pic below is of Jessica and her doll Kirsten. I know, I know bad pic but we were seated by a window. If you haven't been to this store before your doll gets to sit with you at the Bistro and has her own doll sized menu.

And here is a pic of Ava with the doll the Bistro kindly let us borrow. In this picture Ava is demonstrating some of her aggressive affection. She is obsessed with dolls with blinky eyes (she has one at home) and all she wants to do is poke their eyes out. I try to work on this by saying Oh, sweet baby. Well, a few weeks ago someone was holding a real baby and I said Oh, sweet baby and Ava poked his eye. So, warning to mom with newborns and if Ava is in sight !!!!

Of course, no dining experience is complete without a milkshake!

All in all the trip was a success Jessica ended up with some outfits for her doll. The best part about it was listening to Jessica tell her mom about the whole experience in her English accent. It was so sweet and funny at the same time.

The little sickie

2008-09-14T14:11:00.001-07:00

Well folks, we had our first ear infection at the Hamrick house. I must say I am pretty happy with the fact that it took exactly fourteen months to get our first ear infection. But we didn't just get one we went all out for the first time we had double ear infections. It is always nice when the doctor looks in the ear she had not been messing with at all and says wow this one is really infected and I am like great I wasn't even concerned with that ear.

Normally, the pic below looks about how Ava is 95% of the time - extremely excited or just slightly spastic - take your pick.

This is how she looked yesterday evening. Poor little thing. So, what does one do when she is sick watch The Wiggles all day long!!! I think Mom, Dad, Gree and Grandpa (my mom and dad) could have gone insane and now can quote The Wiggles we have seen it so much.

I will say thank goodness for drugs because this is how I found the precious one this morning and the best thing about the picture is she is in her own bed and had been for 12 hours straight - let's just say we spent plenty of bonding time in the recliner the night before. I know you are thinking "Good night - how many blankets must one child have?" We have three blankies we sleep with at night, I know excessive is your first thought and while it is she sleeps great so who cares. I do however only allow one small blankie out in public - I would say I only allow that so people don't think we are over the top or anything but I just refuse to carry anything else. Ever since I entered the realms of motherhood I feel like a pack mule so one is all I can sanely handle keeping up with!!!!!

2008-09-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

You know you always want things you don't have, I have always received comments on how much hair she has and how they wish their children had that much hair. What is funny is that when she was a baby I loved her hair, however, with all this hair came a few draw backs. I LOVE big bows, but when Ava was a baby the headbands never worked for her they slid off all the time and she just didn't look as cute as the baby's without hair looked so I had to wait a little while before I could use big bows. Another draw back was that haircuts had to start early for this one. I started just doing a few trims at age six months because when you are looking like this

it is just time my friends that you need a little trim and I felt like I could save a few bucks and do it myself. Well, lately I have had several questions mainly from family members about when I was going to take her to get a real hair cut and I just can't imagine why they were asking because she woke up every morning looking like this

I mean if that isn't beauty in the making. We had to clip that stuff back the minute she woke up because she couldn't even see to eat her breakfast. So, on August 29th Ava received her first haircut at Cool Cuts. Now, I know there are those out there thinking wow you paid too much for that but I am here to tell you I would have paid more for the hair cut to go as smoothly as it did - here are some pics...

The finished product!!!! I will admit it was time for some shaping and layering that is just above my haircutting techniques. It does look good and we can still have our little pony on top of our head with a big bow. Overall, she did fantastic she thought she was pretty cool driving that taxi all while watching The Wiggles, could life get any better

Here I go....

2008-09-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I have taken the plunge and decided to start a blog after being a blogstalker for 2 years now. For those of you that I have not seen since college - just a little catch up I got married to Heath and we have been married for almost 5 years. So, I am no longer JB or JamiBrown (for those that didn't know me in college people called me Jami Brown both first and last as if that was my first name).

As you can see below within the last year we had Miss Ava. So, since I didn't start a blog when my child was born - you can go back and see what she looked like at each month of her life for the past 12 months. Ava is a funny little girl and as time progresses I will fill you in on her and other various thoughts that I have.