Playing in the Snow

We ended up getting between 5-8 inches of snow. It was so beautiful, and we have been out of school for 4 days. But it is finally melting off and we are back to school tomorrow. Ava has loved looking at the snow everyday, but today she made the comment that she was glad it was leaving. I am to, because I am so ready for spring!

Saturday was the day that the most snow was on the ground and Ava was so excited about building a snowman. Bradley wasn't very optimistic because the snow was very dry and powdery. They went outside to play and I bundled Harrison up so he could go outside for his first "big" snow. Unfortunately, it was way too bright for him and he was unimpressed. Ava on the other hand loved the snow and was so disappointed when it was time to come in. She had been anticipating making snow angels, but scrapped that idea when she realized just how cold it was.

It was beautiful while it lasted and I am so glad that Ava got a chance to enjoy the snow.

Ava enjoying hot chocolate after coming in.

It's Obvious...

Harrison-





In this picture, a few things about you are obvious:

• You are enamored with your mobile and are usually quite content to watch it.
• Your Momma squeezed you into this 3 month outfit, but by the end of the day she couldn't bear to snap you into it.
• You are in need of a diaper chance since that looks puffy.
• You love to have your hands up by your mouth and you are determined to suck on them.
• You have the sweetest expression of contentment on your face that it's hard to believe that 2 seconds after this picture you started crying.
• You are growing so fast and time just won't stand still.

How to Make Cupcakes a Photo Tutorial - "Rogers Style"

Step 1 - Send your husband to the store because all you have in your house is Halloween cupcake mix and frosting. (Must find a use for that soon, because I bet it expires soon!)

Step 2 - Line your pans with your cupcake wrappers while your Daddy tries to make it a carnival game and fling the wrappers in the pan while calling which hole it will land in. He didn't emerge very victorious. (Note that before this process started Ava selected a nice headband so her hair wouldn't get in the cupcakes.)

Step 3 - Make lots of silly faces and mug for the camera while Mommy insists you hurry up while Harrison is content and not crying. Continue with shenanigans and disregard Mommy.

Step 4 - Mix it all together (with Mommy forgetting to add the water) and then pour into your cups.

Step 5 - Fight off Ava while trying to pour batter into cups while she is trying to eat said batter. Put in the oven and bake.

Step 6 - Abandon baby to his napper to go to the kitchen to help Daddy, who can't wait to frost, but claims he doesn't know how because he has never done it.

Step 7 - Add sprinkles. For Ava this means putting the sprinkle shaker directly into the frosting, not realizing that all you are accomplishing is messing up the sprinkle shaker.

Step 8 - Listen to Daddy (who is sprinkling) complain about all the sprinkles and that they are nasty.

Step 9 - Eat your treat while listening to Daddy moan about his tummy ache that he got from 1 super rich cupcake. In your head you know he is a wuss who just can't handle his chocolate and consume 2 (at least).

Step 10 - Run around looking like a horrible dirty kid until someone takes pity on you and gives you a spit bath.

And that is how you make cupcakes, Rogers' style!

Ava in the Snow

It was so nice to have Bradley home while it was snowing because usually he has to work on snow days. He surprised us by getting home right after lunch time. We spent some time with us all cuddled together in bed watching it snow, and then I took Ava out for a few minutes in the snow while Bradley watched Harrison. The first thing Ava wanted to do was make a snowball, but that didn't work so she just decided to throw snow. It was falling pretty good while we were out there and I tried to get her to catch it on her tongue, but she didn't do too well at that. It was so cold that we came back in pretty quickly with the promise of Ava getting to go out again later with Daddy to build a snowman.

Harrison and Daddy (with Daddy watching the snow)

The Snow - January 2010

Here are some pictures of what our snow had looked like here in TN. We were out of school Friday dur to weather and it is late Saturday night and there is still a lot of snow on the ground. Here is a little time line of our snow.


This was what we woke up to on Friday morning. Sleet/freezing rain with a little bit of snow. School was cancelled.

This was Friday around noon. It started snowing around 9 or so.

This was late Friday afternoon. It was so beautiful watching this snow fall.

These are from today (Saturday morning).

Basketball Homecoming 2010

I was very honored last January when the cheerleading sponsor asked if Ava could carry the crown for Basketball Homecoming this year. Of course I spent the last year just worried sick that she would do something crazy, and Bradley has reiterated over and over that she was too little to do it. So as time had gotten closer, the sicker I got about it. Because with Ava, you just never know. I started talking to her about it a couple of weeks ago, and she informed me that she didn't want to carry the crown; she wanted to carry a glass slipper!

On Thursday Bradley brought her up to the school for a practice and I knew that if that was any indicator, we were in for some embarrassment on Friday night! However, Thursday night she practiced and took it very seriously. She was so excited about it.

Friday afternoon my mom came down and we got Ava ready for her job of carrying the crown for the "princess." But right before we had to line up, she was acting horrible. She was acting all crazy and showing me how she was going to walk, which looked ridiculous. I finally just handed her over to Stacy and went to take my place with a huge knot in my stomach.

When it was her time to come out, she did fabulous. She walked out smiling and the only problem was she didn't want to move forward enough and her little escort had to help her. She got a nice cheer from the crowd and did perfectly. I could even see her little legs shaking! At the end she received her own crown and princess coloring set. As it turns out, JT convinced her to walk out, but he and Stacy told Ava she could play the drums (with the band) if she did. So sure enough, it worked. My baby looked beautiful and made me proud!

And in true Ava fashion, I didn't get a "great" picture of her so I imagine that one day soon I will have to do a photoshoot!

(Special thanks to Joe and Anne who wanted to come watch, but stayed at our house and watched Harrison so that we could all go. We really appreciate you!)

She called the ROTC "pirates with swords."