Easter Through 4th of July

I lost my wire to transfer pictures a few months ago and my mom "very politely" reminded me that I needed to catch up on all that has happened from Easter to the 4th of July.  I don't think I can truly capture all that we have done but sure did like reminiscing through these photos.

Easter 2011

 Trip to the San Antonio Zoo with Grandma

 Easter Sunday Peeps

The tradition continues of the special $$ egg

 The Easter Bunny filled the yard with tons of eggs - what a great time we had

 Good Friday Trip to Sea World with great friends and Grandma.  If you are in San Antonio and have kids in love with Sesame Street, they have added a great area dedicated to those fun guys.  Ava loves spending time there; I think we have been 4 times already this year.  This pregnant lady doesn't love the heat but it is worth it to see Ava have so much fun!

May Trip to Spearman

What a great time we had going home to Spearman.  Not only did we get to see my brother and parents, we got to see the Butts and the Dunnihoos.  It had been so long since I had seen them, but I am so glad we got to create new memories together at Blake's birthday....even if Ava introduced the most annoying nonpopping bubbles to Blake that weekend.

 We love the Amarillo Discovery Center - It is a great place in Ava's mind.  She wants to go back to Amarillo every week just so she can go and play there.

 Grandpa taught Ava to drive the pick-up while we checked out the new babies

 T-Bill and Grandpa endured the Panhandle winds so that Ava could play with Pete and his girls

 When we were home for Thanksgiving, Dad bought a new tractor and Adam drove it home.  Ava talks about that tractor about as much as she talks about the Discovery Center.  So while at home, Grandpa and T-Bill let Ava drive the tractor too.

 Perhaps she will be the next great tractor driver....

June Trip to Rockport

 Ava "caught" this fish about ten times in a row :).  Actually we baited the hook with it and let her throw it in and catch it over and over again.  She thought it was great, but I am sure the fish had a different opinion.

 It was so much fun to see the dolphins come up to the back porch - I think I was as excited as Ava was about that!

Trips to the Lake

 Abby took Ava out on the intertube because I figured "Baby A" would not appreciate the bumping around much.

4th of July

 Ava and Grace getting ready for the 4th of July Parade

 My girlfriend Janna convinced Abby and I to join her on the Castro Garden Club Float - I am so glad she did we had a blast!  It was really fun when when we rode past the 3 dads.  The kids got so excited to show off their candy throwing skills!!!

Ava had the pageant wave down pat.

Easter Part 1

We had a wonderful Easter but I have not had time to upload the pictures from my camera.  A 2nd post will be coming over the weekend full of candid shots.  A few weeks before Easter we took some photos with a pro and they came out really cute....considering the "Easter Bunny" bit Ava on the arm the second we got there - thus the stoic look in some of the photos.

One thing that made these photos so special to me is the fact that it is our last Easter as a family of three.  I was really okay with a sweet little family of three but God always knows best.....he will bless us with a new little Lowe on or around October 10th.  I am verging on 20 weeks now and time will just not slow down, it is so much different this time around!  We went in for the sonogram this week and the baby is 100% healthy and growing right on track.  I made the decision for everyone that we are not going to find out the sex and can't believe I am finally going to get to keep a secret.  Maybe this secret keeping thing will be a new trend for me....ha probably not but it is fun to drive everyone crazy while I can.

Christmas 2010

Time flies in the Lowe family and even though it is February 2011, I am finally going to post our Christmas pics.  

We had a few "milestones" this Christmas and the first was that we truly love Mr. Santa Claus now.  Ava thinks he hung the moon. Thanks to a few little elves in the George household, Ava thinks Santa is AWESOME because he loves shoes and golf.

Ava had a great time this Christmas and while I know she doesn't fully get it, she is grasping what the true meaning of Christmas is:

1st - Celebrating the birth of baby Jesus - Here is Ava's tribute

2nd - Being with family.  

The rest of the photos are just candid shots from the holidays.  What a great way to end a wonderful 2010!

 

 Christmas Eve celebrations......

 Lotto Scratching Christmas Morning......

 And White Elephant Gifts......

 Connor and Ava feeding the deer at the ranch...they were fondly referred to as reindeer this Christmas Day

 Hugs for Bubby......

Lots of great cookies.....

 Crazy boys......

 

 Sweet moments of reading books and....

 loving on our cousins......

 Eating lots and lots of food.......

 Showing off furniture for the Big Girl Room for Ava ..........

 opening so many presents...........

 And watching my baby grow into a sweet little girl.......

 Full of Love......

 Laughter........

and Family!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!

The Customary Santa Pics

Oh Santa, we really do love you.....but only from a distance.

Earlier this month, Santa came to visit Ava at school. As soon as we got to school, I went into where Santa was sitting and introduced Ava to him.  She was okay with him on a name only basis but when it came to sitting on his lap - it did not happen.  Santa could not even get within 3 feet of Ava. Thus no pictures were taken of Ava sitting on Santa's lap and I decided that I was not going to waste time at any store to get a funny Santa shot - just not worth it. Until.....

While out  with the Wilsons, 

there arose such a clatter 

and we all turned around to see what the matter. 

When, what to my wandering eyes would appear......

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick!  

Sorry back to the story, by this time we had trimmed the tree and talked about Santa each and every day, so Ava called out to Santa to say hello.  Santa walked over to where we were to greet Ava and Grace and you can only imagine.  Immediately, Grace went under the table and politely told Santa to leave; Ava just stood in awe of the power she must of had to get Santa to walk over to her table. Adam was determined to get a pic of Ava with Santa so they stood up next to the jolly St. Nick and asked me to take a shot.  

The RESULT.....Of course it is a horrible picture where Adam is trying to distract Ava and Ava is crying like nobodies business.

 So we decided I would give it a good ole college try.....nope not going to happen.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!

We are beginning our whirlwind Christmas trip to Del Rio this week, actually Ava left today to spend some time with Bubby before the hustle and bustle of Christmas sets in full force.  As we do each year, Adam and I will be tending to the store on Christmas Eve and then arriving in Del Rio around midnight. I know when we arrive, we will be welcomed with open arms to a bunch of Lowes playing games and laughing at everything. I am sure Ava will be right in the middle of the fun.

Sometimes I get sad that we can't join in on all the Christmas Eve festivities but do enjoy the excitement of the store and spending time with Adam.  Even though he only let's me stock the shelves and talk to people, I still enjoy being a part of it.