Typical Day at the Walker Home...

Just a little sampling of the abuse that goes on in our home!
Before...


And After...Satisfaction!

Ava's First Year!

Our baby just turned one July 5th, I really am still in denial and it seems to me that one year seems younger the second time around...guess I am still trying to hold on to the baby stage. She is so independent now and will only do things if she decides to do it herself. When we brought her home from the hospital she was easy going and slept very well at night. Now, one year later she doesn't sleep the best and she has so much personality. She has now mastered the blood curdling screech and scream and I think the ringing in my ear is now permanent. She is still pretty easygoing for the most part and plays on her own quite well but she has a temper and we are working on using works instead of the grunts and screeches that are so painful to hear. Jenna and Ava get along very well for the time being, Jenna loves having a baby sister and is very good to her.


Well, we had the big 1st birthday Sunday and it was a blast! The weather was perfect and combined with the breeze and nice shade one of the huge trees in our yard provides it was wonderful for a backyard party. Family and friends gathered for good eats the party was complete with swimming, a bounce house, ring toss and soccer fun. Ava had her very own cake which after carefully eating the blueberries dug in for fun.


The party seemed to be a hit, we couldn't have asked for a better day except we missed all those that weren't able to make it! Then as exhaustion set in we had a neighborhood wide (and surrounding cities) power failure where there was a transmission failure in 3 substations so we were out finishing the last of our sparklers and enjoying a nice summer night. Here are a few more pics of the celebration and check out our www.walkerfamilyjoy.shutterfly.com page for LOTS more!!
Ava and her little boyfriend, Austin...










We love you Ava!

Family, Family, & more Family!

Still keeping busy as ever here but Eric managed to get an entire week off from work we actually got some time away to spend with family. Aside from Jenna's panic attacks from being away from home she quickly got the hang of travel and cried when it was time to return home. She is anxiously awaiting our next Grandma Walker visit...she especially misses her tree:)


Ava had a blast other than her unusual fussiness but all was forgiven after 3 new teeth popped thru on Friday. She quickly went back to her normal sweet...uh...fiesty but happy self. The girls both turned out to be great campers and both slept wonderful in our tent. We braved thru the rain and surprisingly stayed dry. Jenna, normally scared of the storms, was eager to find puddles and do rain dances in the showers. All Jenna talks about is Anna Banana, Shelby and Owen.


And Jenna caught her first fish!

Our 4th was nice and quiet this year. Eric made it home in time for the fireworks on the Lake. Our neighborhood sets off a show right on the lake so with our neighbors we sat on the clubhouse grounds and watched the show.

So after a fun weekend at Grandma's and camping we are back home for little Ava's first birthday! Really we can't believe it is that time already! Still she refuses to walk, she is very independent and if you hold her hands to encourage walking she just drops to the floor but she will walk with any object or along the walls and furniture as long as it is self instigated. We are so excited for her Birthday Party this weekend! Nice backyard fun with swimming and bounce house, sure to be fun and tiring so she is sure to sleep well...yeah right!