30th birthday fun!

I'm a bit behind in my blogging. Last Saturday (Feb 12) we went with friends to eat at the Brown Bottle to celebrate my 30th birthday. Even Ava joined us and was so good and showing off her new walking skills for everyone. After dinner my parents took her back to our house and a few of us headed to the local bar, Toads for a few drinks. The guys ended up playing pool most of the night and the girls played cards. It was a fun night with friends.

Sunday we were able to sleep in, thanks to Nana and Papa here to take care of Ava. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing at home.

Monday was the big day. The BIG 3-0! Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about turning 30, and honestly I don't feel anything different from any other birthday. I am very thankful for the things I have been blessed with in my life. I thought by 30 I'd be married, own a home, have a job I love, and have at least one child. I have all of those things, so I can't complain. Ask me again next year, 31 may be a different story.

My birthday was spent at work. I was off at 3 so then I picked Ava up at day care. We had Kindermusik and dinner out at Applebee's that night and then home to enjoy some wine and The Bachelor after Ava went to bed. Darren and I played some cards and enjoyed a little date night at home after Ava was asleep. Quite a difference from birthdays in the past and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Opening Valentine's gifts

Fun in the snow!

Finally the temp has warmed up and we were able to head outside to play for the first time. Ava looked so cute all bundled up in her snow pants and boots, but she wasn't quite sure what to think about the snow. When we first sat her down she just held up her hands, wanting us to pick her back up. Then we tried pulling her in the toboggan sled, but the snow was too hard and too deep so it made for quite the bumpy ride. Then, I decided to throw some snowballs at Darren and then she thought being outside was HILARIOUS! Check out the video!



Pick me up, Mommy!

Mommy and Ava (I love this one!)

Sophie wanted a ride, too!

We have a walker!

Last Monday, Ava got to move up to the toddler room at daycare. Technically, they don't normally move up from the baby room until they are walking. Although, she had become the oldest "baby" in the baby room by far so the teachers at daycare decided maybe it would help her to be around the kids that are walking! And boy did it! I could see already Monday evening she was getting a little more brave and taking a few more steps that she had been. Then Thursday she walked across the room to me at home and again to Darren when he picked her up from daycare that evening. By Friday, watch out! She was showing off walking all over the house and boy, is she proud! It is so fun to see how excited she is and how proud she is of her accomplishment!

Grandpa Pecha

Last week (January 27) my Grandpa, Leonard Pecha, lost his battle to cancer. He was diagnosed about 14 months ago and has been able to spend his last 14 months at home, thankfully. My favorite memories of Grandpa Pecha are how he called all of his grandchildren "kiddo" no matter their age, how you could always count on "Wheel of Fortune" to be on the tv at 6:30 every night, how much he loved watching the local Dumont cable station, his love for his 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and how he always kept everyone informed on what was going on in the family. Grandpa could spread the news faster than any text message or Facebooking!

http://sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com/obituary/20655/LeonardPhilipPecha

4 generations last Thanksgiving


With Great Grandma and Grandpa at Thanksgiving this year