A Sweet Beginning

We went to Indiana for a week to celebrate Ava's birthday and visit with family!  We were ready to get our vacation started!

We got there Friday afternoon, and Lo picked us up at the airport!  She walked around with Ava and brought her Minnie Mouse :)

 

Saturday, Ava stayed with Grandma all day and Matt and I had breakfast with Grant and Sara, walked the trail, had lunch and drinks, and then saw a movie.  Ava got to swing in her new swing from Grandma and play with pink sand!  It was a great day for us and for Ava and Grandma!

Ava loved chasing Max around :)

Here are Ava and Grandma with her tree!

Monday we took Ava to Indiana Beach.  We went every summer growing up, and I have been looking forward to taking Ava there!  My cousin, Allyson, brought her boys and they were hilarious and helpful with Ava - what a fun day!

On Tuesday we headed to Indianapolis to stay a few nights downtown. We had a great time swimming at the hotel, and walking around the Artsgarden and Circle Centre Mall.  Again.....I got to do something with Ava that I have great memories of doing growing up! 

After college when I lived in Indianapolis for a year, I went to the canal often to walk and think.  Our walk from the hotel to the zoo passed through the canal and we stopped for some pictures!

We had so much fun at the zoo!  Ava pointed and looked at all of the animals!

I am so thankful for this trip and the reminiscing I was able to do :)  I am also thankful for the new memories I was able to create with Matt and Ava!  Now we are ready to enjoy our summer at home!

I had a great Mother's Day weekend with Matt and Ava!  It started off on Friday afternoon, when Ava gave me this craft she made at school :)

Then, Ava slept in until 7 am on Saturday and we spent the day outside!  Saturday night after Ava went to bed Matt made us steaks and lobster sauce and we relaxed outside!

 When we got back from breakfast I talked to Lo on the phone, and then it was pretty nice out so we went outside to walk around the house and take a few pictures!

After the park Matt and Ava made some peanut butter brownies :)

What a great day!  Thank you so much Matt and Ava!

And Happy Mother's Day to my mom and Ava's Grandma Lo!  Now that I am a mom, I always think about how she must have felt like this about Sara, Rylee, and I when we were babies. I found this poem online :)

Mom, Now that I'm a Mother

Until I became a Mother,
I did not understand,
The profound sense of love,
In a Mother's heart and hands.

As I whisper, "Mommy loves you",
I rock my precious child to sleep.
Small perfection in my arms,
Sweet breaths, slow and deep.

I now see me as a baby,
You're rocking me to sleep.
You whisper, "Mommy loves you,
My heart is yours to keep."

At last I recognize your love,
As a Mother I now see.
As I hold and love my child,
You feel that love for me.

I will always be your baby,
Despite the years that pass.
You have given me my life,
And a Mother's heart to last.

The greatest thanks I can offer,
More than words can ever say.
Is to give my child the love,
You gave me everyday

 Happy Mother's Day, Lo!!