Happy Memorial Day!

We have been in Iowa for the last few days, relaxing and enjoying ourselves over this long weekend. It's been so nice to get away and get a break! I've loved having Travis around more than normal :) While we've been here, we've been busy. On Thursday night my Mom's friends hosted a shower for Ava and I, which was very sweet and totally fun. I got to catch up with some friends and show off the long awaited Ava! Travis has played golf three days in a row and Ava has gotten more attention and love than the two of us can provide! We were all supposed to go home tonight, but we changed our plans a little and Travis went home without us. He is going to be gone next weekend, so I'm staying a few more days here and then my Mom is coming home with me later in the week. It's totally fun to be able to be spontaneous and get some extra help! Of course I miss Travis already, but he'll be getting the uninterrupted sleep I crave tonight, so it's not all bad!! Anyway, here is a recap in pictures of our last few days. Enjoy!

Thursday

The little guest of honor and I, who promptly fell asleep the minute we arrived and stayed asleep the whole time!
Don't those drinks look great?? They were!

Some yummy appetizers that I apparently missed. How sad for me, I LOVE shrimp!!
What a gorgeous table that was. We had such a great dinner together, I just loved it!
I of course loved the pink, white and brown touches. It was right up my "girly" alley!

This dessert not only looked amazing, but it tasted amazing too :) I ate one piece, but I really wanted like five!!

My Mom's friends always throw the best showers and parties...so many cute details!

Here is a picture of my best friend (literally since birth) and I with our new babies and our Moms.

Brynn was born just a month before Ava :) Aren't they cute? Brynn also has an older sister Ella, but she was with her Papa that night. I love to think that 29 years ago, this would have been a picture of Amber and I.

Amber and I are also a month apart. It's so fun to share this newest season of mommyhood together.

Aunt Jennie loved holding Ava while she slept during dinner.

3 Generations of Mothers, Daughters and friends :)

Friday

Here's my Mom's dog, Tigger, who insisted on being in my Mom's other arm while she rocked Ava!

The little cutie with her hair bow from Aunt Melissa : )

Ava finally got to meet Uncle Dave for the first time! She loved him immediately and vice versa too. She looked good in his arms! He even put her to sleep on Sunday night.

Saturday

Grampy took Ava on their first of many walks together.

She did great and only cried for a few minutes :) Just enough to make Grampy think he might have to jog home! Good thing she fell asleep instead!

Ava is full of smiles for everyone right now! We just love it. I think she looks so much like my Grandma Glenny here. It makes me smile to see that reflection on her face :)

My brother-in-law's parents came over that night to meet Ava and we decided to have a bonfire.

Here's Ava, throwing up some gang signs again!

Right before we called it quits, due to the emergence of mosquitos. Yuck.

Sunday

Ava with her aunt and uncle after Church.

Grampy and Grammy loved showing her off to all their friends!

And who wouldn't?? She was a little doll that morning :)

She only lasted about 10 minutes in the service before I had to leave and nurse her, but I did laugh because my friend Greta was also in the nursing room that morning and we got to chat! Greta and Jason were in town, visiting friends for the weekend :) Jason and Travis work together, but now we also vacation together!

I have loved being back in my hometown for the first time with my little girl :)

Isn't she the cutest 5 week old you've ever seen??

I hope you've had a great weekend and wonderful holiday today. We love all of our family members who are in the military or have been over the years. What a blessed nation we are to have people like you, who serve to defend and protect us. Thank you!!

Happy Memorial Day :)