Adventures 2

Well another month has passes by WAY too fast. It seems like life is just flying by at the speed of light. I just remember when your in school how slow time passed. After being out of school for 16 years now weeks seem like days. Which is a good thing cause that must mean we are having a great time. Some times when I start to say "I can't wait for the weekend!" I have to remind myself to enjoy the now. And with Ava around there is not a whole lot not to enjoy.

Since we got our Annual Passes to Disneyland we have been back 2 more times. She really seems to like it but what kind of kid would not like it. We have met up with Bryan and Nick but we forgot the camera and do not have pictures to share. Oh well we will remember it next time.

The rest of the pictures are just of random thing's and places we have taken Ava over the last month or so.

Yep this was the day I have been waiting for since Ava was born. I just could not wait to take her to Disneyland. I could not wait to the point that I convinced Julie to go on a Saturday in July that probably turned out to be the hottest weekend in July.

We did not go till 5:30. That helped with the heat. As far as being busy, we were not going on rides where the long 2 hour waits were. The first thing Ava did after getting into the gates was to kiss the ground with joy.

After she was done rolling around on Main Street USA we headed over to "Its A Small World" . It was Ava's first ride and I think the Annual Passports we got will be put to good use this year. Ava was overwhelmed with all the animatronic dolls, lights and music. The look on her face was worth the price of admission.

The next stop was a ride on "Mr Toads wild ride. Another short 10 minute wait and she was excited to see motorized beep beep cars. For the most part it would be kind of scary for little ones. But everything happened so fast I think she just like the strobe lights and sudden movements while navigating the streets of London.

Right across the way was the carousel, and we could not pass that up. There again there was no line. We pretty much walked right on. After strapping Ava on the horse she was pretty excited. But then it took them a couple minutes to get the thing going so she was getting a little anxious. After the ride started to move and the horse started going up and down all was right with the world again.

The last thing we did in Disneyland was the "Tiki Room" Filled with birds I thought it was going to be up Ava's alley. But since it required sitting we could not really sit through the whole thing. So that means no pictures.

After the Disneyland park we headed over to Southern California Adventures. The first thing we did was buy Ava her first set of Mickey ears. Then we got to play in the little spash area in "Its A Bugs Life" That's one of Ava's favorite things, splashing in water.

The last thing we did was have dinner at the Pacific Pier, food is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. But its really good. Not like the normal amusement park food. A couple clam chowder sourdough bread bowls and a couple drinks came out to 24 bucks. Oh well it fed 3 people.

And that was Ava's first trip to Disneyland. It was hot for the first hour but it turned out to be a really pleasant evening. The tempurature was perfect and the SoCal Adventures is really the best place. Its not even close to as busy as the Main Disneyland park.

Ava & Mommy joined a summer class (Mommy & Me) where they go on field trips every Thursday and some Sundays. The first outing was to Kenneth Hahn Park. They had all kinds of cool ducks and other wildlife around for Ava to chase around.

Ava has had a busy time since we updated the website. She has been to the Aquarium of the Pacific a couple times. Been to the local Fire Station Open House (She LOVES watching fire trucks) Been to a friends birthday party (she meet Gwennie in her swim class) And in all that time we were able to christen the Poker table Darren and I built.

The last thing we did was we went to the Aquarium Of The Pacific's New Member night. We usually don't like to do things Sunday nights with the start of the workweek so close. But this sounded like too much fun. We had dinner at Bubba Gump's which has some GREAT shrimp dishes.

The Aquarium was a lot less crowded but there were still a lot of people. But they had a guy playing the steel drum for a Caribbean feel. Ava liked the music so much we bought her a CD so she can keep dancing. She really seems to react to music.

We walked to the Lorikeet Forrest which was closed but some of the birds still came up to say hi to Ava. But Ava did get to play on the turtle outside the display.

Another thing we got to do was go to the Westchester Fire Department's Open House. They just moved the station down the street from us and she LOVES seeing the trucks go by with the lights and sirens. As soon as she hears the sirens in the distance it becomes her priority to try and get to the window or door to see them go by.

It was nice day. In the sun it was warm but in the shade it was perfect. Grandpa came with us cause it was just another excuse to spend more time with Ava. And I can't say I much blame him. We ran into just about everyone there from family and friends and even an old instructor that I had for my 5th year Apprentice classes.

But anyway they have a beautiful facility and it will be almost impossible for our house to burn down since they are so close.

The last grouping of pictures has a little of everything. Our trip to the beach where my plane mad its first successful and almost uncontrollable flight. Playing in the back yard on the swing and a little slide.

Ava has also become a real saver. If you give her a quarter and tell her to "go to the bank" she will take the quarter and run to her room and put it in the bank. Its really cute.

One Well Darren is officially married. We just got back from their wedding in Lake Tahoe, CA. It was nice to see all the family in one place again. Although some could not make the long drive and were missed. The majority of them were there.

The other thing is we found out that Ava gets car sick. Thank god we rented a car. And this is another reason not to buy a used car. But it was the best 250 bucks we have ever spent.

I know having a child would be a life changing event. And I knew things would never be the same again. But what I did not realize is how much fun things would be. Even the diaper changes are not as bad as I thought they were gonna be.

Since work as slowed down a lot I am getting to spend some really great time with Ava. Although its not the best time to be off financially the time I am spending with Ava is priceless.

Its been a little while since I have updated the site so we will get right to the pictures.

I think we had a pretty exciting weekend. Another trip to Big Bear to hang out and do a little Geocaching. The weather was great and it was good just to get out a little bit.

The first picture is of the group after finding the cache at the Solar Observatory on the lake. It was disguised in a plastic rabbit hidden in a bush. I must say it was a clever cache container, and Ava did seem to like it quite well.

Did I mention how GREAT the weather was ??? I mean I just saw the news and it looks like parts of the country's under a pretty heavy blanket of snow. It was almost like summer up there.....although I am sure the locals would like to have a little bit of winter as I am sure the business that rely on the snowboarders are hurting.