Little Miss Ava Claire

Well we missed Ava's 9 month pictures, so she got pictures taken at 10 months old instead. She becomes more and more fun each day. I am always saying that I love this stage in her development the best, but right now is honestly my favorite. She is growing up way too fast though. Some fun facts about Ava right now are:

• Crawls anywhere (but loves to crawl up the stairs the most)
• Would rather walk, so she pulls herself up on everything and scales the walls and furniture
• Loves to clap when she does something cute
• Will eat anything she can get her hands on (she tried a baby wipe the other day - GROSS)
• Fascinated with belts
• Loves to read books (this is some of my favorite past-times with her)
• Wears 12 month clothes and 18 month pajamas (where did my baby go?)
• Has the cutest different face expressions

She is definitely our best and biggest blessing.

We love you Ava!

Fall Festival

Yesterday we drove down to the Tri-Cities to visit my brother Eric's Family. We had planned to go to the fall festival outside of town but did not know if the weather would cooperate. We tried it even though it was cold and a little rainy, and I am glad that we did. We had a great time, and Ava enjoyed seeing her cousins. (I forgot Ava's hat and coat so she had to borrow some from Maveric)

Ava and Maveric hanging out while waiting to go into the festival.

We have a book that talks about scratchy straw. Ava thought it was great to actually play with real straw.

Here is Ava showing off how tall she is.

Daddy and Ava riding a tractor. Of course Ava wanted to take the wheel.

And a few family shots.

Spending time together is our favorite past time.

Ava cannot wait to play with her cousins again over Thanksgiving.
We love spending time with Family.

Kissin Youth Goodbye

Today Joel and his siblings threw their mom a surprise Birthday Party. Her birthday is actually not until tomorrow. Joel has seven brothers and sisters who live all over the country from Alaska to Georgia, and they were all able to come home for this big event. It has been several years since they have all been together. Georgianna was extremely surprised!! It was fun to see her reaction.


The Anderson clan at the dinner table.

Ava finally got to meet her Uncle John that lives in Georgia.

One of Georgianna's friends made these to set at every place at the table.

Super cute...and funny too.

All of the Anderson children.

It is always fun to spend time with family.

Happy 60th Birthday Georgianna!!

9 Cents

I finally had one of those amazing coupon shopping days. I hear of people buying stuff for pennies but have never actually done it…until yesterday night. I went to the grocery store after Ava went to bed to pick up a few things and decided to stop buy Rite-Aid and grab a few things because I have wellness dollars that are going to expire soon. $14 wellness dollars to be exact. I went in and got the items pictured and only paid 9 cents, and I did not even use any of my wellness dollars and got back two more dollars (now I have $16 to spend soon --- probably will go to a few free packs of diapers).
I am not a huge couponer because I do not have time to research all the deals and plan out my trips being a mom, working part-time, and teaching a few piano lessons a week. Also, because I do not buy things that I am not going to ever use or eat. I do not have the space and I hate when people buy everything that they can get for free-just because it is free- and then there is nothing left for those that actually want the product. Also, I am a snob about certain things and will only buy named brand products (like Tide, Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers, Adams Peanut Butter, and things like that), so I will never get products like that for free. So even though I might be able to get a different laundry detergent for free or really cheap, I am not going to waste my time finding the coupons to make the deal. However, I do look at a certain local site that maps out deals for the Spokane area, and if it seems like something that I might need and will not take too much time to try to find all the coupons needed, then I will do it. Last night was one of those trips.
If you do not have a wellness card at Rite-Aid, you should get one. They have practically been paying me to shop there the last few weeks. And it was fun only handing the cashier 9 cents!