Ava Likes Bananas

Ava is thinking  "I like bananas."  Two weeks ago she wanted nothing to do with baby food.  It turned out to be a sensory issue which can be common with preemies.  Ava is doing great.  The speech pathologist has been amazing to figure what Ava needs.  Early intervention is the best... the earlier the better.  Ava is a fine example.  She is doing great!!!   And yes,  she does love her grandma (Grammie) and her Grammie loves her a lot, too!!!  She is my sweetie pie.

Caden and the Zebra

 Caden and his Daddy looking at a zebra at a local vendor's fair.

Caden likes the zebra and is shaking his hand.  So cute.

Dreaming of Hawaii

I had the 5 grandkiddos wear Hawaiian leis.  It looks like baby Ava doesn't like the Hawaiian look.  Tyler is ready to take off.  Josh is excited.  Kori is always the model and Evan smiles with squinty eyes.  This is not the photo I was hoping for.  Oh, well.  Sometimes you get a good picture of 5 children and sometimes you don't.  They are cute anyways and I love them all sooooo much!!!

Interesting Friday Night

 Ava playing this morning and doing her Tummy Time.  She enjoys Tummy Time, finally.  She used to cry and get very upset during Tummy Time.  We, however,  knew the importance of her doing Tummy Time.  It is so nice now that she likes her Tummy Time and will play and look around.  She is growing so fast and developing. 

We got a call from Alisson saying that their power was out.  We invited their family of 8 to sleep at our house.  We had power and air conditioning during this 100 degree weather.   I got all arrangements ready for their arrival and then Terence told us that their power was  back on about an hour later.  They all came over anyways for ice cream.  I asked if anyone wanted to spend the night.  Evan asked to stay 7 days, Kori wanted to stay and I asked for little Ava.  So, we had 3 of the grandkiddos stay overnight.  Fun but interesting Friday night.

Fourth of July Fun

 We had our Annual 4th of July Block Party with our neighbors and family.  I made ice cream cone cupcakes as a dessert treat for the grandkiddos and other children at the Block Party.  Check out Ty's face as he tries to eat the ice cream cone cupcake.

Terence is smiling because I volunteered to clean up Ty and Evan after they eat their ice cream cone cupcakes.  We had a wonderful fun, hot day at the Block Party.  Family, friends and neighbors..... it can't get any better.

Our Cuties.... Ava and Tyler

 We had Ty and Ava spend a couple of nights with us.  We had a fun time with them.  Here they are Sunday morning waiting for their Mommy and Daddy to pick them up.

Sweet little princess Ava Grace.

Our 38th Anniversary

It was 38 years ago that Gerry and I were married.  Our children and grandchildren should be happy that we were joined together that day. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Gerry.  Love you so much.

Family Reunion in Iowa

 Here is Gerry standing in front of the American Picker's store.  We had a nice time visiting antique stores and craft shops in Le Claire, Iowa.

 The Mayer cousins at the reunion.

 The Mayer cousins with Gerry's Mom and Dad... Uncle Gerry and Aunt Claire to the cousins.

 The in-laws or as we are called "The Outlaws."

 The Mayer third generation.  Alisson is in the photo.  She and baby Ava attended the dinner with us.

 The fourth generation of the Mayer family.  Alisson and Terence's family took up most of the photo. Ha! Ha!

 A few more of the 4th generation.  We had a lovely family breakfast at Eagle Point Park.  This is a Mayer family tradition.

Kori and Evan rode to Iowa and back with us.  We had some exhausted kiddos on the ride home.

Our Little Cutie

 I just melt when baby Ava smiles at me.

Thank you, God, for this precious granddaughter.  We give praise and thanks to you for this miracle baby.

Grandkiddos Stay with Grammie and Pappy G

 Baby Ava finally let Pappy G hold her.  She has been crying for a couple of weeks when he would hold her.  She always wants her Grammie.

 Pizza night with the grandchildren.  They like pizza.

 We did smores with them one evening.  Each child went one at a time to the fire pit with Pappy.  We did this after baths and pj's on. 

 The grandkiddos sporting the shirts they made with me.  Of course, I did baby Ava's for her.

We had the 5 grandkiddos with us for 3 days and 2 nights while their Mommy and Daddy went away for their Mommy's birthday.  Here is precious Ava just hanging out and playing.

Family Fun

 Baby Ava with her Great-Grandpa.  She even took a nap in Great-Grandpa's arms.

We celebrated Father's Day and our daughter Alisson's 30th birthday a week early.  Here is the family relaxing the shade after our luncheon.  We had a wonderful family time.

Evan with his Daddy.  Evan loves his animal cookies that Aunt Bon and Uncle Charlie gave to the kiddos.

All of the kiddos had great fun with the Dollar Store water squirters, the baby pool, and the squirting globe.  They did water play for 3 hours.  I just love when I can have the family together.  We got to Skype with Zach, Laurie and Caden.  So, I had all of my family here.

Chillin' in the Pool

Caden swimming for the first time this summer.  He loved it.

Love the Grandkiddos

 Baby Ava rolled over 3 times from her tummy to her back.  Way to go little princess!!!  She spent the night with us and slept from 8:30pm to 7am.  Ava even woke up smiling at me.  What a sweetie pie!!

We took the 3 older grandchildren to the Memorial Day parade and then to the Toledo Zoo.  It was a really fun time.  We took an ice cream break and ate huge ice cream sandwiches with chocolate chip cookies for the sides.  Yummy!!!!  It was hot 90 degrees but fun.

Just Cute Kids

 Ride em cowboy.

The two cuties are already enjoying summertime.  Love them both so much.

Princess Ava's Dedication to God Day

 Baby Ava's Dedication service with her Mommy and Daddy.

 Grammie and Ava.  Mutual admiration.

 Ava with her Great-Grandma.  How precious.

 All of the family.... what a beautiful family.

 Ava is smiling with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandma.

Ava Grace with Grammie and Pappy.  We love you so much little princess.

Fun with Grandkiddos

 Grandson Tyler is happy as he eats a cookie.  He came into the house and pointed to where the cookies are and said "Me."  He chose a ladybug cookie.  Love him so much!!!

Granddaughter Ava is happy after her bath.  She is such a cutie and I love our princess soooo much.

Happy Mother's Day

 Family photo with Grammie (Mother of Alisson), Alisson (daughter of Grammie and Mommy to her kiddos), and 5 of my grandkiddos.

The second photo taken.  You can tell that you have to get the first photo just right.  Five children 7 and under do not last long.  I had a wonderful Mother's Day with Alisson and Terence and the grandkiddos coming over for dinner.  I am so lucky!!

Kori is Our Star

Seven year old granddaughter Kori at our house following her first Star Style performance with Julie's Dance Studio.  We are so proud of her!!!!

Chocolate Pudding Is Good

Grandson Caden looks so cute with his chocolate pudding mustache.  He really liked the chocolate pudding.  He must take after his Grammie with her love of chocolate.

Fun Times With Grandkiddos

We got to have our Princess granddaughter and our Prince Charming grandson stay overnight with us Friday night.  The kiddos played outside for a little bit with Pappy G.  They love to sit in the big tree.   We had a lot of fun with them.

Springtime Fun

Our two younger grandsons having fun on their new swing set.