Acadia and time with the Walker's

In September, my parents came to visit/tour New England with my grandparents who were traveling around in their motor home. We had a few days to travel up to Maine and got to visit Acadia National Park. Although it was a little cold, we had a great time!

On the way up we stopped to pick apples and had the BEST apple cider donuts I have ever had - I searched the rest of the fall to find something as good, to no avail.

Grammie and Ava

This girl LOVES apples. She was in heaven!

We finally made the 5 hour drive and decided to bike through the park. I think the unusually large amounts of bike shops made the bike tour appear a little more manageable than it actually was - some of it was HARD! My dad had Ava on the back of his bike, bless his heart, otherwise I would not have made it. I think we did 12 or 15 miles that day.

Fall colors were just starting to show themselves.

Ava was such a good sport and loved her little ride - even taking a nap!

Thunder Gorge which is a very misleading name. Beautiful, but not so thunderous.

On our way back to Boston, we stayed one night in Kennebunkport, ME, home of the Bush family. We stayed at a charming little hotel, tried in vain to find food past 9pm (dang those New England towns!) until Dad ended up getting McDonalds, and went to breakfast and a great little diner. While we were waiting for our food, Grammie took Ava outside and found this little playhouse. She loved it!

 We also stopped in nearby York, ME. Erik and I have been there many times, and it was fun to take my parents. Here we are at the York lighthouse. Popular and so picturesque!

We met up with my grandparents after that, somewhere in New Hampshire, and had a traditional lobster dinner! Ask Grandpa about that good deal he scored for this meal :)

Grammie and Gramps then left to spend a few days with my grandparents (confusing, huh), and toured around New Hampshire and Vermont looking for wood bridges (my dad is an architect). He even found a book to tell him where they were all located - who would have thought!

Unfortunately my parents left shortly after that, but Grandpa and Peggy stopped by on their way back down the coast to enjoy some truly amazing ice cream. They were more than happy to share with Ava, and as you can tell, she didn't mind.

Look at those portions!

We had a great time and are so grateful for the times we get to see family on this side of the country!

Topsfield Fair

I am so behind. Way back in October I took Ava to a local fair. I was totally in the mood for greasy fair food and Ava and I were in desperate need of an outing. It was so much fun! Of course it cost way more than it should, but I got an apple cider donut and Ava enjoyed the animals (especially the chickens) and her first merry-go-round!

not so sure about the sheep

the largest pumpkin I have ever seen!

 

beautiful produce

 

enjoying lunch

baby goats

gorgeous flower displays

Ava's favorite chicken

I wish we could have shared the experience with Erik, but maybe next time!

Catching up

I want to remember these cute first steps Ava took, even though it was months ago! She is a pro walker now, but those first steps are so sweet!!

rrroar!!

 We had a fun Halloween this year, with Ava being able to participate a bit more than she did last year! She loved her costume and had no problem keeping it on all night...she was such a ham for the camera too, can't you tell? :)

We got this costume for free from a family in our ward. They estimated that it was a 18month old size, but the suit was definitely way too small for Ava. We improvised and just took the tail off and had her wear the headpiece. It's so cold here anyway that most kids wear jackets so it wasn't a big deal. 

Dad and Ava at the ward trunk or treat. Ava fell on her face right after getting out of the car, so she was a little crabby all night.

Best costumes of the night! Our friend's the Shore's were the characters from Up! So creative, eh?

The next night we went to Beacon Hill for our annual excursion. We really are going to miss this tradition when we move!

I let her eat some m&m's and she was in heaven...H-E-A-V-E-N. Multicolored drool all down the chin of her costume.

So much fun!

Erik's first marathon

For some strange reason, Erik got it in his head that he wanted to run a marathon. He's crazy, I know! And to top it all off, he decided he wanted to qualify for the Boston marathon. THAT is crazy. He needed to run a marathon in 3 hours and 10 minutes. HOLY cow that is fast. He chose the New Hampshire marathon - a tough course but one of the only ones that was on a Saturday and within the time frame he needed. My parents just happened to be into town, so my dad also ran the half marathon, and my mom and I ran (read: walked) the 5K (which was a serious joke...laps around the elementary school! psh!). Dad and Erik did great and.....

ERIK QUALIFIED!!!

He ran it in 3:01 - what a great time! He got 1st in his age group and 4th overall (I'm allowed to brag :)) Dad ran the half in just under 2 hrs. Awesome job guys! We had a blast!!

13 months

This was a big month for you, baby girl. No wonder there were so many tantrums, because there was lots of progress as well!

- walking! finally!!!

- more words (mama and dada)

- pointing

- 5 teeth

- becoming more independent

- transitioned to one nap

- motioning with songs

 

 We sure love you sweet Ava Mae. I can't believe how much you've changed - I really feel like you're a toddler now. Thank you for still giving me kisses and loves and I can't wait to see how your personality grows and develops!

California and Disneyland

In August we met in California for a Walker Family reunion of sorts. My parents rented a beach house and we played cards, sat on the beach and visited Disneyland in a whirlwind weekend trip.

 

Ava loved Disneyland and hanging with the family so much that she just pooped out in her stroller...that's never happened before!

We got to meet my niece Claire for the first time. What a doll. Ava just could not get enough of her. Don't you love their matching onesies?

Worlds largest sourdough Mickey Mouse head 

Grammie and her two grandbabies!

The family with the 4 new additions in the last 3 years!

While there we got to visit with the only great Grandma that Ava had not met. It was so fun! Here is a 4 generation (kind of!) picture of the Hulterstrom girls.

Thanks for the great trip Mom and Dad!