How To Eat Baby Feet

Step 1: With both hands, grab hold of your foot of choice.

Step 2: Open your mouth as wide as you can.

Step 3: Stick the foot in your mouth, toes first.

Step 4: Savor the flavor (you won't be needing the binky any more).

Step 5: Give stern looks at those looking to share your feast.

The Return of Ava

A Pirate's Life for Ava

This weekend we took Ava to the theater to see her first movie on the big screen. The movie we saw was the third in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise; and at nearly three hours long, we weren't sure if Ava would make it through. However, she was quite enthralled by all of the swashbuckling action, sitting through all 160 minutes without making so much as a peep.

As you can see above, Ava was quite taken by Johnny Depp's portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, desiring to be one of his shipmates. Dressed as a pirate, she set sail in her tub in search of the Black Pearl and humming "yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me." We tried to get her to smile for the camera, but she was determined to stay in character, her eyes set on the horizon where vast treasures awaited.

Later in the day she returned from her voyage with several gold coins she pillaged during her pirating. With her treasure plundering behind her, she was finally willing to smile for the camera.

During all the excitement we noticed that her sabre was missing and asked if she had perhaps decided to give up the pirate's life.

She deftly retrieved her sword from below deck and brandished it as she gave us the most menacing pirate look she could muster.

I guess we'll know not to ask that question again.

Lily Mae Strikes Back

Swimsuit Issue II

Ava has been loving the warm weather. She loves being outside and is looking forward to summertime when she can try swimming again. We had her try on her swimsuit to make sure that it still fit.

Being in her swimsuit must have reminded her of our last swimming expedition, because as soon as it was on Ava got very excited and looked up as if to ask, "Are we going swimming?"

We had to tell her "not today," but promised to take her swimming soon. Disappointed, Ava laid back on her blanket, dreaming that she was laying out in the sun.

The good news is that although Ava is slightly chubbier and taller than she was the last time she wore her swimsuit, it still fits. So, Ava will be looking very fashionable when she gets her next chance to swim!

Lily Pad Face-Off

Like a Birdy, Being Fed for the Very First Time

Ava has been eating solid foods now for the last few weeks. We started her on rice cereal. At first she wasn't quite sure what to do with it, getting more on her face than in her belly. However, by about the third time around she had it all figured out. She now opens her mouth like a perfect little bird when she sees the spoon approaching. In fact, the etymology for Ava is "bird-like," derived from aves, the Latin word for bird.

When we feed her she gets extremely excited. Her eyes get wide and her hands shake with anticipation as each spoon-full of baby food moves toward her gaping mouth.

Once she finishes, she is quite the happy little camper.

Now if we could just get her to feel the same way about sleeping as she does about eating. Here is a rare picture of her happy in her crib. She is looking intently at her mobile.

Munchkin #31

Now that we've taken Ava to meet her two living great grandparents on Larry's side of the family, we decided we were long overdue to begin taking Ava to see her great grandparents on Krista's side of the family. We decided to go visit Great Grandma Gibson for Family Home Evening. So last Monday we woke up Ava and told her we had an exciting activity planned for that evening.

We told her of our plan, and as you can see, she was very excited. Since Grandma Gibson grew up on a farm, we decided to dress Ava in a Dorothy dress. Unfortunately we didn't have any red ruby slippers.

Ava had a fun time visiting with Great Grandma Gibson, who has a total of 33 great grandchildren, of which Ava is munchkin number 31.

We also enjoyed the visit; and Grandma Gibson told many fascinating stories about her life. We especially liked the stories about her late husband (Grandpa Olsen) and about how her son Fred (Krista's dad) didn't like milking cows, which was a shock to us seeing as how he was the rodeo king.

We were hoping to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Beckstead last Friday while we were up in Logan attending a wedding for Krista's cousin Laura, but unfortunately they were both sick. We look forward to seeing them later this summer.