The Pumpkin Princess

I took these this weekend. Ava's first Halloween pictures! I'm sorry there are so many but I couldn't pick a favorite! Hope you enjoy!

Lucky Lucky Me!

My husband, Gabriel, was cooking on the grill today and I snapped some pictures of him. I am still getting into the whole photography thing. I'm no good and I don't know a thing about shutter speed or ISO or any of that jazz. I am more of a "point and click" type girl. But anyway, I looked at this picture and just fell in love with him all over again!

A Day At the Beach!

Yesterday my friend Elaine and I took a day trip to the beach. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't resist a few pictures! We stopped on the way in Kinston at Neuse Sport Shop, a family tradition of mine, and got these WONDERFUL floppy hats! I love love love my floppy hat! An added bonus to the hat is the little turquoise accents that happen to match my shoes!! It really takes so little to please me doesn't it?!?! Anyway here are a few pictures of my beautiful friend Elaine and my awesome floppy hat that matches my shoes!!

Cute Kid of the Day Award Goes to.....

LEO!!

My sweet little nephew at the softball game the other night. He was the most darling little subject around and I couldn't resist a few pictures of the little guy! Enjoy!!!

Our First Smile Caught on Camera!

Ava's favorite spot in the house is the changing table! Don't have any idea why but she loves it. In fact a couple of days ago she was fussy unless she was on it so we picked up the changing pad and moved it into the living room and left her on it. Daddy was on diaper duty the other day and ran for the camera and got her smiling on camera finally....we have been trying to catch one for a while and haven't been near the camera when it happens. She smiled very early on though, mostly in her sleep but in the last few weeks she would smile AT you! It's so cute I wanted to share!

Like Mother like.....Brother?!?!

My previous post was about how much our little girl looked like me. The two pictures are almost identical...the pose, the eyes, nose, they even have both of their little tongues poking out. But my husband looked at the back of the picture and the date on the back is July 1988!! So the picture is of my then 4-5 month old little brother!! I couldn't believe it! So my little one, while she still looks like me and her daddy a bit, mostly resembles her Uncle Ashley!

Like Mother Like Daughter!

Ok so everyone always says how much our little one looks like her daddy. And that she does. She has his nose, his little cheeks, and she is a master at the "serious look." I was looking at her the other day and realized that she may look a little like me. So, my mom said that I needed to find my baby pictures and I would be amazed at the resemblance between my sweet Ava and myself as a baby. I found this picture of me and it was taken July 1982 so I had to be a week old baby or so because I was born July 26....then I went through Ava's pictures and came across one that was SHOCKING! I can't believe how much she looks like me...I FINALLY see it! We even posed the same!! I was so excited and when I showed them to Gabriel he was amazed at how much we looked alike.

It is so amazing to have her here and discover all these new things every day. I thought she looked JUST like her daddy, and at times she still does, but I am glad to know that I had a little something to do with her too!

Me!! July 1982_____________________________Ava Rose June 2010

Weddings, Baptisms & Ordinations!

This past weekend was a busy but wonderful weekend. There was happiness all around!! First we had a lovely wedding for my little brother, he isn't exactly little but he IS younger! It was beautiful. Ashley (my brother) and Britney (his wife) have been together for 5 years and they have a little one, Jake (my nephew). The wedding was at the Paul V. Berry park here in Wilson N.C. and the reception was at a beautiful school auditorium just across the street. The school has been there for many many years and has just recently been renovated. It made for some beautiful pictures!

So congrats to you Ashley & Britney! The wedding was perfect and you two looked amazing! May GOD continue to bless you and your family! We love you both!

Next on our list of festivities this weekend was the baptism of our sweet little girl. It was a very special baptism because her grandfather was ordained a Deacon in our Church Saturday and was able to baptize Ava yesterday!! It is truly a special event all on it's on but having her grandfather do the ceremony made it all the more special for us. We were also lucky to have such wonderful friends and family attend the baptism. Being that the wedding was the day before we had lots of family down and they were also able to come for Ava's special day.

After the baptism we had a reception in the church school gym for Michel (my father-in-law) for his ordination. It was filled with food, family and beautiful little people!!

So congratulations Ashley, Britney & Jake. You are a beautiful family and we love you very much.

Congratulations to my wonderful father-in-law for your ordination. It was truly a honor to have you baptize Ava. It made our day twice as special!

And congratulations little Ava! You are a perfect little girl and we thank GOD for you each and every day!

And a very very special thank you to Lori & Ann and the girls for being here for us (Ashley & Britney too)! It means so much. And thank you Mark & Liz for coming down and spending this time with us too, you are great friends and we can't wait to get together again SOON!!

Ordinary Miracles

It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

The sky knows when it's time to snow

You can't teach a seed to grow

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

Life is like a gift they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up and find a way

To give some of your own.

Isn't it remarkable

Like every time a raindrop falls

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

Birds in winter have their fling

Will always make it home by spring

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

When you wake up everyday

Please don't throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

Cause we are all part of the ordinary day

It seems so exceptional

That things just work out after all

It's just another ordinary miracle today

Sun comes up and shines so bright

And disappears again at night

It's just another ordinary miracle today.

Our Brand New "Happy Distraction"

Our very first Happy Distraction! I didn't ever think I could love something or someone this much. She is such a blessing. Children make you a brand new person.

As of today our little one is a month old!! I can't believe it's already been that long. It's true what they say about how time flies with children.

So for those who haven't met our beautiful Ava yet here are some pictures. Ava Rose DuSablon born May 21, 2010 at 1:37a.m. 9lbs 3oz and 21 inches long and my first blog post for Happy Distractions!!

Ava & mommy.

Our precious baby girl.

Ava with her daddy!