Christmas was so fun. It was great to watch Ava at her first Christmas. At first she didn't do to much opening of the presents, but after some persuading and nudging she had lots of fun opening all the gifts and shredding all the paper. She received lots of toys and clothes.

This weekend and holiday season, Kristi and I spent some time of reflection over this past year. How GOD has blessed us, how he has given us a beautiful daughter and another one on the way, how he has blessed us with a wonderful family and many awesome and amazing friends. Kristi and I truly value the friendships we have and are very thankful that you are in our lives. May GOD bless you and your family the rest of this year and in 2008.

Monday we went to the baby doctor and had an Ultra-sound. We are having a baby girl!!! So we are going to have a Princess #2. Kristi and I will have to spend some time thinking of a little girls name. We only really had a boys name picked out. Kristi was pretty sure we were having a boy. With this feeling we picked out a little boys name and started calling the baby by that name. Then about 6-7 weeks ago we decided to stop using the boys name and just refer to the baby as, the baby. Now we know, and can start preparing.

In this picture, Ava just woke up for the day, and Dada gets to use the early Christmas present Momma & Dada got for each other, a new camera. Say Cheese!!!!

Wow, can you believe it, Kristi and I put up our Christmas tree last weekend. We have had that tree for three years, this is our 7th Christmas married, and this is the first time we have put up a Christmas tree. We are so very proud of ourselves. If it wasn't for Ava, we may not have put up a tree this year either, who knows. We love it and are glad we finally put up a tree.

Ava was taking a nap and we put it up while she was sleeping. She did help put on the ornaments though. :) When she came down stairs, her eyes got real big and she pointed at the tree. She likes it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We had a really good holiday. On Thursday, Thanksgiving day we went to my sisters' and brother in-laws' house (Dawn & David) for lunch. It was a really good time. We had lunch then play games all afternoon.

Then for dinner we went to our grandma and grandpas' house, on the Hall's side. Again we had a lot of fun just enjoying each others company and sharing with each other, stories about the past. Ava had lots of fun at both place because she was the center of attention.

On Friday, or Black Friday, Kristi and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house; we had her dad and brother over, also her mom, step-dad, sister, and grandma. Chuck, Kristi's step-dad did all the cooking or almost all the cooking, I made the rolls. Chuck came over early and started the turkey, then later he fixed mashed potato's, corn, sweet potato's, and the night before he made pumpkin pies. Friday was very nice, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILY, and that Kristi and I didn't have to do the cooking.

This week AVA has been doing a lot of new things, she is starting to point to people that she recognizes, she is making some new and very funny faces, and she has even taken a few steps on her own. Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving day and the Thanksgiving Friday.

LIVE FROM TIME SQUARE!!

Views from Central Park!!

On our trip we got to just relax and enjoy the New York City life. In the mornings we would walk a couple a blocks to a fantastic bakery called Lenny's. I thinks I at there every morning. Then we would walk to Central park and enjoy the peacefulness of the park in the middle of the City. We got really good at the subway system, as we rode it everyday and went to time square everyday. One day went spent going to the FDNY (New York City Fire Department) Museum. Another day we spent the whole day at time square. I think we walked about 8 miles that day. We went to Hard Rock Cafe' New York City, we went to the M&M store, the Hershey's store, the Toys R Us store, Baby Gap, H & M, The French Building (where Carmine works), and Wall Street.

On another day, Ava, Momma, and Dada spent learning about the lives of animals at The Bronx Zoo. We got to see lions, tigers, bears, polar bears, monkeys, giraffes, and many more animals.

One evening we went to the Madam Tussauds Wax Museum. It was amazing how real the wax celebrities looked. We got to meet a lot of famous people that night, and have our picture taken with them.

While in Central Park we spent time at Strawberry Fields, we also we to a famous fountain that has been in several movies. We got to see an Amphitheater in Central Park, and just cool sites.

One of the last days we took the Staten Island ferry and got some pics of the Statue of Liberty.

I am just now getting to blogging about our trip to New York City that we took 2 weeks ago. It was so much fun but I realized it's a lot harder traveling with little ones. Ava was a good traveler. She did very good on the airplane, she only got fussy for a few minutes. She was a good sport when it came around to doing all the sight seeing. She had many firsts, as this was her first real vacation. She flew for the first time, took her first train ride from New Jersey Airport to New York City and she rode her first Subway. Ava also rode her first ferry; We took the Staten Island ferry to get some pictures of the Statue of Liberty. Here are a few pics of us waiting for the train, the subway, and the view from the Staten Island ferry. Carmine met us at the New Jersey airport so we didn't have to ride the train alone, being it was the first time for Ava, Kristi and I, and she helped us with our luggage. On the way home, Dan helped us to the train station and that is were we had to say our goodbyes, but again Carmine helped us all the way to the New Jersey airport. Thank you Dan and Carmine for your hospitality, and friendship. Stay tuned for more about our first vacation with Ava.

TOGETHER IN NEW YORK CITY!!

I want to thank those of you who were thinking of me and who said a prayer for me yesterday while I was taking my big CPAT test for the Evansville City Fire Department. This last Tuesday I started coming down with a cold and by Friday evening It had turned into a sinus infection. It was really taking a toll on me physically, and I was a little worried how the out come would be.

I passed. It was extremely tough. I was # 21 on the hiring list and have moved up to #17. Now I have to wait and see if they get to my # with current retirees. The hiring list that I am on is good for 2 years. So I need 17 Evansville City fire fighters to decide to retire in the next 2 years or a few people on the list in front of me to decide that they no longer want to be a fire fighter. I have 2 years and a good shot. I just pray GODS will is done in my life and my families life. I do want to again thank those of you who were thinking of me.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Growing up, I'm going to be a big sister!!!

Two weeks from tomorrow and we will be leaving for New York City. Kristi, Ava and I are going to visit Auntie Carmine and Uncle Dan…It will be Ava’s first plane ride. I have been looking around on the Internet to find a YMCA in New York City. There are tons. I have to keep working out to get ready for my Fire Fighter Physical Test which is 1 week after we get back. So far I have lost 40 pounds in the last 3 months, working out 4-5 days a week and eating healthier.

I am #21 on the Evansville City Fire Fighters Hiring List. Basically it means I have to pass the Physical Test (CPAT Test, Check out this website to see what it intells) http://www.elpasotexas.gov/fire/cpat.asp, and then they have to get to my number. Once I get called up, I have to pass a Doctors exam, Background investigation, and Psychological test; then once all that’s done I get sworn in as a Fire Fighter. There is a little more to it. I ask that you keep me in your prayers. Pray for me as I take this physical test on November 3, 2007 at 12:00 Noon. Pray that GODS WILL be done in my life on that day and in the future as I am pursuing this as a Career. I really do believe this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life.

Wow, it has been a long time since Kristi or I have written anything. We have been very busy with life. I know, I know, everyone has that excuse. Well I do want to give some update on how we as a family are doing. Ava is 8 months old and growing like a weed. Pretty soon within a couple of weeks we are going to have to get a new car seat for her because she is growing out of the “baby” seat, the seat you first start off with.

Other BIG NEWS, We found out about a week and a half ago that Ava is going to be a big sister in May. THAT’S RIGHT, Kristi is Pregnant and is due May 13, 2008. She is 8 week along today. She is due 1 day after our 7 year Wedding Anniversary. I will try and blog a little more frequently so you can experience her progress as we did with Ava, along with pictures.

Our first road trip with Ava to New Paris, Ohio to see Dan and Carmine.

Wow, this was a funny moment..

This past weekend we went on our first road trip with Ava. She did great. We went about 4 1/2 hours away to New Paris Ohio. Dan and Carmine were in from New York for a wedding and we decided it would be a good time to visit them since they were so close. It was the first time Ava got to meet Dan. We had a great time hanging out with our friends. Ava loved it.

Ava has found a new toy or a new play thing that she loves. This diaper box kept her occupied and laughing for almost a hour. It is funny the way little kids faces light up when they discover something new or find a new toy.

This is the photo we entered Ava in the Baby Idol 2 contest that hot 96 was putting on. A big thank you to all who voted for her! Unfortunately she didn't win. Oh well, she is still my cutie. I love her so much.

It's amazing how much she has grown up. We love Ava so much.

Look what dadda taught me!!

I know this is late in writing, but I wanted to let everyone know that I had a wonderful fathers day. It was my very first one and man was it awesome being a dad. Ava got me a collage with many pictures of just her and with momma and some with Dada. I love her so much and I can only imagine the fun I will have with Kristi just watching Ava grow up. Again it is so amazing how much she has grown and how fast time flies by. Ava just turned 5 months old this week. It seems just like yesterday, I was kissing her for the first time in the hospital.

Here is Ava, five days ago eating Cereal for the very first time. She had a hard time at first, but boy can she put it away now. She is doing so great!! It is so fun being a Dad!

Ava and Dadda are enjoying the day off. This again was another picture of Memorial Day.

We had fun on Memorial Day weekend. We went swimming at our friends Greg and Amanda's house. This was the very first time Ava has gone swimming. She seemed to love being in her little float. Don't worry, we never turned our heads from her. She loved it!!!

Check out our family picture. We are all laying on the floor, Ava just rolled over for the first time from her back to her belly. Ava was 4 months old yesterday. Wow, I can't believe it.

Check out my Slide Show!