It's been a Great Year!!!

Looking back we really must not complain, 2008 seemed to be a very good year...always entertaining and full of surprises!

We were trying to get all of our Christmas put away and Maya really wanted to help.... I asked Ella to watch her for a while but she couldn't pull herself away from her computer game. It seemed that Maya liked it too, she sat on Ella's lap forever (well as long as forever could be with a 17 month old).

Tyler was putting in my Christmas present a new faucet... and of course Drew was right by his side!!!

Ava and Grandma Carol doing their annual Christmas cleanup!

Our little Surprise!!!

When I found out I was pregnant with Ava to say it was a Surprise is an understatement!!! Drew was only nine months old and to be honest two kids really overwhelmed me. The thought of one more was unimaginable, but as soon as I realized this little baby really wanted and needed to be in our family I was ready for the challenge! Ava was the sweetest and most patient baby ever! She was so content to just lay around and observe what everyone else was doing. She was truly beautiful and still is. She is always on the go either riding bikes, playing barbies, taking a bath or just hanging out on the trampoline and of course with her two favorite friends by her side. I must say that age has changed her a bit.... she still can be the sweetest little girl ever but she can also be a bit moody. The one thing about Ava is no matter how bad she is pouting you can usually change her mood just by a snuggle or a tease. She is so fun to be around and most of the time a very happy, laughing, and loud little girl. Sometimes we may not know whats in store for us but looking back now I know our family would not be complete with out our Ava Jeannine "Harriett" Hafen!!!

Ava will always come up to Maya (biting her tongue...like her daddy does) and play with her hands. Even if Maya is about asleep, she loves to show her attention. Lately, Maya seems to be the one that jumps or falls on Ava and she thinks she is trying to beat her up.

For a little while Ava was biting her fingernails... It worried me because I always thought that that was a nervous habit and I could not figure out why she would be so nervous??? She since has stopped! Good Job Ava!

This little girl plays so hard all day with her friends that she would just go to sleep wherever she was. Here as you can see her panties are giving her a "wedgie" (they always seem to do that and she thinks it is so funny) and she has on her favorite Dora dress up that is way too small!

Now what is not cute about this haircut??? It shows off her spunk...

Ava love to feed Tootsie, she usually feed her a little too much and a little too often! She always says, " Mom, I feeded Tootsie yesternight huh?" (Meaning yesterday)

Grandma Carol & Ava. I see a little resemblance between the two don't you?

Ava used to go to play group once a week.... but it never really worked out. Even when we had it at our house Ava would hide behind the couch until all the girls would arrive. She was pretty nervous being around people and at different places (even in her own home) This time she was a little excited because she got to dress up..... well when I came to pick her up she was sleeping under a big pillow on the couch. They said she just hid there until she finally went to sleep. Ah, poor little girl! Now she just runs into anyplace like she owns it!