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!

Ava on her second Birthday...

She loved Dora!

Her daddy had high hopes that she was his "Tom boy," but we since then have put that idea to rest... have you seen this sweet little girl run???

Ava at the Sand Dunes right before we cut her hair. (Tyler was not happy about it)

Wearing her daddy's shoes.

This was her favorite baby. She carried it everywhere with her. As if taking care of three kids wasn't enough I had to tote along Ava's babies as well. To this day she always has a "little something" in her hand.

The 24th of July.

This was the first time I put her in the "naughty corner" I'm not sure what she did but I do remember just pointing in that direction and she walked her little ball of hair over and put herself in the corner ( I think she saw Drew do it so many times she knew exactly what to do).

What a cute little smile..

Ava is my only child with (light) brown hair and big brown eyes! Just like her mama!

I remember this day so well...Spring of '06, It was right after she started walking (she didn't even try until she was almost 15 weeks old) and I gave her a cookie to snack on and she just took off wondering all over our front yard. From then on she was off and running...

Ava's first Birthday!

Grandma Jeannine and Grandma Carol giving her big Birthday hugs.

Peek a boo!

We went to Disneyland with all of Tyler's family soon after Ava turned one. What a way to celebrate!!!

This picture blows my mind because I makes me realize that I truly had three babies at one time. It also shows off each personality perfectly. Ella trying to smile and do everything I ask of her, Ava just hanging out so patiently and Drew filling his mouth full of food planning his escape. This was the first time I tried to get a picture with all of them in it... didn't work out very well.

Ava One year old at Christmas time.

Oh man I could just eat her up! Those big brown eyes and fat cheeks....

She had so much hair, here she is only about 8 months old.

Ava Jeannine Hafen just minutes old...

Just days old...

I love this picture because it shows off her cute pugg nose

Ah, what a sweet baby. She was always so content to either sleep or hang out and watch all the crazy chaos that was going on.

On Ava's birthday her and I stayed home and baked her cupcakes. It was so much fun!!! I let her do all the frosting and decorating. And yes I even let her lick the batter! Yummy!

Time to blow out the candles... she had all of her cousins here to celebrate her big day!

Yeah! It was finally Ava's birthday. This poor little girl has to wait all year long for Christmas and her Birthday. She could not wait to turn 4! Now she is the same age as "Randa" and "Toey."

Ah, what a cute little face!

These Great Big cards that play music have been a major hit at our house!!!

Yeah it's the talking and flying Dora horse! She has had her eye on this for a long time!