Chocolate Makes Children Smile

While we were in Pennsylvania, we made the obligatory trip to Hershey's Chocolate World. Ava was excited to be there, but not excited to have her picture taken with so many other fun things going on around her.

Our friends Brooke and Christina joined us for the fun, along with their adorable little girl Isobel.

Once again, Ava donned her paper hat and became a Hershey's Factory Worker. This time, however, she was actually old enough to push the green button and watch her candy dish fill with Hershey's Kisses.

After the girls finished laboring in the factory, we all headed over to the Chocolate World ride.

This was Christian's first trip to Chocolate World, and he was astounded by what he saw.

After eating her free chocolate sample, Ava was much more amenable toward getting her picture taken.

Apparently chocolate really does make children smile.

Princess Birthday Party

We recently celebrated Ava's third birthday by having a princess birthday party.

In attendance were several young princesses including Princess Abbey...

... and Princess Annissa.

And several older princesses including princesses Betsy, Lauren...

... and Madeline.

The festivities began with several games followed by opening presents (with Oliver supervising).

We then gathered in the kitchen for sandwiches and cookies.

There were tiara-shaped sugar cookies which the children frosted and decorated.

Seth was intent on getting the frosting on his cookie just right.

Next Ava blew out the candles on her Disney princess cake...

...and obliged her parents with a smile for the camera.

Before we knew it the party had come to an end so Ava handed out the party favors to her cousin Sophie and other guests.

Later that night Ava opened presents from her parents and little brother.

Her favorite gift seemed to be these Disney princess pajamas.

She wanted to try them on right away, which proved to be the perfect segue to bedtime.

Happy Birthday Ava! We love you!

A Lesson in Meteorology

After our trip to North Carolina last month, we drove up to Pennsylvania to visit with Larry's family. It turned out that our friends Brooke and Christina were also in town visiting family. So we got together and visited the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle.

Here's Larry and Brooke with daughters Ava and Isobel.

Ava wasn't as impressed by this war helicopter as we were. So we headed into the museum for warmth.

Having concluded our tour of the museum (which had tons of great WWII memorabilia), we drove to downtown Carlisle for some lunch. After lunch we stopped in front of the library to take some pictures of Ava and Isobel. Ava decided to forecast rain, while Isobel pondered the clouds.

Based on Ava's weather prognostication, Isobel decided to dress warmer, her eyes fixed on the sky waiting to see raindrops.

Alas, it did not rain and Isobel laughed at Ava's folly. All the while Ava sipped on her drink, cursing the rain gods for making her look like a fool.

Two Little Mermaids Turn Two

On December 13th, we hosted a Little Mermaid-themed birthday party for Ava and her cousin Annissa, both of whom turned two this month. Here's Ava in her mermaid dress anxiously waiting for the party to get started.

Soon everyone arrived and the festivities began as we gathered "under the sea" (i.e. in the basement). Ava was quite entertained by the party favors.

The main event of the party was a show performed by The Balloon Guy. Prior to the party, he made two life-size Little Mermaid balloon sculptures for the birthday girls. Ava (who loves anything having to do with Ariel) was absolutely ecstatic.

Here's The Balloon Guy in action twisting a balloon puppy for Ava.

This is a slide show of everyone with their balloon character.

Once everyone had their own balloon character, we opened presents. Here's Ava opening a Little Mermaid doll. Very appropriate considering the theme and all.

Annissa was quite excited about this present. Wow!

We concluded by heading up to the kitchen for mermaid cake and fish-shaped cookies.

Thanks to everyone who celebrated Ava and Annissa's birthdays. They both had a great time.

People to See...

Ava has a had a busy time here in Pennsylvania. There have been a lot of people anxious to meet her for the first time. First and foremost was her Grandpa Furr, along with her uncles Jamie and Jordan (Larry's youngest brothers). She also got to meet her great grandpa Furr. In addition to that, Teri and Rusty (Ava's great aunt and uncle) along with their daughter Annie (Larry's cousin) drove down from New Jersey to meet Ava.

Pictured above: Teri, Jordan, Grandpa Furr, and Jamie (back row);
Annie, Great Grandpa Furr, Ava, and Larry (front row).
Pictured below: Great Grandpa Furr with his first great grandchild.

Four generations of Furrs.

We also discoverd that our good friends Adam and Amy Greenway were home from Kentucky visiting family too. We were able to get together Sunday evening with them and their three lovely children. Here is Ava with their adorable three-month old daughter Cecily.

In other news, we received some pictures of Elder Danny Furr from his time in the MTC and in his first area. I particularly enjoyed this picture from the MTC. Apparently, Elder Furr has entered the Matrix.

Here he is in front of the LDS temple in Halifax along with his mission president and the other missionaries with whom he arrived in the mission field.