More Aven laughs

Why is this little girl laughing?
Could it be the funny joke that her Daddy just told her?
No, it's the kisses that Mommy lavishes upon Aven's neck ... a sure-fire way to get our little one to laugh.
Care to compare Aven's laugh with Rory's laugh at the same age?

More county fairs

Once again, the O'Hara girls prevailed upon their parents and convinced us to take them to another county fair. They take their fairs pretty seriously.
At first, Rory was content to interact with the local flora and fauna on display at the Arlington County Fair. Here, she fishes for (plastic) sharks.
Later, Rory insisted upon taking a swing on the swing, although she was a little disappointed that she couldn't drive the swing herself. So ...
... she upgraded to a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle, but she had to content herself with a little back-seating driving, until ...
...We could secure her with her own fuel-injected sports bike. Check out that ride!

Aven, Expressing Herself

"Yes, I am a cute little someting, with my big eyes (thanks Mommy) and soft facial features (thanks Daddy). So, I'll pose for one pic, Daddy, and then we'll go back to staring at the ceiling fan."
"What?! You are going to take how many pictures of me?!"
"Really, Daddy, I have much more important things to do, fingers to suck, and cats to drool on ..."
"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
"I'm just kidding you. Go ahead and snap my picture. I make cute look easy."

Rory's First Bubble Bath

Rory was pretty excited to experience her first bubble bath, courtesy of Nonna.
Rory immediately referred to the bubbles as "snow", and she played with the "snow" for quite some time.
Yes, a pretty lucky, loveable, little girl (who still possesses that cheesy grin when we ask her to smile).
Pictued here, Rory is talking to her Nonna, telling her how much she is enjoying her gift.

Rory, Age Three

Rory had her three-year medical check-up, and she passed with flying colors. She's 37 inches tall and 28.5 pounds, making her a little above average in height, and a little below average in weight. She answered some hard questions designed to assess her intellectual development ... and let's just say that Dr. Lungren agreed to send the results to Harvard for early admissions. Unfortunately, however, she did flunk one critical test ...
... agreeing to "play it safe" and avoid putting the fear of God in her Daddy! How did Tranquil Tim end up with Rampant Rory?! (Pictured here jumping into her Uncle Allen's embrace.)

Rory's Third Birthday Party

Rory's family and friends celebrated Rory's third birthday on Saturday (two days early).
That morning, Rory awoke to find a few gifts in the family room, including her very own princess chair!
Rory liked having a chair of her own, even if it was just to use it for pre-party meditation in her birthday dress.
Aven was dressed for the occasion as well. Her Opa Paul holds her here, and her Grandma ...
offered her a few kisses throughout the day. Grandma and Opa drove up from North Carolina for the occasion.
Rory gabbed with her Aunts during the party, dishing on all the party guests, including ...
Casey! Her best guy friend from school (really, I don't think it would be proper to call him a boyfriend). The ball pit was a hit.
So was the slide. Here, Aidan chases Rory.
Rory gives her friend Lilly (from school) a push on the swing.
Mommy surveyed the party that she had planned so meticulously, as she was pleased!
We had a great turnout for our backyard "garden party"-themed birthday, with friends from all of our "circles".
One of the highlights of the event was the Mickey Mouse pinata, with Rory's favorite candy inside ... lollipops!
Then, we assembled for the thing that makes a party a birthday party (in Rory's mind, anyway) ...
The birthday cake! Rory surveyed the cake in its chocolate and vanilla majesty, and she was pleased.
Later, Rory opened up a few gifts from her family, who were very generous and thoughful with their presents, including a unicorn from Aunt Jenny. Here, Rory opens her first baseball mitt (pink, natch) from Uncle Allen and Aunt Chelle. Rory also got to play with a new toolkit (like Handy Manny!),
try on unicorn tattoos, and assemble her wooden train set. Merriment abounded. Rory opened gifts from her friends on Sunday, and a few more gifts from her parents on Monday (Here, Rory plays with the big gift from her Mommy and Daddy).

The Bumbo Returns

Ah, the bumbo. The purple wonder is back, giving Aven new-found independence to take in the world around her.
Ah, the bumbo-induced smile. What a cutie. Aven's not half-bad herself.