The Trenton bear in her native habitat

Mahwah visit

Lee and Joanne put us up in a hotel Sunday night after we returned late to NJ, so we could drive up to Mahwah Monday morning to visit with Lee, Joanne, Chris, Laura, Serge and Serge's family at Serge's parents' lovely home.

Ava loved looking at the lights of NYC flying into Newark

 She also loved the lights of the TV machine in the hotel--vegging out with Dad.

 Big eyes for Aunt Laura, Grandma Joanne, Grandpa Lee and Aunt Chris

Reading with Dad, back at home

Merry Christmas!

Leaving CA today.

Kudos to Tod for the fantastic photos and video compilation!

pink

I never thought I'd say this:  I love pink.  Thanks to Mark for photos.

Ava's first Christmas

At Grandma Randi's in Carmel Valley, celebrating a few days early.

Ava and Nolan plot world domination.

Tummy time.

Ava loves the Christmas tree (well, in this case, several Monterey pine branches).  It combines three of her absolute favorite things:  trees, lights, and dangly objects.  After weeks of encouraging her to touch plants, she spontaneously grabbed the tree.  And, of course, it went in the mouth.

After studying Nolan's gym technique, Ava has made great strides in grabbing objects and getting them into her mouth.  Finally, victory is hers.

 Dungeness crab dinner