Christmas in Arizona!

I had to get this post in before February...that's tomorrow! So much has happened in our lives this past month that I need to get on the ball with posting.

We were in Arizona for about three and a half weeks during the Christmas break. It was such a great time with my family. We spent about a week in Phoenix with my sister Michelle and her hubby Terry, then we all headed down to Tucson. It was fabulous to get Mom's home-cooked meals and for Ava to really connect with my family. Every morning, Ah Ma (that's what Ava calls my mom) would take her on a walk around the lake and eat breakfast with her. It was great waking up in the morning to homemade soy milk. Pretty much the conversations I had with my mom were dominated by me asking, "What's for lunch? What about dinner? Can you cook this?" What can I say, I'm pregnant (large and in charge).

Ava loved feeding the ducks at the Tucson zoo

Little play area at the zoo

Victor's birthday dinner at Red Lobster-Ava is pretending to pick her nose in the picture. Thanks for teaching her that, Michelle!

At a park near Ah Ma's house

Ava is the best stocking stuffer ever

Ava slept with Auntie Michelle sometimes. They are sharing a sweet moment together here. Ava was usually too excited to fall asleep. I had to go in and lay down the law sometimes.

Ava showing off her Christmas gifts

It's hard to see in the pic, but she is wearing her new princess clip-on earrings. She is such a girlie girl.

Ava loved exploring Madera Canyon. Check out Ah Ma in her thuggish hoodie. Ah Gong (that's my dad) looks like he is headed to the trucker's convention.

Ava trying to reign in Cocoa. Ava liked to boss Cocoa around. "Cocoa, eat your bone right now! Cocoa, go downstairs right now!"

Ava liked playing Guitar Hero with Uncle Victor