"One Pathetic Loser"

I'd just like to ask how it is possible that I could have 22 people vote on my blog for the color I should dye my hair (results to come later) and yet only two people seem to have a memory of me. What does that say about me?

I think it's summed up best by Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber: "Man, you are one pathetic loser!"

Memory Game

I saw this one on a friends sight and thought it looked like fun.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

If you have a memory you want to leave but don't have an account feel free to leave an anonymous comment. I'll have fun trying to guess who you are!

Oh, The Joys Of Flying.....

My sister Sally flew to Denver from OKlahoma on Monday and then today we were both flying to Oregon to visit our family. Unfortunately we were on serperate flights because we used (our mom used) frequent flier miles to get us there and they can only book so many per flight, yada yada yada. No big deal though, our flights were only a couple of hours apart. I take Sally to the airport at 4:00 am for her 6:00 am flight. I come home, get myself ready, then leave at 6:00 am for my 8:00 flight.

I arrived at the airport at a good time but ended up standing in a line that was unecessary for 45 minutes. I thought I had to have an infant boarding pass, but according to Mrs. United Airlines I dont' need one to get through security and they can just give me one at the gate. Too bad I didn't know that before I stood in line for 45 minutes. On the other hand, since Mr. Security asked me to see my boarding pass and my infant pass it's a good thing I had it.

When I get to the gate I have to stand in line again to get a "gate check" ticket for my stroller. There is another long line here because no one is at the counter. Finally I get my ticket and I have a few minutes to spare to try and grab some breakfast and go to the bathroom before boarding.

Once on the plane, I realize that Ava is going to be a pain and want to stand, etc., and since I'm in the window seat it will be an even bigger pain. So I ask the guy in the aisle to switch. He does so willingly. Thank goodness. When it's time for the plane to leave the pilot comes on to announce that a bird hit the engine of the plane when they were coming in and it was still being inspected to see if the plane was OK to fly. My luck with United Airlines tells me there is no way this plane is going to be taking off.

I was right. Flight cancelled. Luckily they had another plane that was ready just a short time later for us to use. Unfortunately, I've missed my connecting flight by then. So I get in line to find out how I'm now going to get from Portland (where this plane was taking me) to Medford (my final destination). There were 7 of us on the plane tying to get to Medford and only 3 seats available for all flights for the REST of the day. I was first in line at the counter and as they were discussing our options I considered just staying until tomorrow and taking the direct Denver to Medford flight. Then I thought, I'd just rather get there so I'll take the first available which was a 1:45 flight. At the last second, I changed my mind. I live in Denver so it's easier for me to stay behind. All of the other people who were tying to get there would be stuck here. So I sacrificed my seat so someone else could go. The lady next in line was VERY grateful. (the next flight she would have been on was at 5:00 and the only other one after that was an even later flight.)

So, Chris came and got me and I came home. Then my sister calls me to tell me her flight in San Francisco got cancelled, they are re-routing her to Portland and then sending her to Medford on the 1:45 flight. AGHHH!! I would have been on the same dang flight as her. I just want to kick myself now. Too late now. I'll be there tomorrow.

I hate flying.

My Fav's

I mostly post these pictures for grandparents but I hope everyone else enjoys them as well. There is just something about little kids that is just too cute to resist. The faces they make and the fact that they don't pose for the camera makes all of the adorable pictures even better. I try to capture the moments that best display Ava's personality. Here are a few of my favorites.

This is Ava's crazy hair. It's been crazier in days past, but this was one of the best pictures I could find of it. I can't bring myself to cut her hair so it just keeps getting longer and crazier. It adds to her personality though.
This is a picture of Ava reaching for the camera. She pretty much grabs at anything I'm holding. If I have it, she wants it. Shortly after this picture was taken, she did grab the camera.
I love Ava in the bathtub. It was a long time coming getting her to enjoy the water. Mom, am I crazy or does this picture look exactly like one you have of me in the bath when I was a baby?
Ava loves riding in the big tractor with Grandpa. Probably because he was sneaking her a bite of popsicle when I wasn't looking!
I think this picture is hilarious. I can just imagine Ava saying "duh grandpa. I know how to do it!"
Ava loves to eat food now. She even wants to eat anything Chris and I are eating, no matter what it is. It always ends up in a mess though. She can't hold still for more than 2 seconds.
Ava loves to play in the bathroom. At first she just loved the mirrors, now she has also grown to love the faucet. I found that instead of holding her, it was much easier to just sit her in the sink and let her play.

Flips

As previously mentioned, we went to a water park while we were camping with my brother Keith and his wife Natalie. We had fun jumping off the diving board and attempting flips. Here are the video's, as promised.

Natalie was the last to attempt a flip. Keith had to bribe her with a new pair of shoes to get her to do it. But I am so proud of her for doing the flip that I decided her video should be first. Way to go Natalie!

I love chris's flips because his body always turns kind of sideways in the air, like he's looking for his landing. It's fun to watch.

I was supposed to be the first to go, but I wussed out and ended up going second. I was still really nervous, and as you will see, I am the only one who doesn't end up with a clean landing. I smack my thighs on the water. It hurt like crazy. I think you even hear me yell.

This is Keith's first attempt. He did it over and over (with a few back flops added in) until eventually he got really good. (Not that this first attempt wasn't good.)

camping

This year was our third anual Morgan/Shideler camping trip. My brother and his wife and Chris and I go camping together every year. Our usual spot is rainy and cold so with Ava only being 6 months old, we decided we'd better try somewhere new. We went from really cold camping to really hot camping. It was still a lot of fun. We were able to stay cool by going to a water park and haning out at the lake. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

The first day we got there it rained a little and I was pretty upset. We came to this new spot to escape the rain! But luckily a pretty rainbow came out, and it really never rained again.
Coming back from the lake, I was carrying Chris's fishing pole so he could carry Ava. Cute picture huh?
Since my brother Keith decided to post a picture of my butt, I decided to post a lovely picture of him too. (I had a yoga one, but it wasn't as good as I had hoped!) Sorry Natalie!
Chris fishing in the lake. He did cath a nice Pike.
The smoke from the fire made this picture a little blury. But it was the only one I had of Chris and I.

One day we went to this place called "Bishop Castle". This guy built himself a castle over a 40 year period. It was pretty cool. Chris actually made it all the way to the very top. And even Chris said it was a little scary. Apparently there are some broken peices up there. I wasn't quite that brave. I only made it up the first steps and onto the balcony. And even that was scary for me.

This is Bishop's throne. I wanted to put Ava in it alone, but even his throne is falling apart. she would have falled right through the seat.

Ava at the water park. We had a really fun time there. They had couple of slides and a lazy river pool ( a very small one) and a fun diving pool.

9Video of each of our flips off the diving board will come shortly.)

Aunt Natalie put Ava to sleep for me. She is so sweet and peaceful when she sleeps!

Sold!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here. We sold our house. It only took 11 days and 6 showings! And, not only did we sell it, but they are in a hurry and want us to close on July 18th. Yeah, as in less than two weeks from now! So the next couple of weeks are going to be even crazier than the last two. I wanted to post a few new pictures of Ava though before things get too out of control. I feel like she's getting huge, but at her 6 month appointment she was only 14lbs 14 oz. Only 25th percentile. For height she is only 10th percentile. She still seems big to me though. She got her first teeth last week. The bottom two. And she can sit up on her own now. Oh, and she finally decided she likes water after all! Anyway, here are a few fun pictures.

Still not trying to get on all fours yet.
Wow, she is really happy! It's rare to capture a picture like this.
Ava hanging out with Grandma Shideler
Ava is always trying to drink from our cups. Of course if I finally give in and let her have a drink (only if it's water), she hates it.