Michigan Trip 8-4 to 8-8-12

I may have to do the pictures in 2 posts! I took a ton of pictures of Charlotte and my niece Ava. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when we went to the Hands on Museum with my parents and my friend Lisa and her 2 kids. I was so bummed because Charlotte had so much fun! We had forgotten our stroller that day too since we rode in my parent's car. She was able to practice walking a whole lot with her braces. She did a great job! She even crawled up some stairs with her braces on. :) I am so proud of her and how more confident she is becoming with them. Sunday evening the 5th, my brother and his wife and daughter Ava came over to my parent's house for a family dinner. At the last minute that afternoon, my grandma and her husband Al decided to join us as well. I love seeing my grandma and she loves visiting with Charlotte!
Ava is a year old and such a peanut.....the girls had a good time together.

Playing ball with Grandma, or Geema as Charlotte says.

Ava has arrived and it's time to play! 

Sweet Ava....she was very unsure of all of us!

My brother Tom and Ava

Charlotte was eating some strawberries and Ava wanted some too.

She decided to help herself to the strawberries.

At first Charlotte wasn't too sure about sharing 

her strawberries, but in the end it worked out.

Another lesson in taking turns and sharing. Charlotte wanted the ball all for herself.

The girlies playing with Geema

Ava <3 her!

I made my sweet niece cry. :( She was trying to climb up 

the back of the chair and I had her put her foot down. She was so upset. I felt horrible. :(

My sister in-law and Ava!

The next day...Charlotte was sitting in the corner playing.

 I found out later she was sitting there pooping!

 Telling Geema and elaborate story about the farm animals.

She loved these farm animals that my mom had at their house.

It was time to go to sleep for the farm animals.

On Monday we went to the Hands on Museum and that evening we went over to my brother's house and had a cookout with them, just us and him and his family. It was nice to have time with just them to hang out. Ava really warmed up to us and we had a great time with them!! Tom made an awesome dinner on the grill for us.
On Tuesday morning we headed over to hang out with my oldest and dearest friends, Becky and Rachel, at their mom's house to go swimming and play. I remembered my camera this time, but forgot to take pictures. Most of the time we sat and chatted and caught up. It was nice seeing them!!