Ava The Great

The greatest Ava that’s ever lived.

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We have concrete!!! While I ran off to San Antonio to pick up truffles for the store, they poured concrete. I had to make sure we had our hands and Willow’s in the concrete just like Dad, Mom, Aaron and I did many many moons ago at our house in Needville. I remember always looking at those hands. I wonder sometimes if they’re still there. Looking forward to my birthday, I might need to throw a pool party!! 💁🏼‍♀️ #pool #poolparty #pooltime #KBRanch #summertime (at KB Ranch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqa4o99rUYg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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On our big full day at leisure in Porto, after we climbed the tower and hit the McDonald’s, we headed to St. Francis Church. It was under construction so we missed some, but I think the rest of the church spoke for itself. Everything was amazing! We then walked towards the Douro river, and stopped into Casa do Infante, which is where Henry the Navigator was born, and had a small museum in. It was right next to the river, and we decided to stop and get an espresso, but instead had great espresso martinis and some snacks, beef crouquettes and garlic shrimp, at Café do Cais. It turned out to be the perfect impromptu stop to recharge us, our feet, and our phones. Took a pic of us with the Dom Luís I Bridge in the background (Eiffel’s apprentice). Then we had to walk back uphill, to a store where I found tiles for the pool party pavilion! I got 4 blue & white tiles that were taken off a building (anywhere from the 17th-18th century) and 8 white 3-D reproductions. As we walked there, we saw “409”, (whoop!!) with the “Beach” in the window, (double whoop!!) 😂 Mitch always wonders why there aren’t solar panels on cars yet, and over here they already have them on boats! 😂 I love me some @luxetrvlbylaura if not for her, none of this would be possible! #avabetrippin #portugal #portugal🇵🇹 #porto #stfrancischurch #douroriver #epictrip #tiles #ilovetotravel #douroriver (at Porto, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqCRHSmMQSB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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On our day at leisure, we decided to visit Clerigo’s Tower and Church, and walk 146 stairs to get to the top. It was definitely worth the view! We also got to listen to an organ player. What a treat! They had two organs, but one was being restored. Construction began in 1732, and was completed in 1750, while the bell tower was completed by 1763. Kinda like I-45! 😂 #avabetrippin #portugal #portugal🇵🇹 #Porto #torredosclerigos #epictrip @luxetrvlbylaura (at Torre dos Clérigos) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp7LriYuCmF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Yesterday we had a day on our own and decided to see the most beautiful bookstore in the world! It’s said that this bookstore inspired J.K. Rowling when she first started writing Harry Potter, and it didn’t disappoint! Absolutely gorgeous! The books there are beautiful too! Then off to the fanciest McDonald’s in the world! Where I FINALLY got an actual Royal with Cheese! 😂 (No pickles, please.) #avabetrippin #mcdonalds #livarialello #portugal #porto #portugal🇵🇹 #pulpfiction (at Livraria Lello) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5tXLnOsPz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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More tiles!!!! 🤩 I mainly love them, bc I want some for my pool! 😂 These can all be found in Tomar at the Convent of Christ. So much marble everywhere! I’m just in love with everything! #tomar #portugal #portugal🇵🇹 #avabetrippin #epictrip #conventofchrist @luxetrvlbylaura (at Castle of the Knights Templar, Tomar, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0B-c0uJ3y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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“We bones, are here, waiting for yours” Capela dos Ossos, Chapel of the Bones was interesting and I ain’t gonna lie, a little creepy. This is another UNESCO Heritage site we saw while in Èvora. #avabetrippin #evora #portugal #portugal🇵🇹 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpz93ZKOKw7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I love this picture of Chelsea, she was surprised by the ringing of the bells right when our guide took our pic. We got to see three UNESCO Heritage sites. The third I’ll make another post of. Beautiful countryside, definitely a must see in Portugal! #evora #cathedealofevora #Romanruins @luxetrvlbylaura #avabetrippin #portugal #portugal🇵🇹 (at Évora, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpzpc8YO3Xx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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What a great way to end our last night in Lisbon. Our own personal sunset cruise! It was gorgeous, the weather decided to cooperate that day and the sun came out and it was a beautiful day! They also have a Golden Gate Bridge! I love being able to experience this with my niece. This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of @luxetrvlbylaura She is one amazing lady, that really does an outstanding job! #avabetrippin #lisboa #lisbon #portugal #epictrip (at Lisbon, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpugQpnuySc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’ll miss the tiles in Lisbon. They use them to reflect the sun in the summer and to keep the heat in during the winter. We’re off to Evora today! @luxetrvlbylaura is such a great travel planner!! I’ll be using her for my big trips from now on! ❤️🇵🇹 #avabetrippin #epictrip #portugal #lisboa #lisbon (at Lisboa, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpueFDwu8xW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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After a walk back to the hotel for a quick 30 minute nap, we set off to see the São Jorge Castle (St. George’s Castle) which some of the first fortifications of the castle were built in the 1st century BC! They had many peacocks there too, which was cool. The views from up there are amazing! Then I bought a little piece of art, and as we walked to the cathedral we stopped to take a pic next to the area of the subject of my painting, but the flowers weren’t in bloom though. 😢 After this is when we took the hour long Uber that should’ve been 15 minutes, but got a tour of the city. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #lisbon #lisboa #portugal #saojorgecastle #travel #amazing #avabetrippin @luxetrvlbylaura (at Lisbon, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CprHvyYIgSQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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First up was a cooking class on how to make Pastel de Nata, which are custard tarts that are delicious! Our teacher/chef, Leandro, advised us to go to the Time Out Market, where a few Michelin star chefs have smaller places to try their food. We had cod fritters, and arugula salad with goat cheese and green apples, and a pumpkin risotto. All of which was delicious! Thanks again to @luxetrvlbylaura for this trip!! #luxetravel #lisbonportugal #lisbon @sommercook_ #timeoutmarketlisboa #pasteldenata (at Lisbon, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/CprFithIqxk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Another successful day at the rodeo. Goofing off with my girls! Tomorrow is NKOTB! #rodeohouston #houston #rodeo #houstonrodeo #HLSR #cowboyboots (at RODEOHOUSTON) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpeEw5yuCK-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Always a great time hanging with my girls at the Houston rodeo!!! First things first, we eat all the good stuff! We had fried bacon, taco salad, fried BLT, fried dumplings, Asian taco, fried bread pudding, cinnamon roll, a hot dog and @shel.norfolk always gets the bulk candy. #HLSR #rodeohouston #houstonrodeo #llamas #lovemygirls (at RODEOHOUSTON) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpd41NiLPZj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Mitch and I went up to spend the weekend in Austin for his birthday, and we took Willow with us. We went to dinner at Vince Young Steakhouse, delicious but we definitely prefer Truluck’s. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Willow had her first visit to Home Depot, which she loved, and when we would come back from dinner we would find her on the bed. 😂 She got used to hotel living real quick. The best thing about staying at the @hotelvanzandt is they accept all dogs and everyone has treats! 😂 When we got home, the tile on the pool was done!! Can’t wait for it to be done!! 😆 #birthdayweekend #austintx #hotelvanzandt #birthday #mitchandavabetrippin #mitchandava (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpLmTQ6OaeC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 11 of pool construction. We’ve got plumbing and tile! Mitch decided to switch seats this time. The tile isn’t completely finished, they still need to add the blue in the hot tub, and we left a place for a table by the stools. Looking better and better!!! #poolparty #poolcontruction #muldoon #KBRanch #texas #muldoontexas #TX #pool #middleofnowhere #justkeepswimming (at KB Ranch) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBbBylLUOm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I think that’s the last of all the Mardi Gras pics! Or at least the ones I can post. 😂 Not many taken today, even though I saw some ppl. I was busy selling popcorn. As always the last free day of the second weekend is the only day ppl come in to the store, but it was great! I wish the city would work on their cell/internet service when having these events. #mardigras #galveston #laissexlesbontempsrouler (at Downtown Galveston) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4IaJ9O5nm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Some more San Luis Salute pics! Such a great time, every time!! #mardigras #laissezlesbontempsrouler #sanluissalute #gildedmasquerade #pitbull @pitbull (at Galveston, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co3b2uhLDpf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=