Friday, June 1, 2012

Family Vacation 2012

We had been looking forward to this trip since December. Counting down the days until we were Florida bound for a much needed family vacation and visit with Mama. It had been two years too long since we'd visited and we couldn't wait to be poolside enjoying one of our favorite places with some of our favorite people.

We stayed at my Dad's house the night before we left for the airport and Abby enjoyed some quality time with her Papa, Grandma and Uncle Cory. Abby went for a walk to the park with Grandma,Uncle Cory and Joe, then we all had Mother's Day dinner together. That night, the guys took Abby for her very first Dairy Queen experience. Needless to say, she wanted to finish everyone's Blizzard for them!

chilling with Uncle C
Abby was so excited to ride on the airplane. One of our favorite parts of the trip from beginning to end was seeing this vacation through Abby's eyes, starting with the plane ride. It wasn't her first ride, actually her third, but it was the first time she could ask questions and verbalize what the experience was for her.  I came prepared with my "bag-o-tricks", including secret snacks and LOTS of different activities. It wasn't long before Abby realized great things kept coming out of my bag. I tried to make each thing stretch as long as possible for our 3 hour plane ride, but once Abby caught on she kept asking for more "surprises"! Some of her favorite airplane activities were Pirate's Booty, fruit snacks, ice from her complimentary beverage, watching Nick Jr. with her big girl headphones, a Hello Kitty sticker book, books, crayons and a Color Wonder coloring book. I love that she fell asleep on me during the trip and I got to hold her like a little baby while she slept. I love how brave she was during take-off and landing. She looked at me wide eyed and without saying a word just slipped her little hand into mine.




We were so excited to see Mama and Laci Bacsi waiting for us at the airport. Abby was very concerned that Buffy was not there with them, so she took Mama's hand to lead her to the car. It was time to go home because Abby said Buffy was waiting for her. 


It wasn't long before Abby was off to the backyard with Laci Bacsi to tend the garden. She had her own little basket to help pick the peppers.


Abby: Yay! Pool! I need my bathing suit. 
(We get all suited up.)
Daddy: Are you ready to come in with me? 
Abby: No Daddy! The water will make me all wet. I'll dip my toes.

Abby and her swimming baby doll




Abby loved Buffy's bed
Musketeers.


Mama and Laci Bacsi had a fun surprise for Abby when she got there. A dollhouse loaded with little pieces of furniture, complete with curtains and bedspreads. What a dream for this little girl!

Mama's little helper: watering the lanai jungle with her trusty sidekick right beside her. Buffy and Abby followed each other around for the entire week. Abby calls Buffy her "best friend".  "Come here, Buffy. Best friend....where are you?"


beautiful.

my baby girl.

lounging in her boat.
In case you thought I was exaggerating about Abby's best friend, this was the scene at bath time every night. Actually, we spent a lot of the time trying to keep Buffy out of the tub because she so desperately wanted to get in a play with Abby. Each night, this was followed by my cute naked baby running around the house with her pup chasing after her.

"Are you sure you don't want to let me have one of those fun ocean animals to chew on?"
As promised, Mama invited Abby to tea with her very special plates and cups. Abby's eyes lit up when she saw the table all set for a fancy tea party. I wish I could have taken a video of her drinking apple juice from her dainty cup! What a sweet moment!


Abby has the best Daddy. One afternoon, Joe disappeared for a bit and then the doorbell rang. Joe was standing there with two straw hats ready to take Abby on an adventure to Lizard Land. They had so much fun searching for lizards and calling them with their secret lizard call, "Leaping Lizards!".  Can you imagine the look on Abby's face when they shouted "leaping lizards" across the channel and at the same time fish jumped out of the water?  "Daddy! It worked!"







I'll take the pool after breakfast any day!


Now they are on an alligator hunt...

No one had to teach her this one...she's a natural!


best friends.
The day had finally arrived. We had talked about it for months. We read books about the animals in the ocean and seashells. We bought a new sun hat. We were fully loaded with sunscreen. The bucket and shovel was packed. Abby was ready to go to the BEACH!









Proof that her time of sun and sand was a success!
Did I mention that Abby's best friend loves to swim with us too?
Making breakfast poolside with Daddy
love this.
Birthday dinner for Mommy at Red Lobster. Abby polished off her whole meal and an entire bowl of icecream.  Thanks Laci Bacsi!
Abby's self taken photograph.
The week wouldn't be complete without a belly shot-33 weeks! Only 7 more to go. Hard to believe next time we go to Mama's house there will be four of us. It's so sweet to listen to Abby at this point because wherever we are going she will refer to all four of us going together. On beach day, she proudly declared, "I'm going to the beach with Nagymama, my Mommy, my Daddy and my Baby Sister. I love it! No one could have taught her the excitement and connection she already has with her sister.
  
33 weeks
A visit to Nagymama's wouldn't be complete without a trip to Sweet Scoops (our favorite local ice cream shop). Abby became quite the connoisseur of ice cream on this trip! You can tell by this photo that she was quite the fan of orange sherbet. :)



Top two favorite quotes of the trip: 
  • Mama's glass shower doors have a pelican etched onto it. While getting dressed in the bathroom Abby shouted, "Turkey, stop looking at me while I put my underpants on!
  • Because everything about Florida is ridiculously HOT, Abby got her very first nightgown while we were there. That night as she was going to bed, her face became really distressed. "Mommy, I can't go to bed. MOMMY! My knees are naked!" 


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

End of the Semester: Spring 2012

One of our students was baptized at the end of the semester. It was a really special afternoon to be a part of. We were so aware of God's goodness as we stood in the beauty outside and celebrated how Jesus changed Caroline's life with His grace.

Abby asked lots of questions about why Caroline was being "dunked" and why she was getting all "wet"! It was fun to try explain to Abby in terms she could understand what baptism means. Abby just loved playing in the mud and getting dirty.




my little outdoorsy girl

playing with her friends







lots of people came to witness the special occasion



The celebrations continued the very next day with our end of the year BBQ. This year we hosted at our house and loved having lots of people in our backyard!

the kiddos eating lunch

Thankful for a great year and the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of college students in the Capital Region!

Snapshots: May 2012


I just miss Daddy so much all day...
...when he gets home from work I'm ready to climb on him and  play!

family.
Kelly and Asher came for a visit and we loved spending the morning with them.

Grammy came to visit!
Getting ready for baby sister's arrival. A few steps closer...
Daddy was away for the weekend, so Abby and Mommy went on a date Sunday after church.

Chipotle!
The picture says it all. We have way too much fun around here. Personality anyone?

Sunday afternoon relaxation.

Dusty: the neighbor's crazy cat and Abby's special friend. I love that Abby looks for him every time we come outside.  I love that when we come outside Dusty runs over to Abby and purrs while rolling around at her feet. However, the cat freaks me out when he pounces on my car as I drive up my driveway and sits there tapping at my window until I get out.

precious girl asleep on our bed.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

A few more weeks and another belly "pop"

We are pretty excited and busy around here with only nine more weeks until we meet Baby Girl #2. Single digits.

29 weeks
I can see a real difference between these two belly pics, especially because I have less clothing on in the second and my belly is that much bigger! Another belly pop! :)

31 weeks

"Daddy, look at my belly too!"