Kensico

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to visit my Gramma Edee's grave site.  It was Matt's first time visiting Kensico and it was quiet an experience for him.  My brother got dressed into dress blues in the parking lot of the cemetery and I had a very cute sailor dress for you to wear.  Watching my brother approach my Gramma's final resting place is something that I will never forget.  We gave him time to spend at the site, and he placed a Navy, Marines, and United States flag at my Gramma's site.  Thankfully, you were in a fabulous mood, even after being in the car for well over 8 hours, and were having so much fun running barefoot through the cemetery.

 April 3, 2010

Camp Lejeune

Uncle Matt had a long weekend off because of Easter.  He asked Grayma if it was possible to take a road trip to Kensico to see where Great Gramma Edee is resting, so we all took advantage of the time and had so much fun.  Grayma, Mommy, and you started the trip on Good Friday heading towards Camp Lejeune to pick up Uncle Matt.  Because the base had a long weekend, the traffic getting off base was nuts!  We decided to stay put and have a picnic on the beach!!!  This was your first time seeing the ocean and although it was far too cold to get in the water, it didn't stop you from running straight towards the waves.  You loved getting your feet wet and would yell, "cold!" every time the water hit your feet.  Right across the street from the beach is a cute playground that we spent some time at.  It was nice to take a little break before having to get back in car to continue on our journey north.

Grayma and you enjoying the slide.

The neatest little rainmaker toy.  We might have a musician on our hands.

Seeing the ocean for the very first time!

Look!

See you next time, beach!

April 2, 2010

Eggy Hunt #2, Eggy Dying, & An Early Easter

Because you and me wouldn't be home for Easter, we decided to have an early Easter with our little family.  Thank goodness for the spectacular weather, because we were able to eggy hunt outside and more importantly dye eggies outside.  I was certain you would love getting into the colored water and handling all the eggs, but you didn't want a thing to do with them.  You were confused as to what we were trying to do, so Mommy and Daddy had all the fun and dyed the eggs.

Getting ready for another eggy hunt!  It's only considered a true hunt when a "packpack" and sunglasses are involved.  You are serious about your hunting.

 Trying so hard to patiently wait for Daddy to finish hiding all the eggies.

 And you're off!  You remind so much of an old lady here.

Searching for all the goodies.  You would get one egg at a time, bring it to your table, and beg politely ask for us to open the eggs.  Daddy filled them with chocolate covered raisins, reece's pieces, and m&m's...a true treat!

Shaka, shaka, sha-ka!

Our eggs!  Mommy and Daddy did all the dying.  Daddy was even creative enough to make an egg with the map and backpack from Dora for his most favorite little girl.

And for some comic relief.

March 31, 2010

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

I'm afraid to say that I don't think we have a ballerina or cheerleader on our hands.  Instead, I think you might become some sort of professional rock climber or archaeologist.  As Daddy and I were in the backyard planting, mowing, and raking, you were busy climbing.  Our backyard is by no means flat and I truly believe that some part of Stone Mountain has made it out to our house.  We've made the best of it and although it can be a sight for sore eyes at times, at least we don't have to mow much.  I'm still trying to get used to allowing you to explore the outdoors and gasp, get dirty.  I'm getting there as far as the mud, dirt, sand, and grass goes, but the first time you bring a bug or snake to me I just might pass out.  I promise, I do dress you in girl clothes and love to put bows in your hair and wear cute sandals, however, when it comes to playing outside, the play clothes go on!

The beginning of the climb.  Obstacle #1:  Make it over the retaining wall to hold back the dirt.

Doing the crab crawl to find the perfect dirt spot.

For the love of those cheeks, seriously, they are the most squeezable things ever.

And here comes the dirt.  A bath was a must after this.

And you begin your descend down the mountain.  Unfortunately, your knees took quiet a beating. 

Just to give you a visual of how far you climbed on your own and not even looking back to see where we were.

Nothing's more refreshing than apple juice, a little bit of mud and a comfy chair to take a breather in.

March 30, 2010

Going on an Eggy Hunt

I have no idea how it happens, but for the second year in a row, the weather didn't cooperate for the annual Easter egg hunt at our church.  Last year, it was so cold, we were in full on parkas and hats, and this year, it was a bit better but not much.  We put you in the older age bracket so you hunt with your buddy, Bennett and I was a tad nervous that you would get run down by either a child on a mission, or over eager parents wanting their kids to get all the eggs.  Well, let me tell you, you held your own.  I showed you once what to do, and from there, you were off.  You had no idea that the "eggies" as you call them, had goodies in them.  And at one point a little boy came over to "borrow" one of your eggs, and you yanked your basket back so fast, stuck your finger out and shouted, "I say NO!"  Although I was cracking up on the inside, we had a little lesson on sharing that day.

 And the hunt begins.

 Getting the hang of it.

Showing Daddy your eggies.

You did much better with the bunny than Santa, even though I personally think the bunny is much creepier looking, but I digress.  You did great with him, but only if you could look at him, once I turned you around, you got a little nervous, hence why I was sitting there too.

In the jumpy, jumpy, jumpy.

This was as high as you got.  You tried so hard to stand, but just didn't have the confidence to do it.  Either way, you were a happy little girl to be playing with the big kids.

March 28, 2010

Playing Dress Up

You absolutely LOVE beads, you know the kind you get for Mardi Gras?!  Thankfully, we've never been and you will never go if I can help it, but we've somehow accumulated quiet a few beads that you love to wear, well, anywhere...to the store, the ball fields, out to eat, over to friends' houses, it doesn't matter, you just love them.  You also love to wear my headbands, but not on you head like your supposed to (remember, we have the creative child).  You wear them across your eyes like some crazy star trooper.  Well, you have now figured out that you can dress up your doggies.  Thank God they are so patient with you.

 You  insisting that Nicky wears the flower get up.

You can barely see your face, but you were so proud that Nicky let you do this to him.

And bring on the beads.  Notice Nicky in the background trying ignore the madness and secretly laughing that it's now Stetson's turn.

Nicky coming to the rescue and is going to try to stop all this dress up nonsense.

But then you get a look like this from a dog!  He actually winked at the camera!

And now that both the dogs are hiding somewhere in the house away from this crazy chick, you decided to dress yourself up. 

March 26, 2010

Hanging out Around the House

We've finally started having nice weather around here.  March definitely came in like a lion and went out like a lamb.  We've been trying to spend as much time as possible "owside" enjoying the beautiful weather.

This cracks me up.  Makes me think of the the kids in the movie "Signs" when they put foil on their heads.  Girl, will do anything to make people laugh and you're very creative.

March 25, 2010