Christmas 2012

This year Christmas was extended over several weekends.  Audrey made this Christmas so magical. Highlights include:
Tree hunting and hay ride w/ mommy and daddy.
Visiting Santa at the YMCA - to ask for her baby doll...a very specific one.
Touring Longwood to check on the Chocolate Train.
Face timeing Grandma to see all of her Santas.
Going back to the Gardens with her friends Liam, Jamie, and Victoria.
Petting "Schnitzle"
Visiting trains with Pap.
Cooking with Nana and Aunt Tonya.
Snow ball fights with Daddy and Mommy at the Dogpark.

Lots and Lots of Longwood

Cooking up a storm!

Audrey developed a panache for watching cooking videos on youtube, especially videos of Betty Crocker frosting cakes.  We discovered that she enjoys creating food as much as she likes watching the shows.

Audrey's 2nd Birthday in Selinsgrove

Audrey celebrated a very fun 2nd birthday at Nana and Pap's house.  She spent most of the day bouncing on the moon bounce that her Nana and Pap rented for her.  Her party started in the afternoon with her cousin's Grant and Ian and Seth and Nolan.  Her cousin Alaina joined us later in the day for swimming and bouncing.  This party's theme was a mermaid party!

Happy Birthday...to you

So we've been building up Audrey's 2nd birthday to her all summer.  The special weekend finally arrived and we had a blast celebrating with our two year old.  Audrey woke up and opened her presents from Nan and Pap.  We took her to Nudi's cafe for pancakes and eggs, and then headed to Philadelphia.  Audrey spent the afternoon at the Please Touch Museum and it was a playground of fun.  She loved the shopping in the store and the trains, but her favorite was a simple slide. We had so much fun that we bought a year long pass.

That night was her Pool Party with Jenna.  Audrey and her friends took over the playground and baby pool area.  The girls celebrated with pizza and cheese balls.  The happy birthday song with the girls was awesome.  Audrey's cake looked like a fish.

On Sunday Audrey had her first trip to see the fishies at the Aquarium in Camden.  Audrey was so excited to see the fish so close.  She LOVED the huge tank of sharks and turtles, and touching the shark made her squeal. 

Beach Beauty

A little more summer beach sun and surf for Audrey!

Audrey and Mama reconnect

Audrey's girls

Kiah and Neva are the sweetest companions to our Gabunga.

Easter weekend yard work

Audrey's version of work includes splashing in fountains and sun bathing on mom. We can see big Audrey is considering I'm 5'10.

Love and hugs with Grandmas

Audrey spent the two weekends before Easter with her grandparents. Here are two photo ops with Audrey's abuelas.

Terrain at Styers for Easter

Our dinner for 3 at Terrain was so fun. I loved the atmosphere in the greenhouse and the food was fun. Who wouldn't love bread served in a flower pot? The open faced soft shell crab on fried green tomatoes were up our ally! We left terrain with two metal containers to flank our front porch we are planting pink roses in the containers.

Longwood Children's Garden January

Smelling mama's favorite ...blue hydrangea!

She's 1.5

Audrey is 18 months old.  This weekend we make the most of our time as a family and took our little girl to a "pizza" dinner at Grotto pizza.  On Saturday we took Audrey to a book sale and to Longwood Gardens Children's garden.  She diverted herself in the playground of fountains and plants and was brave enough to play with the dragon.  She roared and was delighted by the dragon room.  On Sunday we went to King of Prussia Mall to the Muscular Distrophy Walk and Audrey made lots of friends.  We took Audrey to visit The Gregori's and we met their new son Matt. Audrey played with Kelly and Emily and had a very fun play date.  She fit in a little time to see her neighborhood best friend Evelyn. 

Merry Christmas 2011

Our Princess spent a fantastic holiday with friends and family. 

Longwood Gardens Evening

The last time I went to Longwood Gardens I was 9 months pregnant and drug my body through the gorgeous and humid surroundings.  This trip was much different.  Audrey was a 16 month old little sprite toddling around in her winter coat, ski hat, and frog mittens.  We walked into the center with a renewed garden pass and were rewarded with our little lady ooohing at all of the lighted trees.  She wanted to walk everywhere.  

We quickly found the hot chocolate stand and Audrey was amazed by the beautifully decorated gingerbread treats.  Next, we walked to the outdoor train display and watched the trains chug along the display.  The weather wasn't too cold but we didn't want Audrey to get too chilly, so we warmed up in the conservatory.  

We found the children's garden and the place was fabulous.  Audrey laughed her head off at the water fountains and giggled at the water wall.  Josh and I had a blast watching Audrey discover the children's garden and play with other children her age.  One woman commented at Audrey's laughter, "she just made my night." We left with a very tired Audrey.  All three of us enjoyed our first trip to Longwood as a family.