Saturday, April 4, 2009

West Palm Beach Visit

I just got back today from a week plus stay down in WPB.  Aside from the long drive (and the cat throwing up in the truck...twice) it was a great visit.  Leah and I were able to see lots of family and even ran into some high school/college friends at the Wellington mall...small world!
Dad and Kate threw me and Al a birthday party which was a fun time :) Donna came to surprise Al for his birthday, so it was a treat to see her and finally meet her beautiful daughter, Liza.

Leah was hesitant to go in the pool at first, but once she was in she loved it. She had fun going up and down the pool steps over and over and...over again :)

We also went to Palm Beach where an Art Gallery had a "petting zoo" on its beautiful garden grounds. Leah DEFINITELY was hesitant at first but eventually was coaxed into petting some animals. In fact she almost blinded a baby duck trying to point out its eye. Fortunately the animal handler was pretty quick and no harm was done.

Al and Janice also hosted us last weekend.  It was a wonderful opportunity to see my mom, Rob, Aunt Linda, Donna, Liza and (of course) Al and Janice.  It was a great visit, but it went too quickly.  

We also went to Butterfly World, but I think Leah was a little too young to fully appreciate it...but I'd never been there before and it was really neat. She came face to face with lots of butterlies, birds and flowers.  

Fair warning:  I attached quite a few pictures...

having a wet noodle fight with my dad..
at the petting 'zoo'...
a baby bunny..."hop!"
pointing out the duck's eye (because we didn't know where it was)...

petting a frisky goat...
baaaa...


debating the pool...
helping dad strum the guitar...
the beautiful flowers Eric sent me for my birthday...so sweet!! I think I'll keep him :)
In my new maternity bathing suit that Aunt Sharon and I went to about 6 stores to finally find...
Leah wanted all of us to wear her glasses...although they looked the funniest on my dad :)
Aunt Sharon, cousin Jillian, Leah and I...
Leah with baby Liza

birthday 'royalty'
family picture:
Jillian and Leah hugging
with my mom...
Donna, Rob, mom, Al, Janice, Aunt Sharon and Jillian (unfortunately I didn't think to take it until after Liza was down for her nap)...
Leah and Jillian broke into the ice cooler and were sucking on the ice...they LOVED it! (In fact when I got ice at the hotel last night, she was so excited and swiped a couple pieces)
mom, my brother Rob, Leah and I
relaxing and watching Sesame Street
Not having any fun in the pool...

she was fascinated with the mechanical fish...
The butterfly is at the very bottom...the lowest piece of red in the pic...

There's a yellow butterfly on the red flower.  She tried to reach for it and it flew off...
A hummingbird drinking nectar...
it was hot...so we took time out for ice cream :)
stopping to smell the roses with Pop-Pop...

The bird started on my dad's hand then decided to climb up his arm, perched on his shoulder for a bit and then onto his head.... 
Leah and Jillian in the pool of balls in the nursery at Aunt Sharon's church

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A Day at the Park

It was such a beautiful day today and we went to the park for a couple hours. We definitely weren't alone...it was very busy! A nice treat was Leah's babysitter, Jessie, and her sister, Amelia, showing up. Amelia immediately took to 'mothering' Leah :) It was so cute (apparently she doesn't hang out with too many children younger so this was quite fun for her). Leah's getting much bolder...she climbed the ladder today (after she watched Amelia do it), gets on and off the 'coil rockers' (or whatever they're called) by herself, and hangs/swings from the bar over the swing! It's so amazing to watch her grow and do new things! She truly is a blessing from Jesus!

just like mommy...leading with the belly...

seriously...look at that belly...it's holding her up! :)

playing ball with another young girl...

the aspiring model....



with Amelia...

Although she still loves Elmo and Sesame Street, she's renewed her love affair with Yo Gabba Gabba.  Here with her beloved Brobee...

Friday, March 13, 2009

Bathtime with Katherine

Tracy and I had a 'date night' the other night.  Tracy made yummy nachos, then we gave the girls a bath, put them to bed and watched a chick flick (while eating ice cream :) ). This was the girls' first time taking a bath together...they seemed to enjoy it.  It was adorable!

Leah making some funny faces/poses...



Leah's new room decorations...



Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Bath Time

Leah LOVES bath time!  She gets on her belly and kicks her feet...enjoying the fact that water's splashing everywhere :)  She's taken up talking and introducing herself to her reflection in the 'drain knob' (or whatever it's called):  "hi!...Leeeah!".  She cracks me up every day!!!!