My hope for Grace

I am a lucky woman--I have a great husband, a wonderful family, a beautiful daughter, and FABULOUS friends! My girlfriends are spread around the country but they are there for me whenever I need them. There is a small group of us from Alma who try to get together at least once a year. This past weekend we rented a cabin on a little lake in Angola, IN. It was good for my soul to be with these wonderful women. It is my hope for Grace that someday she has friends just like them--friends with whom she can laugh, cry, be silly, and most importantly--be herself!

Hogan, Mere Bear, and Rose

Florida--One last morning

After the disastrous photo shoot on our last morning, we headed to Waffle House for brunch (you can't go south without a stop at the Waffle House). We then went back to our favorite park (we went four times on the trip!) so the girls could run off some energy before the car trips!

Florida--Grandma's Hula Girls

As I often do, I had big plans for our trip to Florida. You see, I planned to get a wonderful photo of the girls for my mom. Last summer my mom and Mike went to Hawaii to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. They brought back hula outfits for both of the girls. So, I thought, "What could be better than a picture of two little hula girls in front of the ocean?" I had visions of the picture hanging on my mother's wall and her walking by and giggling at her two little bathing beauties. So, I had Bobby and Megan bring Aly's outfit and we packed Grace's. The last morning we were there was perfect for a photo shoot. Unfortunately, my daughter had a different idea. The SECOND we got to the beach she broke down. She sobbed uncontrollably! It didn't take long to figure out, this picture was not going to happen. The moment we got away from the beach--she was fine. Sorry mom! It's the thought that counts, right?

Florida--Hanging out in the condo

While we did lots of fun things with the Webers, perhaps the most fun the girls had was just running around the condo, chasing each other, playing with toys, giving hugs and kisses, and getting into a whole bunch of mischief!

Florida--Gulfarium

The last full day we were in Florida we took the girls to the Gulfarium. The brochures compared it to Sea World and while it was good--it was no Sea World :) It was a little past it's prime but the girls had fun and it was right down the road from where we were staying.

Watching the dolphins from below

Florida--Harbor Walk

After our first full day at the beach with the Webers we were too tired to make dinner so we headed to the Harbor Walk in Destin. It was great-right at the mouth of the bay where all the boats come in and out! There were tons of restaurants and shops. We ate at a great restaurant, Harry T's. Unfortunately for the girls, it was a late night! Aly slept through dinner...


And Grace was a mess waiting for the food. Both Mark and I ended up walking her around the complex because she just couldn't sit still.

Grouchy Grace :)

She did, however, have a lot of fun waving at the boats, and the people sitting around us. This is a compilation of videos from the evening. You'll see in the first segment, she was trying to wake Aly up...she could see Aly in her stroller by looking under the table.

Aly did wake up in time for dessert...

Florida--Morning Wagon Ride

Despite the fact that the first day the girls were together they barely napped and played constantly, they were still up bright and early Friday morning. Bobby and I decided to take them for a wagon ride, letting Mark and Megan get a little more shut eye.

"Sure, I'll share my milk with you!"

The elevator ride down

Uncle Bobby picked a flower on the side of the road for his girls to smell

Florida--Beach Bums

We had so much fun at the beach when we were in Florida. We made it there every day and it was just perfect! Here are the pictures from when Bobby, Megan, and Aly were with us at the beach. Of course, Grace and Aly had too much fun together in the sand and the surf.

Matching beach cover-ups!

Poor Uncle Bobby--Grace would not leave him alone whenever he tried to lay down and catch some sun. She was either hovering over him or pouring sand on him. I don't think he minded though--all she had to say was "Bubbee" and he just had to smile :)

Resting in the shade--if only they had taken a nap!

Chasing daddy and the kite

Aly

Despite the hand in the shot, I just love the look on Grace's face!

Aly feeding Grace goldfish--they really shared well!

Ready for the second day at the beach--even more toys came out with us!

The Williams

The Webers

The game was the moms made castles--the girls destroyed them promptly!