Wedding Day!

Friday August 5, 2011

Wedding Day!  The day started off terrible!  Addison & Alyssa needed a bath since they didn't get one the night before.  You would have thought I threw them in ice water. The crying, fussing, splashing - oh my!  It was a disaster. I'm not sure if they were confused by taking a bath during the morning instead of our usual night baths or what, but it was a struggle.  After the bath, it was time for me to go pick up the bride & bridesmaids for our hair appointment.  I needed a break!

After I got my hair done (which I hated, but there wasn't time to complain for a redo) I headed back home to get Blake & the girls.  Blake had to be at the hotel for groom/groomsmen pictures.  Once that was finished it was time for us to meet the bride/bridesmaids at the reception site for lunch & our pictures.  Did I mention Addison didn't get a nap & Alyssa was a hot mess?  At this point I'm thinking about just going back home & calling it a day!  My sweet little angels didn't cooperate for pictures at all.  When we were done it was TIME!  We rush over to the church & get everyone situated.  This meant Addison meeting the other flower girl, Emma, and getting them acquainted.  Addison liked the idea of holding Emma's hand & was very excited to walk down the aisle with her.  Sweet baby Alyssa decided to fall asleep in my arms while waiting to walk down the aisle.  Of course, she fell asleep.  Why wouldn't she fall asleep at the exact time we need her to be awake?!?  

Emma & Addy walked out first with me & Alyssa following close behind.  I had to work with what I had...  Blake met us at the alter, we bowed & proceeded to the cry room.  I had already left a bag in the cry room full of toys & snacks.  Cousin M joined us with her 3 little ones too.  Everyone played nicely while I still got to see/hear the beautiful ceremony.  It wasn't as great as being at the alter with them, but it was the next best thing.  


After the wedding we went over to the reception site.  The reception was held at this THIS fabulous historic home.  Everything about the wedding & reception was perfect.  Everyone did a great job putting it together.  

It was a beautiful ceremony & Katie looked absolutely stunning.  A beautiful day!

Rehearsal Dinner

Thursday August 4, 2011

Rehearsal Day!  We managed to not be late for any of the events this week!  Not that we are ever late anyway, but we cut it close a few times!  Rehearsal was quick.  Addison & Alyssa didn't perform as we had hoped & I was very worried about the wedding.  Katie read my mind & suggested we go to the cry room after we walk down the aisle.  That was such a relief to me.  I know her & Jimmy really wanted to girls to be a part of their special day & doing things this way made everyone happy. 

After rehearsal it was time to head over to Sundown Tiki for dinner.  The restaurant was a cute little open-air tiki bar on the water.  Family + Friends + Food = Fun!

Addison & Alyssa each got these adorable ballerina jewelry boxes from Aunt K & Uncle J.  The mirror has each name engraved.  We've already filled them with precious jewels like the cross necklace from Aunt K & Uncle J, the rosary from Grams & Pappy & pretty pink pearls from a dear friend.

All of the girls in the wedding party got these cute tanks that say 'Bridesmaid' & includes the date.  Very cute!  We also got a lovely bracelet.  I'm not a big jewelry person, but I've been wearing the bracelet daily!  Thanks K!

It was cousin Riley's birthday, but he had to cancel at the last minute because baby Julia got sick.  Addison enjoyed his cupcake for him though!

Baptism Day

Wednesday August 3, 2011

We made it to the church just in time!  After filling out some paperwork, everyone had arrived & it was show time.  Addison & Alyssa did great!  Neither minded the oils or the water being poured over their heads.  Afterwards, Addison said she wanted to do it again!  

"Presents?  Of course, I'll be a good girl!"

When the baptism was over everyone met over at the new godparent's house for food & celebration.

I can't believe that we didn't get any pictures taken with the girls other than what the photographer took!  Those pictures should be ready next week & I can't wait to see them!

A Day At The Beach

Monday August 1, 2011

Beach day at Ft. Myers Beach!  Let me first say that Alyssa hasn't been a very good baby the last couple of days.  Her feet have barely touched the state of Florida & I'm the only one that she let's hold her.  Maybe it's teething, maybe it's unfamiliar surroundings, maybe it's just her personality right now.  She isn't sleeping very well either.  All I know is I need a break!  Whew! 

Going to the beach takes on a new meaning when there are two babies involved!  We ate a nice lunch when we arrived then changed into our bathing suits. 

Ready to eat! 

"No, I haven't decided yet".

"Let's go with the fried shrimp, mashed 

potatoes & green beans, please".

Addison & Alyssa had a fabulous time!  Addison preferred the sand while Alyssa enjoyed the sand & water.  I think Alyssa consumed a good bit of Ft. Myers Beach today!  The fun in the sun put Alyssa to sleep before we left & then Addy went to sleep on the way home.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Sunday July 31, 2011

We got to Busch Gardens at 9:30 & caught the tram after parking.  It was a pretty quick process until we arrived at the gate to enter the park.  Grams bought all of our tickets ahead of time online for parking, entry to park, stroller rental, lunch, etc.  Well, the printed papers didn't have a barcode, so each had to be manually entered at the gate.  After that we didn't have any other issues.  

We went & picked up the 'double' stroller.  I'm only using the word 'double' because that's what Busch Gardens calls the stroller.  I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I guess something a little bigger & more kid friendly.  A reclining feature would have made me forget how small the stroller was.  It did have nice pockets on the back to hold drinks & pretty much anything else you would need to have easy access to often.  One thing we forgot was the hook to hold the backpack onto the stroller handle.  I thought for sure they would have a Nanny Caddy vending machine or sell the hooks where you rent the strollers, but no luck.  We survived though.  

Lunch with Elmo & Friends was at 11:30.  We found the place & went right inside.  It wasn't air-conditioned, but it had a roof & plenty of ceiling fans!  Our $22 per person lunch included chicken tenders, potato wedges, veggie medley, mac n cheese, fruit medley, pulled pork, rolls, cupcakes, beverages.

You aren't paying for the food anyway - it's the experience & the excitement on your 3 year-olds face that matters most!  When the characters arrived each table was called to spend a little one-on-one time with Elmo & Big Bird.  Cookie, Bert & Ernie were walking around greeting everyone.  We got pictures with everyone & Addison had a great time.  Alyssa wasn't too sure about those big furry creatures, so she sat back & just watched everyone else interact with them.  

All of the bathrooms were super nice & air-conditioned.  The diaper changing stations were clean & had disposable liners available.  When we go again we will take our bathing suits.  There are lots of watering holes, splash pads & spray areas to keep the kids & everyone else cool.  It's a really nice setup in the Sesame Street Safari!  Addison only rode a couple of rides.  She was content checking out all of the Sesame Street decor & watching others!  She's a little people-watcher (like her mama)!

Part of the time I carried Alyssa in the Baby Bjorn, then she rode in the 'double' stroller with Addison & Pappy held her while she napped. 

We went to the 4D show & it was perfect for taking a break & cooling off!  Alyssa slept right through the water spraying, wind blowing, children screaming with excitement during the show! 

Then the rain came...  At first it was nice & refreshing to get a break from the sun, but then 2 hours later we were in the middle of a storm - and it sucked!  We tried killing time by seeking shelter under awnings & playing games.

Blake tried to win Addy an Angry Bird stuffed animal (cause we have plenty of room to take it back home on the plane).  Alyssa picked a ducky & won a small stuffed duck.  Later a girl let Addy have a hedgehog even though Blake didn't really win the game throwing a ball & knocking 3 bottles off a table.  Then we were going to go see the 4D Pirate show, but would be waiting an hour for the next showing.  We ended up calling it a day around 5.  

Of course, as we were on the tram headed back to the parking lot the skies began to clear & the screams from the roller coasters tried to lure us back.  We were done though.  The girls needed a break & so did we!  It's hard work to play at an amusement park all day long!  

Pool Time

Saturday 7/30/11

Today was a relaxing day at Aunt Katie & Uncle Jimmy's house.  We played in the pool & had a delicious dinner.

July 30, 2011

December 31, 2009

Let's Fly Away

Friday 7/29/11
We woke around 5:30 to get ready before waking the girls.  The morning went smoothly & we were out the door at 6:45!  Quick stop at Starbucks and we were on our way to the airport an hour & half away.  Alyssa was pretty fussy during the car ride.  She's getting 2 new teeth right now & struggling!  I remember when she got her two bottom teeth.  I had no idea since she never really complained about them.  Addison watched a movie & enjoyed the ride as usual.

We arrived at the airport, checked our bags, then Blake went to park the van while we waited for him.  Once the shuttle brought him back we went through security (for families - look for the green circle with the family in the center).  It was easy peasy considering the baby food, liquid medicines (one packed on ice), sippy cups, hand sanitizer, etc that filled the backpack to the top!  None of these items have to be in the 1-qt plastic bags.  I had them all neatly sorted & arranged anyway though.

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:35, but we sat on runway until 11:30 due to weather delays.  I was afraid this would happen after seeing the storm in the Gulf on the weather map.  Finally, we took off with a warning of extra turbulence from the storm.  Not really what I wanted to hear.  Alyssa went to sleep as soon as we got on the plane.  She was so tired!  Addison kept busy with her backpack full of stickers, books, color books, snacks, lacing bear & a few other toys.  Our seats were in the very back where the infant life jacket & additional oxygen mask are for lap babies.  It was a tiny express plane with 2 seats on one side & 1 on the other.  Addy & Blake sat beside each other & Alyssa & I sat across from them in the single seat.

We made it to Florida just one hour late.  Grams & Pappy picked us up at the airport.  Before we even pulled away from the pick-up zone I realized my sunglasses had been left behind on the plane!  Luckily, Blake went back in & someone went & got them off the plane.  I thought I heard something fall as we were exiting the plane, but when I looked back didn't see anything.

After we got home & settled, Grams & I went to meet Katie at the dress shop for her fitting.  The dress is even more beautiful in person & she is a stunning bride!