Mini Vacation...

Last weekend we headed to Williamsburg for a "mini vacation."  We hit Busch Gardens and Water Country and did a little bit of tax-free shopping at the outlet mall.  Ella loved every single minute of it, but I think she might have enjoyed Water Country a tiny bit more just because she LOVES the water.  Kinsley really enjoyed playing in the water as well!

Ella loved riding the rides at Busch Gardens!

 Another Ride...they are in the back row.

 Another ride...I think this is the only one that Ella didn't like!

 I couldn't believe she rode this one...those swings are high in the air!

Kinsley waited patiently while Ella rode all the rides!

We had lunch with Elmo and his friends!

We finished the day off with some awesome fireworks!

This is a VERY tired Kinsley watching the fireworks!

Can you tell she is having fun??

Daddy and Ella going down a slide!

 

 Daddy and his girls in the water!

 Mommy and her girls...

 Having fun in the sun!

Just love this picture...

Busy Summer...

It has been a really long time since I have updated this blog, but we have been very busy enjoying the summer.  Here is a sampling of what we have been up to...

 Daddy and his girls on Father's Day

 Ella and Kinsley having fun in the lake

W

Watermelon!!

M

Ella loves swimming in the lake!

 Boat Rides!

 Fishing!

Ella and Madison waiting for the fireworks on July 4th!

Kinsley ready for some fireworks!

Kinsley turned 1 year old!

  

Memorial Day Weekend...and other stuff....

We spent last weekend at the lake...it was a gorgeous weekend.  We went on a couple of boat rides and Ella spent a lot of time in the water. She just finished up 16 swim lessons at the YMCA and she is much more confident in the water now!  Nonna had a great idea to get a small inflatable baby pool for Kinsley for on the dock...so she was able to splash in the water too!

Ella's last swim lesson.  She "graduated" from the "pike" level!

Oh yeah...did I mention that Kinsley started to crawl last weekend!

Papa, Ella, and Cali having fun in the water!

Kinsley hanging out on the boat!

Cali and Ella swimming! Ella likes to "race" Cali!

Kinsley - 10 months old! She started crawling last weekend.  It is a strange version of a crawl where she uses one knee and one foot.  But she can get where she wants to go....Ella has already discovered that nothing is safe anymore!  She is also getting ready to cut her first tooth!  You can feel it but it hasn't quite broken through the gum yet.  If you remember...Ella did not get her first tooth until around 15 months so this is quite early in our book!!  Kinsley also waves bye-bye now and loves to babble....she continues to be very laid back and happy...smiling all the time!

Camping...

We went "camping" a couple of weekends ago.  Tony wouldn't call it camping, but we were on a campground...and we had a bonfire, made s'mores, ate our meals outside on a picnic table...so in my book that constitutes camping.  We went with some good friends and had a fabulous weekend!

The kids enjoying the bonfire

Kinsley eating her cheerios at the picnic table

Ella and Tony fishing

Kinsley first "beach" experience.  She wasn't fond of the sand.

Making sand castles (Silly mommy didn't bring bathing suits, but that didn't bother Ella one bit!)

Kinsley LOVES ice cream!!

The girls enjoyed their ice cream too!

Tired little girls....

Spring has sprung.....

And we have been very busy enjoying it!!!  

 We spent Easter weekend in Vermont visiting Brady and Dave...

We had a great time seeing the area....

Hunting for Easter Eggs....

and riding Patience...this was by far Ella's favorite part of the trip!

Spring!

First boat ride of the year!

 Ella on the boat

Kinsley taking in the fresh air

Ella posing for the camera

 Sun setting on the lake

Wow...it has been a long time since I have posted!  It was a very LONG winter in Virginia this year and we were extremely excited to have some spring weather this past week and weekend.  We headed to the lake to take advantage of the gorgeous weather.  The girls had a great time and loved spending time outside!

Birthday Girl!!!

 

Birthday Girl!

 
 

Presents from Nonna and Papa

 

Cake on her birthday!

 
 

Having Fun at her Party

 
 

Going down the slide with Daddy!

 
 

Ella and her Friends!

 
 

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...

 
 

Just Having Fun!

 

Ella turned 4 years old on February 1st!  Where has the time gone??  She is quite the little person now and definitely has a mind of her own.  She is very independent and full of energy.  She keep us busy and laughing all the time. We have had a lot of snow this month so all of her birthday activities got jumbled up.  We finally had her birthday party last weekend.  It was a lot of fun and worth the wait!!!