The butterfly that landed on my shoulder

Dear Audrey when I was pregnant with you, Mom Mom and Pop and I went to Hershey Gardens to enjoy a beautiful summer day, just 2 weeks before you were born. It was a beautiful visit and while we were there we enjoyed the butterfly house. Right before we walked in, Mom Mom said to me; "if a butterfly lands on your shoulder, you are having a girl. it will be a sign." And, sure enough as soon as we walked in, a butterfly perched on my shoulder.
She was right.
This time I took you, my little girl to enjoy that very same thing.
You loved the flowers and, of course, the butterflies.

The Childrens garden was also a favorite.
what a wonderful day with my lil butterfly

The Beach

yesterday, we returned from a mini vacation to Dewey Beach with my cousin Amanda and her family and my friend Val and her son Lathan, Val and I were sans husbands. So, we shared a room with our kiddos. what a fun time we had.
Last year, the Natales accompanied us to Dewey Beach, where we found out that my 1 yr old didnt like the sand one bit!
This year, she loved it. She danced and played and enjoyed every minute.
She even got a chance to sit up in the Lifegaurd stand!

It was a great little trip. Lathan and Audrey really enjoyed each others company. I tagged them Monkey See, Monkey Do! Lathan does it and Audrey follows! He is Monkey See and She is Monkey Do!

The weather was great. we enjoyed the boardwalk, event the rides.

The only thing I wish is that we would have stayed 1 day longer. LOL!

Country Girl

Mom Mom and Pop's picnic this year was a Western theme. Mom Mom went all out with Audreys cowgirl costume, and Audrey Loved it. The picnic was LOTS of fun!

even daddy got in on the pony rides! LOL!

Birthday weekend

Audreys birthday weekend was supposed to be a low key fun camping trip. It turned into a ZOO! LOL. literally.
We arrived friday night at the campground we booked, only to turn around because they lost our reservation and had no spot for us.
SO, my folks made their way to our house, where we mapped out a plan for other fun ideas to celebrate our little girls 2nd year!
Friday, we had a mini bday party with cake and presents.

Mom Mom got Audrey her own baby pink piano, which she adores! Pop got her Camo gear, lol!

So cute. After our party, we headed to Paulus Market to see the farm animals.

Such a great place and a fun visit to our cow and pig friends.
Saturday, we headed to Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, where Audrey and I had been 2 weeks earlier. YEs,it was really that fun that we went again.
This time, we watched a wildlife show, where she got to pet an alligator and chinchilla. She LOVED it! We also got to see Rocket, their new giraffe, who is also just 2!
What a great time Audrey, Mom Mom, Pop, and I had together, even when it started to rain a little.

On Sunday, we decided to head to Lake Tobias, our favorite place on earth, to do the safari tour. It never disappoints.

So, our weekend was filled with Lions and Tigers and Bears..Oh My..Yes, it was!
On Monday, Nana and Pap and the rest of the family came over for a little birthday party on Audreys actual birthday. We had a ball opening presents and enjoying birthday treats.

Happy Birthday Audrey!

To Audrey on her ALMOST 2nd Birthday!

Dear Bug!

In just over a week you will be a whopping two years old.
I am not really sure where the past year went. It seems like just yesterday you were hiding your face behind your 1st birthday cards and crying in your cake.
But here you are: 2!

You are quite the kiddo!
You know every animal there is to know....except a seal...you just dont get it...so you call it a puppy. But, I laugh when you point to the animals in your book and say KOALA and HIPPO! You make me smile with your smartness!
Molli has turned into your favorite friend. Sometimes the two of you together drive me crazy...but I forget all that when you say..."Awww Molli, you my best friend!"
You can sing your ABC's and count to 10...but you often forget 5. You can ROW, Row, Row, ya boat, and sing Old MacDonald. You are just plain brilliant in your dad and my eyes.
Your smile is the brightest sun. Your laugh is a perfect pick-me-up!
You love to run outside and go for wagon rides. If I open the front door, you are right behind me. You have mastered opening it yourself, so we have to keep a watchful eye on you, so you dont escape. You love play-dough and blocks.
You like to "shhhh...hide" and tell people to "listen ( as you hold your hands to your ears)
My greatest challenge and JOY is YOU!
Being at home with you full-time has been a balance I still sometimes try to find, but when you wrap your arms around me and say "I YUV YOU mommy", you remind me that I am doing pretty ok.
You have good manners, saying "sorry, thank you, please" and sometimes you forget them and throw yourself on the ground....especially when it is time to come inside, but not in your mind.
You like books, especially Brown Bear..Brown Bear!
You love to take naps and watch Dora and Diego and pirates...but not "The WITCSHHHH"
You are a daredevil that loves to climb on top of everything and dive off... and any step up becomes a stage for you.
You love to twirl and sing! You get that honestly.
You are pure energy and pure love.
You light up the whole world around you, my silly sweet wonderful birthday girl!
I Love you more everyday!

happy 2nd birthday, my Joy!
Mommy

Little DrummerBoy

Jim, Audrey and i spent this past weekend with my parents at DrummerBoy campground in Gettysburg.
We swam at the pool, toured the town, and battlefields, and just had an genuinely relaxing a good 4 days together. We rented a golf cart, did crafts, ate with the other campers. I had a wonderful time. My dad loved history, so he enjoyed the battlefield. We all enjoyed watching Audrey tool around the pool, she got braver and braver each time she got in.
I am so grateful to share these wonderful times with my mom and dad.

Happy 4th of July

I managed to get Audrey out last week to do some 4th of July Celebration pics!

God Bless America!