Maryland

This past weekend was very low key and we enjoyed hanging around the house. It was very nice to get caught up on things and have some down time too. If you can believe this, I did not take any photos this weekend. Amazing right? Anywho, I do have some from last weekend to share.

Last weekend we made the trek to visit my Mom and family. It was so nice to see everyone and cute to see Isabella and her cousin Kelty interact. The highlight of my trip, besides seeing my family, was enjoying some good ol' MD crabs!!!!! I was in heaven and enjoyed every bite. When people ask me if I miss MD, I respond no...but I do miss my family and crabs!

Crabs!!!!! Yum!!! Isabella & her cousin Kelty

Operation Big Sister at 24 weeks

17 months

Our sweet little princess is 17 months old! To mark the occasion we had a little photo shoot. All the shots exposed the many facets of her emerging personality; such as being content, determined, smart and funny! These days Isabella is really into her baby dolls. She loves water play and gets super excited when she sees a dog. Bell has lots of fun at day care and enjoys seeing her friends and teachers. She enjoys spending time outside in our yard, the stroller or the playground. We are all having so much fun!! Isabella is such a cutie pie.

Lion Cub

Our little lioness

Isabella had a fun week at day care. They had a jungle themed week. She painted with snakes (plastic of coarse), went on a safari, had her face painted and attended a reptile show. From what I hear Isabella was even brave enough to touch the snake!

Fun in the Sun!

Another fun weekend in the sun. Time at the park, the pool and with friends too!

Saturday Thomas and Sarah came over and gave Isabella a beautiful dress from France, which she is modeling in the photo below. I still cant believe they are moving to France at the end of the summer. Boo hoo! We are really going to miss them.
Checking on the barking dogs next door

Worn out from the park
Sarah with Molly, Isabella & Madeline at the park

A few videos from our weekend....

Butterflies!

We spent July 4th at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens which was fantastic. The garden was packed since it was free admission and we headed strait to the butterfly exhibit, which was the highlight of my trip. There was 40 min wait in 90 degree weather to get in the observatory and the last thing Isabella wanted to do was stand in line. Here is a pic of Isabella taking her baby on a tour of the gardens. Once we were finally inside Isabella was amazed at all the butterflies.

Here is a Tiger Longwing
This beautiful butterfly seemed to be posing for me....this 1st photo of the wings open
and this 2nd photo with the wings closed This peaceful butterfly is a Sara Longwing

This one is a Giant Owl.

Everywhere Bell looked there was a butterfly

She was taking it all in...."flys" as she calls Butterflies

After that it was time to cool off. Isabella enjoyed the water play area at the gardens.

We all had a great time and that was only the beginning half of the day! Isabella enjoyed more water play that afternoon in her water table. She loves the water. I think we might have a little fish on our hands who would love to take swim lessons.

Drenched!

Ready to go to bed in her butterfly pajamas