We went on vacation a couple of weeks ago. Just the 3 of us. It was a perfect vacation. We were a bit nervous about Elaina getting bored with us but we had a perfect week. We went to Seagrove Beach, FL.
On the way down we stopped in Atlanta to surprise Elaina with a visit to the American Girl doll store. I wish I would have videoed her reaction to us telling her we were going to the it but I didn't. It's was so sweet. She said "are you just kidding with me?" When I told her it was true, she just buried her head in my chest and giggled almost to the point of tears. It was really precious. She has been asking to go for a long time. I have brought her gifts back from various stores that I have visited (Denver and Chicago) while on business travel so the fact that she could go was exciting to her.
This is a picture of her in the hotel room cheering that she gets to go before we left.
She wore her matching dress with her doll (this shot was in the elevator - more on my thoughts on elevators later)
Dinner at the bistro (before shopping)
Erik and I joked that the bistros was "boo-stro"....not that impressed. I had high expectations of the experience since I made reservations and told them it was a birthday trip. But, they didn't do any special things like they said they would. And, the food was close to the worst I had ever eaten at a restaurant. But, Elaina was none the wiser. She thought the whole thing was great and that is what it's about.
We stayed the night in Atlanta......note, I am convinced that we could do vacations just at random hotels. As long as there are ice machines, elevators, and escalators (like the ones at the Atlanta mall), Elaina would be in hog heaven. Someone should open up a kids parks with all three of those things. What would we call it? Hmmmm?? Food for thought.
Anyway, moving along...the next day we made the second half of the trip to the condo in Seagrove Beach. The condo we stayed in was so very nice and a perfect size and spot for us. We spent the entire time on the beach or in the pool. What's not to love about that? We thought about taking a day to go to the Waterpark in Destin but were having so much fun at the beach and pool, we decided to save our money and I am glad we did.
First order of business.....digging a hole.
....for Elaina to stand in
Elaina made a friend, name Anna Claire. She was from Chattanooga. That made for nice beach time :)
The condo we stayed at had a boogie board. Elaina decided to try it as Anna Claire was doing it too. She LOVED it. She did this the majority of the time at the beach and it was fun to watch her. She and Anna Claire did it together.
Erik was really good at helping her. I know this because she told me "Mommy...Daddy is better at this then you". It's true. He is a lot more patient to wait on the exact perfect wave. I just threw her at any and all of them. I got better by the end of the week though
I got this video. Just lucked out that my camera was on her at the exact time she caught the best wave of the week....sweet!
I floated in the water on this thing some.....
Our sweet beach girl
We did venture out to dinner one night....pre-dinner pics.
Too cool for school with her peace sign :)
BTW - her new American Girl doll that she picked out as an early b-day present went with us every where. Her name is Isabelle. We even got her a swim suit so she went to the beach with us.
Family pose
This was our umbrella and chair. Erik snapped this picture from our condo while we were inside for a lunch break one day. I think it is a cute picture. It needs a name.
We tried to get her to let us bury her all the way but this was as far as she would let us.
The view the morning we left.....leaving vacation is the WORST!
Last pose on the balcony before we left
We stopped for biscuits on the way home...my silly kid posing for a pic. She gained a few extra freckles this trip ;)
We stopped at our usual place on the way back through Georgia for some peaces - the Peach Park. They have delicious fruits/vegetables....and peaches which we always buy. They also have a park where Elaina can run around for a bit which is good for her and us. She loves this horse.
Like I said...the trip was perfect. We got to spend some great quality time together as a family. It was the perfect balance of relaxing and time in the water/beach with our wee one. We were afraid that she would be bored. However, with making a couple of little friends, giving us some time to relax and read, balanced with those moments where she had no one to play with - forcing us to get out there with her - it was perfection.
Alexandra.....my sweet niece....graduated high school.
Not even believable that this milestone has come and gone.
I love this young lady so much. She was my first niece. The first child that wasn't mine that I never knew I could love so much. There is something about your sisters kids that you just love. It's hard to explain. I just love her to pieces.
I was 18 when she was born and now she is 18. She was such a fun kid. From the time she was born she was confident, wise beyond her years.....and, oh so chatty and OH SO FUNNY. So funny!! She was my little buddy when she was a toddler. I have stories upon stories of things she said and did but....she would kill me if I put them on here. Maybe another day. When she gets married ;)
Okay....on to pictures of the celebrating
My sister hosted a graduation party at my mom's clubhouse the weekend before graduation.
I made these....not the cupcakes - bought those. just made the toppers. They were fun to make.
Alexandra and Kate
Q, A, and Kate
Kate made all the yummy food....Nell provide the drinks topped with graduation caps (hard to see in this pic)
Sadie and Elaina enjoying a pre-party dessert
Nell and Alexandra
I love this picture...
Granny, Alexandra, and Kate
Alexandra and Sadie
I REALLY love this picture!!! Alexandra is such a great big cousin....always has been so sweet and good to Elaina, and Sadie, and Celia, and Sloane
Speaking of Sloane.....
Alexandra is headed to UNC Asheville...here is her first piece of college gear
And, a sweatshirt...
Pappaw and Alexandra...
My aunt Maria came. She is always so good about showing up to these special events. She lives in Asheville so she and Alexandra will hopefully be able to spend some time together. Kate and I both went to school in Chattanooga when my aunt was living there so we have special memories of Aunt Maria cooking dinner for us once week. I am sure Alexandra will do the same.
Elaina and my aunt Maria
The graduation...this was the best picture I got. I don't have a super fancy ,"zoom way in" camera so most of my pics where I zoomed in were blurry. Here is a non-blurry one.
Love these two...they appear, for once, to love each other in this picture. Sort of amazing (ha ha ha!!) Typical siblings
I love this family photo
Congratulations Alexandra!!! You are a wonderful young lady who WILL go far and do great things. We love you Alexandra and remain so proud of you.
Elaina played another season of soccer. Let's just say that this year was like night and day compared to last year. Last year she literally ran away form the ball. No joke. This year, she was not afraid to get in there and go after the ball. Erik worked with her and she really blossomed this year - what a difference a year makes. She scored almost every game. She is pretty quick (she gets that from her daddy) so if the ball ever got loose, that was her sweet spot. She loved to take it all the way down the field :)
Okay...sorry....enough of the proud mom moment.
She played with her friend Olivia so that made the season even more special and fun AND we got the extra added bonus of getting to see the Ford's at least once week. We really liked her coach this year too. He was just the right amount of encouraging and instructional without being too worried about winning. So, overall it was a great season. Best part is Elaina has shown an interest in soccer and says she wants to play again next year - something she did NOT say last year. So, an improvement - always good.
