Long time, no see

My friend, Amy, was finally in town and we all got together. She has been in New York the past several years and it was so much fun to catch up. I love being with the girls because, even though we don't see each other often, it's fun, comfortable, and seems like not much has really changed. Just wish we could all get together more!

Swim, Swim, Swim

Tess loves to swim! Brad is a fish and I guess she's just like him. I'm even beginning to like swimming. We go swimming and play in the water at least once a week if not more. We're now regulars at Aunt JaNae's pool day. Tess actually looks like she's trying to swim because she moves her arms and kicks her legs at the same time. She loves splashing, of course, and she doesn't even mind being dunked. She even likes to fall asleep in the pool. Check out those lovely chub-chub thighs and the cute sunglasses Whitney gave her!

Cabin Fever

We went to the cabin for the first time at the beginning of June. We couldn't wait anymore! Our friends, the Francos, came with us and we had a ton of fun while fishing, eating, playing Guitar Hero, roasting marshmallows, eating, playing in the river with the kids, eating, riding the mini-motorcycle, and did I mention eating! Tess loves the outdoors just as much as us... well, maybe a little more-she loves eating rocks. Silly girl! She's gonna be our little "Wild Billy the Mountain Girl" (like my dad used to call me).

On the Move

Tess has been crawling for over a month and a half now and she's pretty speedy. She's now pulling herself up on everything and even let's go sometimes to free-standing. I can tell that she'll be a girl that can't keep still and is always on the go!

The Joker

Grandma Jan figured out that red licorice is great for babies when teething. Tess absolutely loved it as witnessed by her sticky red face. She looks like the joker! Where did this face come from? I promise that my child doesn't normally look like this. Must have been the sugar to the brain!

Trip to Paradise

Brad, Tess, and I just returned from a week in gorgeous Kauai. It was wonderful! Paradise on earth! Tess was an angel. She loves the water. She was scared of the ocean at first, but warmed up to it quickly. We went on a tour of the Na Pali Coast which is amazing. We saw dolphins, turtles, and sea caves. We hiked to beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls, snorkeled Tunnels Reef and others, jumped off cliffs into tide pools, saw Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific), and hung out on the beach. Our resort was fantastic and right on Poipu Beach. We enjoyed ice cream, Hula Pie, and many shaved ices. We had so much fun with Brad's family! I can't wait to return to that magnificent island!

Surprise!

I went with my mother-in-law to Thanksgiving Pointe for the Tulip Festival on April 17 and guess who I ran into? Riley and Jen! It was so great to see them. Riley is 4 years old. She is all personality and so adorable. I said, "You are sooo cute!" and she responded, "YOU are so cute!" We had fun checking each other out and she told me so many stories. What a great surprise!