State Fair of Texas 2011

One of the reasons that my parents stayed in Dallas after Keith and I got back from Mexico was so that we could all go to the State Fair.  I think we all thoroughly enjoyed our day at the fair, but especially Grace.  Of course we did more than just these pictures - dog show, visitings the cows, pigs, etc, food galore....

On the Dart with Grandpa.  She had a blast and ended up falling asleep the minute we got to the fair.  

First Merry-Go-Round ride.  

Little Hands on the Farm was a huge hit!

Feeding the chickens and collecting eggs

Milking the Cows

Planting the seeds

Driving the Tractor.  I love this picture.

I can't wait to go back next year.

For Posterity Sake -part 1

I really should have blogged these pictures awhile ago, so the next couple of posts are going to be picture heavy and light on words.  I want to use this blog as a way to document our family adventures and eventually would like to have it printed in a book to preserve the memories.  

We are very fortunate and have 2 sets of wonderful Grandparents that love to come visit us and especially Grace.  In August and September, both of them came down to see us.  I am terrible about taking pictures at home so I didn't get many with Nanie and Papa, but we did get this picture which is great!  I must be better about capturing memories around the house.  

My parents and sister came down at the end of September to keep Grace while Keith and I went down to Mexico for a week.  They stayed afterward and we went to a couple of fabulous places.  First up was the Owen's Farm in Richardson - petting zoo, hayride, animals and in the fall pumpkins.

It wouldn't be a trip with Grandpa and Mimi without a trip to the park for a swing!

 Stay tuned for more pictures from the State Fair.

First day of 'School'

About a month ago, Grace had her first official day of Mother's Day out ('School').  Yes, she did go a little this summer, but this is her first full year of school.  She still isn't loving it when she gets there, but she warms up quickly and I think that she is having a great time - From the playground to crafts to friends she comes home just exhausted even after taking a short nap at school.  Mommy gets a little time to herself and Grace makes new friends and learns a lot!

She didn't want to pose with the sign.  

So very excited about school and her outfit made by Mimi and Aunt Patti that she just had to dance a bit.

This is a picture of her first 'craft' project.  We get a new one each day.  

Atlanta - July

In July after we returned from Mexico, Grace and I flew back to Atlanta for another week.   We had a blast.  Sorry, but there are a tons of pictures.

First Stop Yeah Burger.  Oh my goodness, good!  West Side of Atlanta really has some great places to eat.  

Afternoon tradition of hanging out with Grandpa watching the iPad.  

We went to the ImagineIt! Children's Museum.  Grace had so much fun.  This shopping cart was her favorite.  She stole it from a little boy and pushed it around everywhere.  

She also learned how to drive a tractor while we were there.  Her Daddy was proud.

Holly and Grace with a Cow - 'MOOOO'

They had a musical education program and Grace just danced and partied along with the big kids. 

Atlanta was only a few degrees cooler than Texas, but with a bit of rain Grace got to play in her first puddle.  Of course, Grandpa couldn't resist helping that puddle out and before long she was playing in the hose.

I'd say she had fun!

Mommy doesn't let me use a spoon and eat yogurt at home, but look at how much I enjoy it.

Grandma sent a few books to Grace and she loved them all.

Azul

When Grace was just 3 months old, she took her first flight.  It was the first of 15 flights her first year.  She has continued to fly as a one year old and we added an international destination to her list of cities as well as a stamp in her passport.   We all flew to Cancun last month to a resort near Puerto Morelos.  Nanie and Papa (Keith's parent) joined us and we all had a great time.  They might disagree with me because of a few illnesses, but I still say we had a great time.

After a few days of rationalizing why Grace wasn't sleeping like her normal self, we finally realized that she had an ear infection.  Nothing scarier than hoping the resort Dr. knows what he is doing and is giving us what we need, but it didn't take long before Grace was acting at least a little bit more like herself.  Unfortunately Papa got sick while we were there as well.

Our resort was Azul Sensatori.  We had the perfect room for families with little kids.  They have some rooms that are more divided as well as connecting rooms, but we splurged on a swim out in the premium section.  These rooms are right on the lazy river with stairs into the pool and a small hot tub.  The resort provides what ever you might need for a baby - crib, chaning table, bottle warmer and sterilizer as well as a baby monitor.  We were able to laze about the pool and keep an ear out while Grace was sleeping.  So nice to have a waiter bring us a drink in the pool while she slept.

Other perks of the resort was a great splash pad and baby pool, a kids club with an entire room of my gym equipment and another with Fisher Price toys.  Pretty much anything you might think you'd need for little one this resort had.

First time in the ocean!

Outside our room

Looking straight our from our patio.  

Sweet Baby

You can't tell that she had a raging ear infection in this picture.  

Nanie, Papa and Grace!

Running on the beach

Grace and Daddy hanging out before breakfast

She loved these chairs and wanted to try all 25 of them in room.

Playground on the beach.

Splash pad was a favorite.

Even with the sicknesses, I think it still was a nice family vacation filled with firsts for Grace.