Friday, April 24, 2015

Bubbie and Grandpa Visit

Everything has been smooth sailing. Mommy started her new job at Discovery (2nd time around) and it's going great.  Daddy has been traveling to Arkansas as of lately - not as great as a quick trip from Ohio but still better than going all the way to the west coast. The weekend after Easter Bubbie and Grandpa came into town for a visit.  They hadn't seen you since January and so much has changed since then. 

They arrived late Friday night so we go to see them Saturday morning.  We started the visit with going to brunch all together at a new restaurant Fahlstorm's Fresh Fish Market.  It was a great atmosphere and we had an amazing lunch with yummy sandwiches.  

Grandpa, Avery and Bubbie

Kisses with Grandpa



Dancing to the music

 That afternoon we drove around and looked at some homes and got a feel for new neighborhoods as the house search continues.  After your nap we hung out at the condo and watched you play and entertain us all.

Giving your self kisses in the mirror

 On Sunday we went to one of Mommy's favorite restaurants Hub51.  They have a great brunch and it's a lunch spot Mommy goes to for work a lot.

Big girl in the highchair with Mommy

Bubbie feeding you dinner: Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Mangos

Sitting with Grandpa




Crawling Backwards

Three Generations of Walters

Easter Sunday

Avery's first Easter! Leading up to your first Easter Mommy invited some friends over to help dye Easter eggs.  We wanted to use reusable eggs so you could have a memento from your first Easter.. sadly Mommy didn't realize that those eggs don't dye as well so it was kind of a failed attempt.  Auntie Britini and Auntie Jenny had so much fun hanging out with you though and Auntie Britini brought down a big Easter basket for you and you loved opening all your goodies.


Auntie Brit's Easter Basket

opening your goodies

Auntie Brit and Avery

our coloring set up

Auntie Jenny, Avery, Mommy and Auntie Brit

Playing with Auntie Jenny

During the week we had lots of fun dressing you up in spring time outfits and you loved your bunny ears so much it was hard to get you to take them off.


Watching TV with Daddy

Loving your Easter outfits and bunny ears



Mommy got home early from her trip so we went for a walk around the pond



 On Easter we headed up to Barrington, Nana and Papa came home for the week and you got to spend some great time with them.  We went to the house and opened your Easter baskets and the dogs had to get in on it.


Opening Nana and Papa's Easter basket

Abby getting in on the fun

Pat the Bunny book

Mommy and Daddy's Easter Basket

Bunny ear time

new hair clips

Ralph Lauren romper, sparkly shoes and rubber duckies

Then we headed to BHCC to enjoy Easter brunch with friends Jessie, Ryan their daughter Chloe and Jessie's parents.  It was a lovely brunch and had been such a long time since we had enjoyed brunch at the club - I love their food spread so many yummy choices. 


Brunch with the Paxton's and Young's



Family photo on the golf course


Jessie, Chloe, Mommy and Avery

The girls having a moment

Sitting in the grass together

Avery wrapping her arm around Chloe, too cute 



Home after a big day of Easter fun - look at those cute bunny socks (thanks Auntie Brit)

Easter afternoon walk - still sporting the bunny ears :)


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Spring Break in Bonita Springs

And we're Florida bound...... 1, 2, 3 Take Off! On March 14th, Avery and I embarked on our first plane adventure just the two of us from Ohare to Fort Myers - Daddy was meeting us on Wednesday for a shortened trip.  Peanut was a perfect angel the whole day - Daddy helped us check in at curb side and then we breezed through security.  Everyone loved you and your beautiful blue eyes.  We cruised over to the gate and waited to board, once we got on the plane and sat down we quickly learned that the people sitting next to us know friends of Mommy and Daddy Mike and Blaire Hardy - what a small world. You were a doll, you played, flirted with flight attendants, took a nap, ate some lunch and played some more.  Not to mention the amount of compliments you received all day. 

Mommy and Avery on the plane

We landed at 5pm and Nana met us in baggage claim to help mommy carry all our stuff. Who knew you and I would have so many bags!! I guess I did but still. We headed to the house and got settled in, you played with Nana and Papa while Mommy unpacked and got everything organized. Nana is so prepared and she had an entire delivery made prior to our arrival with a highchair, activity center, walker, monitor and swim floaty. Mommy also planned ahead and had a diapers.com order delivered with diapers, baby food, wipes and formula. 

Our first day we the biggest priority was getting into the pool, as always you loved being in the water and adored your ladybug floaty.  You kicked and splashed and floated around the pool perfectly content. 

Sporting your stylish shades



Nana, Papa, Mommy and Avery set out for some dinner to San Bucco Bistro on Sunday night.  We made sure to go early enough so you were still in a great mood - the good thing about Florida is that being an hour ahead of Chicago makes going out to dinner a little bit easier. Dinner was delicious and you were perfect! Papa decided to give you the wine cork which you LOVED and played with quietly for a good 20 minutes.

First time in a highchair

playing before bedtime

The weather was perfect for our entire visit.  Nana really wanted to get you a walker so that you could get your little legs moving.  Unfortunately your legs were a little to little and you couldn't quite reach the ground.  Your tippy toes hit and you did move - I'm sure in a month you'll have no problem.

Enjoying the nice weather

Mommy and Abby 

Abby playing catch

Tuesday Papa left for Ocala to go to a horse sale so it was just the girls. Nana, Mommy and Avery went to the Trionon Bar and Grill.  You are so great when we are out to eat, I think the noise and new surroundings really keeps you occupied and content.  At dinner you were very chatty and had so much fun dropping all your toys on the floor for mommy to pick up.


Sunbathing on the couch

Bathtime

Abby chasing lizards

More swim time

You loved your swim hat

Papa got home on Wednesday afternoon just in time to play with you before dinner. Daddy was arriving late that night and we couldn't wait for him to get here!

goofing around with Papa

Daddy feeding you breakfast

You were so excited to see Daddy since we left on Saturday it was a few extra days without your Daddy that week, all you wanted to do was play in the water. 

Swimming with Daddy

Family time

Nana, Avery and Papa before your nap

After your nap you showed us that you are thinking about crawling, you bounce back and forth on your hands and knees but that belly just keeps getting in your way.

pushing up on your hands and knees in the pack and play

Thursday night we headed to Coconut Jacks - we had tried going back in January but the wait was too long and we didn't want to push it with you.  This time we went earlier enough and got a great table outside.  The food was great and you had a ball. 

Nana, Daddy, Mommy, Avery, Papa at dinner

Avery, Mommy and Papa - blue eyes all around

Playing with your crabby at dinner

Always enteretained

After dinner we stopped at the promenade in Bonita Bay and got Gelato and listened to live music before heading home. 

Sitting with Daddy in the grass

Friday morning keeping you entertained before your naptime

Friday we decided to have a family day in downtown Naples - we headed in for lunch and then some shopping while we were there. 

In the car headed to downtown Naples

Lunch at La Bazenne on Fifth Avenue.

Mommy had quiche and salad and Daddy had a big bowl of muscles - it was delicious. 


Saturday morning Papa, Daddy, Mommy and Peanut headed to the Bonita Bay farmer's market.  We got lots of fresh fruit and veggies and Papa picked up some yummy crab cakes for the two of them since they were babysitting you that night.  During the day Papa rented a boat for all of us, Captain Ed's which cruised through all the rivers and then out to the golf.  You loved being on the boat and feeling the breeze. 

Daddy and Peanut 

The motion of the ocean put you right out and you napped for a good hour while we cruised around.

sleeping in the shade of the boat

A pretty crane

Daddy and Mommy

Mommy and Daddy had a date night at Bay Side restaurant and Nana and Papa babysat while we went out.  Before dinner Nana played the piano for you and you had so much fun dancing on the piano.  


Home sweet home - we made it back to chilly Chicago