Leaving on a jet plane

This past week was a big week for us, our first time flying as a family of four and this little ones first flight! We flew up to Connecticut to Mike's grandparents house for a couple of days. Flying is stressful enough but adding two little kids in the mix makes it even more crazy. But I am happy to report the flights went well. Our flight up was during Maddie's nap time and she fell asleep right when we took off and I thought, great, she will sleep the entire flight. Well, the nap only lasted for about 5-10 minutes but at least she woke up happy. She didn't want to miss her first flight! And it didn't hurt that our flight actually landed 30 minutes early, yay for fast pilots.

And who doesn't love to fly when you get to eat 2 lollipops and watch a movie on Mommy's kindle. Yes, we totally bribe her with whatever she wants on a plane to keep her quiet and happy and so far that means candy and movies!

Once we got up to Connecticut, we had so much fun hanging out in Great Grandma and Grandpa's pool and screened porch.

Maddie Grace in her cute new fourth of July suit! She was pretty excited about it!

Ella relaxing in her ladybug towel!

Ella and Maddie had so much fun with all their relatives. Most of them were meeting Maddie for the first time. Mike's grandfather is 92 years old but you would never know it. He is so active and just loves all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren so much. He loved holding all the babies and making them laugh.

Ella getting some loving from Aunt Kelly!

Ella had such a fun time playing with her cousins and second cousins. She especially loved playing with Connor. She would follow him everywhere and this night, they pulled their chairs up and decided to have their own little party!

And then sharing grapes by the pool! I wish we lived closer to them because it was so sweet to see them playing them together but at least they picked up right where they left off in December.

Maddie even got in on the pool action. She still doesn't love the pool but after a lot of time getting adjusted to the pool temperature, she finally let me put her in the airplane float.

 Ella is still a little hesitant around the water, she loves to be in it but she wants someone holding her at all times. Her favorite thing to do at the pool was jumping off the ladder while holding onto our hands. Mike was able to convince her to let him throw her in the air.

Grandma with Ella and Connor!

The kids table!

Ella and sweet Andrew!

There were a lot of adults and children that made the trip up and many who were just meeting for the first time. I think we counted there were 12 kids all under the age of 6. The newest 4 little ones were haming it up for the camera.

Noah and Owen (twins, 7 months old), Maddie 4 months and Max 6 months

There was a tradition started a long time ago where every year when all the grandkids came up to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the fourth of July, they would line everyone up on the diving board oldest to youngest. Since it had been so many years since they were all together, they had to re-enact the picture.

As you can tell, it was fun weekend and the weather really cooperated so we spent a lot of time around the pool. The pool sometimes got very crowded with all the adults and kids.

Great Grandpa with the sweet little twins. Owen was checking out Great Grandpa!

But sometimes the heat and sun were a little much for the little ones so we escaped inside into the air conditioning.

The return flight home went well also, it was very late and we were all tired but we had such a fun trip. There was a professional photographer that came and took group pictures so once I have those, I will post them so you can see everyone. It was so great seeing everyone and meeting new little additions and having everyone meet our new Maddie Grace.

Now back to home and our regular routine. We are staying busy the next couple of weeks with Ella in a couple different camps. Now, only if this extreme heat would break a little bit so we can enjoy some time outside!

Trying to beat the heat

(Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted pictures. We are busy as usual and when I have some free time and both girls are sleeping, I am usually too exhausted to do anything but lay on the couch. Will try and keep it updated more frequently.)

Like pretty much everywhere else in the country, it has been HOT HOT HOT here in Charlotte. So, we have been trying to beat the heat by either playing in the water if we do venture outside or seeking relief inside in the AC. 

Staying inside means trying to find things to keep busy and entertained and one of Ella's favorite games is "pretending night night" with Maddie in her bed. She likes to lay right next to Maddie on the pillow, arrange the blanket and then pretend they are going to sleep. Maddie hasn't quite caught onto how to pretend sleeping though but she does love laying next to Ella. Actually she is happy to be anywhere her big sister is, she loves watching Ella.

 When it's not sweltering out, we have been spending some time at the park. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit for a night after their Disney trip and got Ella her first pair of soccer cleats. Daddy was very excited about this and of course had to test them out on the fields.

Another park trip resulted in Maddie's first swing ride. Ella thought this was the coolest thing ever that Maddie could go in and couldn't wait to push her but we are still working on gentle pushes.

We have been spending lots of time outside in water and while sometimes I wish we had a huge in ground pool in our backyard, I quickly wake up from that dream. So, we improvise with our pool and actually, it's not too bad.

We have not only been spending time in the pool with just Mommy and Daddy but also having some fun play dates with the pools also. Good thing she has so many bathing suits!

 Good thing the best buddies have their shades on to protect their eyes from the bright sun.

And look who is big enough to ride like a big girl in the stroller. We have taken out the car seat attachment and she now sits facing forward and she loves it. Unfortunately right after we moved it, the triple degree temps arrived so we are hoping for a little relief so we can go walking a lot more soon.

Miss Maddie Grace just turned 4 months old and continues to be the sweetest little girl. She has such a happy disposition and is pretty laid back but we are still working on her sleeping through the night. She typically wakes up once around 2:30 and goes right back to sleep but after 4+ months of not sleeping through the night, this mama is definitely ready for those long 12 hour stretches. We take her for her 4 month appt on Tuesday so I will know weight and stats then. She does love her activity center because she can stand up and check everything.

Cute sisters in pink outfits.

We had the best buddy's 3rd birthday party last week and Ella thought the strawberry shortcake piñata was pretty fun. We have been to a lot of birthday parties lately and Ella can't wait until it is her turn. She tells everyone that asks that her birthday is August 13th and she will be 3 while holding up 3 fingers. Every time you ask her what she wants for her birthday, she responds, "a princess, a pink princess." No, she isn't girly at all! Sorry Daddy, she isn't asking for a soccer ball this year.

Finally, this week and weekend was super H-O-T! Temperatures have been over 100 (evidence below) and we are lucky enough to have neighbors with benefits. Our neighbors have an aunt and uncle that live in Charlotte with an amazing backyard and pool. They just happened to be out of town and so we were able to use their beautiful pool several times. DeeDee also came up to visit this week and was able to spend the day with us at the pool. It ended up working out great, while Maddie took a nap inside in the cool AC, Ella got to play with her buddies in the pool. Check out the diva on her raft.

I wasn't joking, it was hot. Check out the thermometer from our back deck.

Not sure what is happening with the spacing on these last pictures but Maddie even joined in the pool for a little bit. She isn't the biggest fan of the pool yet, I think she doesn't love the cold water because she loves her baths in the warm water but after a little bit, she finally warmed up to it.

We are heading up to Connecticut on the 4th (yes, this is will Maddie's first flight, yikes!) so I am sure we will lots more pictures to come after that. Hope everyone has a great holiday and stays cool!

The Sweetest Thing

To me, there is absolutely nothing sweeter than seeing the man that I love so much play and cuddle with our little girls. Hope you enjoy this video I made for Mike!

I believe that is takes a special man to be a father to girls and God definitely had a plan for us when he gave us not one but two girls. Ella and Maddie are incredibly blessed to have such an amazing Daddy. Mike is so patient and gentle with them and doesn't mind if he is surrounded by everything pink and princesses. I definitely could not get through each day without his amazing love and support. I am blessed this Father's Day and everyday to have him in my life. We love you!

Your 4 girls (yes even your first child Dakota!)

And a special Happy Father's Day to our amazing father's as well who have always been there for us. We love you Papa and Grandpa!

Sunsets and Happy Hours

Memorial Day weekend and week we spent at our happy place, Seabrook. This was Maddie's first time and out first time traveling as a family of five (yes, Dakota made the trip as well.

I was pretty anxious how the trip was going to go but it was definitely reassuring knowing this was the view we got to wake up to every morning and once we arrived, we had reinforcements in the way of DeeDee, Papa, Uncle Court and Laura to help out.

Ella was counting down the days until we got to go to "DeeDee and Papa's beach" for weeks and couldn't wait. Once we arrived (trip took only an extra hour which I thought wasn't too terrible), we quickly put on our suits and hit the beach!

Last summer, Ella wasn't the biggest fan of the ocean but she couldn't wait to get in it right away this year.  Asking whoever was free to come in the ocean with her. Of course, she was still a little tentative and wanted someone close by but she loved splashing in the waves. She especially loved splashing DeeDee in the ocean.

I call this one the Baywatch shot! 

And no princess in a polka dot bikini (or frakini as she calls it) is complete without her own pink chair and umbrella.

After a full day on the beach, we retreated to our favorite place to watch sunsets and celebrate happy hours, the back deck. The view doesn't getting any better than this and Papa taught Ella all about sunsets and how they are "very special."

Warning, there are a lot of sunset shots in this post.

Love this one with their arms around each other!

We were grateful for the extra hands to help and Ella was happy for all the extra attention. One night, after her bath, Ella insisted on DeeDee and Papa coming down to the beach and running around with her before bedtime. And as we all know, anything Ella says, we all do so they happily took her down to the beach for an evening stroll and wave jumping.

And the littlest one thought the beach was pretty fun also. Papa hasn't seen her since she was born so she has changed a lot in 3 months.

Another day and another new bathing suit. Ella definitely does not have a shortage of different suits to sport.

Nice jazzercise shirt Uncle Court

Diva in instagram style

Building Tinkerbell's castle

The great thing about the house being right on the beach (and the use of modern technology) is that while Maddie took long morning naps, we could still all be out on the beach enjoying the sunshine. But once she woke up, we would set up the tent and she could come down and hang out with everyone and breath in the fresh beach air.

Thanks cousin Ry for Ella's bikini, as you can tell, she wanted to wear it everyday!

Getting ready to hit the beach in bikinis! 

She is princess no matter where she is!

Another amazing sunset!

 Nothing like a little fresh salt air to make you sleep "like a baby." Maddie didn't love the pack n play and did wake up more frequently at night than at home but at least she took great naps during the day!

This little monkey LOVES her Uncle Court, especially when he takes her potty:)

Aside from the not sleeping great, this one was so easy going and happy the entire time. I think her smile says it all, I love the beach!

The final night, we all ventured up to the shopping area where they had a live band and festivities going on. And low and behold, we actually took a picture of all four of us!

Getting ready to hit the dance floor

We were so thankful to have DeeDee and Papa down there to help out with both girls. They would stay in while the girls napped so we could have some quiet beach time and never complained when they had to endure watching Beauty and Beast about 100 times that week. Thanks DeeDee and Papa for everything!

Maddie says thank you also:)

These photos just make me laugh! Hanging out with the frogs and then giving him a big hug!

We were sad to come home, especially when the last day was gorgeous and sunny but there is always time for a few more pictures on the back deck!

It is definitely safe to say that out of everyone down at the beach that week, no one had more fun than Dakota. She loves to run on the beach and splash through the waves. We have been home for a week now and I think she is still recovering from all the fun she had! A true beach dog!

So, while the car rides weren't the most enjoyable and it is hard traveling with two little ones, especially a very little one, it was worth it! We just need a vacation from our vacation now! Cheers to lots of great sunsets and happy hours!