Viva Las Vegas

It is officially operation catch up on the blog. I thought with having both girls in preschool two mornings a week, I would have all this extra time to catch up on the things that always fall to the bottom of the list, like updating the blog. However, when both girls are in preschool, I am never at home. I am out doing things that are 1000% easier when you don't have two little ones in tow like grocery shopping and going to doctor's appt (dentist and yearly physical appts, check). So, the blog has still fallen a little behind but I am trying to update it. This is a scrapbook of sorts for our life and our family and I want to remember all the fun things and sometimes not too fun things we are up to. So, I am typing this so it will hold me accountable.

Now, back to the fun times. The last weekend in September, Mike and I went away to Las Vegas for the weekend. We went with 3 other couples, our old neighbors in Charlotte. This trip has been planned for about 6 months but has been talked about for probably 5 years. Finally, no one was pregnant or had a newborn and most importantly everyone had babysitters for the weekend. Mike's parents came down from PA to watch the girls for us, thanks Grandma and Grandpa. We boarded the flight early Friday morning and even thought it is super early, we didn't care, we were so excited!

 One of the couples, Mike and Karen went out a couple days early and then the six of us flew out together. Mike sent a limo for us to the airport with our names on the sign and we felt like big ballers!

 We stayed at Mandalay Bay and as you can see, we went directly to the pool. The weather all weekend was absolutely perfect. Perfect blue sky, no humidity, just paradise.

 The view of the strip from our room, not too shabby!

 Friday, we spent the day, pooling it and gambling and then went to an amazing dinner at Strip, a steakhouse in Mandalay Bay. After dinner, we went up to a bar/club at the top of Mandalay. Drinking champagne on the very top floor was pretty incredible.

 Saturday, we ventured out to explore Vegas and walk around. 3 of the 8 people have never been to Vegas before so of course they wanted to check out the Bellagio fountains. We had a very Ocean's Eleven moment.

 Saturday afternoon, we spent more time by the pool and some gambling and the guys spent a lot of time in the sports book. Then, we all got dressed up for another fun dinner. 

 Since there was 8 of us, it usually was cheapest to travel by limo everywhere instead of 2 taxis and we felt like rock stars. Most haven't been in a limo since we got married so this was a real treat all weekend.

 We ate at Circo, a restaurant in the Bellagio but before dinner, we went early to walk around the amazing and beautiful lobby of the Bellagio. There is literally beautiful artwork and flowers everywhere you turn.

 Dinner was amazing! We got lucky and had a table right next to the windows so we got to see and hear the fountains go off all night long. 

Sunday, we headed back home to Charlotte after a super fun and exhausting weekend in Vegas. Sometimes it is important for Mommy and Daddy to get away and stay in a hotel without the kiddos. Then, we just can't wait to get home and kiss those little girls who we missed so much. And a special thank you to G&G for taking such good care of our girls while we were gone.

**And as a quick side note and to keep things real, one hour after we got home Sunday night, Ella got the stomach bug and starting throwing up. Yup, all night long we were up with her. So reality hit us square in the face (some might also say punishing us for having so much fun that weekend!) The next day, my MIL got it, Maddie got a mild version and then yes, you guessed it, I got it on Tuesday night. Fun times in the Hennessy household that week. On Friday when everyone was finally all better, I turned to Mike and said it was the longest week of my life. I think it took us about a month to recover from Vegas, we certainly aren't 20 anymore but it was well worth it.**

2 Little Pumpkins

A couple weeks ago, we took a family field trip to a local pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful fall morning, crisp air and perfectly blue sky. Our two little pumpkins were excited to run around and pick out pumpkins but the real highlight was the hayride.

 This was actually a new pumpkin patch then we have been to in the past and loved this one. The hayride played Halloween music and had a scavenger hunt for the kids, it was adorable.

Getting a picture of the four of us looking and all smiling is impossible, at least all of 4 are looking at the camera

 After the hayride, we went into the pumpkin fields to check out all the pumpkins.

 Maddie was definitely on the hunt for the perfect one...

 Sorry little one, this one is bigger than you.

 She finally found one perfect for her. I love that I got this picture of her. The one thing everyone comments about her is her expressions. They are so big and hilarious and have Mike and I laughing so hard each day. Her teachers and even the preschool director tell me daily how they just love all her expressions and faces. When she found this pumpkin and picked it up, she was so happy and proud of herself!

Sweet sisters! Too bad that pumpkin next to Ella is gross, won't be framing this one

 Time to head back with Daddy and check out the play area

 This pumpkin patch had a really fun play area for the kids. Ella loved these jumpy balls

 and Maddie Grace loved this tricycle

 It was such a fun morning and now we can't wait to carve our pumpkins and get ready for Halloween!

Oh the places they will go

This post is very late since the girls have been in preschool for almost a month and half now but I still want to remember their first days of school and the first time they are going to school together. There will be many more first days of school together but this one was the very first time they walked in hand in hand into our beloved preschool together. And not to mention, the first time Mommy has left drop off alone, which is something to celebrate as well.

We returned from our September beach trip and school started the very next day. Ella had a very hard time falling asleep that night. I am not sure if she was anxious or excited about school or was just having an off night but when she woke up early the next morning, I was worried how the day was going to go on such little sleep but she was up and excited and ready to go. I attempted a mini photo shoot in the morning. Ella posed like a pro...

 Getting Maddie Grace to stand still and pose was a little more of a challenge. 

 And getting them to stand still and smile at the same time was impossible as you can see.

 Then it was hustle bustle, getting lunches ready and breakfast eaten and in the car and off we go. Outside their school, they actually stopped and smiled and stood together for me long enough to get this photo. I love their excitement in this photo.

 And because Ella is a pro, she had to show her little sister how to do things, like pushing the blue button to open the door.

 Maddie was fascinated by big sister and wanted to just follow her and walk with her into her new school. But since she has been coming her since literally the day she was born, she knows exactly where to go as well.

 And then this happened. They reached out for each other's hands and walked in together hand and hand. And each Tuesday and Thursday since that day, they have done the same thing. They walk through the door and Maddie holds out her hand and Ella takes it and they walk in together. One of the sweetest moments of my week. Love these girls and the memories they are making together.

 We dropped off Maddie Grace first at her class and she whimpered for a second but then went right to her sweet and amazing teachers and was fine. We then went downstairs to take Ella to her class. She walked in and went right in to right her name on the board like they do everyday when they arrive. Ella is an old pro and loves school so waved goodbye to me and went to play with her friends. It also helps that one of her best buddies, Caroline who has been in her class since she was 2 is also in her class again this year.

And then Mommy walked by Maddie's room one more time on the way out to peek in on her her and she was already playing and dancing with her new friends. It was a strange feeling to leave the school alone and no kids in the car seats in the back but I am so glad that they have both loved preschool thus far this year. Maddie Grace literally runs into her class each morning without even looking back at me and same with Ella. It has been especially nice for me to have two mornings a week free. The preschool has been amazing for Ella and our family and I just know that Maddie will have the same experience as well. Here's to a great school year!

Final beach trip of the summer

Summer is over and fall is definitely creeping in but wanted to remember our final beach trip of the summer. As I mentioned before, the summer was rainy and yucky but the end to the summer has been amazing. Sunny days and lots of blue sky and that is exactly what we had the entire 5 days at the beach and knowing this was our final summer vacay, we definitely made the most of the weather. We arrived at our happy place, Seabrook Island, to this. Long beach, blue sky and no one on the beach, perfection!

 On the way down though, we had a little bit of perfection for Mike and I as well. We just got a new car and the new car has a DVD player and Ella can now watch her movies with headphones on while we can listen to XM radio, life is much more enjoyable (now only if Maddie would sleep more than 30 minutes in the car.)

 But once we arrived, we all quickly changed and went right down to the beach. All were happy to be on the beach and out of the car!

 Ella playing the washers game with DeeDee

 E and M loved digging and making sand castles, they would do it for hours under the tent and Daddy was such a good sport and did lots of building as well.

 After cleaning off all the sand, we changed into our Georgia gear to cheer on Uncle Court and Ms Laura's team. Unfortunately, the jerseys were not good luck this time but tailgating on the ocean is definitely the best view.

 The next morning while the guys went golfing, the girls went to the pool. And these two left off from 3 weeks before. Maddie Grace running into the water without fear and Ella jumping off the side.

 But MG also discovered another fun game, filling up water bottles and dumping them all over herself. She literally did this for hours and was happy and content. Remind me again why I buy toys when this is all they ever want to play with?!?!

 That afternoon (after both girls napped, hallelujah) we got all dressed up for a boat ride. Let me tell you some back story on this. There is a marina 5 minutes from my parents house and my Dad has always wanted to rent a boat for an afternoon and take it on the ocean. However, that sounds great but the Lanio's are not boat people. My parents lived on a lake in Richmond for almost 20 years and never owned a boat for a reason. But it was my Dad's birthday so we agreed to it...

 Safe and sound on dry land

Side note, my Mom got the girls these adorable dresses almost a year ago hoping they would fit this summer and normally they would have but little Maddie Grace is so little so her 12-18 outfit was huge on her but since we were going on a boat, they had to wear them!

 Here is how the boat went down. The boat was much much smaller than we thought so we were crammed on there, Ella was so scared and didn't want to even get on, Maddie HATED the giant life jacket and just wanted to walk around and not be held and the wind was so bad we were all blown away. My mom packed cheese and crackers and wine to drink on the boat. We had to hang on for dear life, there was no wine or cheese and crackers.

 Ella finally calmed down but kept telling Papa to slow down.

 She did finally help Papa drive which she thought was more fun. Let's just say that this family will NOT be boating anytime soon. Unless of course it is a huge yacht, I think I could handle that!

 After the boat, we came back to the house to enjoy the ocean and sunset

A rare picture of the four of us!

 Ella loves her Uncle Court so much. She loved to wake him up (very early) each morning and they would make up these silly games together. 

 The girls with their Papa on his birthday. I am so glad that we were able to spend such a fun (and eventful) day with him.

 The next day, we went back to the pool but this time with the whole family. 

Flying with Daddy

 I could seriously eat her up with a spoon, my sweet happy girl with her little teethy smile!

 After two days at the pool, we headed back for a day at the beach and lots of sand castles. It is so nice to have the option between pool and beach. With little kids, they tend to like both and we were able to have the best of both worlds.

 Playing with DeeDee's marsh mellow shooter (yes, you read that right)

 Filling up water buckets with Daddy

 This girl didn't stop much, she was on the move the entire time

 They were building castles for Cindrella, Belle and Ariel, complete with a moat in front of the castles

 This little one was happy to fill up wet sand in her bucket and then dump it out again

 To watch them actually playing together and laughing together just melts my heart. I can't wait for them to grow up together at this beach and make so many memories.

 Our final morning was very sad, no one wanted to leave. We played on the back deck for awhile before heading over to the pool for one last dip.

 It was such a fun and exhausting trip. Maddie was literally asleep within 2 minutes of getting in the car. Too bad, she still woke up 45 minutes later.

The next day was the girls first day of preschool (I need to blog about that soon also) so it was definitely the end of super fun summer and back to reality but I am so glad that we got to spend our final summer days enjoying lots of family time and of course sunshine and sand as well.