Family

There are a million things to love about San Diego, but far and away the best part of being there was spending time with my family. We were lucky to have everyone there (aka "original" immediate family plus the husbands) for a few days of the trip and nothing beats that. In no particular order, about 25 pictures of Natalie with everyone (you're welcome, Mom!)...

Everyone after church

With Grandma and Grandpa in their fourth of July church outfits

Being adored by Rebecca, Grandma and Grandpa

Russel, Marc and Jonathon

Natalie and Marc

A solid indicator of most of our time there...everyone being entertained by Natalie while she hammed it up. Nothing eggs an entertainer on like an enthralled audience.

My uncle Robert and his cute family stopped by to visit one night for dinner. I hadn't seen them in 3 years, so it was great to catch up!

Natalie's cousin, N. They are only 6 weeks apart and Natalie was very excited to meet him!

Celebrating my Dad's birthday

Jonathon and Natalie making each other laugh

Listening to Marc play the guitar

With Great-Grandma Stansel

Deep Creek

We are finally back home after a wonderful two week vacation to San Diego and a very last minute weekend trip up to Deep Creek just two days after getting back from California. It is always nice to be back home, but also a little sad to have a fun vacation or get-away end.

We were invited up to Deep Creek (in Maryland) to a lake house by my brother and sister-in-law and I jumped at the chance to see this place that I heard so much about. It didn't disappoint. In fact, it may now be on my list of favorite places. The lake is stunning and the weather is perfect. I'm talking 78 degrees and no humidity and it's only three hours outside of DC! Who knew that was even possible?!

view from the lake house

She loves being tossed in the air. She gives the best laughs mid-throw!

Yes, that is Natalie in the tiniest life jacket ever. She loved being in the water and splashed around for a good 20 minutes.

Russ and our nephew Jimmy coming back from a canoeing adventure

My nephew Dane was so excited to be there that he was out fishing in the pond before the rest of us were even out of the car. So cute!

My first fish! (Ok, it was my second, but the camera was in the car for the first one.) I particularly love how unsure Natalie is of the fish in the picture. A little while after this picture was taken, Russ caught a fish and brought it over to show Natalie. It was thrashing around and touched her foot. After that she about lost her mind every time a fish came within 6 feet of her. Good thing we got this picture in first! :-)

We were only there from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, but we managed to swim in the lake, go canoeing, go out for ribs, relax in the hot tub, stay up way too late talking and even go fishing - it was all so fun! Thank you Jamie and Anne for inviting us!

Happy First Father's Day

U.S. Botanical Gardens

We have been enjoying some beautiful weather this week, which coincided perfectly with our decision to visit the Botanical Gardens downtown on Tuesday with my friend Sarah and her son. We had a wonderful time - the gardens are beautiful and we lucked out by managing to miss any big crowds even though summer has arrived (and all the tourists that usually go with it).

Like I said, such a beautiful day!

I love her cute little smile here.

Unfortunately I couldn't get a shot without her hand in her mouth.
Fortunately, she's cute anyway.

7 Months

This post is a few days late, but I was waiting to get a copy of this cute picture taken at a friend's birthday party last Saturday (thanks Alia)! Isn't it adorable? I love it. And because it was taken one day after she turned 7 months old, it is the perfect picture to accompany this post.

Natalie is at such a fun age. I feel like she is learning new "tricks" all the time. She sits very well, rolls all around and pivots herself pretty well to get to things she wants. She is learning to wave bye-bye and gives the best big wet kisses. She has recently started eating some finger foods, including little pieces of banana and sweet potato puffs, which she loves! Her personality is coming out more and more. For example, whenever she is in her stroller she puts one leg up on the front bar, just like she is kickin' back and enjoying the ride. She also does this one-leg-up move in her high chair. It's so funny!

3 Years

Russel and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary on May 31st. It has been an incredible three years and I am so looking forward to forever more.
(I know I've posted these pictures before, but they're two of my favorite.)

I love being able to look back at pictures and videos from our wedding. It was such a wonderful, beautiful day and I loved everything about how it came together, but the best part is that even though the dress is put away and the reception is over, I still get to be married to my best friend!

And here we are 3 years later...

Ocean City

We were lucky enough to enjoy Memorial Day weekend at the beach with Russel's family, who have been going every year since he was only 3 years old. It was Natalie's first time in a pool, first time on the sand and first time in a pack and play outside our own house (besides when she was 6 weeks old and not aware enough to know the difference). The pool and the sand went very well, the pack and play not so much. Overall we had a fun time!

At the beach:
(she really couldn't be bothered to look at the camera when there were so many things to play with and so much sand to try and eat)

The pool:

Lots of relaxing:

And a beautiful sunrise:
(these pictures were taken on the deck of our townhouse overlooking the bay)