Thanksgiving

 For Thanksgiving, our little family was invited to share this special holiday gathering with my Uncle & Aunt that live in Atlanta, Georgia.  To say we were thrilled is an understatement... we were ecstatic!  We had all these grandiose plans to leave early, early Wednesday morning - arrive downtown Atlanta, do some sight seeing and head to their home late afternoon.  However, our plans changed slightly with the traffic that we ran into on the way there.  Just past the NC/SC border there was a flat-bed truck which had tipped (due to the crazy rain and wind that had occurred earlier that morning).  In order to clean up the mess they had to bring in another flat-bed truck to transfer the goods.  Not only were both sides of the freeway backed up for hours, but what normally takes about 1.75-2 hours to get this far had taken us FIVE so far.  So... plans changed, we adjusted.

After stopping at Chick-fil-a (which, by the way, is the MOST kid friendly fast-food place.  EVER.) we re-evaluated our options and forged on straight to our relatives so that we wouldn't miss our timeline we told them of being there late afternoon.  In hindsight, it was probably for the best because many of the attractions closed early that day as Thanksgiving was the next day and they wanted to get home to see family also.

While at the Dunham's house, we enjoyed some of the most delicious, extravagant, bounteous food.  We were fed like royalty.  But not only was the food good, the company was even better!  We were able to relive what it feels like to stay up late and chat with friends, watch movies, and not have a curfew.  I was the party-pooper that headed to bed the earliest, but man... making a baby is not easy.  I was tired!

During our time there, we failed to take pictures to document the food galore, the friends, and the conversations we had.  The only time I even remembered to pull out my phone was when all the boys would pull out the shotgun in an effort to get rid of the pesky rodents that are attracted to Rob's house.  They shoot at them to keep them at bay, and if they are lucky - they'll hit one, every once in a while.  But mostly, Rob hates them because they get on his roof and into his house.  Good old Gordy felt like he was the seasoned hunter and tried to show off his shotgun skills, but he wasn't successful.  It wasn't until our last morning there, everyone let Michal shoot, for target practice of course.  No one could hit these squirrels or chipmunks anyway.  As soon as the targets were up, out of nowhere a squirrel appeared.  Egged on by all the guys, Michal went ahead and aimed to kill.  He lifted up the shotgun, looked through the gauge, took a deep breath... and fired.  And the one and only shot he got off... he killed the poor squirrel.  Shot him directly in the heart.  Michal couldn't even go near it, he felt so awful.  It shows how tender and loving his heart is, (even if he does push his liberal political views a little too much sometimes)! 

We were planning on going to the Coke Museum and/or Aquarium on Friday and heading home Saturday around "nap-time", but when I woke up Friday morning, I was ill.  I told Michal that if we didn't head home right away, we would have to stay until Sunday or Monday to make it home.  And we were right.  About 90 minutes after arriving home in Winston-Salem (it only took 4.5 hours to get home compared to 8 to get there)... I spent the next day and a half in the bathroom.  I didn't get any sleep.  I was sick and exhausted and had no idea what was wrong with me.  It wasn't food poisoning because no one else was sick.  I even went and saw my OB Tuesday (after regaining some strength) and it remains a mystery why I was so violently ill.  I just hope no one else got what I did because it wasn't fun. 

To lighten my spirits, Rob sent me some pictures he had taken of Lily one afternoon.  Who knew how talented he is at taking pictures? They are AMAZING!  I love all of them, and they were just "for fun" photos around the house.  I'm pretty sure I'd rather drive four point five hours to his house and pay him, that pay what the photographers in this area are asking for!

What I love the most is Lily's personality that he was able to capture.  It's so hard for me to accurately describe some of her personality characteristics, but he did it so effortlessly.  I was uber impressed, and slightly jealous that I don't have this talent.  

 Thank you Uncle Rob & Aunt Dawn for making us "Feel Like At Home." And giving us some family to celebrate Thanksgiving with so that we weren't alone!  We love you!

Miami

Michal had a work training down in Miami the last weekend of October/first weekend of November.  So, he surprised me and purchased an extra plane ticket for me to come and join him since everything else was already paid for by his work.

It meant that we would miss out on taking Lily trick or treating, but with how "lively" our neighborhood is... I don't think we missed out.

When we arrived to Miami, we met some local girls who gave us a bazillion recommendations of things to do, places to go, where to eat, drink and party.  So... we took their first recommendation and headed to Lincoln street that night.  Apparently it was "the place" to sport your halloween attire.  Lily loved it.  Michal loved it.  I loved it.  And the reason that we all enjoyed walking up and down Lincoln street was for all different reasons:

Lily: She loved seeing all the little kids go trick or treating to the neighboring shops adorning the street.  And she loved getting some treats for herself.

Michal: He loved the extremists who dressed up in outfits that no one would dare be seen in, in NC.  He also loved the crazy loud music and the walking.

Me: I loved the fact that there was about every age and type of people walking on that street possible. You had babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and even people older than my parents and grandparents who dressed up.  It warmed my heart every time I saw an old, old couple hand in hand wearing a costume to fit in with the crowd.  I also loved how many crazy outfits there were there and no two were alike (maybe except all the little girls dressed as Elsa).

We all picked our favorite Halloween costumes we saw...

Michal = Drunken Sailor

Katie = Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy (Kermit wearing a spandex suit)

Lily = her own outfit,  Our Little Sailor 

...plus many bystanders thought she was adorable riding on Michal's back and thought her "costume" was just so clever for Miami.  Truth be told, it was a cute outfit that we got from a family member and she hasn't fit into it until now.  I was afraid by the time the weather turned she would be too big for it, so this was the perfect occasion to take advantage of her sailor outfit.

After hitting the town, we decided to take it easy the rest of the trip.  We did check out an amazing cuban restaurant (thanks to our airport friends recommendations).  But since the weather was so perfect, we decided to take advantage and hit up the beach as much as possible.  

Lily absolutely loved it.  She was so good in her carseat on the way to the beach when we told her where we were going, and so unhappy when we left.  

Both Michal & I enjoy going out into the Ocean and wading among the waves, but it got a tad old after being in the ocean for several hours.  This little girl didn't want to ever get out.  Poor Michal took the brunt of it.  He had more fun bouncing her, and swimming with her, and putting her on his shoulders.  Mommy was so boring by just casually wading with her on my hip.  

As soon as we would return to shore to lather up with more SPF 75, she would sign "again", "again", "again." Until one of us relented and took her back out among the blue waves.  This trip made it so easy for us to decide what our next several vacations will be throughout the years as she grows up!

Even when the sun started to set and it was too chilly or dark to get in the water, Lily didn't want to leave.  And I'd always heard that once you have a baby with you at the ocean, you don't get to relax, you just have to watch them constantly to make sure they are okay and don't get into trouble, but with Michal & I taking turns keeping an eye on her, this vacation was so nice and so comfortable because we were able to relax and it made us so happy to see Lily happy!

The only parts of the city we got to see were from the comfort of our rental car.  We just had fun being beach bums and watching the crazy tourists who were frantic about making it to their cruise ships.  

Both Lily & I were sad when we bid adieu to Daddy for his work to officially begin on Monday morning.  I (secretly) was dreading the flight home.  Not because of Lily, but being pregnant and having to go to the bathroom All. The. Time.  I didn't know how I could do it with a toddler who wouldn't be happy if I left her alone. 

However, I got really lucky on both flights.  

On the first flight we had an empty seat next to us.  The only one on the whole flight!  So Lily was able to sit in her own seat and watch her "show" on the iPad.  

On the second flight, we lucked out again, and a nice passenger who sat next to us, went and took another unoccupied seat so that I could have two seats (side by side) to make traveling with Lily easier.  She was out cold before we even took off.  

Both flights I was the last passenger on the plane to board, and the last passenger to un-board the plane.  Which made it nice because then the flight attendants knew who I was and were extremely helpful and kind in giving my little girl ample attention to make sure she enjoyed her trip.  I could write a wonderful raving review about how kind they were.  I mean, the pilot even let Lily into his little 'pilot-area' and let her push all the buttons she wanted (and you know how much little kids love to push buttons).  It is sad that we don't get this kind of customer service anymore, and it's even sadder that it goes unrecognized and unthanked.  But I want to thank each flight crew for making flying fun and easy with a toddler, because compared to other children on flights we've been on.. Lily is an angel and totally dispels any stereotype about flying with fussy children.

Thank You Michal for letting us tag along with you and having a blast in Miami!  We can't wait to go to the Beach again soon!

PS - Lily got to meet Lady Gaga.  Maybe one day I'll find a picture that some crazy fan, somewhere, took of Lily meeting this Music Icon.

Nursery

At our Church, once a child is 18 months old, they go to a place called "Nursery" for the second and third hour.  This way parents can learn spiritually uplifting messages without having to entertain toddlers and small children.  Most children are very nervous and hate nursery at first.  They cry, are upset, or parents have to stay in with them the first several times.  However, Lily adapted and absolutely LOVED nursery.

And Michal and I love sneaking by her classroom and taking pictures of her.  It melts our heart that she is having so much fun and playing with all the other kids in there.  She already has made favorites (ahem... Molly and then Claire). And is the first person to find the dolls and carry all of them around with her every Sunday.

I even get cute picture messages from her teachers about how fun she is in Nursery.  I know it's bad to skip class early, or come to class late, but I can't help it... it's a small obsession we have at checking in on her and making sure everything is okay... and taking pictures... of course!

Halloween

Halloween 2014

I'm pretty sure I failed as a parent in taking Halloween pictures this year.  The "costumes" that Lily wore are often being worn at home.

For a kids Halloween Party that we were invited to, Lily dressed up as a Disney Mermaid.  No one really knew what she was.  We had ranges of guesses from: fairy, princess, lily-pad, and flower.  But I'm pretty sure when we took the tag off of the onesie it said "Mermaid" - so that's what I went with regardless. 

And for the Halloween Ward "Trunk-or-Treat" we dressed Lily up as a BYU cheerleader.  Everyone thought she was adorable (except those who cheer for the University of Utah).  But Michal has pulled a fast one on me before and dressed Lily up in this "outfit" and gotten her all ready (for church) and we get to church, and I see that she is dressed up in a cheerleading outfit.  It just goes to show, Michal never stops surprising me when I least expect it.

The 'Trunk-or-Treat' was a little crazy, and ultra dark and it was hard to get a good picture of what was going on.  This was the best photo I was able to take of Lily where you could recognize who she was... mostly because everyone else is blurry.

Next year, I'll be more prepared for Halloween!

The Dixie Classic Fair

11 October 2014

Carnivals, Fairs, Festivals... they are all great ways to get out and spend time as a family.  But I've never attended one as late as October.  Apparently, this is the way to welcome Fall.  

So, Michal, Lily, & I jumped on the bandwagon and attended the famous, classic, and interesting 'Dixie Classic Fair.'

We started our exploration and meandering by visiting the petting zoo.  But this was no ordinary petting zoo!  This 'animal farm' was full of all sorts of exotic animals. 

Zebras, Camels, Yaks, Kangaroos were just a few of the more interesting animals, but there were also plenty of the ponies, goats, and cows present as well!

The funny thing about Lily is she loves animals, but she so does not love to touch or get near them.... just look and point.  And while we tried really, really hard to get her to at least touch one, this is the closest we were able to accomplish our feat.

Exotic animals weren't the only "exotic" and "interesting" things present at the fair.  The foods were quite interesting as well.  We found Polish Pierogi (we can't verify how authentic they are), and Krispie Kreme Burgers.  Yes - that's a hamburger between two donuts.  But don't worry, that wasn't the most interesting thing we found.  There was just about anything that you wanted deep fried. Among the signs we saw - bacon, Oreos, Twinkies, any type of candy bar, cheesecake, and pumpkin pie.  I almost threw up in my mouth when walking by some of these stands because they just reeked of grease.  I mean, how much more white trash/redneck can you get than deep frying these items? I would like to clarify... we did NOT try any of these items.  We stuck to the safe funnel cake and Michal stuck to his nasty sausage and fries.  

Lily was able to find some friends while we sat to eat and enjoy some treats.  I also found an interesting friend.  There was one lady who followed me around the fair - obsessing over my earrings.  I got over 20 questions throughout the evening all about my earrings.  How much were they? ($2) Where did I find them? (D.C.) Are they sterling silver? (For $2 - really? NO!) Can I sell them to her? (I'll think about it.) Can I go to D.C. and buy some for her? (Possibly.)  How many pairs can I buy for her? (Don't know.) Will they have my specific pair available? (Maybe?) And the list went on and on and on.  I was patient with my new crazy friend.  But at one point I was hoping security was lurking nearby so I could go and claim asylum.  At the time I felt like I was in a Hollywood movie, having to look over my shoulder constantly.  But now, it makes me laugh looking back at how ludicrous the whole situation was!

 And to wrap things up, what fair would be complete without checking out the blue ribbon prizes and trying to claim your own prize?  Of course, the vendors let Michal try for free three times.  He hit 4 balloons in those three tries - but we didn't pay for it - so we didn't get to take home an unnecessary stuffed animal.  Call me cheap, but I wasn't going to pay $5 for 3 tosses to take home a stuffed animal that you can buy for $1 through an Oriental Trading type of magazine.  Regardless, I was impressed with Michal's throwing skills!

Overall, it was a fun filled evening and all parties involved enjoyed their time here.  I think we need to make this into a family tradition and include rides once the children get older.

Greensboro Science Center

Remember that time I blogged about going to the Aquarium in Utah?  Remember how I gave that Aquarium a score of 10?  Keep that in mind as I share a little bit about the Greensboro Science Center.

First, I was told it was an Aquarium.  Then, I was told it was a Zoo.  At some point I had also heard it was a movie theater, a garden, and an interactive learning center.

All of those descriptions are lovely, but an exaggeration for this place.  I would call it a miniature zoo with some aquatic exhibits.  The interactive learning center wouldn't appease me unless I was in middle school.  

We got there just in time for Lily to watch the penguins being fed.  After their feeding they are very active and like to go in the water.  I sure did learn a LOT about penguins this day.

I love how she is always pointing to the fish.

After visiting the three exhibits (Penguins, Sharks, and Manta Rays), we went outside to see what non-aquatic animals we could 'oooooh' at.

We were only able to see some Meerkats, Turtles, Wallabies, and Monkeys.  All the other animals were hidden in the shade or didn't want to come out to play.

And while I thought the "interactive learning center" was a joke.  Lily didn't so much.  She found a toddler "interactive learning center" complete with a grocery play area, a water racing station, and a pinwheel shaped bouncy seat that appears as a pseudo teeter-totter.  She played on this bouncy seat for over 30 minutes.  It was a nightmare to get her to try to leave, but I was bored and didn't want to appear as one of those uninterested, un-supervising parents who look at their smart phones while their kids wreck havoc or play by themselves.

But when all is said and done, Lily's favorite part was looking at the fishies.  So we went back to the aquarium center and admired the manta rays, watched a puffer fish almost explode, and pondered on what the sharks were thinking about.

It was a super fun day, and Lily crashed on the way home.  She didn't get her normal two hour nap, but anytime she got fussy in the afternoon I just reminded her about the fishies we saw that day and she got so happy and talked to me all about them.

I love watching this little girl learn and explore, but I am running out of creative ideas of getting her out of the house.  Hopefully, I'll be inspired soon and we can go on more fun adventures together.