Oh Canada!

Phew! I need a vacation from my vacation! We were in Canada for 13 days. And it was wonderful! It was so nice to see all of my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandpa, especially since I haven't seen most of them for close to 10 years!

First, let me say that I and *so* proud of my little girl. She was a champ on the flights up and on the first leg of our trip home. The last flight was late and there was a maintenance problem with one of the door hatches so we were stuck sitting in the plane in Dallas, with 100 degree heat, a VERY full flight and no AC for quite a while. Evie was sweating and uncomfortable, so of course she was going to make it known to the world. I don't blame her one bit. Any way, she charmed all the people around her eventually, so I think they all forgave us.

Any way, I just loved the time we spent visiting family in Calgary, Lethbridge and Cardston. And I loved that I could introduce Evie and Matt to my side of the family. The only thing that could possibly have made the trip better was if my brother and sister could've been there with us. And being around all of my family makes me wish (only a very little bit, mind you) that we lived in Canada.

I didn't take as many pictures as I should've of my extended family, but I didn't want to spoil any moments with the flash of my camera. My family just isn't candid photos takers. We do some obligatory family pictures, but never do we snap photos while we're talking, or hanging out. I think it's just that we want to focus fully on the conversation and company, rather than think about taking pictures. Oh well. Of course I did take quite a few pictures. I think I maybe have found my favorite thing to photograph though: flowers. Any way, I'm going through the photos and picking my favorites (it's been really hard!!) and I'll upload them soon. I'm just so glad to be back!

I'm Back!!

Hey everybody! I'm back and I'm working on sorting through pictures and writing up a post about my trip to Canada. I had so much fun and loved spending time with my family. My only regret is that we had to come home to 100+ degree weather. Bleh. But I suppose it's only natural following the uber mild winter we had. Here's hoping that the heat doesn't melt me completely!

2012 Race for the Cure

This past weekend, my family and I participated in the Race for the Cure! We were running and walking in honor my mom, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this past December. So far, everything with her treatment is going well and I hope it continues to be so, but in the meantime, we helped to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Ella was so stink' cute! Love those pigtails!

I signed the Wall of Hope. Actually, a guy from the New and Observer snapped a picture of me and put it up on the gallery for the race. You can see it here (I'm in picture 97) : http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/10/2125957/the-race-continues.html

Wahoo! Go Mom!!

Matt was so great and pushed the stroller the whole day. I've got the best husband!

Our team name was the Dudley Do-Rights and we raised $320.00 as a team (ok, so it was mostly my mom)! Any way, we had a great time and the weather was just beautiful up until 30 minutes before we left when it started heating up. Afterwards, we had a pink luncheon and just hung out with the family.

Team T-shirts!

Such a wonderful day!

The whole team after their races. Megan and Greg were pooped.

Weeeeeeee are the champions, my frie-hend! And weeeeeeeeeee'll keep on fightin', 'til the end!

 
It was so nice to have everybody (well, not quite everybody) from my family get together. I'm excited for next year! Maybe little brother can take a trip out here next year to join us... A girl can dream, can't she?

The girlies!

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty woke up prematurely...

She really is a sweet baby when she's not so dang tired!

 
Oh, and I got the idea for these cupcakes from pinterest, my new obsession. They were awesome, but they took a LOOOOOOONG time to make them. Definitely not something I'd make for more than just the 8 cupcakes I made. Also, the pink lemonade cake mix and frosting I picked up at Target was really yummy. You should get some!

Marshmallows.... yum!

Memorial Day and a baby blessing

For Memorial Day, Matt and I went up to Blacksburg to visit my parents. Megan and Greg went camping for the first part of the weekend and then joined us on Sunday. We had so much fun having almost all the family there. If only little brother could've come, it would've been a perfect weekend.

Any way, I actually remembered to bring the camera AND take pictures! I was so proud of myself. :)

"I'm trying to sleep here, people!"

Ella hasn't quite grasped the concept of catching. She thinks it should just come to her.

MORE CHEETOS!!

S'mores are a girl's best friend

"That tablecloth looks absolutely delicious. I think I'll try it."

Grandma lovin' is the best kind of lovin'.

"Can I put my fingers in your mouth, please?"

Playin' with Bozo (aka Grandpa)

As pretty as a picture. Oh wait, it is a picture!

"I found you!" said Ella. "No, I found you!" said Bozo.

"Mmmmm, hair...."

"I'm not so sure about this height. I think I prefer being a little closer to the ground, thank you."

Sitting up on her own, like a big girl. Where did my baby go?!

Worst. picture.ever. I just thought it was hilarious! Ella looks high and Evie looks cracked out.

This is a much better picture. Minus the drool, of course.

And this past weekend, we traveled to Charlotte to participate in a friend's baby blessing. Unfortunately, we were running late and as we walked in the doors of the building, we heard, "Our Father in Heaven..." I was so sad and embarrassed that we didn't get there in time! I always underestimate how much extra time is needed to get ready, especially now that I have to get me and Evie ready.

Any way, there was a great little shindig after church with the family and it turned out to be just a beautiful day. And of course, Matt made his best batch of ice cream ever and I could only have a tiny spoonful. I was so bummed I couldn't immediately shovel more in my mouth. Seriously, this no dairy thing can be such a drag sometimes. Any way, we had a wonderful time with our friends.

Us + Baby Gavin

Just the girls!

The Charlotte Friends

And after having traveled two weekends in a row with an infant, I have to say I am NOT looking forward to the flight to Canada in a week. Wow, seriously, a week? That snuck up on me. I promise to take a ridiculous amount of pictures while I'm there and even try to post a few while I'm at it.