The final post of the night...

Part V: Life at home

Ok, so now I'm getting tired..... here are some misc pics from the time since we've been back. We're glad to have our sweet girl back (even if she's not as sweet as when we left). She's getting so big! She is having long conversations in her own little language, and tries to mimick what we're saying.... she says 'more', and 'bye-bye', and 'dada', and 'mama'. And when you ask her what a doggie says, she says "woof, woof". She also blows on her food now when it's hot. And, she is an awesome dancer. I will do my best to get that on video soon, because it really just might be the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Annabel really gets into her food.... she loves anything covered with spaghetti sauce!

We went to my parents' last weekend on our way to Milwaukee for a wedding. She loves playing outside at their house!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Part IV: Happy Birthday!

A few days after the move, Nate celebrated his 32nd birthday. His mom, sister Gretchen, and her girls, Hannah and Abby came to celebrate with us over lunch. It was a small party, but very nice. Happy Birthday Nate/Daddy - we love you!

Moving Day

Part III: Moving Day

The day after we got back from vacation was moving day. My parents, brother, Amber and Nathan came to help, and we got it all moved in one day. While we are still organizing and unpacking, we're making progress (though at a much slower pace than we would have pre-Annabel) and it's starting to feel like home. We LOVE it! We have tons of space to get used to, a couple pieces of new furniture to enjoy, and just think the whole place is beautiful. We've had some minor bumps along the way, but I won't bore you by complaining about it. The point is, we're home! Thanks to all of our helpers!

Annabel goes to Grandma and Grandpa's House

Part II: Annabel's vacation

While we were off trapsing through the jungle, Annabel spent the week at my parents' house. All the pictures make it look like she had a great time, though in reality I think she gave them a pretty hard time of it. By the end of the week they were referring to her as Sybill. That can't be good! Unfortunately for them, I think Annabel decided to transition from our sweet, easy going little girl to a big whiney toddler with a whole lot of attitude! She goes from happy one second to throwing a huge fit the next. I'm sure all of you parents out there that had babies who were harder on you than Annabel has been on us are thinking "it's about time, you've been spoiled!" I know.... we've been blessed up til now, and I supposed this was bound to happen. She's still the sweetest when she's happy, but man, when she's not, look out. Tonight, she cried through dinner. Then she cried through her favorite tv show. Then she cried through bathtime. Then she cried when we put her pajamas on. You get the point. It was a long night.

Anyway, sorry mom and dad that you had to be the ones to go through the transition! Thanks for taking good care of her... I know she had a good time, even if she didn't always show it very well.

Grandma and Annabel on the back porch

Annabel playing at the park w/ Great-Aunt Nancy

Aunt Nikki was there to play, too!

Grenada Vacation

HELLO!!!! We are back... did you miss us? It's been awhile, I know. We have lots to catch up on, so I'm going to do this in pieces. Hopefully by the time I am done, you'll feel like you know everything about the last month with our family!

Part I: Grenada!

Just before the big move, Nate and I travelled to the island of Grenada with Nate's sister, Sarah, and her husband, Jerry. For those of you who are saying - "Grenada... didn't we have troops there? Is it safe? I hope you were careful!" Relax! about 30 years ago the US intervened to save the Grenadians from the communist Russians and Cubans. They are pretty big fans of America, as they attribute their victory in the "Revolution" to be largely due to our involvement. In short, there are no Commies there, and the people that are there like us. So it's all good.

The island was beautiful. We went to several beaches, all of which were beautiful and not crowded at all. In fact, there was one beach that Sarah and I visited and were the only ones there! It was awesome. We did some great snorkeling one day.... had our very own "Discovery channel moment" when we swam up to and through a school of thousands of those tiny silver fish that swim together and create what looks like a wall of fish. It was an amazing sight!

On the last day of our trip we went on a hike through the rainforest, that took us up a river bed to the island's tallest waterfall. The hike was 3 hours each way, and was very intense... all of you who know me as the city girl who doesn't get dirty would be so impressed! We climbed rocks, falls, etc.... I've never been so tired in my life. But the hike was beautiful, and when it was over I felt like I accomplished something huge!

I feel like this description really doesn't do the vacation justice... maybe these pictures will help. If you're my friend on facebook, you can see more pictures on there. This is just a small sample of some of my favorites.

La Segesse Beach

Nate and I at St. George's Harbor
Sarah & Jerry at Mon Rouge Beach

Sailing
Nate & Sarah on the catamaran
View from where we stayed, at the Mangi House
A shot of the Mangi House, the side that faces the ocean

This shot pretty well sums up the week!

Look at this nature girl! This is a good sample of the terrain we were hiking up, though there were parts much tougher than this. The guy in the back is Wello, one of our guides. He was AMAZING. The guy helped Sarah and I climb down a 12 foot wall by having us climb onto his shoulders and stepping down his back, while he went into a full squat. Let me tell you, I am no feather weight, and that takes some ridiculous strength. Once again, my description isn't really doing it justice. He was a big dude.

Here's our group at the top of the falls!

Nate and I at the top

The end - What a fantastic week!