Mini-Vacation…to Omi and Pop-Pop’s house!

My mom had her spring break last week and I was able to ask off too (Maddie said it was OK if I took it easy for a few days) so we headed to Omi and Pop-Pop’s house! We haven’t been down to Georgetown since Thanksgiving so we were excited to go! Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that my child is a horrible traveler (UGH!) We had the DVD player that she got for Christmas hooked up and everything, but her attention didn’t last too long on it. She only slept about an hour and the rest she just whined off and on. She rarely has to be in the car for long periods, so I guess the older she gets the better it will be…or at least that is what I am hoping for. Also, she is so used to sleeping in her big crib at home that when she has to sleep in a pack-in-play she doesn’t do too good. It worked out great for me, though, because my mom slept in the room with her and took care of her if she woke up (Yes I am spoiled and have the greatest MOM ever)

I love being at my grandparent’s house for so many reasons, but now since I have a child it means a break from motherly duties. My entire family takes over and I love it. Omi steps right in and feeds Maddie, changes diapers, and entertains her for hours on end! My aunts and cousins loved having her there and Maddie just loved all the attention. She really had a great time getting into everything and exploring the new place. Omi and Pop-Pop have an incredible garden this year. I want to learn how to have a garden and one day I hope to have one half as good as theirs! It was so much fun eating right out of the garden every day. Maddie even helped pick strawberries…mostly the the ones that were NOT ready to be picked!

We spent a couple of afternoons just soaking in some rays by the pool. It was so nice to finally have some color on my skin! A few of us were even brave enough to jump in the swimming pool! It was freezing, but refreshing after being in the sun. Maddie splashed around in a sand box that we turned into a baby pool. There is no doubt that this child loves the water—we have known this since she was born. She had a great time playing with her cousins and as long as she is outside she is one happy girl!

The last full day we were there we headed to Pawleys to have lunch and spend time with my Aunt Neesie and Aunt Teresa. After lunch, while my mom was getting her hair done, my cousin Summer and I headed to the beach with Maddie for a few beach pictures. Maddie was wearing the most adorable outfit and I could not resist snapping some pictures! She loves the sand, but she has never been in THIS much sand! She had a ball and the first chance she got she ran right into the water and plopped down. Sometimes it scares me that she has no fear whatsoever. She is not timid when it comes to anything. I guess she is her father’s child! I am looking forward to taking her to the beach “for real” this summer.

Lots of beach pictures…

While we were there, Daniel even taught Maddie how to play basketball. She is a natural, of course!

and Daniel is an all-star…

We had such a great time with our family. It was hard to leave and I know Maddie misses everyone, too!

Easter

We had a really nice Easter this year. Last year, Maddie and I were away from Gabe because he had blocks to study for, so this is the first year we have spent it together as a family. We got up on Sunday morning and got all ready for church, but when we pulled up to church it was completely packed!! We had to park way down the road and once we got up to the building there were people all outside the door. Needless to say we never made it in. Gabe stood by the door and tried to listen in while I chased Maddie around the church grounds. Our child never meets a stranger. She goes up to anyone and wants to “chat” with them or share a drink and snack with. I guess we had good intentions of going to church as a family on Easter Sunday, but oh well, maybe next year!

Once we got home, we finished getting ready for Easter dinner. We had a house full and loved every minute of it. Mimi, Natalie, Ryan, Carter, Ryan’s parents, brother, and grandparents and even our cousin Lauren drove down from Charlotte to spend the day with us! We had a delicious meal and dessert! I was so stuffed from everything that I could barely eat breakfast this morning! Then the Easter bunny delivered Maddie’s baskets (yes I said baskets) They came from all over, including Tennessee and Georgetown! She had lots of goodies to sort through…it was like Christmas all over again. Maddie also discovered Starburst Jellybeans and every chance she got she stuffed a few in her mouth. She LOVED THEM! So thank you to all her wonderful little bunnies that contributed to her wonderful Easter!

After we finished going through all of the baskets, we all headed outside to hunt for eggs! It was so much fun to watch Maddie get excited when she found eggs. We only had to show her one time what she was supposed to do. Before long her basket was filled up! Us big kids also had a good time searching for the harder-to-find eggs. Daddy did a good job hiding them, because I am still finding eggs today.

Let the hunting begin…

Family Photo Session