Wordless Wednesday - Sweetness.

Levi loves this little guy at my parents house .... 

So much sweetness.  Just makes me laugh :)

Wordless Wednesday - All Smiles :)

Ahoy mateys!

Arrggghh! For Abby's 4th birthday we celebrated in true pirate fashion aboard a pirate ship!  Back in May, Abby and I joined some friends on "The Fearless" and had a blast, which gave me the idea to invite more family and friends along for one, big party!  A party to celebrate Miss Abby's 4th birthday.... (4th?! Really?!)

It was a beautiful day, a bit warm but thankfully not as hot as it had been.  Everyone participated in the pirate fun ... a little dancing, a little singing, and some pirate games.  Levi and Abby both got to steer the ship, which Abby of course thought was super cool.

We all dressed in costume, got tattoos, and wore eye patches.  It was such a fun time catching up with old friends and new .... 

I put together a slideshow that best shows the fun everyone had.  All photos in the slideshow are courtesy of a fabulous photographer and friend of mine.  Thanks, Jewell - you captured the day wonderfully! :)

And to sum it up - this is just some of the fun :)

Happy Birthday, Abby! :) Arrgghhh!

A little getaway

Since having kids it's been a bit more difficult to travel with the hubs on road trips.  I guess it was more of a decision that the both of us made, that being on the road is sometimes exhausting enough and to throw the kids into the travel can easily double that exhaustion.  It's easiest for our family to let the hubs travel and for us to stick back to our everyday routines.  When the kids get a bit older, we'll start to travel a bit more, but until then the occasional road trip is enough.

I also like to go on one road trip a season, where it's just me and the hubs.  Last year was Seattle and this year when the schedule came out, we knew it would be San Francisco.  This trip would allow me to get a little getaway in the midst of a long West Coast road trip, including a rare off day.  What better way to spend an off day in Cali?  Napa Valley?  Yes please!

And that's where it all started ... First stop, Nickel & Nickel Vineyards.  Friends (and neighbors) of ours from Florida met us there and helped set up this fabulous day.  Nickel & Nickel, one of Jim's favorite wines was a spectacular tasting.  The property itself was amazing, our one-on-one tasting was so special, and I actually enjoyed some of the red wines.  For those of you that know me, you know I love my whites!

Such a beautiful setting ... everything was perfect!

I loved this old barn on the property.  The owners of Nickel & Nickel located this barn in New Hampshire, loved it so much that they bought it, and had it taken apart piece by piece.  Each piece was numbered, transported to California, and then put back together.  It was gorgeous!

I especially love this picture on the bottom left.  Jeff with a classic photo bomb.

Next two stops ... Bevan Cellars and Archstone.  Both wonderful tastings!  This lady from Archstone had a pretty special story.  Her and her husband bought this property with no intention of growing grapes.  Someone recommended they have the soil tested, which they did ... and now they make some of the finest wine in Napa!

It was the most gorgeous day in Napa with friends that made our day a memorable one we'll never forget! Thanks Jeff & Barbie! :)

The rest of my stay in San Francisco was packed of touristy moments.  I wanted to make the most of such a short visit.  Cable cars, Alcatraz (will tour next time), Pier 9, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, Bay Bridge, and of course the Golden Gate Bridge.  

The wild sea lions at Pier 9 were fun to watch ... they can put on quite the act for you!  Jim and I indulged in some yummy food and desserts too.  Flour + Water had amazing homemade pastas and Epic Roasthouse was one of the best meals I've ever had!  Definitely recommend it!

Of course I took in some baseball while in San Francisco ... Quite a unique ballpark, overlooking the water full of boats, kayaks, and cars.  Yes, you read that right ... there were two cars driving in the water!  My favorite part of the ballpark - Levi's Landing. :)

A special thanks to Sue & Mike ... the kids had a wonderful getaway of their own!  Thank you for giving Jim and I some "couple time" - it's something we look forward to and appreciate so much. :)

All Star Break

When baseball is such a huge part of your life, three words can mean so. so. much.  All Star Break.  Three whole days of family time ... something so simple, yet so amazing halfway through a busy season.  Last year when Jim was selected as an All Star, our break (or lack thereof) wasn't as relaxing as it usually is, but it was an incredible experience and I would love to do it again.  Hopefully his career will allow that to happen in the future!

The weekend before the break, Levi had been sick with a stomach bug.  I honestly thought that maybe he had just eaten too much the night the vomiting began, but later it seemed there was more to it.  After the game on Sunday we headed to my parents house for the first night of the break.  After dinner Abby started to complain that her tummy didn't feel good and before we knew it, we realized it was her turn.  Then the next morning, I started .... the stomach bug had officially taken over and it was NOT how I was hoping our break would begin.  :(

Thankfully everyone else kept the bug away and had a good time.  Baseball in the yard, sprinkler fun, and some slip-n-slide action.  I wish I had video of Jim sliding on this thing.... he was one, big kid out there!  

Later that afternoon, while I was laid up on the couch, Jim went on a boat ride with the kids, Heather and Emily.  Despite the heat, I think they all enjoyed it!  

Thankfully everyone was feeling better on Tuesday, so we were ready for some fun!  We headed out to Port Discovery with the kiddos and Sue and Nick joined in on the fun.  Abby always loves this place ...  the market, the gas station, the diner ... she can always find something to keep her busy.  This was the first time Levi was able to explore on his own and he enjoyed soccer, sitting in the car, and the toddler area.  Such a great place for kids ... and adults. :)

Tuesday evening was all about some adult time!  Some of the Branca gang joined us for a water taxi ride, dinner, and a relaxing night.  Jim and I picked a new restaurant based on some recommendations.  Food was yummy, wine was tasty, but the time spent together was much better than both of those combined!  :)

Our last day of break was spent relaxing .... some down time at the house and a small BBQ with friends.  So much fun and many wonderful memories made.

Baltimore has become such a special place for our family.  I hope we stay here for a long, long time!  Now let's get the second part of the season underway ... Go O's! :)

Wordless Wednesday - Pout Pout Face

Poor little guy just wanted to eat the paint ... sorry bud.
Still the cutest, even with a pout pout face :)

Picture Overload, Chicago Style :)

Earlier this month, Abby and I went on our first roadtrip of the season.  We had debated taking both kiddos, but ultimately decided that Abby needed some one-on-one time with Mommy and Daddy and Chicago was the perfect city for that.  Chicago is not only a beautiful, clean city (one of my favorites), but it offers a lot of different things for children.  Abby was so excited for her "special" trip .....

And special it was.  We stayed at the Trump Tower, which of course I was super excited about.  The nicest hotel I've been so far.... and Abby was spoiled like a little princess during our stay.  Slippers, robe, stuffed animal, snack upon arrival, cookies and milk, coloring books .... She was in heaven!

The first day in Chicago was an off day so we spent the afternoon at Shedd Aquarium.  Wow, what a place!  Abby took her own pictures with her Daddy's phone ... so cute.  

The aquatic show was amazing... the best I've seen besides shows at Sea World.  We were able to see beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins in action.  Abby was really into it and didn't take her eyes off the show!

Even though the show was a favorite, Abby's favorite of all was the penguin exhibit.  We watched them for a long time.  Watched how fast they could swim and watched a Daddy penguin with his baby.  So sweet.  Then Abby dressed like a penguin (Mommy too) and had fun with all the other kids.  :)

 

The next day, Abby and I went on quite the adventure to the American Girl Store.  I was overwhelmed as soon as we entered this place, haha.  Girls of all sizes, from little to preteen, wanting this and that and everything else.  It was crazy!  Thankfully my girl was content just pushing her dollies around in the double stroller.  And thankfully she didn't throw a fit when I told her the stroller wouldn't fit on the plane ... sweet deal, birthday gift ordered! :)  Abby enjoyed watching her dollie "Maddie" get her hair done, along with a special facial treatment.  Then we took Maddie to dinner in the restaurant, where she was able to dine with us!

We were busy from sun up to sun down.  Aquarium, American Girl, movies, swimming, bowling, and baseball.  The hubs and I were even able to sneak in a Mommy/Daddy dinner date after a game.  

Abby felt special and she enjoyed having our full attention while on our trip ...

... and this little guy enjoyed his time away from his sister.  Levi had a little vacation of his own!  Full of playtime with the Branca gang! :)