Eating Champ

When we first started on solids, Eleanor took to puréed food right away!  In fact, bananas, apples, and avocado were her favorite.

Now that she has moved on to finger foods and scraps from Kyle's and my plate, she is in heaven.  Here's some shots from her first go at spaghetti.  I couldn't resist the chance to document this noodle soirée.

Reminiscing on Memorial Day

A dear teacher friend of mine, Eunice, was in town from New Mexico visiting her son and daughter-in-law.  She and her family generously invited me to join their Memorial Day barbeque.  Let me tell you... it was an absolute joy reuniting with Eunice and catching up.  I've missed her.  It was like having a little piece of my life in New Mexico back.  What a dream come true.

Euni got to meet and play with my Eleanor Claire!

Eleanor climbed up 2 stairs by herself today.

I proceeded to almost have a heart attack.

Luckily, no injuries were sustained.  Eleanor made out okay too.

I then created an impenetrable obstacle course in front of our staircase.  It's called a ginormous plastic bin.

Kyle is now on the hunt for a suitable gate that will work with our banister.

Lately, it seems like everyday is an adventure that ends with a shopping trip.

I could get used to this.

My wallet, on the other hand, disagrees.

Family Nearby?

Some of my family in Florida were chatting and came to the discovery that we have relatives in Alexandria.  Yup, the G family lives less than 10 miles away from us.  Can you believe it?  This was fantastic news!

I connected with my second cousin, Ashley G., via Facebook, and we arranged a get-together.  It was so much fun meeting her sweet family.  Her little girls Eva Cate (5) and Mackenzie (2) are adorable!

Here are some pictures from Mackenzie's 2nd birthday party.  I'm looking forward to spending more time with them now that we know we're practically neighbors!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

My dad's cousin, Connie (Ashley's mom) with E

Eva Cate loves cuddling and playing with Eleanor!

Ashley's dad (John), Ashley and E, and me

Eleanor and the Big Birthday Girl

A Girl and Her Dog

Now that Eleanor can get around, she has started actively playing with Tiney Dog.  Basically, Tiney runs through the house in little spurts while E has a series of giggle fits.  These two are quite a pair, and honestly, they couldn't be more adorable.

We're Making a Hiker out of Eleanor

"I'm all ready to hike, Daddy!"

Kyle and I took Eleanor on her first hiking trip in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC.  We followed the .7 mile Moore Cove Trail, which leads to a fifty foot waterfall over a cave-like opening.

Eleanor wasn't crazy about the Ergo carrier Kyle was wearing, but she tolerated it well enough.  The further we went, the more she seemed to sink down.  Her dirty diaper we had to change in the middle of the hike made the situation even less comfortable.

However, once we made it to the incredible falls, we freed E from the Ergo, and she was instantly all smiles again.  The return trek went pretty quickly and she didn't fuss as long as Kyle wore her against his chest and kept moving.

Eleanor was quite the little trooper!  I see many more hikes in her future.

"This hiking thing is a breeze."

"Mom, help."

My Loves

What a HAPPY girl!

In Love with My Sweet Girl

Kisses from Daddy

Teaching E About How Waterfalls Work

Can you find Kyle and E?

Smoky Mountain High

We took a long peaceful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped for pictures and a picnic along the way.  The awesome sights were enough to give us a mountain high!

It was colder and windier than we were expecting.

E loves yogurt and cried when it was all gone.

Family Circle at Its Best

My Favorite Photo from the Weekend

We got in plenty of downtime at the cabin.  Loved it.

Grandmother Reading to E