Home away from home...

While we did think about our girl constantly and did miss her terribly while we were away from her on vacation, we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves knowing she was in such good hands.  Not one to really suffer from much separation anxiety (sometimes to mommy's dismay...), Maelee took it all in stride and had a blast with Nana & Pop-Pop.  She loved running around in Old Town's Market Square, enjoying new and old stories and videos, and especially the quick trip to DE where she got to see Too-Dad & Too-Mom, Aunt Viv & Uncle Tom, and Sam, Kim, Mason, and new baby Lane.  The big excitement for her during the trip was the afternoon at Rehoboth Beach, enjoying Fun Land!

Here's a recap of her week in pictures...

Saying goodbye

And here we go!

Enjoying the airport...

And watching the planes take off at a nearby park!

First treat of the week!

Enjoying time with Nana

And enjoying a special mani/pedi!

Fun with sticker mosaics

But even more fun sticking them on noses!

Loving the lion statues on the way to book store

Lots of fun at the bookstore!

And painting at a ceramics art shop!

Where's Maelee???

A favorite spot in Old Town- Market Square!

Making new friends!

After getting to Too-Dad & Too-Mom's, it's time to walk Gracie!

At Rehoboth Beach!

Yummy Grotto's pizza!  One of Maelee's favorites... 

she does have "Postlethwait" in her blood after all!

A balloon in her favorite color!!!

And onto the rides!

I can remember the joy that many of these same rides brought me well over 25+ years ago and it's a bit surreal to see my own little child enjoying them now.  She has become much more daring and confident within these past few months and is still talking about the fun she had there.  Can't wait to take her ourselves someday!

Later that day, they all that the chance to meet sweet baby Lane, Sam & Kim's new baby boy.  We can't wait to meet him soon! 

With adorable little Mason

Precious little Lane!

Helping to unwrap the present :)

Celebratory ice cream cake- yum!

Back in VA and enjoying a ride in the blue car on a grocery trip!

No blue this time, but red will do!

Making her own pizza at Uno's!

Say, "Cheese!'

TV's always better sitting next to Pop-Pop

Picking out flowers for mommy & daddy :)

Happy reunion!

Mommy's turn to paint nails!

Happy to be back with our girl :)

Enjoying last day with Nana

Even more pics in slideshow!

We are just so incredibly grateful for the week we were all able to have.  So many special memories for all of us!  

Celebrating TEN Years in Delray Beach!

It's amazing how long a moment can last when you're in it, yet how quickly it went by once it's passed...  I know, deep thought.  But that's how I feel in hindsight thinking about our recent week long trip to Delray Beach, FL to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  We really did love every minute of it- relaxing on the beach, by the pool, or in our condo unit; enjoying the yummy food that this adorable, trendy little town had to offer; and just catching up on reading and talking!!!  It was a bit of a random choice in the location, just sticking with RCI time shares in the states with good reviews, but we are so thankful this is the place we landed on!  While it was hot, there was always a crisp breeze in the air, and the occasional rainstorms never put us out and only cut one beach outing slightly short.

Here's a recap in pictures of our trip! 

Ocean view from our balcony and where we had breakfast every morning

Pool view from our unit

We were on the 2nd floor.  Right across the street was the beach!

Dinner at a Tapas Bar with awesome baba ganoush!

Cute Delray Beach downtown in the background

Overlooking the inter-coastal waterway, on the bridge we'd pass over to get into the downtown area.

What our beach time looked like :)  We did go in the water each time at least!

Chocolate chip pancakes one morning :)

Lunch across from the water

Lunch overlooking the waterway

One of our little "friends"- we saw dozens of these guys that week!

Beautiful water and beach!

Our delicious "celebration" dinner!

Yes, the snake is real!

Taking a cruise along the waterway on our last full day...

Final evening walk on the beach...

And a slideshow of more:



Oh, what a special week it was!!!  We are so grateful it all worked out, and so grateful to my folks for making it possible for us- both for giving us the week of their time share AND for keeping our girl while we were away!  It was definitely strange to be without her for so long but we knew she was having a blast and keeping busy, and are SO thankful for texts and picture texts! :)  Another post to come shortly with her fun week!!!

Here's hoping there's another trip like this in our future after another wonderful 10 years... :)

The 4th with Friends!

Our fourth of July this year didn't have quite the firework power of last year's, but spending it with several of the same friends made it special still.  We had a picnic at our nearby Carl Schurz Park and were so glad a couple of our building neighbors were even able to join us!  The kids had fun running around and we had fun watching them... and eating :).  Given our early morning departure the next day for our big trip, we weren't able to get any live fireworks viewing in, but it was a memorable day celebrating our country none-the-less. 

Here are some of our favorite pics from Independence Day:

Getting red, white, and blue crafty!

Festive Food

Close pals- James, Jessa, Desiree, and Ethan

Delicious dessert!

 

The gang

 Some of our favorite NYC friends- Todd & Jessa and Desiree, James, Jay, & Ethan

A couple of our sweet neighbors- Miss Jenny and Richard

And a slideshow of more:

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday, as well!  Pictures from our amazing anniversary trip to FL and Maelee's sweet time with Nana & Pop-Pop to come soon!!!