Part three: Coming Home.

So our amazing little vacation continued with trips to the beach, pool time, and walks along the seawall.  I really wish I could have brought home the view for my morning runs.  There is nothing more refreshing than starting your day off jogging next to the water with the ocean breeze and the sound of waves crashing.  Of course, that was also a great way to end the day.  Only, not jogging.  Just sitting under a clear sky with all the stars in clear view, with that same air and relaxing rhythm.

Friday, grandma and grandpa said good-bye and boarded a plane back to Oklahoma.  My cousin Greg and his sweet wife Meredith came for the remainder of our stay.  They only live thirty short minutes away, so it was a quick little get away for them.  Emma loved Greg.  I knew she would.  My cousin is such a fun-loving guy, and Emma caught on quick! (I think his OSU gear was hard for her to resist, also.  She is in training!)

Saturday, we boarded the ferry over to Bolivar island.  Greg and Meredith knew of a fantastic little restaurant right on the water.

Sweet Meredith showing Em the water.

After our little excursion to the island, Burn and Alex had to leave to meet family back in the city.  The rest of the gang headed off for sushi that evening.  Emma was not excited.  Neither were the other guests at the restaurant when they saw us bringing a toddler into a small, packed sushi bar.  But, we are from Missouri, and we were going to have good sushi before we went home!  We made a few trips outside with her to keep her and everyone else calm.  Once the food came, all was fine.  Well, mostly fine.

(Dad found cartoons on his phone to buy a little time :))

On our way to the car, we took the long way to take a peek at the rest of the downtown area.  We found an old time photo place that was still open.  Because dragging a baby to a sushi bar wasn't enough torture, we dressed her up in old time southern wear at 9:30 at night.  Just for kicks.  Luckily, her good pal Greg was there to keep her smiling :)

The next day we came home, with all our added weight.  Good thing swimsuit season is over.  (Except for next weekend at the Gordon Farm.  Don't worry, I won't take pictures.)

Traveling with a child was definitely a lot of work, but also a lifetime of memories.  We learned many things to keep in mind for trips to come, but we were also able to laugh about the parenting-travel fails.

The best part about leaving home for a week?  Coming home.

There truly is no place like home.

Gimme a break!

My 31st birthday was perfect.  I checked into a condo on the water with my family and our wonderful friends for a week.  No wi-fi.  No internet.  Little to no phone service (thanks t-mobile).  It was a much needed break.  Sometimes, life can get too serious and busy.  Sometimes, it can be noisy.  Sometimes, it's good to turn off the outside world and concentrate on what matters most. 

Our 2nd story condo had three bedrooms, looked right over the pool, and had a large glassed-in deck.  Emma loved being able to play outside, and we loved not having to worry about her safety as she was free to roam.  It was the perfect set-up to relax with child in tow.  We had contemplated leaving Emma with grandma and grandpa while we made a get-away on our own, but we couldn't do it.  We don't need a break from Emma, and we knew we would be lost without her for more than an afternoon.

Our best friends from Houston joined us in Galveston for the week.  Burnadette and Alex are funny, smart, and very laid back.  They are the best vacation buddies.  They are expecting their first child in four short months.  Either Emma eased any anxieties about having children with her sweet smile and childs play, or she terrified them with the reality of early mornings and no nap meltdowns.  My friend Burnadette is by far the most adorable pregnant woman.  Ever.  They are going to wonderful parents.

It didn't take long for the boys to find their way into the pool.  Burnadette and I took Emma down to the seawall to show her the water.  She was mesmerized.

Just when Emma didn't think vacation could get any better,  Grandma and Grandpa Gordon joined us!
The boys had fun back at the condo in the pool, and the girls enjoyed shopping and long walks.

We brought the boys gifts...

Brett and I realized Tuesday, that we had been there for two days and had not taken Emma down to the beach.  We took a little afternoon to just us and ventured down into the water.  This girl loves to play in the sand, and loved sitting on the shore to let the waves splash over her legs.

We had a great combination of time with family and friends, time with our baby girl, and time with just Brett and myself.  I can't really think of a better way to vacation!  While Emma napped one afternoon, grandma stayed in while Brett and I went out for a swim without baby.  That evening, we were able to go to a fancy seafood dinner date with our friends.  I really love my husband.  It is so nice to have a little time to ourselves sometimes!

There is more.  I will be back later for part three of vacation fun!

love.

A week and a half ago, early on a Friday morning, a sleepy little family loaded up five bags and a stroller for a sweet little girls very first plane ride.  She wasn't very excited.  In fact, she was the opposite of excited.  But, it happened and it's documented in the baby book.  I even have a picture to mark this special occasion ;)

Emma did great.  There was a stroller incident, and then a bit of rental car confusion, and a rainy Houston traffic jam, but we smiled because this was the beginning of our ten day vacation. I was so overwhelmed in an airport with a toddler and bags and baby paraphernalia. Then I would catch a glimpse of a mom with a new baby strapped into a baby bjorn to her front and a stroller strapped to her back while holding the hand of a toddler with two school age children running around her, while she hauled luggage, held sorted boarding passes, all with the help of no one and a smile.  I felt like a weenie.

We made the flight into Houston to unite with family for the celebration of love.  My beautiful little cousin was married to a handsome fellow. 

We made it the evening before for the rehearsal dinner and to watch my sweet Auntie Ellen verbally think out every last detail and plan for the following morning.  My Aunt E is awesome.  She is efficient at whatever it is she is doing, she gives great hugs, and she always makes you feel welcomed and loved.  She has always been easy to talk to, which made the next morning a little difficult since I wanted to talk into the late evening.

I loved seeing my aunts, grandpa, and cousins.  I especially loved meeting my cousins new wife (I missed their wedding while super pregnant), and my other cousins soon to be wife, and my other little cousins cute girlfriend, and the groom of my beautiful cousin Angela who stood proudly with the girl in white.  It's so exciting to see new love in our family.  I am so proud of the great quality of people that are marrying into the madness ;)  Well done family!

The ceremony was beautiful.  With such a good looking couple, it had to be lovely.

We started our little vacation off perfect... 

(My other sweet auntie Susan was there too!  Look at her great hugs! Love these ladies :))

By surrounding ourselves with love.

We packed up early Sunday to go to Galveston for a week with friends and more family.  That's a whole different post for later this week.  Right now, I'm going to get a little rest.  Have a great week everyone!