Adventures at Grandma Suzie's

What luck that we were able to come to Utah to visit my family while Nick was in California on business. The 2nd day we were there Alison got to try her hand at "fishing" at Cabela's.

We also went to Bear Lake - here she is with her cousin Callie.I have more pictures of our trip, but I will have to post them later....

Here she is trying on her halloween costume - this was at the beginning of August and it was HOT! Her head was totally sweaty when we took it off. But she loved it! Cute little bug.

Field Trip to the Orthodontist

We took a little field trip to visit Uncle Dave for his upcoming birthday. Alison liked his office as much as Busch Gardens. She couldn't get enough of the exploring and all the cooing women. We had a great time!

The lights are really bright in there!

She made off with a new mouth mirror and toothbrush - although, I think she's trying to look at her face in the tiny little thing.

Busch Gardens

This picture right here pretty much sums up her day at Busch Gardens! She had a blast! This was in the little kiddie water playground - she cooled off her in her t-shirt for about an hour. I think she would have stayed all day.She was fascinated by these jets that spontaneously squirted water at her.

But didn't like it when it got in her face.

Daddy is so proud of the little pilot.

Here she is with best buds Ty and Cole - they were good big brothers to her, riding rides with her.

She is going to be a very serious driver, evidently.

She rode this ride like 8 times. It went up and down and around. Every time a ride was over she would sign, "more, more" in all earnestness.

What was really funny is that we took her on the carousel first thing and she was a little freaked out about sitting on that horse - even with me holding onto her. After a morning on these other rides, some by herself, we went back to the carousel and she got on the horse and was holding on with one arm waving at everyone - I guess we have a little daredevil on our hands. I kept looking at her riding stuff by herself and loving it and thinking - is this normal for a 1 and 1/2 year old to seem so fearless?

Beach Blanket Bingo

We took a 2-day trip down to VA beach and Busch Gardens. I don't know who had more fun, Alison or Nick and I watching her. Minus the night in the hotel room (away from her bed) it was a fantastic trip!

New-to-her Slide

We go this little slide toy from some friends who were moving. Alison thought it was pretty fun. Here she is trying to walk up the slide

An attempt to scoot backwards up the slide

After some coaching from Daddy, she found the ladder and got up that way.

Unsure of going down by herself we coaxed her with bear at the bottom!


Okay, maybe she does need a haircut. In her defense, it does get staticy up there.

Another Oompa Loompa Sighting

Here, Alison's gut is in fine form! At her 18 month check-up she still weighed in at just under 22 lbs. Go figure.

Goat Snack

We went to Maymont , and old estate home in Richmond, a few weeks ago. They had a little petting zoo and Alison LOVED it.
This goat definitely had it in for her, and BEAR. The drama!

Little Miss Sunshine

Practicing for the "Little Miss Sunshine" Pageant. No really - she had decided to see what a purple marker would taste like and then got pink sidewalk chalk on her cheeks. She is performing her talent "Itsy, Bitsy Spider".Aren't I sweet?

Wait? what is that purple stuff on my hands?

You mean I have it all over my face too?

Some of Alison's friends

The many faces of toddlers.

Pool Party

She loves the water! I'm glad. I think we will be spending a lot of time at the pool this summer.

Summer Days on the Deck

I'm afraid to see our water bill. She could spend all day dumping out water. The concept of putting it in another container so she can reuse it has escaped her a bit.
















She looks surprised here, like where did it all go?

18 month Portraits

Another day at the Picture People and here are a few shots. She will not let go of that bear! I had to distract her with something else to get her to drop him. I like the third one because that's what she looks like when she laughs.

She is getting very independant - I forgot the stroller and I had a hard time keeping her still while I had to decide which ones to get. Anyway - not too traumatic.