Saturday, June 26, 2010

Stay tuned!

Today was Ansley's 1st birthday party and we had such a great time!  I am exhausted, yet I can't stop recalling all the amazing moments of the day, so details are coming soon! 

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Ansley's 1st Birthday Invite!

This is what I've been doing with my time....


No...I did not make this, I only helped with some of the design.  Isn't it cute?!  We have a big party coming up for our little Firecracker and I am frantically trying to make sure I've thought of everything.  What I've learned through this process...I am not a good party planner and I need a bigger budget!  Wow...there is so much to do!  Regardless, I think it will turn out to be a memorable 1st birthday, even if Ansley has to watch a video to remember it :)!

This picture is courtesy of Aunt Sheri, of course!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Ansley Harper: 11 Months

*You are walking!  Your first steps were taken on May 16th in front of some of our friends (R & W, and Matt & Kristi).  I'm pretty sure you were showing off for your future boyfriend, Alex!   

*You love to paddycake these days!  You are officially clapping, rolling them up ,and sometimes throwing them in the pan all by yourself(we haven't quite mastered throwing them).

*You like to wave "Hi" and "Bye-bye" in the most adorable way!  You definitely have a sweet little pageant wave going on!

*You are finally saying momma!  You don't say it often, but it melts my heart when you respond to me as something other than dadda.  I just know you were waiting for the perfect time (the night before Mother's day) to show off your new word!

*You are infatuated with your little buddies, Jansen and Alex!  You are always wanting to play with their hair, legs and arms, or give them your sweet kisses.  It is so fun to watch you!  In the church nursery, you are known to try and rock Alex to sleep :).

*Our little family celebrated my first Mother's Day together.  I can't tell you how I have always longed for the day I could be a mom.  To have a child of my own was something I always dreamed of and God gave us such a blessing in you.  You are truly a gift, Ansley and I am blessed to be called your mommy!

*We all loaded up in GG's van and drove to see our Pennsylvania family the last week of May.  They loved on you so much and we made some good memories!  For example, Aunt Diane giving you celery :)

*You love to shrug up your shoulders and smile from ear to ear...to show you are ecstatic about something.  It is the most precious thing that you do!  Words can't even describe this!  I will have to post a video of you doing it!

*You have 8 teeth (4 on top, 4 on bottom)!  This 8th tooth came in on May 19th, and it never fails you always get a runny nose and a little cough.  Thank the Lord, you always seem to snap back!

Ansley, we love you so much and thank God daily for you!  You are amazing in every way and we can't believe how you have enriched our lives the past 11 months! 

Monday, June 7, 2010

Our Love For Pennsylvania

We started out for the beautiful state of PA last Friday with 6 adults and 2 babies in 2 vans.  I already know what you're thinking...these people are nuts.  And you're absolutely right.  Nuts, but somehow our babies surprised us all!  They were perfect and I'm not simply bragging.  They did great!  Ansley and Jansen just rode along without much fuss at all.
I don't know if I've talked about my love for Pennsylvania yet, but I would love to live there!  There's something wonderful about it...the land is gorgeous!  And it does help that my dad and his family grew up here.  I feel like I belong here, like my roots are here in a way.  Not to mention, my grandparent's house is something out of a country home magazine with all the beautiful wildlife outside and the house that my grandpa built with his own two hands.  It just feels like a second home. 
This is my Grammy's house
Her little spring fed pond
The scenery down the road from her house
My beautiful Grammy!

Laura and Jansen
Ansley walking the entire lawn!

 The only thing that's missing on this trip is my grandpa.  He is greatly missed...he could always make us laugh.  Either with his hilarious little jigs(I can still see him dancing) or his ear swipe(I can't really explain this...he did it for different reasons, we still immitate him when we get together).  Again, we all really miss him.  This week was my first time to visit his gravesite and it became quite an emotional time.  We had been to visit him a couple weeks before he passed away and I didn't make it back for the funeral.  I still regret it, but seeing his gravesite gave me some closure. 
 A nice Memorial Day sight

 Because we were all coming to Pennsylvania, my Grammy decided to have a family reunion.  My Aunt Sarah and Uncle Eric hosted the get-together at their house with all my cousins, aunts, and uncles in attendance.  It was so fun to reconnect with them all!  There were many that I have met before, but couldn't really remember some of my great aunts and uncles, so it was good to get reaquainted.


 

Maddie and Grammy
My brother and Jason lounging
Ansley in BB's coffee cup!


While visiting Pennsylvania, we always do a trip to another place (in years past, we've been to Atlantic City, Wash. D.C., New York City, Harper's Ferry in West Virginia), the list goes on. This year was no different, so we decided on the big city of Philidelphia where my cousins live. I'm so glad we did! We were able to visit with my cousins Danielle, Krista, Bob, and Addison, as well as, see the city. While we were there we visited several historical places including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross' house, the first post office, Ben Franklin's house, and we also traveled to Valley Forge (we are lovers of history if you can't tell!). We also ate at Geno's which is the Travel Channel's best place to get a philly.
Best Philly Cheesesteak
Outside Independence Hall
First post office
Betsy Ross' house

Chickies and Pete's restaurant. Yummy!
Saying goodbye to Addison
Kisses for Krista

The next day at Valley Forge
Has anyone seen my musket?

When we got back to Hughesville we lounged at my Grammy's house and then went to see some of the sites close by. 
Yes, Ansley got to drive
My dad and his brothers
My gram's church
My dad's one room schoolhouse
This is where my dad lived until he was 5.
I love all the big, beautiful barns!
The covered bridge down the road from Grammys and yes, we had a secure hold on the kiddos!


Whew...that's a wrap!  We had a great time as always in PA!