My Version of Camping...

Madalynn & I just got back from a week in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with the rest of my family.  It was a great week, even with the moments of drama that are to be expected.

Driving around there seems to be a breathtaking view around every corner... unbelievable sites...

 

My Mom was upset w/ me for taking these shots while driving...Trust me I was much more focused on the road than my camera... I just held it up & clicked.

We went to Storyland an adorable amusement park... complete with a Cinderella's castle.

 

Can you tell which one is "The Wild Thing"?

Doing "Chooo-Chooo" on the train ride...

Having fun on the teacups!!

On the drive back to the house from Storyland... we saw 3 bear cubs & their Mama... they were sooooo cute.  My camera was in the way back of the car, and I was NOT getting out to get it, but it was amazing to see...

Having fun at the lake... This lake had a great view of "Cathedral Ledge"... which was a straight drop off granite ledge (which I can't believe I don't have a picture of)... there were people rock climbing on it... crazy!!

Then we drove up to Cathedral Ledge to see the view...Grandpa brought her a little too close to the edge for me... My heart was palpitating!!

 

The next day we went waterfall hunting...

Madalynn & I decided that waterfall hiking wasn't really for us, so we left everyone & went into town for some shopping...We went to an old country store with some penny candy, and then found a playground... she was a happy girl...

Then to cap off our girly shopping, playground day... we hit the cupcake bakery!!

Then we discovered a covered bridge on the way home...Madalynn LOVED the covered bridges...

The next day we took the N. Conway scenic railway... Madalynn was soooo excited to take a train ride...they said "All Aboard", and the conductor said "Tickets Please", and punched them... it was such a great experience.

 

She was so proud of her ticket...

We were right behind the engine so the whistle was quite loud... Before we went on the train she asked me if she could blow the whistle...

What's vacation without ice cream??

 

My parents, Madalynn & I drove up the White Mountains to the Mt Washington Hotel & Resort...so beautiful...

 

I love this sign!!  It came true for us as we drove out of the White Mountains yesterday...

This was a baby... we kept our distance in case Mama was in the area...they can be dangerous animals.

Tomorrow is back to reality... siiighh...

 

3 Years Old!!

Oh my goodness... HOW did that happen... I'm so not ready.... 3 is the end of babyhood... full on preschooler....While I let go of one phase of her life, I so enjoy this new one... the things she comes up with each day make me laugh... she's getting into pretend play which I just love... playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, or pouring tea.

Yesterday we celebrated with a "Cinawrelly" party... her 2 neighbors came in their princess gowns too with jewelry, heels, and crowns... Madalynn served them lemonade, and was a mostly gracious hostess...

 

The only time she had her crown on all day... she's not big on having things on her head....

Our annual picture with Pooh bear...

 

A new outdoor set from Ga-Ga & Grandpa

 

 

A Cinawrelly cake...  I had ALWAYS wanted one of these cakes when I was little... I remember my grandmother who made cakes as a side business used to make them.  This was one of the easiest cakes I've ever made (even though Cindarella is a bit crooked)...

I wish I had gotten more pictures, but I got so busy with everything else I kept forgetting to grab my camera...

This morning has been wonderful watching her play & discover all her new toys... the big hit were the "Toy Story" characters from her Aunty, Uncle & cousins, and particularly the Rex & Woody set her cousin Adam bought for her with his own money... I say it all the time but he is my favorite little guy...

She wanted waffles for breakfast (her favorite)... so we had waffles (had to run to Aunty & Uncle's to borrow an egg)...

Of course, this time leading up to & on her birthday her birthmom is never far from my thoughts... this morning I gave Madalynn an extra hug & kiss from her.  I just pray she knows somewhere in her heart how surrounded by love her baby girl is!!

Happy Birthday sweet Madalynn Vanesa!!!

Busy Weekend

Last weekend we kept very busy, and given that it was record breaking heat a lot of our activities involved water...

Sunday morning we went to a 4th of July parade... it was very hot, and Madalynn loved the candy that was being thrown from almost EVERY car, float, and girl scout that passed by... her favorite was the blue Tootsie Pop (1st time I've let her have a lollipop... they freak me out)...We also went to our favorite lake afterward, but unfortunately the batteries in my camera were dead, so no pictures from there...then Ga-Ga & Grandpa came over for burgers, & dogs on the grill, and corn on the cob!!  Followed by s'mores... yummy!!

 

The firetrucks were quite loud... even for me...

Then on Monday we went back to the beach with my aunt... it was so much fun jumping in the waves with her... unfortunately, we ended up on a fairly rocky section of the beach so it was difficult to walk too far out.... fortunately the waves were calm so no accidents...

She kept walking on all fours, and saying she was a crab...

Just some Gerber daisies from my garden...

One of my girls favorite spots....(don't judge me about the pacifier)... notice the juice & I'm sure there is a stuffed animal or 2 in there with her.  It was a great weekend, and as usual I was sad to see it end...

Happy 4th

We went to fireworks last night, and Madalynn LOVED it... I thought she'd be scared or think they'd be too loud... NOPE... she loved it... she was squeeling, and at one point was singing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from Annie.  It was a great family time.  She finally fell asleep about 11:30pm, and I was so excited she'd sleep, no way... 5:30 she was awake...

 

I think she would have eaten this entire bag of popcorn from Ga-Ga on her own if I'd let her... It's as big as she is...