DENVER ZOO!!

After a week of cold + dreary weather, the clouds parted + the SUN finally came out!!  Knowing that Denver was supposed to get to 70*, we made plans to visit the Denver Zoo!  Elsie Anne WALKED everywhere...

Checking out the monkeys... she said, "OOO,OOO,EE,EEEE"

This was just TOO cute not to capture:)  EA on her TIPPY-TOES to see over the fence!

EA loved the Elephants + doing her trumpeting w/ her arm:)  We saw them up close inside as they were bathed! 

Penguins...WADDLE,WADDLE!!  These little guys were so active, they swam, floated + waddled all around!  EA was mesmerized...we stayed @ this exhibit the longest!!  She also got a stuffed penguin @ the gift shop when we were leaving...she was in love @ first sight, we couldn't resist! 

Gorillas...were EA's 2nd favorite!!  These Silver Backs were so fun to watch.  While we were inside, they swung + climbed around their 'tree house'...

...then we went outside!  No one was around, so EA was walking near the veiwing window to the outdoor exhibit.  A HUGE Momma Gorilla came over, right up to the glass, to see her.  It was crazy, a little scary, but we went over to the glass + EA did her 'gorilla' (thumping on her chest)!  It was neat to find out that Momma Gorillas are drawn to children?!  Of course when people discovered we had a close-up, the crowd came running over.

EA had a WONDERFUL first experience @ the Zoo + can't wait to go back!  We will definitely be back soon!

Bowls,Spoons,Forks...

Elsie Anne has started using a bowl w/ most of her meals, instead of us spooning it onto her tray.  So far she has done pretty good, but I expect that it won't be long before she dumps everything on the floor!  She is also learning to use her spoon + fork on her own!  She's doing well w/ this too.  She gets lucky sometimes + the food gets to her mouth, but mostly it all falls off before she gets it in her mouth:)  So much fun watching her turn into a big girl right before our eyes!!  We are loving our sweet Princess!

EASTER!!

We went to Frisco for their town Easter Egg hunt.  We arrived 10min after the advertised time + there were no more eggs for Elsie Anne to hunt:(  Don't know why they say 12-1pm, if it only lasts 5min?! hahaha!  Anyway, it was a fun little outing + we got to use EA's little Chick Easter Basket that GeeGee + Papa sent her!  And, obviously, EA had no clue that we missed out on anything... she was pumped to walk around in the snow, on the sidewalks, in the street (it was closed for festivities) + @ 'Butterhorn Bakery', where we ate a yummy lunch:)

We are both starting to feel that our posture is taking a hit, as we are always leaned over holding EA's hand!  She walks fantastic on her own, but on unsturdy ground or unsafe areas, she won't let us carry her anymore, she HAS to walk!!

She was so excited to see the Easter Bunny (not a very cute one in my opinion)!  She said "HOP,HOP!" the whole time we were around him, + even as we walked away!  She even leaned into him for a HUG, which was completely unexpected, as she has been so Momma/Daddy clingy!

Walking down Frisco Main Street, EA spotted this enormous Grizzly Bear statue!  This meant she was off the "HOP,HOP" and on to "GRRRR!"  We get so proud when she uses her words on her own to communicate w/ us!  Its really impressive that she can tell us what she needs now by her sign language + words!!  In the last 3 days, she's added a few more words to her vocabulary... help, Elvis, book!

Okay, I had to add this one, not for its cuteness or pertinence to the day, but to show you all what I am enduring!  After visiting sunny Florida for 10 days + seeing everything in bloom w/ warm(ish) weather, we come back to 'Mud Season', where everything is gloomy, grey, muddy, stinky (from the thawed dog poo), and COLD!  Needless to say, we're trying to make Lemonade out of Lemons!  We got EA in her snowsuit, boots + gloves, and walked around our little yard area, dodging the poo piles + muddy spots.  EA got a pretty good kick out of it, even if Momma wasn't thrilled!  Don't you just love my 'running pants + snow boots' look, hahaha!

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

Florida Trip, Part II (3/28-4/1)

SUNDAY NIGHT

A fun night @ Seminole Bowl celebrating Laura's 30th Birthday!!

Kirsten, Dallas, Shawn, Will, Laura

MONDAY

On our way down to see the Grahams @ the beach, we had to stop + eat @ Lindy's!!  Shawn had never experienced THIS delicious fried chicken before!  Elsie Anne kept saying "Cckk-Doo" while we were eating since she could see this BIG rooster out the window!

And THIS is what Momma had been waiting for since the last time we had our toes in the sand, in September (for Laura + Will's wedding)!!  Yes, it was overcast, Yes, there were blustery winds, and Yes, we had sweatshirts on... But YES... THIS absolutely MADE Momma's trip:)  Camille, EA, Me, Julz, Memere chillin' in the fine white sand of Alligator Point!!

Of course, Elsie Anne had to do a little taste test of this new sand she was experiencing.  I can only imagine that it has to taste better than the dirty sand @ 'Strickland Park' (my parent's house), heehee:)

It's not a professional pic, but we tried... I just thought this was too cute to pass up!!  Daddy + EA's shoes!

Elsie Anne had to test her balance + walking skills on this unsturdy surface:)

EA just loved splashing in the water... it really wasn't too cold?!  Not that I'd want my whole body submerged!  It was really hard to keep her from running straight in... we let her splish splash w/ her clothes on, in the 'foot bath', once we went back up to the house:)

After having a lovely visit w/ Julz, Bill, Camille + Sophie, we headed to Gmomma + Gdaddy's (EA's great-grands) house @ the Ochlockonee River (10min from Alligator Point) to have dinner + stay w/ them for 2 nights! 

It was SO SPECIAL to be serenaded by Gdaddy w/ his harmonica!!  He played several fun songs as EA stared @ him + danced around!  She was mesmerized by this new sound:) 

TUESDAY

My cousin Caroline, her twin boys, Alden and Carson, + Aunt Pris came down the River to play!  We had the best time just being cozy + playing on the floor.  Gdaddy + Shawn played golf while us ladies had a delicious Chicken Salad Gmommy made for us!  Aunt Pris + Memere w/ Carson(rt) + Alden(lft).

All the kiddies playing together!  They were super cute!

Me + Alden, Mom + Carson!  This is when EA was taking a nap, I sure wish I had one w/ Caroline.  I guess my Mom must have that one:)

When our fun visitors left, we made Elsie Anne a warm-water pool + enjoyed the sunshine!  Memere + EA splashed + played, while Momma tried to catch some rays on a cozy beach chair!

Daddy got home just in time to swim w/ his naked Missy Moo:)  EA is seriously a FISH, she could stay in the water all day long if we let her!! 

Ready for a fresh Seafood Dinner w/ Gmommy + Gdaddy.  Look closely to see EA's FIRST pigtails on top of her head:) 

WEDNESDAY

EA loving on Memere @ breakfast!  This was the first time EA initiated the interaction... she walked right up to Memere, said "UP,UP" + wanted Memere to feed her!!  She sat on her lap for a long while, playing + talking to the rest of us + feeling completely comfortable:)  I really hope EA will be over her seperation anxiety when we take our next trip!!

Our last morning was GORGEOUS... blue skies, no wind, just PERFECT!  We took EA down to play on the 'River Beach' one last time:(  Elsie Anne decided to name the ocean, "BUBBLE", b/c she saw bubbles in the waves.  She would point @ the water from the house + say it over + over:)

She liked pulling off the BIG pieces of bark w/ Memere!

I love this 'sunglasses' family pic!  As I blog about this pic, I'm yearning to be back in this moment... the sun, the fam, the water... it is a PERFECT memory:)

When we got back to the Strickland house, it was very nice to hang around w/ family!  BigDaddy enjoyed some sweet time w/ his GIRLS.  We "Caaaw"ed @ the crows + let EA show us all her tricks!  We had a delicious dinner + let the kids play until EA was whipped. 

We had a WONDERFUL trip w/ family + friends!  Elsie Anne learned + experienced so many NEW things.  Until next time... we're missing you guys:)

Florida Trip, Part I (3/23-3/28)

TUESDAY

Tally Cousins (Tullen, Thatcher, Ashton) WELCOME Elsie Anne!  And she was so excited to see them, after getting a 2hr nap on the drive home from Jacksonville!

All of EA's great-grandparents came to welcome us as well!  BumBum, Gdadddy + Gmommy...

BigDaddy took Thatcher + EA on a 4wheeler ride... Elsie Anne was not so sure of it + didn't last too long, maybe next time:)

Ashton + EA played in the leaves!  This trip had MANY firsts for EA, including 'raining leaves'!  She loved WALKING on the 'crunchy' leaves too!!

...'raining leaves' required a very well needed tubby!!  This was the FIRST time all 4 bathed together, so cute!

WEDNESDAY

After a fun lunch w/ Uncle Sydney, we walked all around outside Wing Stop + enjoyed the lovely warm weather!  Look @ her precious purple skirt!

...then home for some more Cousin playtime!!  This time, Thatcher + Tullen showed EA how to make a mud pie + get super dirty in the process:)  It took some major resistance on Momma's part to let loose + let EA get dirty!!  She SO enjoyed herself (she played in this same spot for about 15min, that's a record) + learned so much from this FIRST experience:)

...look @ this MESSY GIRL!  Needless to say, this new adventure caused for another fun tubbytime!

FRIDAY

We went down the road to Uncle Jeff + Aunt Lorri's house to hangout + play in their beautifully manicured yard!!  EA got plenty of practice w/ her wobbly steps...

And we had to pose for a rare family photo, while Lorri offered to take it:) 

SATURDAY

We went to the most gorgeous wedding... CONGRATS to the GWALTNEY'S!!  Elsie Anne had a ball dancing to the awesome band in her super cute 'pillowcase' sundress (my friend Jill made for her) + new crocs!

Almost our whole family... Dallas, Me, Shawn, EA, Memere, BigDaddy, Sara, Sydney!  Dallas' wife, Kirsten, was a bridesmaid in a different wedding the same day:)  GOOD TIMES!!

SUNDAY

Elsie Anne had many of her Tally friends come over for a Birthday Cookout!!  Her cousins, Alden + Carson, were of the first to arrive + were entertained by EA's crazy antics!   

I didn't get any other pics of the birthday party, thank goodness everyone else was snapping away!  Once the party died down, EA took a long nap + we were able to have a chill family afternoon!  EA is trying to catch up w/ her cousins!  Look @ those GORGEOUS curls... a reason alone, to move back home:)

It started drizzling for a few minutes, but that didn't stop EA from having fun!  She stuck her tongue out to feel the drops, just like she does w/ snow!!

Another FIRST... EA learning to use the ROLLER-COASTER!!  It became one of her favorite things to do @ 'Strickland Park'!

WEEEEEEEEE!!  Look @ that GRIN!

Memere + Aunt Kirsten LOVE...

TO BE CONTINUED...