Tyndalls Visit! - Getting acquainted and D.C.

Five years ago when Dave and I got hitched, his sister Amy and her family made the trek to Virgina from Missouri to celebrate with us. Since then, Dave and I usually traveled out to Illinois or Missouri to visit a couple times a year so there hasn't been any need for them to make such a big trip with their two little ones. However, this summer, we just didn't think we'd be able to brave toting a toddler and infant only a few months old half way across the country. Thankfully, now Amy's children are getting older, making the trip a bit less intimidating for them. As a result, they decided to make their way back to the Shenandoah Valley to visit us this time.

 Amy, Keith, Luke (3 yrs), Lydia (5yrs)

 

Lydia was excited to meet Hadley. Out of all her "first"

cousins, Hadley is the only girl Lydia has to pal around with. 

After all those boys, I'm happy she finally got her girl cousin!

Luke was proud to sit near Hadley - even if she was 

sleeping! Luke carries around a blue dog he named Hungry. 

He got Hadley a girl version of Hadley for Christmas this 

past year and is holding it near her in this picture.

 Caleb was thrilled to see his big cousins. I don't know 
if he remembered them from Christmas, but they took 
no time getting reacquainted and playing together!

 

More lovin'

 

 The girls bonding

The day after they arrived, we took everyone to the library with us for the weekly story time. The kids played musical instruments, listened to the librarian share a book, and made a craft. Afterwards, everyone went out to the toy area to see what they could find. It might not have been the most exciting vacation excursion, but we beat the heat and the kids seemed to have fun which is all that matters.

 

 

 

 

The following day I loaned my husband out to the Tyndalls for a scorching day visiting our nation's capital. I didn't think either of my kids would be able to tolerate the heat or all that walking very well nor did I think they would be too interested in all the important landmarks at their age, so I opted to keep them home to play. This actually worked out for the best because then Luke and Lydia were able to use our double stroller, helping not only to save their little legs but also allowing them to get to all the things they wanted to see. As every good D.C. tourist does, they checked out the White House of course. They also made their way over to the Lincoln Memorial since Lydia has been very interested in learning about him lately. (And of course, you know those midwesterners love Ole' Honest Abe and couldn't pass up an opportunity to see him.) The Washington Memorial was also on the list of stops. Lydia, who has been interested in presidents for a while, had a president themed birthday party last September. Amy made her a George Washington patterned skirt for the occasion, so getting a picture of her in this skirt in front of the monument was a definite must. Finally, they took a moment to step into one of the Smithsonian buildings to check out the First Lady exhibit with tons of beautiful dresses on display.

While not making the trip with my two babes was a good choice, it was somewhat hard on Caleb who kept longing for everyone to come back, saying "Me cousins, me cousins." He was more than a little excited when their car pulled up in the driveway.

Keep looking for the next post to read more about our visit with the Tyndalls.

Smiley Hadley

Hadley Jayne is a very smiley little girl. Our Nikon has helped us catch her sweet smiles from the time she was born until now, and we've accumulated quite a few. Since there wasn't really any other post where I got to show off most of these pictures, today's post is just an opportunity to share them with you. 

Even before we left the hospital, Hadley began cracking her first smiles!

The first month or so we saw a few random smiles here or there, but we really began to see her responding to us more in May.  We would talk sweetly to her and gently tap on her chin a little with our pointer finger to get her face to break into a toothless baby smile. This made it so easy to get good photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By June she had the art of smiling perfected. All we had to do was just say something sweet to her and a gummy grin popped to her face.

 

 

 

  

In the mornings, I often say "Good morning, Hadley" and watch in expectancy as a beautiful happy expression appears. What a way to start the day!

Recently, she has even learned to giggle a little. Sometimes it's because she's being tickled, but other times she'll just laugh like she thinks something is funny. I just love those happy baby sounds! 

 

 

While she usually smiles for pretty much anyone who talks to her, she really lights up for my mom, Dave, and me. However, Caleb seems to be the person who makes her smile the best. Even if he isn't really paying attention to her, just being near him can make her happy. If he talks to her or even just acknowledges her a little she will often grin from ear to ear.

 

Keep smiling, Hadley Jayne!