Pumpkin Festival 2010

This past Saturday we went to the Pumpkin Festival in Havana. Michelle came down again this year and we had a great time. Last year it was freezing but we really enjoyed it so we wanted to make sure we went again. Michelle was only able to stay for a couple of days and we miss her so much!

I took pictures in the same spot as last year with the red barn in the background but this time it is easier to spot Addison (click to see the Pumpkin Festival 2009 blog post). We watched the dog dress up contest, had turkey legs, funnel cake, corn dogs, and lemonade, played in the pumpkins, and just walked around. We also met up with our friend Andy and his three girls.

Maclay Gardens

Last weekend Scott, Addison, and I went to Maclay gardens to see the scarecrows and have a picnic. Each year they have a scarecrow contest and people can vote on which scarecrow is their favorite. Then at a night jazz festival in the gardens (this coming weekend I think) they announce the winners. We've never been so it was really fun getting to see the scarecrows. We have a lot going on next weekend so I doubt we will make it to the festival but we did vote for our favorite.

Our favorite!

Close-up

Aside from walking in the gardens and picnicking, we were able to peak in on a wedding happening at 10/10/10 at 10:10am, we played with Addison on the slide and swings, and we just enjoyed being together.

The day before Addison and I had a play-date with Vanessa and Sylvie, which was a blast! We colored, played with their bird (well tried to play with it!), played on the swings, and just hung out. Addison and I were stung by a bee when leaving! It chased us around the car and got me first then Addison. Luckily she isn't allergic and only cried for a couple of minutes. It was a bumblebee, which was a bit odd since they aren't really aggressive. After our play-date we met Scott at Cabos for lunch. Yum!

15 months!

Tomorrow is Addison's 15 month birthday. Today we had her check-up and she looks great! She is 29 1/4 inches long (15th percentile) and 20 lbs 13 oz in weight (18th percentile). She gained some weight and we are so happy about it! Yesterday Addison said "cheese" and today she both signed and said "banana."

Here are some pictures from the last several days.

Addi and I visited Lake Ella while Scott was in Clemson. She got to pet a couple of sweet dogs and loved watching the ducks, birds, and squirrels. We even saw a duck attack a squirrel when it ran by her babies!

Lake Ella

Lake Ella

Getting tired...

After school we like to spend time outside now that the weather isn't sweltering. Addi came home quite dirty from school yesterday (I love that they let her eat whatever she wants by herself) and insisted on eating her snack outside.

Picking up leaves and acorns and playing in the sand on the bricks.

Eating some Cheerios.

Sharing Cheerios with Dylan. Of course Dylan couldn't get them half the time and Addi ate a lot of Dylan-licked Cheerios.

My sweet girls

This morning before we left for the doctor

Words & Signs!

One thing I love about keeping this blog is that it helps me to keep up with what Addison is doing.

Addison now says about 10 words that we can understand :-) and that she says regularly.

Momma (not near as often as I would like)

Daddy

Dylan

Doggie

Thank You

Duck

Baa (when she sees a sheep - this is a new one since visiting the museum)

Hi (she often says "hi Dylan" and "hi doggie")

Bye (she will also say "bye Daddy")

That

She has said other words (Sitti, Papa, ball) but only occasionally.

She is still signing and has about 25+ signs that she uses regularly. She is pretty good about doing a sign after seeing it a couple of times (well, when she chooses), but she doesn't like to sign on the spot. Here are the ones that I can think of right now...

Eat

More

Milk

Drink

Cheese

Phone

Hat
Car
Comb/Brush

Ball

Flower

Love

Mommy

Daddy

Baby

Please

Cow

Dog

Frog

Monkey (with a cute monkey sound)

Chicken
Elephant

Cat

Bird

Lion

Pig
Turtle

Duck

Fish (including a lip smacking sound)

Outside (a new favorite since she now loves being outside to walk around)

Of course she says and signs things that we aren't quite sure what she is trying to communicate. 

In addition to talking and signing she is running! Only sometimes but boy is she fast when she wants to be! She is still obsessed with Dylan and this morning kept trying to wipe Dylan's nose with the tissue. We are constantly telling her to be gentle with Dylan in which she gently pats Dylan rather than grab and pull at her. She is still eating well although some days she doesn't want to eat anything and other days she eats everything. She has started eating peas pretty regularly but still won't touch a noodle or potato. She is also constantly giving us kisses with the cute smacking kissy noise and all.

Of course I wouldn't leave you without some pictures of Addison.

Addi and Dylan playing after her bath

Helping Daddy check his work email on his Blackberry before heading off to school

Just making a funny face!

Addi has been playing with dishes and "feeding" her toys dinner while make smacking(??) and mmmmm noises

More Museum Pics

My friend just sent me a couple more pictures of Addi trying to feed the sheep.

"Addi please don't feed the sheep"

"Look Daddy, the sheep really likes me!"

"Sorry, they won't let me give you my cheese sandwich"

The Museum!

Yesterday we were invited to go to the museum down the street. Scott and I have been wanting to go but it's been so hot. It was hot yesterday (heat index of 99) but in the morning it wasn't sooooo bad and most of it was shaded. It was museum day so we got in for free after printing our tickets. We went with two other families from our baby signs playgroup. The museum has a lovely outdoor animal area - a huge area with all sorts of Florida wildlife. Addison loved the turkeys and the sheep. The sheep kept trying to steal her cookies and of course Addi was trying to feed them. She kept signing "dog" at the wolves and giggled at the otters playing. She didn't really notice the Florida Panthers or the foxes playing but did enjoy the bald eagle and kept signing "bird." The bears stayed in hiding :-( Because it is such a large area to walk through (and we only looked at the animals!) we were there for over 2 hours. Loads of fun - we can't wait to go back.

Taking off down the trail

So excited and clapping!

Pointing and talking to the turkey

The Wedding!

Last weekend Michelle and Charles got married! It was a wonderful weekend full of family, friends, and lots of love. Michelle was the most beautiful bride. Addison had a wonderful time and was an angel during the wedding and reception. She enjoyed walking around the reception and being held by everyone. The wedding was at a small church at the beach and the reception was on the river right by the church. Everything was beautiful! It rained briefly but nothing major - just a bit of humidity.

At the rehearsal - less than 24 hours before the wedding!

The family at the rehearsal dinner (Addi was already sleeping)

Our little family - Carol Cheek Photography

After the wedding - Michelle & Charles - Carol Cheek Photography

Our beautiful bride posing by the river marsh - Carol Cheek Photography

My favorite picture - as we await to get out of the car so Michelle can get married! The church didn't have anywhere for the girls to get ready so we pulled right up to the church and dropped Michelle off. I took this picture right before I got out of the car.

This was Addison's second wedding

Beach time on Sunday right before we left.