First hike of the year

Chuck, Charlotte & I headed back to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary for a spring time hike. Charlotte was back in the backpack....10 pounds heavier and a little more squiggly, but she still liked it. She really loves the outdoors; looking for birds, and picking up sticks, leaves, and whatever she can get her hands on. We are looking forward to many more hikes this spring!

Maryland Day!

Today we celebrated Maryland Day (Maryland's 375 Birthday!) the best way possible...with some fun at the Maritime Museum, a few beers, and some yummy crab dip! What started as a rainy Sunday morning turned in to a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. Charlotte loved seeing all the boats, playing with oyster shells, laughing at the many dogs we saw, and trying crab dip for the first time. Charlotte is a true Marylander....born and raised! Not even I can say that!

Our Maryland Girl!

Chuck and Charlotte at the Maritime Museum.

Playing with oyster shells.

Maritime Museum and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation research & education boat.

Happy Birthday, Maryland!!

Birthday Chatter

Charlotte had a lot to say about her cupcake. She did more talking than eating!

One Is Fun!

Charlotte had a ball with all her new birthday toys. She loved being pushed in her little cart and pushing it around. Thanks Grandpa, Grandma Linda and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Scott for the awesome wooden cart! She also loved her new chair from Grandma Babs and Aunt Kelley. She climbs in it and sits there like she owns the world.

New blocks from Daddy!

Happy 1st Birthday, Charlotte!!

Charlotte's first birthday was a perfectly wonderful day full of family and a lots of FUN. We started the day with pancakes (a first for Charlotte) and ended with cupcakes! The day was spent opening all kinds of great gifts and playing with the family. Charlotte really had a blast. We celebrated with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Linda, Grandma Babs, Aunt Kelley & Uncle Pete, all in from Ohio. Uncle Pete even brought his new puppy, Stella, who was a big hit with Charlotte.

Fun with the puppy!

Yummy cupcakes.....

made with love by Mommy and the Grandmas!

Say What?

Charlotte has always been a little babbler. She's taken the babbling to a whole new level lately and seems to have created her own language. Now she thinks we actually understand what she is saying and will carry on quite a little conversation with you. We're dying to know what she is actually trying to tell us!

Latest Tricks

I was in Chicago over Valentine's Day, so Chuck and Charlotte celebrated with out me. Chuck got Charlotte a balloon which she LOVES! She quickly learned how to pull the balloon down by its string. Watch the fancy hand-over -hand technique. It is adorable to see, she does it so carefully and diliberately.

When you ask Charlotte to "make a silly face", this is what you get.....

Charlotte discovered that she can climb up (about 3 inches off the ground!) on her toy. She thinks this is just the most fabulous thing ever. She'll step up there and just stand for 15 minutes or so, as happy as can be!

Charlotte is wear barrettes now....there's not too much hair up there, but I couldn't resist. She looks so much older with them in her hair!