Sunday, September 6, 2009

Labor Day Weekend



We can't believe it, but it's already the end of summer. And Simone's first summer with daddy has been awesome-- Disney, swimming, festivals, parks, ice cream cones, bicycles---we've had a blast.
So, to close out the season we took a trip to Williamsburg/Busch Gardens for Labor Day weekend. It was wonderful. We stayed at a resort just next to the park and had tons of fun.






Playing on the playground...

Get ready...

My super favorite photo of the weekend!!! It's crazy what sliding boards do to her hair!!! LOL!!


















And some swimming, of course. Although the water was a little chilly.














































Like daddy, like daughter...

Running in the big field by the river. She's too cute!!



The views on our walk after swimming...







Tony outside the main pool/recreation building.

Stopping to smell the flowers...


On Friday evening after dinner we went down to the old town. Simone found lots of hats in the toymaker's shop.



Spent all of Saturday at the park, from open till close, and Simone was a trooper.



She still loves to watch waterfalls with daddy.



And you just can't keep her off the rides -- the higher and faster the better.

Busch Gardens is having a Salute to the Heroes promotion going on this year. They did a really nice job showing military appreciation.

A view of the park. If you've never been, it's probably one of the nicest landscaped we've ever seen.

A closeup of the butterflies, they were everywhere...


And of course, they had the Budweiser Clydesdales on hand. Simone has become absolutely fascinated with horses recently. She watched them for nearly half an hour.







And the other wildlife-- a wolf, and a bald eagle. Up close and personal.























This was Simone's ULTIMATE FAVORITE ride of the day. She went on 4 times.







































And a cupcake break. Before and ...



After.















For the most part, Simone was the perfect little girl. Even waiting in lines...

























































Simone attacked the Dragon Playground like a little warrior. But, she did need an assist from daddy in crossing the net bridge.
























Just after dinner we caught the show in Italy.




























































And then some evening rides...

































And last but not least, a pose with mommy (the day's photographer) before we left. All worn out. Hope you enjoyed our trip as much as we did! THE END.















Sunday, August 23, 2009

More Summer Fun

We're back. Our camera has been broken for a few months, but at last, we've got a new one. So now we're in business. We've had an eventful summer -- lots of outside time, swimming, playing, grilling--all the things that make summer great.

In early August, Simone's cousins Peyton, Ella, and Seleste came down with Aunt Amy to visit. The girls had so much fun playing together.







One bicycle + four little girls = big problem. But they still found ways to have fun. Like running and ring around the rosie...
















This past weekend, we took a drive up to Maryland to see Uncle Jim, Aunt Jenn and baby Jack. Simone had silly time in the back seat wearing daddy's flip flops.


















Baby Jack was so happy to play with Simone.
























Picking tomatoes with Pop...

And posing with Grammy...

























Posing with Pop...not as easy as it looks getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time. This took about two dozen tries, and I still couldn't manage to get all smiles.


















More to come...

Friday, July 3, 2009

Disney World Vacation




Last week we took our first summer family vacation to Disney World in Florida. Simone had the time of her life!(despite the serious faces in many of her photos.)

We had some technical difficulties with the camera, so we didn't get many pictures. But here's a peek at some, in no particular order....

Outside the Magic Kingdom...

Simone and Tony in the lobby of the Polynesian, watching the waterfall.



Together at the Princess lunch in Norway, EPCOT.


Simone with Mickey at the resort....
























Playing in the splash area in Downtown Disney...






Looking at the troll in Norway, EPCOT...



Simone took about a two hour nap in her stroller each day. Usually it was right about when we met the characters...



Waiting in line to go on the Dumbo ride for the second time. Simone INSISTED and waited patiently for 30 minutes.





Meeting Mary Poppins, asleep...



Watching cartoons in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge after we ate dinner at Boma...



Waiting for the bus back to the resort (and a rare smile)....
















....Awake to meet Pooh and Tigger....



























Several rides on the carousel...






















Simone's second ride on Dumbo. We think she liked it so much becuz it was the highest and fastest ride she was allowed on.
















The Rainy Day Parade in the Magic Kingdom. One of the staff said this was RARE, they usually cancel the parade if it rains.


Simone got lots of sleep every night and woke up "fun drunk" every morning!!