Roadtrip!

Annabelle is officially a road warrior! In her short life, she's driven with us to New Orleans, South Carolina and now to Arizona. I have to say that she is a really good traveler. In the two and a half day road trip to Phoenix, she managed to kill time listening to music (toddler tunes!!), playing with toys and reading lots of books. We (Mimi and Mom) tried to get out of the car every few hours so she could stretch her legs but there were few decent stopping points along Route 66. (In case you were wondering, the route consists of dessert, cattle, windmill farms, tourist traps and ABSOLUTELY NO TREES.)

All joking aside, I am so glad that we got to spend this time together. It is a trip that we will remember and treasure for a lifetime. Or at least look back and laugh at!! Plus it was the unofficial start to Uncle Phil's and Aunt Katie's wedding festivities! More on that to come.

Here are a few pics of us on the road.

Saying goodbye to the dogs

Road Queens!

Annabelle in the mirror

Killing time at a Walmart in NM

Tourist Trap! Flying Y Ranch

Playing with her new baby doll 

Coloring while Mom and Mimi eat lunch 

I'm all packed up!! Let's get on the road!

Wholy Moly! She looks just like Stephen!

My sweet friend Tessa took these pics a couple weeks ago at a play date. When she sent them to me I couldn't believe my eyes... It was like I was looking at a tiny girl version of Stephen! Annabelle looks so much like her Daddy.

Funny Faces

Some of Annabelle's favorite facial expressions lately... (she does them on queue!)

pouty lips

tongue out

vampire baby (watch out sometimes she bites!)

Water Colors

It was really nice outside yesterday so Annabelle and I played with water toys in the backyard. I thought it might be fun to see what her reaction would be (if any) when I changed the water different colors with food coloring. I filled a little plastic container with water and then grabbed two water bottles. It was funny to see her watch the water turn colors in the water bottles. She seemed to react only with the green and blue colors.... then I poured them into the larger plastic container where she promptly put her hands in and splashed around.... then turned the container over spilling the water all over herself. Haha!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend was filled with friends, parks, pools, BBQ and lake time. We spent most of our time outside (and in the water!)- the way you are supposed to spend this holiday! It was perfect and I definitely think we kicked off the summer right! Here are some pics of us enjoying the weekend.

PS- This was A's first time in the lake (Lake Lewisville) and the pool! AND, best of all, SHE LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT! She is definitely our little water bug! :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annabelle the Explorer

Annabelle is an explorer.... she loves to investigate and try new things! I guess that is the nature of an infant verging on toddlerhood. Crawl/cruise everywhere and get into everything! Here are a few things that have really amused her during her "travels."

Beads!! It's like baby crack. 

Cell phone case. Annabelle will move at lighting speed to get a hold of my phone. It's crazy!

Chalkboard. I think she's an artistic genius!

Dog bowl. She makes a mess every time but its so funny!

She likes to make this face when she's thinking hard or experiencing something new.

It's NEMO!

New hairstyles

Painting on the window worked better than the floor.

The bench at the park... and she's starting to get tired of me taking pics. Can you tell?? 

Washer and dryer. For some reason she thinks its funny.

Mothers Day 2012

I have to say that I feel a little selfish having a day that is specifically dedicated to celebrating my role as a Mom. To me, it has been such a blessing to have our little Annabelle in our lives. She is our world and I am so grateful to be able to take care of her and watch her grow everyday. I would rather spend the day celebrating her and my husband (without whom I wouldn't have been able to have had the most special year of my life--being at home with A as a stay at home Mom.) It has been an amazing year to say the least and I am looking forward to many, many more in the future. I don't know how I got to be such a lucky girl!

Cheers and happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there!

A little Nickles family

Happy Mothers Day from Mimi, Mommy and Annabelle!