Topsail Beach!

We had a wonderful trip to Topsail Beach last week! Thank goodness we didn't plan on going one week later, or we may not have made it in the wake of Hurricane Irene! My parents graciously moved their annual beach trip to Topsail instead of going to Hatteras to make the journey a little easier with Libby. She screamed almost the whole way there (with the pain of 3 molars), so we were thrilled that it wasn't a 7 hour trip.

Again, Libby LOVED the beach. She played her little heart out with her parents, grandparents, cousins Matthew and Sam, Aunts Leslie and Linda and Uncle Alex. A few highlights from the trip:

• Libby's cousins introduced her to marsh mellows - she loved them, but they were a sticky mess. I especially loved it when she would drop it, sand would stick and she would eat it again- gross!


• Libby gave lots of high-fives. She played in the ocean with her Dada and cousins and every time they jumped a big wave, she gave a round of high-fives


• Libby had a fantastic photo session with Doc (in red and navy swim suit below). She loved the attention and played into the paparazzi following her


• Libby got to sleep in the room with Bubbie and Doc and let Momma and Dada spend the night out with Mike and Leora, who happened to be there when we were


• Libby got to play with Ellie McAuliffe and share snack time/happy hour


• Libby did lots of singing and clapping - she showed off her dance moves when we played music for her during our mini dance party


• Libby showed us how she's learning to put things in buckets, stack toys and try to put lids on things- so proud!


• Josh and I got to relax on the beach thanks to lots of wonderful help, and Libby's family got to enjoy playing with her and enjoying lots of sweet moments.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful family vacation- already looking forward to next year!

Where did their clothes go? We learned that Ellie has actually learned to unzip her clothes- wow!

Mmmm... marsh mellow!

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...

Dad, let's go over here...

High 5 to cousins Sam (12) and Matthew (15)

Popsicle time- felt good on her teeth, so she had 3 in a row :)

PJ time- look at that long hair!

Story time!

Bye-Bye beach, bye-bye Doc!

12 Month Photo Shoot

Libby wasn't in the most cheerful mood the morning of her photo shoot, but we got a few great shots! Maybe only 2 smiles the whole time, but we got to capture Libby's serious (or teething) side) :)

What a Weekend!

Although I was anxious for weeks ahead, we had a great weekend! Josh and I headed to West Virginia Friday afternoon to camp for the night and go rafting on the New River on Saturday. We figured Libby would stay with Chief and Cici, but Cici was out of town visiting family, so.... Libby stayed with Chief! I'm not sure that I can handle Libby by myself all weekend, but Scott was very much looking forward to it and they had a great time! I was most nervous about her sleeping, which hasn't been great these last few weeks because of the never-ending teething process for her first molar- ah, the pain!
But, of course, Libby had a great time with Chief and Chief with Libby! They went swimming at Carmel on Friday night and then played all day Saturday- they went running, swimming again and to the park! Chief had a little trouble with Libby's hair, but made a great effort, even calling in back-up from Callie!
Meanwhile, in WVa, Josh and I really roughed it :) We had a nice big tent on a clean camp ground, a nice big air mattress and indoor showers and bathrooms, and I somehow avoided seeing any creatures! It was the nicest camping I've done. Rafting on Saturday was great- the weather was warm and the water felt great. We swam with rapids, jumped off rocks, jumped into whirlpools- it was great fun, but we were glad to come home to our sweet girl on Sunday, and of course we have no pictures to memorialize the adventure!

Libby learning to use a spoon!

These little piggies are getting quite long- can you believe Josh dressed her and picked out the matching bows?

We've been letting Libby run around with just her towel after her bath for a few minutes - only because its just too cute!

Chief was obviously too busy to capture the precious moments he had with Libby this weekend, so I snapped a few when I got home. They really were tight buddies over the weekend - even when we got home, she was a little anxious when he left the room :)

Chief worked with Libby on getting down the stairs. We're teaching her to "bump" down each stair and she's starting to get the hang of it - she even says something that sounds like "bump"!

Josh and I took Libby to Cotswold Elementary playground on Sunday (her future school) - here she is learning the balance beam!

... and climbing the rock wall

... and after the big slide!

Dada and Libby had fun on the hanging rope ladders!

And Momma and Libby ran a race around the track!

Welcome Sara Vaughan Hillery!

Sara and Julian welcomed precious Sara Vaughan Hillery, "Vaughan" on Tuesday, August 2. She is just beautiful and we can't wait to meet her! What an amazing little baby Vaughan already is!

Monkey Joe's and Monkeying Around...

We had a great weekend - adult time with friends and great Libby time too! Beth and Tommy came to visit for the weekend, and as always, time with them was too much fun and we miss them already! I guess a Charleston trip will have to be in our near future. Saturday night we had some friends over for a dinner party- we made a yummy slider bar! It was delicious and we had a great time letting loose with our good friends! The night ended with "Dance Party USA" and a dance competition between me and Beth- still no decided winner, but a good time had by all, including Josh and Tommy who patiently observed without making fun of us and while cleaning the kitchen!

Sunday we picked up Libby from her overnight trip to Chief and Cici's and went to Monkey Joe's for the first time. It took Libby a little while to warm up, but she had a great time jumping in the castles and playing with the inflatables- she even loved going down all the slides with Momma and Dada!


This was her favorite, going down part of the way by herself... don't worry it was a short slide and I wasn't far behind..

I have to say, this form is impressive- nice quads Libby!

"Dad, Dad, do you think we can make it over? I think we can do it, lets go..."

"Dad, the climbing wall is next, we can do it- we're really good at obstacles when we work together!

First time down the slide!

Happy Girl- What fun!!!

Beth and Tommy after the party was over and dance competition put to rest!

If this was my best move, I'm thinking Beth won the contest... so glad there's no picture of my attempts at the "Roger Rabbit", "Running Man" or "Typewriter"...

Jazz hands...Beth got this move from high school jazz class :)

The yummy spread for the dinner party...

All the toppings-

The evening's menu- so many choices, so hard to choose!