vacation

we had a wonderful time away. on july 2nd, bella & i flew to boston with marni, pepere & uncle david. the five of us drove up to waterville valley, new hampshire, where we met up with marni's extended family. it was a wonderful family reunion filled with amazing food, hiking, canoeing, biking, sleeping and a wonderful celebration of marni & pepere's 30th wedding anniversary. we celebrated with a surprise family dinner at diamond's edge north restaurant. david & i picked up a wonderful chocolate & mocha cake that we all enjoyed!

then, on july 11th, bella & i flew from boston to wilmington where jason picked us up for a week at topsail island with his family~ teenie & poppa, staci, christian, noah & emerson, jonathan & elizabeth, and our good friends, shaune & ella. the beach was beautiful~ we had great times in the waves, playing in the sand, taking walks, going for ice cream, jet skiing, of course eating and more!

and, because, of course i am biased, i have to brag on bella for a minute... she was GREAT. she slept so well while we were gone... she was so quick to adapt to her surroundings, she loved canoeing~ and even fell asleep while we were on the river, she practiced her walking, enjoyed going for a bike ride, and was awesome in the waves... jason would throw her up in the air when the waves would start to crash and she'd just laugh... she also enjoyed the fish float we bought for her... and playing in the sand was lots of fun too! sweet bella, we love you so much!! thank you for being our baby girl and blessing our life so much!!

our family

emerson, elizabeth & jonathan
teenie & bella
just precious
yet again... : )

**more pics to come**