Hamilton Family Vacation 2012

Backing up to August now and the annual Hamilton family vacation. This year, we drove from Texas to Kentucky. For some reason, I had it in my head that the girls lived 10 hours away and I could make it in one day. The truth is that they live 14 hours away. So we hustled to get out the door a day early and stayed the first night in a hotel in Arkansas. Milli held my hat as we drove, so it wouldn't get in my way. What a thoughtful daughter I have!

Kentucky was not the final destination, it was just a stop and a visit with cousin Ada!

Ada was very excited to meet Milli! They had met once at Christmas, but neither one remembered that. Ada even lent Milli one of her old dresses to sleep in (not pictured here) and her old pack n play. Milli was just happy to be out of the car and wasn't sure what to make of all the excitement in the house when it was past her bedtime. Ada and the aunts had been to the ballet while we let ourselves in, ate some dinner, and took a walk. 

The only friends we saw while home on this vacation were Laura G, the Frisch, and the P.A. Unit. The trip was really just for family but the Frisch were visiting from Iowa and the P.A. Unit from Wisconsin, so I made an exception for them. Kurt Frisch is an amazing cook and made this dessert for me! The chocolate raspberry mascarpone cheese is the best! 

We had a great time talking and playing some cards. Oh, and eating dessert. :)

Milli had fun playing with cat toys! Laura's cat, Barney, is the harriest, sheddiest cat I know- but we love him. He wouldn't hang out for Milli to pet him, but he did share some of his toys... reluctantly. Milli found them fascinating. And, believe it or not, this toy had already been "washed." That's how much hair this cat sheds. I figured Milli was rolling around in the hair and eating it off the carpet, so it was probably better to get her on her back with an only slightly hairy toy. She hasn't died yet, so I must be doing OK at this mom thing.

While we were in Grand Rapids, an annual model train expo came to town! They meet at a different location every year, so we were very lucky to have them in town that weekend. Edward has always loved trains, so we were excited to go. Plus, Ada was old enough to enjoy some of it and they had a special kids' play area set up that she had some fun in. Milli was a little young to really appreciate much of it, but she sat patiently in her stroller while we looked at the amazing exhibits. Take a look!

This was a Lego city from one angle. It seemed to go on forever!

It could have been a British city. :)

Or Scottish.

Nope, British.

Um... Gotham? Uh, with Toy Story characters in the background...

During our visit home, we saw some very old friends who had a kiddie pool for Milli to enjoy.

She loves watching other kids, so Katherine was a great distraction.

 

Ada found a buddy.

America sang for us.

We went to the beach in Grand Haven on Tuesday.

Some of the family couldn't get to Grand Rapids, so we spend a few days in Detroit. Teddy had turned one the week before but we got to celebrate with him on Friday. This was Thursday night and the whole family was out for seafood. Teddy was a big, active boy and wanted to roam around the restaurant before dinner. 

He was the favorite boy among all his aunts!

Milli discovers crayons. Yum!

Makes you want to cry, doesn't it?

Milli loved all Teddy's toys. Mommy and Daddy especially loved the music table to the right.

Lots of kids and one on the way came to the party.

The people who dared eat in the rain. It was a soft one.

While we were in Detroit, we went to the zoo! Milli borrowed some of Teddy's socks because we had packed for August weather and Michigan decided to give us April instead. We thought the socks were quite appropriate for our location, though. Notice the tail of the one to the right! So stinkin' cute!

Even though it was chilly, we saw a lot of animals including the polar bears and tree kangaroo! Detroit has a pretty good zoo. If you ever have the ability to go, I recommend it.

Princess Ada got her face painted.

Three strollers and seven adults. Any less would have been a problem!

Just like Milli's first zoo trip in July, she grew sleepy by the end.

Teddy's new walking toy!

Ada kept offering to "help."

I'd show you more, but most of the time was family time. We enjoyed and loved on one another for an entire week. There were some times of relaxation, some times of eating out, some times spent apart and many times spent together. We adored all the kids and bemoaned the distances between us. This is an annual event and I hope it goes on for decades.

Milli is 1!

 My daughter, Milli, will be one on Monday. So here is a little tribute to her. Her first year in pictures.

This was the very first time she saw me. Sorry if it is a little graphic, I picked the shot that "didn't really show anything," even though you can imagine what kind of chaos a child first enters the world into. But she only cried for a moment and once she saw me, she didn't cry again. Surprisingly, neither did I for a long while. Have fun watching my little girl grow up. I have.

Great Apgar score.

We brought her home when she was 4 hours old. Daddy is already smitten.

Such big, bright eyes. Always curious.

Apparently, Pop is fascinating.

This is her second bath. I was too busy to remember to photo the first.

First Thanksgiving. Less than two weeks old.

She did a lot of this for a long time. I miss holding a sleeping baby.

One of the few pictures with me in it.

One of my favorite dresses of hers. 

The other favorite dress of hers. She can still wear it as a top.

My sweet little bear.

This sweater is awesome! Garage sale!

One of my favorite photos ever!

They did a whole lot of sleeping together.

First bottle.

Daddy was grading.

So pretty when she takes a bath!

Mama made the sweater and hat!

Nanook baby! Booties by Miss Anna!

First time she sat up in her stroller- the day we took her 6 month photos.

She's not too sure about this view.

First day we took her hiking! She loved it!

First day she sat up in a car. The last three first happened within a week of each other.

First time in an aquarium and first time she touched a starfish- month 4.

Otters are my favorite, too.

Being political. Thanks, Uncle Jonny and Aunt Lucy!

Best hat ever from Boston Street near Pike's Place Market, Seattle, WA.

First "solid" food: sweet potato! Note: these are not in order.

First time she held her own bottle!

Aunt Keoina came for a visit!

First of three trips to Portland.

First of two trips to Seattle (the other one is above).

Second hike- much warmer.

The next set are all from my friend, Rachel, who is amazing.

They were surreptitiously taken while she babysat.

The next few are from Milli's 6 month shoot, also done by Rachel.

These next few are from our move from WA to TX. Milli meets her first black lab! She will get one in a few months.

Eating at the ocean.

First time she put her feet in the ocean.

Also, the sand, if you can call this sand. It was much more rocky than Michigan sand.

First time in Hollywood. 

First view of a Tesla coil.

First time she ate bugs... that we know of.

First time in a pool.

Great Uncle Jonny!

Great Aunt Lucy!

First time going into a hole in the ground.

First time in a moving truck.

First wedding.

First time she ever really "saw" Uncle Brock

First time at the zoo.

First time sharing.

First puzzles.

First time in a waterfall.

First time at cousin Ada's in Kentucky.

First time playing with a cat toy.

First time in a kiddie pool

First time at Lake Michigan.

Playing with cousin Teddy's saucer.

Second time at the zoo.

First time brushing her teeth.

First time telling your fortune.

First time alone in her room to play.

First time she fed the ducks (the last time was only pretend).

First time discovering recycling.

First soccer ball.

First fall.

First discovery of the bag cupboard.

First Halloween.

And so much more to come. Happy Birthday my little miss.