Summer Fun...

To see some recent photos click here

Since returning from Florida we've had a great time just hanging out on our own as a little family of three. We enjoyed a little ride to Santa Cruz with Uncle Ryan and Andi, a visit with our Minnesota buddies Nick and Michelle, and a three day last-minute trip to Santa Barbara! It has been special to have so much time while Ramsey is on summer break and although he is working his tail off to complete his doctorate in the next year, we really feel as if we are "living the dream" until work resumes as usual at the end of August.

Our trip to Santa Barbara was decided on a whim when we returned from the warmth of visiting friends and family in Elk Grove to the chilly fog of summertime in San Francisco. To escape the cold, we drove 6 hours south on the coast to the town of Montecito, just south of Santa Barbara. Aside from the cool fact that Oprah vacations there and Micheal Jackson's Neverland Ranch is in the area, we stayed at a really cool Inn that happened to be the getaway dream of Charlie Chaplin himself! Built in the 1920's, the Montecito Inn still maintains the architectural and interior design of the era, so it was like stepping back in time (it even had one of those old elevators with the metal gate and glass door)! It was also Riley's first overnight stay in a hotel, and she was fantastic...clearly a lover of traveling!!

We did a lot of walking, took in some great food at local restaurants, shopped on State Street in Santa Barbara, and stopped at Neverland Ranch on the way home to take some photos and enjoy the scenery of wine country. All the while, Riley had our attention with her laughs, smiles, and charming little personality! She is changing everyday and is so much more alert and aware, so she responds to our silly faces and singing and reaches out to grab things that have her attention.

I can't beleive she is almost 4 months old!!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N...in the summer time!

Well, Riley is now 3 1/2 months old and we've had quite the life for the past month or so! Riley and I headed home to Amelia Island, FL on June 9th to visit my family (her Gammy and Pop Pop) and get in some much needed time in the summer sun. It was a wonderful trip filled with bathtime with Gammy, drives with Pop Pop, a fair share of fried southern favorites and raw oysters by the dozen, hours swimming and lounging poolside, a fantastic 4th of July parade, and a visit with the Austins, Manchirs, and a few dear friends.

As we spent our 4 weeks in Florida it was amazing to see the changes in Riley. She began to smile more frequently and recognize faces...mainly mine and Ramsey's...as well as voices. Riley's newest "trick" is that she can stand up while we hold her hands. She does this for as much as 10 minutes at a time and I think she enjoys it because she can look around and check things out (we gave her the nickname "nosey nellie" in Florida because of her tendency to snoop around at everyone). She also began the drooling/bubbles phase, which I'm guessing is an early sign of teething beginning. We also noticed that Riley gained about a pound and a half while on vacation...clearly she enjoyed herself!!

While it is always difficult to leave family that is far away, I'm always reminded of how lucky we are to be able to visit with them for so long in the first place, and how special it is to share these little milestones of Riley's with them. The opportunity for them to see her day to day allows them to take part in watching her grow and also allows them to really develop a special relationship with Riley, which is something to be treasured for sure. We love our Gammy and Pop Pop!

To see more pictures from our vacation, click here.