Week one in Arcadia, MI

Eleanor and Daddy on the real steam engine Choo Choo train in Traverse City

We are in Arcadia, Michigan for a 2.5 week visit with Eleanor's Grammy and Papa! This week Daddy begins counseling crazy teens at Camp Arcadia and next week Eleanor, Mommy and Daddy will attend Family week at camp. Before all the camp activities began, we spent several days exploring all the hotspots of NW coastal Michigan, and we've had a great time.

Grammy and Eleanor check out the waterfront in Traverse City

Eleanor adores her Grammy's flowers in Arcadia

Eleanor LOVED this peek-a-boo doll at Toys R Us (along with everything else)

Daddy is demonstrating what we do these days (we run after the baby)

Cheesy smile outside the Cherry Hut Restaurant in Beulah, MI

We were here with Eleanor one year ago. . . See how we've changed?

Eleanor was not yet ordering off the kid's menu

Mmmm cherry pie time!

Eleanor poses at Trick Dog coffee shop and art gallery

Annabelle is Eleanor's personal trick-dog

Happy family on vacation

On the beach at Grammy and Papa's

Eleanor did not mind the icy, icy cold water. Mommy did.

Eleanor takes it easy while catching the rays (in the shade)

Garage Sale Girl

Eleanor's dream mansion is bigger than she is (and the elevator really works)= $10 (splurge)

Eleanor and I have been waking up extra early these past few weeks. We've been hunting down the deals at garage sales all over town. Local kids have been growing too old for their doll houses, games, books and toys, and we've been just too happy to take them off of their hands.

Just this week we've gained a giant doll house, two big packs of Link-in Logs, a crazy bear activity station, a Little People house and barn, a magical princess wand, a play phone, a rocking elephant and books, books and more books! It is so refreshing to have new toys for Eleanor to explore. We're hiding many of her old favorites for a while, and will bring them out again when she's grown bored of the new ones. The great toy rotation has begun!

Eleanor charmed her way into a free elephant rocker! = $0

Doll highchair (in the background)= $1

Little People pool and swingset grouping = $.75

Happy times with new toys= Priceless!

Eleanor knows her animal noises, including. . .

Elmo calling

(Eleanor now says Elmo and Ernie all day long)

Magical wand

Grandma Comes to VIsit

We were so fortunate to have my mom visit this week. Not only has Eleanor gotten massive amounts of attention and love, but she's also had quite a few firsts during Grandma's visit. Eleanor definitely flowers under the attention of those who love her!

A BIG rocking horse at the bookstore

Eleanor shoots the breeze

Eleanor visits the playground at Norwood

Eleanor declined the offer to swing on her own. . .

A first ride down the slide (with mom)

Eleanor's first sandbox, full of brand-new play sand!

Garage sale hunting with Grandma

Eleanor's first doll (from Grandma)

Eleanor checks out the fish at Tupper Lake's Wild Center

Eleanor touches ice near the otters at the Wild Center

Can you believe that Grandma stood and shaded Eleanor for over 30 minutes. . . Yes, I bet you can!

Eleanor LOVES her pool from Great Auntie Chris!

Eleanor's first doll stroller (from. . . you guessed who!)

Eleanor golfs at the Potsdam Country Club

A putter just for her

Daddy is her caddy

Eleanor's bib says it all, and so does her smile (she's having such fun with her Grandma)

14 Month Portraits

Once again, we made a little trip to SEARS PORTRAIT STUDIO in Massena. Eleanor posed just like her daddy did when he was a baby (standing photo below), and wore the dress that her mommy wore when she was a one-year-old!

Ready for a tea party!

Dadda 30 years ago!

"I'd be delighted!"

Portrait of a Baby

"Tutu"

"More"

Toast

On the Loose!

Summer weather is here! Eleanor spent the last week learning how to kick her ball. She also learned how to say; more, up, down, out, and yes. These words have had quite the work out since she figured out what they could do for her. Now she needs to learn to say please.

We also took a hike in Lampson Falls this afternoon. Daddy tried out the baby backpack that friends loaned us last year. Eleanor enjoyed being up high, but was also very ready to get back down in the dirt and sand.

14 Months

Tutu

She's focused. . .

Kick!

Happy Trails at Lampson Falls

Backpack baby

The Browns and the Becks ham it up!

Eleanor and big, BIG Piper- the sweetest dog around

Fun with Kristin by the water

Eleanor wanted to touch everything!