Trips, family and fun

Thought it was cute she was as big as her suitcase!
She was all packed and ready to hit the road.

July has been a blur! We went over to Eastern Washington at the end of June, to see family. That was our first overnight trip with Kate and we had a great time celebrating with everyone. Kate acting as if she travels everyday. We lost a bottle, and somehow stole a new born babies book (which I mailed back). The following week after the 4th of July, we left for a week of vacation in Lake Chelan. Of course between all that there is a bunch of work, doctors appointments and all the other things that make up summer days.

"Mom, really you want us to wear silly hats on our trip?"

"This is what I think of your hat!"

I was really worried that after keeping Kate away from pretty much everybody for 11 months that she would be really shy. I swear, I look for ways to make myself worry and feel responsible. In my mind, as I sat around our house bored this winter I also thought that I was stunting my my daughters social development because she wasn't going anywhere.

Thus, on these first little trips where she was in front of big groups and hanging out with kids I really didn't know how she would handle it. Of course she handled it Kate style. First, there is the staring phase. Deep concentrated staring with her big brown eyes. To the point, that people will ask me if she blinks. Then depending on how fun she decides you are she will shake her little head, maybe stomp her little foot with a crazy little smile on her face and crawl on over to pull, poke or giggle at them.

Uncles are great from smacking around, and sitting on.

And cousins turned out to to be super fun!

Lesson learned, or taught again, by Kate. Don't worry about it mom! I am much stronger than you ever think, and of course I will grow and develop just fine. It was pretty obvious right off the bat that vacation was going to be fun for all of us. And it really was. Days of just hanging out, sitting by the pool in the sun and relaxing. It took me a few days to remember what that was like ,to relax, as its been two years since I've taken vacation.

I am already looking forward to more travels and more vacations. Hats, suitcases and giggles all the way!