A new niece!

We were excited to welcome Celeste Hope to the family on May 16th, 2009.


Although nearly everyone was predicting that Melissa was having a boy, baby Celeste made her debut as 'grand girl #4" for my parents.

My girls and I made a trip to NC to meet our new niece/cousin-- as well as throw a surprise 'Sprinkle' (baby shower) for her and spend time with the grandparents who were also visiting from Florida.

We managed to pull off the surprise for Melissa-- which was super fun because she is the big 'surpriser' in our family-- so do it to her for a change was great! She got lots of cute & needed items including a handmade, monogrammed pillow that Abigail embroidered for Celeste's nursery.

The girls really enjoyed the chance to hold a newborn (and help change diapers & give her first bath). They didn't get to meet Chloe until she was nearly 5 months old, so this was a special treat!

The girls also had fun with Chloe-- although she nearly ran the two of them ragged!! She is not even two and has more energy than both of my girls combined! She is a cutie, though, and we all enjoyed her bubbly personality and cute sayings.

They 'swam' outside, played 'house' and 'slide' and 'wagon' and kept the toddler pretty well entertained! We also made a trip to the Jumpin' Monkey and all three girls had a blast on the slides and inflatables.

Aunt Missy was sweet to take the time to do some special 'big girl stuff' with them when the little ones were napping or in bed-- she painted toenails, helped them bake a cake and took them in the hot tub. Uncle Tom taught them how to play on the Wii-- which had them in hysterical laughter several times over the week.



We had a great trip and really enjoyed our time with the family. We certainly wish we lived closer to each other but we treasure the times that we are able to spend together.

(I will admit, however, that we were all completely exhausted by the time we left-- I am DEFINITELY too old to mother a toddler and newborn!!!)