Claire's First Vacation

Sorry we haven't posted in a while but we have been super super busy! Now that it's summer time, I have a little more time to keep up on our blog. So now I'm going to take us back to April. We were able to take Claire on her first vacation to Yosemite. When my Grandpa died, he wanted his ashes spread in Yosemite so we promised to take a family trip each year to not only keep his memory alive but to visit one of the most beautiful places on this Earth. Darryl's sister Trisha, her husband Bryan, and cousin Audrey also came with us and we had a blast! Here are some pics of our trip.

 Uncle Bryan and cousin Audrey

 The whole gang climbing one tough Mist Trail

Gorgeous!

 The Shirley family! Look at our little Claire Bear!

 The Vine family!

 We love Yosemite!

 Trying to feed the little one and not the 4 squirrels who had us surrounded.

Audrey and Papa

More Yosemite Pics!

Here are some more pics from Yosemite!

 

The hubby and I getting ready for our first hike!

Our sleeping beauty. She did so good on all of our hikes. Thank God for the Bob!

Waterfalls everywhere! This was one of my Grandpa's favorites.

 

 It's cold out here but I'm a happy camper! 

Audrey, Bryan and Trisha looking all cute by the river.

The Shirleys. This is where we said goodbye to Grandpa a year ago. The big rock marks the spot.

I told Trisha she has to take a few pics like this. :)

Audrey and Mommy

Papa and Audrey walking along.

Such a cute pic! :)

Claire loves her baby Bjorn. I think Daddy likes it too!

Off to see another waterfall.

"Hi Mama!"

Sistas!

We felt the need to re-enact the Dirty Dancing scene! (We didn't know other people were watching us! Hahahaha!)

Standing at the foot of one of the waterfalls and getting pretty wet!

Beautiful!

Smile! Pretend you're not getting soaking wet right now! :)

So pretty!

The whole gang!

The deer just walked around everywhere! Pretty cool to see!

Trisha and Audrey taking a little walk before dinner.

Beautiful Audrey

Uncle Bryan and his girls.

Cousin Audrey's Birthday party!

So this post is just another reminder of how far Darryl and I have come on the journey to have children and how blessed we truly are. Last year my beautiful God daughter/niece, Audrey, turned one. Darryl and I wouldn't have missed her party for the world but as I sat there on the beach watching all the moms and dads with their children, it was hard to hold back the tears. Though we were surrounded by our loving family, I still felt left out and couldn't understand why we didn't have what everyone else did. I tried to remember how lucky we were and that God would someday make us parents but I also couldn't wait for what all these happy families had. However, seeing my niece so excited for her big day and all the work her Mommy and Daddy put into it made me a very proud Auntie.

Auntie and Audrey at her first birthday!

Audrey turned two this year and had a birthday party at her house. Our cousin Ryan snapped this picture and when I looked at it, I couldn't help but remember where we were last year and how far we have come. I think the smile on my face as well as my daughter's says it all. Darryl and I are finally able to experience the joy of parenthood and I wouldn't trade God's timing for the world!

Claire and her Mommy at Audrey's second birthday!

 Trisha's sister-in-law made these adorable rompers for the girls to wear at Audrey's birthday. The cousins look so cute and I can't wait to see what beautiful girls they will become inside and out. :)

Claire's First Visit!

Thanks to our good friends that work at Disneyland, we were finally able to take Claire for her first visit! Though Claire was too small for many of the rides, we still had a good time walking around, enjoying the scenery, and buying Claire her first Mickey ears!

Claire waving from the hat store!

"Whatcha doing Momma?"

"Look at me! I'm at Disneyland!"

"I said....LOOK AT ME!"

"Thank you!" :)

Yay Disneyland!

We were going to go on It's A Small World until Mommy realized she brought the good stroller and didn't want to leave it. Maybe next time! :)

Getting a little sleepy.

 

All tuckered out with her Minnie Mouse.

Thanks Tina and David for our fun day!

Sicky poo....

A couple of months ago, our baby was pretty sick. She got her first cold (probably from me and my germy first graders) and no matter how many times I told the doctor or anyone else that it was really bad, they made me feel like I was exaggerating. Well...it lasted a few weeks and the poor thing had fevers, congestion, and a pretty bad cough. Even my mom (who has had four children and owned her own daycare) has said she's never seen a baby so sick. We had lots of people praying for our little one because at one point the doctor was talking about admitting her to the hospital. Well all is good now! We took the doctor's advice of sucking her snot out (ewwwww) every chance we could, having her sleep sitting up, doing breathing treatments at home, and letting her sleep as much as she wants. Our baby is now much happier and the pediatrician said that one good thing coming out of this is that Claire has built up a stronger immune system. You go Claire Bear!

 At the pediatrician's office receiving her first nebulizer treatment. We eventually had to buy one and do treatments at home. Poor baby. :(

 Feeling much better!!!! :)