Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Mazatlan Family Vacation, Part 2

Meet Pancho the Penguin!
Ella loved a little girl's blow-up dolphin for days, so Mom and I found a deal in town on this guy :)
Ella rode the penguin under bridges and waterfalls... to swim-up bars, too!
She would lay perfectly flat so that she'd fit under the bridge and then pop back up-- hysterical.
Exploring the waves and sand at the beach in town with Papa... She (they) loved it!
Ella made a friend, Ryder. He loved the penguin, too!
They swam together, rode together, chased each other, and ran all around. Too cute.
Taking a Juice and Shade Break
Bubbles on the Balcony
Our Last Day at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay
Such special memories!

Mazatlan Family Vacation, Part 1

We are so fortunate to have gone on another family vacation recently-- this time with the Folse/Vadnais side in Mazatlan, Mexico. It was a week full of fun in the sun, pool time, great food, and of course, special time with grandparents. Some of the highlights for us include seeing Ella create memories with her Grandma "Namma" and Papa and Great Papa Goofy and Great Grandma Ellie, family dinners, watching Ella enjoy the water and beach every day, a little relaxation while Mom and Dad helped with Ella, the sheer joy a blow-up penguin pool toy brought Ella (and in turn the rest of us), swim up bars with frozen drinks, and Ella's first trips on the open-air taxies/trucks. Once again, Ella proved to be a trooper of a traveler, and believe it or not, she left Mexico with a tan and a few freckles! Some of her mama may be in her after all :)

Family Dinner in Town
Our Pool for the Week, Heaven
Getting Used to the Life Jacket
Our Water Baby
Taking a Break from So Much Fun in the Sun and Water
Ella's First Shower
Good thing I still had my swimsuit on!
Ella loved the Koi fish!
Looking so grown up...

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Washington, D. C. Part 2

A View of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial
Tuckered Out from Our Monument/Memorial Tour
This pregnant mom wished she had a stroller right about then, too. Ha!
MLK Jr. Memorial
Checking Out MLK with Uncle Jeff
The Wall, Vietnam Memorial
Another View of the Washington Monument
This Time from the Backyard of the White House
The Obama Family's Backyard
Family Photo at the White House
The Smithsonian National Zoo
The elephants were definitely a favorite of the day
The Garber Family Loves the Zoo

What a special Garber Family trip that we'll always remember!