Summer Loving

We left August 1st and began a 3 week long trip that started in Northern Illinois at a friend's wedding and then ended with Greg's mother's wedding.  In between, Greg and I took an 8 day trip BY OURSELVES!!  It was the most amazing trip and it was so relaxing and re-energizing that it feels like we were gone for 1/2 a year.

On our way! Let the adventures begin!

Dan and Erin's wedding was beautiful! The ceremony was in a park, surrounded by fields of wildflowers.  Dan is a longtime friend of Greg's and an very special guy.  His family is absolutely lovely and we always enjoy any bit of time we get with them.

We let Geneva stay at the reception until 10:30pm! By far her latest night ever.  She literally danced until she dropped! At one point, she took a 2 minute nap on the dance floor and then got back to it.  We sometimes had a hard time finding her at the reception, but we knew to just look for the bride and Geneva would be close behind her.  She ADORED the beautiful "wedding girl" and it made her night to get to dance with her.

These handsome gentlemen have been good friends since middle/high school.  Individually and collectively, they are a great group of guys and a lot of fun to be around.

ONTO PENNSYLVANIA

Geneva's Nonna had been planning and plotting for the most special visit.  Geneva was delighted to wake up and spend her first morning exploring the miniature and life-size fairy gardens that Nonna created for her.  The whole trip was fairy themed, as Geneva donned fairy wings, read fairy books, painted fairy houses, searched for fairies in the yard, and painted and colored fairies.

We enjoyed visiting a local farmer's market and PA seemed to be in high season as there was every type of fruit and vegetable.  What a great thing to do with Nonna's Papushka ("cute one" in Polish).

Cecily was perfectly happy munching on watermelon slices on the deck.

Does this man look relaxed or what?  This was our first morning on the coast of Rhode Island.

So peaceful.

Greg LOVED the abundance of fresh, raw oysters.  He even coaxed me into trying one.  One and Done! I can say that I've tried it, but I do not think I shall ever have another.

On day in Rhode Island, we visited The Breakers, which was the summer "cottage" of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Definitely worth a look if you are ever in the area.

Nonna and her girls

Hanging out in the fairy garden.  Cecily is sitting on the "fairy house" that Geneva painted

Most days, the highs were in the 70's.  Wonderful.

Aunt MC is quite the Crossfit enthusiast.  She didn't let wedding planning stop her from getting in a workout.  Geneva was a wiggly participant.

Preparing for the big day!

It was such a beautiful and warm wedding and reception.  Truly a joyful celebration!

Cecily with her godmother and uncle Matt.

2 girls + 2 girls

The lovely Mahaffey ladies and Geneva and Cecily

Oldest and Oldest

Youngest and Youngest

I love my girls!!

Godmother time

Cecily and uncle Frank

Fishing and playing at Mike's lake house

marshmallow time!

Smores...Sm'good! :)

Kayaking, fishing, an array of meats (including home-farmed lamb) cooked on an open fire, and s'mores made for a really nice night after the wedding festivities the day prior.

godmama

(I just kind of love this one)

One morning, I had the most perfect lighting, setting, and outfit, but I couldn't get Cecily to smile for anything.  In fact, she was pretty much melting down because I wasn't holding her.  Smiling or not, she still looks cute though.