Crossing the Border!!

Last Friday Chad, Avery and I headed to Toronto for a weekend trip. This was the first trip to Canada for both Avery and myself, but Chad being the big time hockey player he was had been to Canada numerous times as a kid for tournaments.

We left at about 9:30 am Friday morning hoping that there would not be too long of a wait at the border. Without any delays the trip should take about 5 hours. I started off sitting in the front of the car which did not last too long because Avery lost her pacifier. I hopped in the back and remained there for the rest of the trip. Avery was really an angel the whole way. She slept a lot and when she was up she would either play with her favorite mermaid doll or watch a video with me. I brought one of the Signing Time Videos with us to test out the DVD player. We have had the car a year and this is the first time we have used it. The DVD worked great and I really loved the video. Since Avery faces backwards she cannot see it, but the DVD was great for me to learn the signs so that I can use them with her. She also really enjoyed listening to the singing in the video.

We got to the border at around 11:30 and it was pretty backup up, but moved quickly. It took us about 45 minutes in total to get across, which may sound like a lot, but wait until you hear about the trip back. Once in Canada we had good luck until we got about 10 miles outside of Toronto. At that point things slowed down a bit, but we were still making pretty good time.

Once we got on the block the hotel was on we had been in the car for about five and a half hours and figured it was smoothed sailing to the hotel. Boy were we wrong!! The street the hotel is on was under construction so things were moving very slow. It took us an hour just to go 1 mile!!! We finally got to the hotel at around 4pm....six and a half hours after we left.

We checked in and quickly headed to the concierge for dinner recommendations. Since it was our first time vacationing with Avery we were not quite sure where we could go and bring a baby. Luckily, Toronto seems pretty baby friendly and we went to a pretty upscale restaurant. We had a great meal and Avery was such a good girl. We even were able to have a drink at the hotel bar before heading up to put Avery to bed.

Avery eating at her first fancy restaurant....she doesn't know you can't show your mid drift

The next morning we got up and headed to St. Lawrence Market. The market is a lot like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA. We walked around checking out all the fun food stalls and grabbed a bite to eat for ourselves. After the market we headed to the waterfront and took a walk around. The weather was not great so it was pretty quiet down by the water. We decided to head to Steam Whistle Brewery since the skies were about to open up. We were a little late in our decision making an got a little wet before we made it to the brewery.

We opted for a brewery tour, which included a free sample of Steam Whistle Beer. Chad of course got two beers since I am not a beer drinker. I had to carry Avery during the tour because we had to climb up and down a lot of stairs, but she was super quiet and listed to everything the tour guide had to say. I guess she takes after her daddy when it comes to her interest in beer.

After the tour we headed across the street to the CN Tower, but the wait was an hour and a half. We decided since we were already soaked from the rain that we would just go back to the hotel and come back to the tower early the next morning before we left to go back home. Once we got to the hotel we all took a short nap before heading to dinner. That night we opted for Italian, since there are no good Italian places in Midland. Once again Avery was super good and we enjoyed a very good meal.

We woke up early Sunday morning, packed up and headed straight to the CN Tower. Luckily there was no wait and made it up to the top quickly. We walked around and admired the views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. While at the top of the tower a large group of Japanese tourists were also there. Many of then would giggle with delight when they saw Avery. One women even approached me and signaled that she wanted to take a picture. I was holding Avery so I thought she wanted to take a picture with Avery and I, but then she signaled that she wanted to hold Avery and I quickly said no and ran away!!

Avery and Mommy at the top of the CN Tower

Avery checking out the view

The Skydome from above

Avery and mommy sitting on the glass floor

After we were done at the tower we got into the car and headed back to Midland. Again we were hoping that the boarder crossing would not be too long. No such luck!! This time it was even worse. We spent about two and a half hours this time waiting to cross the border. Luckily Avery was super good again because it took us 8 hours to get home!! Needless to say both Chad and I said the net time we go to Canada we will fly to avoid the border crossing!!

Avery's Baptism

Avery's baptism was July 10th!! We were lucky enough to have Grandma Carolyn, Papa Ernie and Avery's two Godparents, Aunt Donna and Uncle Dan and Aunt Donna's boyfriend Nelson join us for this special day. Grandma, Papa, Aunt Donna and Nelson all arrived a few days early so we were able to enjoy a few days together before Avery's big day.

On Friday, we all planned to visit Frankenmuth. Grandpa Ernie and Nelson were eager to visit the Frankenmuth Brewery and Grandma Carolyn , Aunt Donna, Avery and I were just excited to walk around the cute Bavarian town. Papa Ernie and Nelson were so eager that they left before, us girls were ready to go, big mistake!! Once us girls were on the road we saw a sign that there was bad traffic on the highway due to an accident. Rather than get on the highway I decided to find a different way to go to Frankenmuth. Well Papa Ernie and Nelson were not so Smart. They got stuck in the traffic and did not move for an hour. Finally, they turned around and headed back to Midland and just went to Logan's for beers....not quite the same as the brewery:O)

Grandma Carolyn, Aunt Donna, Avery and I had fun walking around the Frankenmuth downtown and visiting all the cute little shops.

Lots of pretty flowers in Frankenmuth

Aunt Donna as Little Bow Peep

Playing dress-up

Avery, Aunt Donna and Grandma Carolyn

We took a picture of the brewery for Papa and Nelson

Avery with the cheese haus sign

After our fun day out we headed home an back out for dinner.... guess where??? Logan's. Papa and Nelson became such good friends with the manager while they were there that they got coupons for two free appetizers which Papa Ernie insisted we use despite my strong dislike for Logan's. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the food we really enjoyed our time together. A little after we headed home Chad returned from the airport with Uncle Dan.

The next day, Avery's Baptism day the boys all headed out to golf and us ladies went for pedicures (the Baptism wasn't until 5pm). Once everyone got back we were all busy getting ready and headed out to the church around 4:30.

Avery and Aunt Donna ready to leave for church

Unlike other baptisms I have attended our Church in Midland fully dips the babies bodies in water. Due to this we were instructed to not dress Avery in her dress before the ceremony. Once we got to the church we had to take everything off her except her diaper and wrap her in a towel. When it was Avery's turn we quickly took off her diaper and brought her over to the Baptismal Font and handed her over to Father Pete. He placed her in and out of the water 3 times and Avery did great. Once she was done he handed her back and we went to the front of the altar and waited to all the other two children to be baptised. Following the baptisms Father Pete placed chrism oil on the top of Avery's and the other children's heads. After that we walked the children around the church for all the congregation to see and they applauded for all the kids.

We then headed to change Avery into her dress, while Father Pete continued with the rest of mass. The mass concluded with the lighting of the baptismal candle. The church really performed a beautiful service for the baptism. We were so lucky to have our family and neighbors the Theriots there to share in this very special day with us.

Happy family

Avery in her pre-baptism attire

Avery being baptised by Father Pete

Avery's baptism candle

Avery and her Godparents

Avery's first crush

Aunt Donna Nelson and Avery

Grandma Carolyn, Papa Ernie and Avery

Following the baptism we headed out for dinner a drinks. After dinner we returned to the house for a very special treat. Since I was a kid my favorite cookie has always been the rainbow cookie, especially the ones that are handmade by my Aunt Donna. Well, Aunt Donna made a very special batch of pink rainbow cookies for Avery's baptism. She even got letters to personalize them and lined the plate with white rose petals. As always the cookies tasted amazing!!!

A special treat

Avery was very excited about the cookies!!

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to everyone on Sunday :O( This is always the worst part when people visit. Even though we were sad to see everyone go, we felt so fortunate that Papa Ernie, Grandma Carolyn, Uncle Dan, Aunt Donna and Nelson came so far for Avery's special day. Avery is one lucky girl to have people who love her so much!!!

Our trip up North

When Avery and I got back to Michigan Aunt Kelsy and Steve were here for a visit. Since their visit coincided with Chad's birthday we decided to head up north for the weekend.

We left Friday, July 2nd and headed up to Boyne Mountain where one of Chad's co-workers has a condo we rented. On the way up to Boyne we stopped at Traverse City to have lunch and walk around the downtown. While in Traverse City we did some wine tasting and visited a Michigan landmark Cherry Republic.

Watching while Aunt Kelsy and Chad taste wine

We left Traverse City and headed to Boyne Mountain. After checking in we were excited to check out all of the nighttime activities. There was fly fishing, smores, and even our favorite game blongo.

Chad showing that he is a natural

Kelsy showing she is not

Kelsy and Steve enjoying Smores!!

On Saturday we headed out to Charlevoix, a small town located on lake Michigan. While there we walked around the downtown and visited some of the cute little shops including my favorite new place to shop....baby boutiques!! We had a nice lunch and then walked around lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is truly beautiful! If I did not know any better I would think I was in the Caribbean because the water is so blue!!! Aunt Kelsy, Steve and I even put our feet in the water, which was chilly, but not as bad as we thought it would be.

Avery's new shades!!

Chad and I by the lake

Avery and I on the beach with the tiny lighthouse in the background

Avery's first visit to lake Michigan

After our visit to Charlevoix we headed to Petoskey another cute little Northern Michigan town. Unfortunately, the town was pretty quiet and many of the storefronts were empty, a sign of the wonderful Michigan economy. After our short visit to we headed back to the resort to rest before dinner. After dinner we played another round of Mexican Train Dominoes. I was introduced to this game while staying with my parents last January and was instantly hooked. Now Chad is hooked and we introduce everyone who comes to visit us to it and they seem to enjoy it as well!!

Sunday morning was the 4th of July, which we spent driving back to Midland. Once we got back we spent a lazy day at the house recovering from the long weekend and enjoying the last night of Kelsy and Steve's visit!!

Avery in her July 4th Outfit

Happy 30th Birthday Chad!!!

On July 2nd Chad turned 30. To celebrate Chad, Avery, Aunt Kelsy, Steve and I went up north. I will write more about the trip in a separate post. Even though Chad is done with his 20's (I still have 4 months) he certainly achieved a lot during that time. He graduated from both Cornell and Harvard. Lived in Ithaca, Albany, Hoboken, Boston and now Midland. Traveled to Napa, Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, all over Europe and many other destinations. Got his first and most amazing doggy. Got married and even squeezed in becoming a daddy 3 months prior to the big 30. Chad definitely had an amazing 20's, but Avery, Nutmeg and I are so excited to be around for his 30's!!!

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Avery looks so much like her daddy did!!

With Kelsy

Giants Fan from a young age

A true hockey player, missing teeth and all!!!

Fishing

Loving the beach!!

Cornell graduation

Wishing he could be a jockey!!

One of the many times he partied in his 20's

This was the first of Chad's B-days we celebrated together (Chad's 24th)

The day we got Nutmeg

Now he is a daddy!!

Your girls love you so much!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

On June 19th Chad and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. Lucky for us we were in NJ for the special day and were able to leave Avery with Grandma Donna and Aunt Kelsy and go into NYC for a nice dinner. We went to Eleven Madison Park and although the food was not as good as we had expected, it was amazing to just get out and have a few hours alone together.

Since we were in NJ we also got to have a slice of cake from the top tier of our wedding cake which had been sitting in Chad's parents freezer for a year. All I have to say is yuck!!!! The cake was so gross that Chad and I each had just one taste and both felt sick afterwards. Luckily we had some champagne to wash the nasty taste down.

All dressed up for dinner

The cake still looked good

Didn't taste so good