Being the adventurous (or crazy…not sure which) gals that we are, the Little Miss and I decided that if we were going to take a roadtrip up north we might as well make it count.  So, after luring Pops (Grandpa Bob) down to Durham with promises of lots of sugary snacks and cuddles from the babe, and then coercing him to do hours of yardwork, the three of us hopped into the car (and by “hopped” I mean spent hours packing an absurd amount of stuff) and drove…

…to Annapolis…then to Philadelphia (Roadtrip! Part I)…then back to Annapolis…then to Falls Church for the day…then back to Annapolis…and then finally home to Durham.

It was quite a trip!  Compliments of the Little Lady, Pops got to remember his parenting days when a 5-hour drive turned into a 7- or 8-hour one.  You’re welcome, Pops.

Here are a few photos from our stay at the Plaxico pad on the shores of Annapolis…

No surprise, my Little Charmer had her grandparents wrapped around all ten little fingers and ten little toes in no time.

Annabelle: "So, Nena, I really think we need to discuss what kind of car we're going to buy me.
I'm thinking red. And fast."

Pops: "So Annabelle, what size diapers are you wearing now?"
Annabelle: "So Pops, what size diapers are you wearing now?"

Also while we were in Annapolis, the Little Love Bug met a very special someone, the handsome Mr. Andrew (son of my college friends, Joanne and Jeff).

My Little Hostess and Andrew had a ball playing together, showing off all of their wiggly moves,

and taking a stroll along the waterfront (and by “stroll” I mean being pushed in their luxurious strollers by their faithful servants…I mean Mamas).

It was a great visit!

Also during our trip, during our jaunt to Falls Church, we were able to visit with some of my dear friends…Kerry and her little boy, Caedmon, and Dani and her little girl, Adele.  Being an Absent-minded Mama I forgot to bring my camera to chronicle the visits, but we had a wonderful time!

A few weeks ago, the Little Miss and I ventured out on our very first roadtrip without Daddy.  Though we were sad to leave him and Teddy, we were excited to travel with my parents to Philadelphia to visit my sister’s family, and to meet Annabelle’s newest cousin,

the adorable Mr. Liam Patrick!

Born in February, Liam is the 4th Little Garecht to join Aunt Ashley and Uncle Joe’s family.  He is a cuddly little sweetheart who stole our hearts the minute we met him!

My Little Traveler also had a great time with her other cousins, Haley, Emily and Caleb.

Just like at Christmas, the cousins showered my Little Gal with love and taught her all sorts of new tricks, like…

how to play the guitar,

how to woo a crowd and command their attention,

how to have fun at the playground (and keep up appearances),

how to make silly faces (and sing, and dance, and be goofy…),

and how to eat lots of new yummy foods.

The Little Miss had a ball and was eager to express her gratitude for all of their super lessons!

We had such a fun time with the Garecht gang, so much so that my Little Party Animal decided (yet again) that nighttime was for playing…NOT sleeping!  Sleep deprived though we were (and by “we” I mean the Poor Mama), we loved every minute of the visit!

To be sure, the only sad part about the weekend was when we had to say “goodbye”!