Happy Halloween - sort of

Well unfortunately, Isabel had the swine flu for this Halloween. It didn't stop her from wearing her Cinderella costume and having a great time.

She loves Disney movies lately and Cinderella is one of her favorites. We did, however, have to teach her some lessons. She originally loved Lucifer, the mean cat, and laughed when Cinderella's first dress is ripped by the step-sisters. Oh heavens. After our intervention, she now says "Oh no!" when that happens.

She still loves to dance, as evident by the dancing ghost video that is uploaded.

Oh, and she had her first foray into candy. She is obsessed with suckers - as you'll see.

Going to the zoo

John Gray and Reading came to visit us for a few days, so we spent some time at the zoo. Isabel loved having them there! Here are a few shots of the boys and Isabel hanging out together.

Beach Time!

We had a great vacation to the beach with The Allen clan this summer. Isabel had a fabulous time. She LOVES the sand and water. We took boat rides, played in the sand, swam in the water and enjoyed great time with family.

Isabel and Josh were great together, except for the fight over an oversized cat. Oh -how Isabel loved Josh's cat.

We also had a fun hat party for Meme. To celebrate the fun of hat, with her upcoming chemo - we all went out for ice cream in our new garb. Take a look at Jeff and Grandpa's reaction to the night... It is classic.

We even got to check out the aquarium. So much fun!!

Ladybug's picnic

Isabel and Catherine like to spend the afternoon on the patio of Catherine's house. Okay, well, the parents like to do the same! Daddies pull out guitars, mommies pull out the wine and fun is had by all. Here is a video of Isabel and Catherine dancing to Catherine's dad playing Ladybug's picnic.

Pop Pop and Gigi are home!

In July, Pop and Pop and Gigi made it home from Durham with a new set of working lungs. Although Izzy's Pop Pop had a few set-backs (and still have a few as of today), he is stronger than he has been in a LONG TIME! No oxygen to tote around!

I don't know if Isabel was more excited about them coming home or about getting to spend the day in their pool. Probably a tie. Although, one thing was clear. She did not like me in the pool with her. She only wanted her cousins, Aunt Angie and Gigi to play with her. I could barely sit on the steps, but if I ventured further in - Queen Cleopatra would whine and point out of the pool. I knew that moms were supposed to be uncool by teenage years - but by 1 year and a half??

Oh and the best thing you'll see is Isabel talking to her best friend- her reflection! And, she now talks on the phone all the time... babbles, but very serious babbling.

We had an excellent week welcoming Izzy's grandparents home and having a fun stay-cation with the family. We even ventured to the Discover Place where John Gray and Reading met an interesting friend at the Pirate exhibit.