Until this weekend Ivy had not left Birmingham. Grant it mommy runs her all over the city but we have always been within about 30 to 40 minutes of home. Luckily, DeeDee, Grandpa, Aunt Kelly, Tio Diego, cousins Adrian and Alicia, and Gigi have been willing to come to Birmingham to visit us. This weekend though we packed up the car and headed out on our first out of town trip with two kids in tow. Originally we had planned on heading over Friday early morning but daddy had to go into work a little while so we were delayed until just after lunch (better known as nap time). I was a little apprehensive about both girls being able to rest in the car. Ivy is not always the best napper during the day and occasionally gets fussy in the car running around town. Let’s just say she is our cuddle bug and lets you know she prefers to be in your arms; we may have spoiled her a little but they are only little once. Luckily all fears vanished shortly after getting on the road when both girls zonked out; mommy and daddy actual got to talk and kid around most of the trip. Both girls napped better than they had all week.

An added bonus of us leaving before nap time was the girls got to see Deedee and grandpa a short time when we arrived. They had a Christmas party that evening and thought they would miss our arrival since Chris had originally said we would be leaving after nap time. Leia had fun getting chased by Grandpa and helping Deedee in the kitchen as she finished making dinner for us. After they left mommy and daddy took the girls downstairs to play a little bit before taking the girls up to play in the nursery so Leia could get use to it before bedtime.

Saturday morning Deedee was up waiting on Leia when she woke. Leia enjoyed playing with Deedee and Grandpa while the rest of her family rested a little more before it was time for sister to eat (thank you Deedee and Grandpa for letting mom and dad rest a little longer). After breakfast, the boys headed out to play golf while the girls went to the zoo. Leia liked the elephants when we first entered but after seeing the giraffes, the only animal exhibit she cared about was the giraffes. Of course, the carousel and play ground were also popular choices with Leia. Deedee and mommy managed to get her to look at a few other animals but not many. Surprisingly, Leia elected to walk most of the zoo instead of riding in her stroller with her sissy. Needless to say, all the walking and playing wore her out and on the way back to Deedee and Grandpa’s she fell asleep in the car.

After princess Leia and princess Ivy both rested, we headed over to Aunt Kelly and Tio Diego’s house to visit. Leia and Adrian were so excited to play with each other! They play great together too!! Leia told us that her favorite thing was playing with Adrian’s trains. I am sure as Alicia and Ivy grows they will play great together but for now they study what is going on and each other.

The kids got to open up Christmas presents from each other since this will be the last time before Christmas we all will be getting together. It was cute to watch Adrian open Leia’s and  Leia open Adrian’s. I think they were excited to show each other what they got for the other one. Alicia seemed to really enjoy the book Leia’s Mimi got her too. After presents and some play time, the older two also had a little craft time together while Ivy relaxed in Alicia’s swing and Alicia played with her Abuela. The craft was Christmas place mats with stickers (Adrian proudly displays his in a picture below). We decided against using glitter since stickers would be a easier to clean up and dinner was almost ready.

Diego and Kelly fixed a yummy dinner! We were blessed to get to share it with them, Diego senior, and Pepita. Thank you Diego and Kelly for cooking paella. Bath time followed soon after dinner for the kids then we headed back to Grandpa and Deedee’s to rest from our long day. We enjoyed getting to see everyone though!

 

Sunday, Leia and Ivy got to have Christmas at Grandpa and Deedee’s. Leia loved her barbie clothes, scooter, puzzles, and clothes. Mommy loved that Ivy received matching clothes so the girls can coordinate/match. Leia was more interested in playing with everything when she opened it than opening up the next present so mommy and Ivy ended up opening most the clothes (I am sure that will change and she will eventually want to see how fast she can get into everything).

We all got to play and run around the house after present time. Leia played with her new scooter, colored on the side walk, explored the yard, colored pictures with Deedee, rode a little bike in the basement, and played hide-in-go seek with Grandpa until we decided to head home. We thought with all her activity during the morning she would sleep in the car and both girls would nap like on the way there but now such luck; Leia stayed awake pretty much the whole way home, except the last 10 minutes when she took her power nap.

Leia found the bike

Grandpa had to help her

She tried peddling herself but her legs are a little short

So Leia decided they should play hide in seek

Grandpa hid first

Leia’s turn to hide

Leia riding her new scooter

Deedee got the chalk out to play with

Our visit was short but packed with fun! We enjoyed our trip and are going to have to go back again soon.