Abby's 1st Visit to the Zoo

Nana & Papa flew into Tampa on the 21st. We're so glad to have them here! I played a concert on the 22nd and on the 23rd we took Abby to the zoo for the very first time. She didn't take her morning nap and it was a pretty warm day (85 degrees!) so she was not her usually smiley self. Still, she really enjoyed seeing the big cats and the giraffes. 

This monkey put on quite a show for us.

Abby wasn't sure what to think of the carousel.

Giraffes! I love this picture with my mom.

Little baby elephant.

An Okapi. Apparently it wants to be part zebra? Interesting animal!

Abby went to the petting zoo for the first time and pet the goats.

My parents ended up buying us a yearlong pass to the zoo, so we look forward to returning again soon! Thanks Nana and Papa!

Christmas Photo Shoot

Robert and I took Abby out for a photo shoot a little over a week ago. I was hoping to get some pictures for our Christmas cards but we ended up using some different ones. I think Abigail looks so, so beautiful in these though. I also love that she's wearing a Christmas dress that belonged to her cousin Cadence.

Sunny and warm Christmas in Florida!

Ignore the porta-potty in the background. ;)

Plop! I swear mulch is her favorite toy.

Abby meets Santa

I'll let you know right up front that there are no Santa pictures included in this post. After waiting in line 45 minutes, I walked Abby up to Santa and sat down next to him with her. She smiled at him and Santa said, "well this is a good sign." I gently transitioned her to his lap, stepped away, and...HOWLING. Tears. Unhappiness. They didn't allow personal cameras in the area and I didn't want to pay $36 for a photo package of an unhappy Abigail. And you know what? I'm proud of our little girl. Santa is one strange looking man! 

We met up with our friends Haleigh/Axel, Taryn/Juliet and Lacy/Connor. The fancy mall we went to had quite the set up, so at least I got some cute pictures of the kids playing in the "snow" in the waiting area.

Sweet little Juliet.

Abby in Winter Wonderland.

Little man Axel.

Playing in the snow!

Too bad it's been 80+ degrees all week and feels nothing like Christmas here. I know, I know...I can't complain. Enjoy your hot cocoa and snuggling under blankets for me, friends!

Gymnastics with Daddy

Abby's come a long way since my other gymnastics post back in July. This morning we finished her third session at the YMCA. It's been fun but we're going to take a little break from it for awhile. I'm grateful to Robert for taking her on Saturday mornings the past 6 weeks while I taught music classes at Baby Bungalow. It was fun to be able to join them this morning!

On the beam with a little help from Daddy.

Oof!

Such excitement!

I'm loving this look.

Parachute fun!

Happy girl!

The class always ends with bubbles.

What a fun Saturday morning! We have a 1st birthday party to attend at noon today and then on Thursday we're driving to Atlanta to see some of our dearest friends, Anna & Austin Padgett. I can't wait for Abigail to meet their sweet little ones: Asa and Alden. Pictures to follow, for sure!

MacDill AFB International Night

I already know that whenever we leave Tampa, one of our favorite memories will be International Night at MacDill. I can only describe it as a global, eclectic menagerie of food and culture that allows you to sample the best of the world in a 1930's vintage hangar. From the Polish Pirogi to the Canadian Nanaimo Bar to the Tongan Kava to the Italian accordion player, all you have to do is walk 10 feet and you are somewhere new and amazing with people who are proud of where they are from and what they are offering. Robert and I first discovered it in 2011, then last year when Abby was only about 6 weeks old I stayed home with her while Robert and his parents attended. We were happy to return as a family of 3 this year!

I took pictures on my phone again tonight. I didn't have a free hand for my camera since I was already juggling Abigail, a stroller, her diaper bag, and our food and drinks.

Usually the gate into the base gets backed up from all of the traffic, so Robert and I decided to get there a little early this year. The doors opened at 6:00 and there was already a long line when we arrived at 5:45. Isn't the hangar pretty great?

Here's inside the hangar. There was a beautiful sunset tonight. It was also HOT inside. We had a high temperature of 85...in December. Seriously, Florida?!

Our first stop was Robert's family's homeland: Poland! I usually roll my eyes at him when he thumps his chest dramatically.

Yum! Pierogies, kielbasa, some kind of cabbage, and poppyseed cake. Abby had a little taste of everything.

She also enjoyed hearing the accordion music.

Everything is so festive! I wish I had taken more pictures of the traditional clothing some of the people wore.

Bagpipes!

Here's a different one: food from Tonga. They had an entire pig they were carving meat off of (no pictures, thank you very much!) and they also served kava and mussels.

What was Abby up to tonight, you ask? She sampled almost all of the food we had and our adventurous little eater seemed happy with everything. She started in the stroller and then ended up on my back in the Ergo carrier. After we both got too hot we let her out to run around a little. Many thanks to our friend Tati for helping us chase her around!

Hooray for good food. Can't wait to return next year!