Abby Lee

At the beginning of August we took an amazing road trip to Toronto, Canada and then headed over to Michigan before heading back home to Vermont. The reason for our summer trip was so that Abby could be a flower girl at my cousin, Carolyn's wedding. Since we were over in their neck of the woods, we decided to visit Jason's family in Michigan. All in all it was a great trip. We started our trip on Thursday morning. We were driving up into Canada--all five of us in Jason's blue saturn. The five included Jason, Abby, and I, and also Mary and Paul. they had plans to ride up with us and then catch the bus to Paul's parents and visit them for a couple days and then head back to vermont. We all crammed into the car. Mary and Paul, because they have smaller hips got the joy of sitting in the back with Abby. I had bought her a steering wheel to play with but they decided it was too loud. It quickly went into the trunk, where it stayed for the entire trip. I just don't understand who wouldn't want to listen to barking dogs sing row, row, row you boat all the way to Toronto. Anyway, it was likely the most entertaining Abby has ever had on a road trip. Abby, Paul, and Mary played together for a long time period. They sang, and played with Abby's girls, but the most memorable part was when Mary called Paul on the Abby phone.






Abby tends to nap on road trips, which is an awesome pattern of behavior we tend to support greatly while in the car. I frequently wish she did it on any car ride. This time she had some nap buddies. Apparently Abby isn't the only person who drools while sleeping.





We arrived in Kitchner, which is right out side of Toronto on Friday around lunch. It had been a good trip so far although Abby had gone to bed really late and we were definitely glad to be out of the car. We spent some time in the hotel before meeting up with Carolyn and the rest of the family. Mom and Dad had arrived and gathered Sue from the Airport. Matt and Ruth were out and about checking out vineyards and botanical gardens. We hadn't heard from Jeff, Becka and Ally but knew that they were around some where. The rehearsal went smooth and Abby practiced how to walk in and became friends with her walking partner--Hannah. The rehearsal dinner was yummy and very informal which was nice because we had the kiddos. Abby finally went to bed on Friday night and I got to hang out with my family and watch some Olympics. Unfortunately I had missed the opening ceremony. Bummer. Saturday morning was pretty uneventful although we were kind of late getting going and Abby was definitely full of energy. by the time we got to the wedding in our beautiful dress, Abby was super excited.

There were four kiddos in the wedding, Abby & Hannah, Owen and Evan ( i think that these are the boys names but I might be wrong--sorry). They did extremely well, although Hannah got nervous and didn't want to walk to the aisle. Abby was trying to pull her down the aisle but there was no budging. Eventually Brad, the groom came to get the two and it was super sweet.


Unfortunately Abby didn't last very long into the wedding. She was tired and she really wanted to go sit with Hannah and her family. So Abby and I went out into the lobby and we played with Becka and Ally. Ally couldn't sit still either. They climbed the stairs many, many times. As the couple left the sanctuary to the sound of bagpipes, I realized that Abby was not going to get a nap because of pictures to be taken. I really hadn't thought much about the time that was going to be optimal for Abby's nap. Oops. She did fall asleep on the way to the photo shoot but was able to get into a couple of shots.


Abby loved Carolyn's dress because she thought it looked like a cinderella dress. It was very beautiful.

The reception occurred later on in the afternoon. Abby only lasted a hour or so before we headed up to the hotel room. It was just too stressful for me. Abby and I headed up stairs and got ready for bed. My mom and I had arranged that she would come up stairs when the dancing started so that she could watch Abby and I could have some fun. I was really thankful to get some time to be with family and for my mom to volunteer to watch Abby. THANK YOU MOM (AKA GRAMMIE)!!! The dancing lasted up until Midnight (give or take. Who really remembers). We danced with anyone and everyone who could come be a part. Jason danced so hard he split his shoes wide open. After dancing the family sat around the table talking and laughing and enjoying our free drink cards.

It was great to spend time with our cousin Hilary, who is moving to Boston!! And our Cousin Rob from england. Cousin Tim, Carolyn's brother was there too but I couldn't find a good picture of him to include. If anyone has one send it my way and I'll put it in this super picture post.





On the day following the wedding we headed to Michigan. The drive took a little longer than we expected but we finally arrived for a couple of relaxing days with Grandma & Grandpa. Shortly after our arrival we had a birthday party for Abby. It was great. We had hats and cake and lots of presents. Abby loved it.


She enjoyed spending time with Uncle Brian and Auntie Kendra, and kendra's grandma! It was great.



This was one of our favorite presents. It was a couple of work books that Abby can work on her writing in. Jason and Abby have started having school every day. It is pretty neat. We have also been working on Potty usage. I have to admit. It is going pretty well. And it is all Jason's work! Way to Go!


Probably our most memorable part of the trip to Grandma & Grandpa's, besides the fact that Grandma took Abby every morning so that I could sleep in, ( THANK YOU GRANDMA!!) was the trip to the Zoo. We saw a lot of animals but the neatest part was going to the African Safari and seeing the Giraffes up close and personal. You could buy wafers and feed the giraffes. Very cool! Abby did taste the wafers to see if they were any good. She liked them.










Thanks for a great trip out to Michigan. We had a blast. We'll be back soon.