Lance’s European Tour

Well, Lance just got back from yet another week-long business trip to Europe. This time he got to see a little bit of everything. A lay-over in Rome, a couple of days in Barcelona, Vigo, Genoa, and a flight home from Frankfurt. It sounds like a lot more fun than it really was. Lots of time spent traveling between cities and countries, working, and a few stolen hours to see the sights. Let’s just say, we are ALL glad he’s back home!!

Here are a few pictures he took in his “free time” . . .

Victory Arch in Genoa Italy, built a little prematurely during World War II.

 

There are 3 ships depicted in the garden in the background celebrating Christopher Columbus.

 

Some of the original defensive walls built around Genoa.

Christopher Columbus’ house and some of the defensive wall in the background.

One of their classical government buildings.  Nice touch of Fascism.

A church

Another church.

The train station.

Rylee in Action!!

Oh boy it’s home video time!

I just couldn’t resist posting these for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting miss Rylee in person. She is such a sweet little girl! Both of these videos were taken while Rylee was being entertained by her favorite household fixture, the ceiling fan!

(Don’t ask me why, but the girl is a BIG fan “fan”!)

Rylee’s “Newborn” Photos

Rylee had her very first “professional” photo shoot about 2 weeks ago, and I have to say, for being the roughest 2 hours she’s had since she came home, we got some REALLY good pictures! I know I’m biased but, being the proud mama and all, I have to say she is a BEAUTIFUL little girl!!!

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I should mention, the gal we had do the pictures did a fantastic job. She was very patient and took plenty of time so we could get a nice selection of priceless pictures! Her name is Miranda and her studio is Sweetpea Photography.

 

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Lance’s Trip to Greece

Lance recently had the opportunity to take a business trip to Greece over his spring break. Aside from the long hours of travel, and a serious case of jet lag, he had a really good time. When he wasn’t working, he had the chance to visit some pretty amazing tourist attractions in Athens, and enjoy some real authentic Greek food! Lance had his own personal “tour guide” (a woman who worked for the company in Athens), and some very hospitable dinner companions (the boss and her husband).

 

 

Lance and his dinner companions. They took him out every night and made sure he tried all the right foods.

 

The Amphitheatre . . .

 

More of the Amphitheatre

 

The Parthenon

 

Lance standing in front of the Parthenon

 

Overlooking Athens

 

More ruins, Lance isn’t sure what they’re called (:

 

                   One of the super yachts in the port               where Lance was working.

 

The view from Lance’s hotel.

 

More of the port.

 

Athens

 

The VERY narrow streets of Athens.

 

The lights of Athens.

Due Date, and Beyond!

Rylee celebrated her due date on Feb 28th, yeah!! It felt really strange to think that she's been with us all this time, and has already experienced so much before she was even supposed to be here! She really is a very special little girl. Her doc appointment the Friday before her due date she weighed 7 lbs 5 oz, so she would have been a good size baby. She has been working hard, eating and growing, and is showing more and more of her little personality. She's so much fun!

We took her in again for her RSV shot, and she weighed 8 lbs 2 oz, and was 20 inches long!! I still can't believe she's getting so BIG (remember my standard is a little skewed, she WAS just a little peanut when she was born). She's 4 times as heavy as she was, and 8 inches longer!!!

Here are a few pictures of what Rylee’s been up to:

Hanging out with Lance’s Grandma and Grandpa Naef!

Seeing what it feels like to NOT have tape on her face!

Trying on her BIG girl clothes.

Relaxing after her bath.

(And FYI, that’s an umbilical hernia, so get your mind out of the gutter!

She really is our little GIRL!

Hopefully it will resolve as she gets bigger, but surgery may be in her future.

That is, unless you don’t think she’ll mind it when she’s 16 and wearing a 2-piece!)

Boy, those baths really take it out of you!

Sleeping in her cradle swing!

(Thanks to Aunt Nell, Aunt Laneice,

Chelsea, Brandy, and Elise! She loves it!)

Chillin’ with Grandpa Barnes.

Passing out after her dinner!

Sleeping like a mummy!

(She throws a fit now if we try to wrap her arms in her blankie,

so instead, she falls asleep with her arms straight out in front of her!)

Just hanging out, lookin’ cute!

Lovin’ on her daddy!

Snuggling with mommy in THE tractor blanket!

Beautiful Baby!

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Rylee’s lookin’ super cute, sporting her LITTLE baby beanie, BIG baby bow, and proving to us all that BALD is BEAUTIFUL!! (A big thank you to my cousin Denelle for the hand-made bows, they are darling!)

Cuddle Bug

Grandma Teressa came for her weekly visit and Rylee snuggled right in!