Apple Pickin' 2010

Every year since Oscar and I have been together we go apple and pumpkin picking.  We found an amazing orchard up in Connecticut that was the most picture-perfect place to go.  There was always just enough chill in the air to feel like autumn.  We would usually go twice and stock up on enough apples to make apple pie, applesauce, apple chutney, apple cake, and on and on.  Here are some pictures from our past trips:

such a beautiful place

He had to wait in line with the kiddies to get this pic.

A never-before-shown photo of me 37 weeks preggo--yikes!

Now that we're in North Carolina I had to find a new orchard that's not too far away.  Sure, western Carolina has some of the best orchards but that's a little to far for a day trip with Savannah.  So I found one that's only about an hour away and we were so excited to carry on this tradition with our daughter.  Unfortunately, we're a little spoiled when it comes to orchards so we couldn't help but be a little disappointed when we first pulled up to the new one.  It also didn't help that it was 80+ degrees---it just doesn't seem right to pick apples while wearing shorts and tank-tops.  So it wasn't as picture-perfect as our Connecticut place and sadly the dry summer has left it's mark, but we still had a fun time and besides, making memories is what it's all about.
Here are some pictures from this years annual apple pickin'.

Just getting started--check out Savannah's excitement.

"I got this one, Mom."

"I think I'll just have one now."

"Where to next?"

our happy little family

lookin' good, Dad

I love little country stores!

This is what our ride to and from the orchard looked like :(

This time of year always makes me think of family.....the holidays, the cooking, the smells, the decorations---I LOVE IT ALL!!  I especially love to pass along the traditions that I grew up with to Savannah and to create our own new traditions together.  This activity is just one of many that Oscar and I look forward to doing with her over the years.
  

First Family Portrait Session

Back over Memorial Day weekend in Charleston, we had our first family photo session with our old wedding photographers.  We had so much fun with those two guys and Savannah cooperated perfectly.  We hope that this becomes an annual event with them.  Coincidentally, it was also our first year wedding anniversary :)


After looking through 200 pictures, here are a few of my favorites.  (They are scanned images so the quality isn't the best, sorry)

I LOVE my little family!!

Splish Splash

"Savannah was takin' a bath.

Long about a Saturday night.

A rub dub just relaxin' in the tub

Thinkin' everything was alright."

I'm sure one day she won't appreciate my posting of these pictures but until then....who doesn't love to see a naked baby?!  And she's soooo funny in the bath that I feel like this needs to be documented :)  So here is what a typical nightly bath with Savannah looks like:

we clap...

we sing....

we brush our teeth...

we make funny sounds....

(this one just shows how small she looks in the tub)

and we get a little upset about getting out.

I love my sweet girl and I always have so much fun during bath time with her.

Last Horrah of Summer 2010

Because Oscar had to spend a week in San Fran for work, Savannah and I were able to go visit my family in Houston last week.  Despite the rainy weather, we had a great time hanging out with Grams and Grandad.  Here are a few pics from our time there:

The only non-rainy day spent by the pool.

Checking out Uncle Harlan's saddle.

Going for a spin on Grandad's bike.

She loved pressing the horn.

Poor Buster didn't like filling in for a baby doll.

We stopped by College Station to visit the uncles.

One must always dress appropriately for where they're going :)

Checking out the cows on the farm with Nan.

Tea party time with Grams and Grandad.

How 'bout them Cowboys!!!

After our time in Houston, we flew to LA to meet up with Oscar and to spend the weekend with the ENTIRE Alvarez family.  On a side note---our flight to LA was Savannah's worst flight ever!!!  I was "that lady" with the screaming baby that didn't stop until we got off the plane.  I'm not sure what was wrong with Savannah.  She's never had problems flying before and our flight home was great.  It helped that Oscar flew with us and we also got to ride in first class.  More room + snacks = a happy Savannah!

Here are some pictures from our time in Pasadena:

Alvarez family photo

just our little family

the Alvarez girls

all the grandkids

Savannah in 1st Class heading home

It was so nice to see ALL of our family.  I wish we were able to do it more often especially since little Savannah is growing so fast.  I can't imagine spending a day without her so I can only imagine how sad the rest of the family is to see her so little.  Hopefully this blog is a way for everyone to feel a little closer to us all the way over here in Chapel Hill.  We love you all and can't wait to see you again!!!!

Yikes! 10 Months!!

This past month went by so fast that I didn't even have time to do any blog posting since the 9th month.  The time seems to fly by probably because I feel as if all my time is spent chasing around a VERY active little lady.  When she crashes at night, so do I.

My sweet Savannah Grace at 10 months old!

Here is what Savannah has gotten into the past month:
~baby-proofing is no match for her--she somehow manages to break through into my cabinets!

~she currently has 6 full teeth--4 top and 2 bottom.

~she is officially in the big baby gym class; however, she's not too thrilled about it.  I think she likes being around the little immobile ones best.

~she loves giving kisses and she always gives Mommy one when asked but look out cause sometimes it turns into a bite!!
~yep, she's turned into a biter but only Mommy and Grams are the lucky ones to experience those 6 little sharp teeth piercing their skin--ouch!!! And unfortunately Mommy feels it multiple times a day.
~she loves to hide her toys by putting them up high on tables.  I searched for days trying to find a little turtle only to eventually see it up on the side table.

~she is finally clapping along to songs instead of after the songs.

~she has a new favorite face to make--I call it the "stink face".

~we finished our summer of swim lessons at the Y (thank goodness cause that water was COLD!!).  Savannah absolutely loves the water and she is able to kick and paddle.

~I don't want to say it's official just yet but Savannah has slept through the night 4 times in the past week--she's well on her way to being a big girl!!!!

~we had our first attempt at finger painting--I was trying to get her handprint but it just turned into a disaster afterwards.

"I am quite the artist."

"Let's see if it tastes as good as it looks."

"Ewww, not so much!"

~she loves to dance! She will hold on to the sofa, chair, or table and bounce her tushy up and down----soooo cute!!

~she has started to sing along when I sing to her or when I'm driving in the car singing along with the radio----hmmmm, maybe she's just trying to drown out my singing.

~her new favorite food is chicken hot dogs.

~she's going to be walking any day now.  She loves to push her walker all around the house.

This is how she plays with her old walker.

I can't believe in less than 2 months my little girl is going to be a year old!!  Where has the time gone?!