We flew out Tuesday morning and got into Pensacola around 3pm, leaving us just enough time to swing by Eric's to meet Mr Harrison. I think that may have been one of the only nights we actually ate dinner at home (Taco Salad is the best!).
On Wednesday we had the (tiring) day of watching Harrison. Mom has him every Wednesday and the talks about him always being on the move are very true! Elianna loved playing with him (most of the time - she struggled a little with not being the center of Grammy's attention a bit) and kept him entertained with her antics and her entertained with his antics.
This is the best picture I could get of them together. Either one or the other or both were on the go in all the other pictures.
Elianna on the go
Harrison on the go
Both on the go
This picture makes me crack up!!! Love Harrison's face at Elianna!
We hit up Sonny's BBQ for some good Southern BBQ and sweet tea! Do you know how nice it was to order tea and not have to ask if it was sweet (and be told no)? It's the best!
Thursday we Oovoo-ed with Sissy and Caleb (what a ham! - Caleb not necessarily Sissy) and then swung by Lowes to pick out a new kitchen for Mommy (If only it was that easy. I'll have one of those right there and take it home with me!). It'll be a pretty sweet kitchen once it gets done someday. While at Lowes, Elianna decided to take pictures and video herself for the Papi Man. I know I say this every time, but it's so fun to see pictures from her perspective.
Earlier that day, Elianna had worked very hard on some projects (Grammy had a whole bag full of stuff for her to make projects with. Good call Grammy!) and stuck them under our pillows because we had a .... sleepover!!! Honestly, we ate pizza and watched Frozen before each crawling into our own separate beds. The thought of sleeping on a hard floor downstairs with a little girl who takes up much space when sleeping totally dispelled the entire "sleepover" concept.
Our projects from Elianna
Friday morning we watched Mr Harrison again so Unca and Aunt Sydney could get some things done for the party. Friday night Mommy had a wedding to attend so Elianna and I meet up with Chris' mom, Ralph and sister. We first went to ToysRUs for Elianna to pick something out from Oma. She picked a Frozen umbrella and a kid computer that has games and "books" and stuff on it. We met Ralph at Texas Roadhouse where everyone (except Elianna who got mac n cheese) order a nice filet mignon.
Saturday was party day!! Elianna had been waiting for days to swim in Unca's pool. It was a nice day (after the torrential downpour right at party time resulting in wet and drenched tablecloths that Sydney's mom so nicely ironed the night before). I think Elianna swam the whole time except to eat food and cake. People thought she could actually swim (as in not needing assistance of any type) because she was so fearless in the pool. This, of course, led to my almost having a heart attack several times. We had a great time at the party! Happy 1st birthday, Mr Harrison!!
Mom! Get it off!
Sunday morning we arrived late to Eric and Sydney's church on the beach. For some reason, Elianna acted terribly afraid to go to the kids class, but I really think it was because she much rather wanted to be doing this:
They also had a baptism in the Gulf of Mexico which was pretty cool and not something everyone can say they did.
We also drove by the Old Christ Church (where Chris and I got married almost 10 years ago!), the marina to see an extremely large boat, and the new Wahoos stadium. Isn't it fun to go back to where you spent so much of your growing up years and see how much it has changed since you have been gone? I think it's totally fun!
After church, we picked up Greek food before heading over to Unca's house to have Harrison open a few presents.
Monday we attempted to go swimming at Unca's pool in the morning but lightening and thunderstorms put an end to that. Since the day cleared up, we swung by Roly Poly - Purveyor of Fine Sandwiches (for some reason the subtitle makes me laugh so hard every time I read it!) for wraps and then headed to... the beach!!! I wasn't sure how Elianna would like the beach since the last time we were anywhere near a beach was 3 years ago in SC and she freaked out so much we couldn't get within 100 yards of the water.
At first, she was nervous around the water and would not go in, but then Mom talked her into letting the water "tickle their toes" and that was the end of it! By the time we left (basically kicking and screaming because she did NOT want to leave), she was running straight into the water and running and jumping waves like a pro!
And then she got ahold of my phone :-)
Tuesday after breakfast at The Egg & I, we headed to the naval base. We stopped first at the cemetery to see Papa John and Opa (Chris' dad). Earlier that morning, Mom had mentioned the Blue Angels practice at the base and maybe, just maybe, it would be while we were in town! It was that very day so we hurried over there. There was so many people there and so we, at first, were 3 people deep from the rope that kept us all back. Then this museum helper lady asked if there was 4 people available for grandstand seats. Much to the unamusement of the people in front of us, I said we had 3. We ended up getting front row seats of the grandstand to watch the practice! It was amazing!!! Granted it was a bit loud for Elianna's super sensitive to noise ears, but it was so worth it! They flew right in front (and at one point over the top of our heads) of us! Totally blew watching the Thunderbirds at the Air Force graduation from far away out of the water!!
That night we also headed to Unca's house for dinner and another dip in the pool. Elianna did a great job and even ended up jumping off Unca's diving board into the water to him! Bravo Little Girl!
Wednesday was our last day to watch Harrison with Mom before leaving Thursday morning. It was a great trip and I am so glad we were able to do it!!
