Fun in the Sun! July 2010

July has been a very fun month as we anxiously await the arrival of our new addition. Mariana is growing up so fast and we are having a blast doing all kinds of new things. Look forward to sending more updates when we have "news" to share over the next two weeks.

The Fish Hatchery - Brevard, NC - June 2010

These are my friends! In June we took a field trip to the Fish Hatchery in Brevard, NC. The fish were HUGE and we got to feed them. We also took a hike and saw all kinds of trees and birds. We finished the day with a picnic lunch and icecream cones. It was lots of fun! -Mariana (23 months)

Family Trip to the Beach - May 8-15, 2010

Knowing that our summer would be very busy preparing for the arrival of our "Second Sprout", we decided to take our family vacation a bit early. We had a really wonderful trip and were amazed at how much more fun it was to be at the beach with a toddler, rather than a newborn. Mariana absolutely loved the ocean and building sand castles. Some other highlights of her trip were having her first ice cream and seeing the animals at SiDi's Farm!

There must be a hole in this bucket

Dancing at the Jazz Festival


Building castles with Daddy


Off to fetch another pail of water


Feeding the goats

Is that horse eating Mommy's hand?

"Come on Pop...Time to hit the first tee!"

Strawberry Icecream - "So tasty!"

Watching the boats with Daddy

Dancing on the pier with Mommy and Brother Sprout

Easter with Gran and Pop - April 2010

In April we had a wonderful visit with Gran and Pop in Kiawah Island, SC. Mariana loved going to the playground, taking wagon rides with Pop, swimming in the pool, playing in the sand, and going on her first Easter egg hunt! But over and above all the rest, Mariana had great fun just spending time with her Gran and Pop!

My first Easter Egg Hunt

"There's one Mommy!"

Little Bunny Foo-Foo

Evening at Bohicket Marina with Gran and Pop


Playing Music with Daddy

Kickin' it Old School

Mr and Mrs. Easter Bunny

Cuddling with Gran after a swim in the pool

Playground Fun!

Mariana's Irish Adventure - March 6-17, 2010

In March we took Mariana on her first international flight to visit Granny Anna, Granda Norman and Uncle Derek! We had an unbelievable trip and were able to visit lots of family and friends. The weather was beautiful with sun EVERYDAY - quite rare for Ireland in March! Mariana loved visiting Dundrum Castle, Dundrum Bay, The Kent's Amusement Arcade, Castlewellan Castle, the playground in Newcastle and Murlough House (where Mommy and Daddy Sprout met). However, her favorite part of the trip was spending time with her Granny Anna and Granda Norman!

Ready for the long journey to see Granny Anna and Granda Norman

Playing with Uncle Derek

Walking in the garden outside our flat
in Dundrum




Fun times with Daddy at the playground in Newcastle


I love my Uncle Derek

Like father, like daughter...

My first carousel ride at Kent's Amusements

Fun times with Mommy walking on the beach

Hanging out with Mommy at the playground!

I can do the slide all by myself!

Reading books with my Granda Norman

Our little Beethoven

A visit with Sam and Silvana in Caryduff

Out to dinner at the Golf Links Hotel

A visit to Dundrum Castle

Practicing my fancy footwork with Mommy

Locked in the tower....waiting to be rescued

A family photo at Dundrum Castle

Lovin' on my baby brother!


Mariana loves the "vroom" of Uncle John's motorbike!

Our little Irish girl!

My two favorites Daddy and Granny Anna!

Making up for Lost Time!!

Where does the time go? Not so sure these days, but I can tell you that our growing sprout blog has taken a back burner, while our "growing sprout" just continues right on growing. Mariana is 23 months old and a barrel of fun!!

I apologize to all our regular viewers who have given up on us, but will attempt to capture a few fun memories from January through July 2010! What a busy time this has been. As many of you know we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our "Second Sprout" -ETA August 6th! With this in mind, we plan to use the blog more regularly to update friends and family as we welcome our little guy into the world. With this said, it's time for Mommy Sprout to get on the ball and make up for lost time.