family, vacation&cuddles

each year we funari's take a family vacation to chincoteague, virginia. this year dad and mom rented out a beautiful summer home on the bay and only 6 miles from the actual beach we go to. there were 19 of in one house, not to mention the pastor, his wife and 4 kids (oh and a friend) who stayed at a near by campground but joined us for dinner each night. can you say...crazy? we funari's know how to do things big but always have fun doing it!
this was isabella's first year she was able to fully understand and enjoy the beach since last year she was only two months. now, i was extremely nervous about how she was going to do with the ocean and sand. i know she loves her baths but the ocean? for me, im not a fan of going in, although i took a hugh step this year and went in all the way!! i'm a stay-on-the-beach and tan kinda girl. to my surprise, she LOVED the water and the sand. i actually think she loved the sand so much she ate quite a bit of it. crazy girl!
isabella had such a wonderful time with her cousins: christian, chase and liam. she loves being around people. it was also so nice that she could walk and get to explore on her own. of course that means this mama had to be on her toes at all times. i guess you can say i got my workout.
i also have to brag and mention how well this girl did for 16 hours in the car. we started out our trip on a friday to mass, then on saturday to pa and then off to va on sunday. we had little christian join us so he could "babysit" bella for us. he was just the sweetest little cousin. we turned around at one point, they were holding hands. my heart melted. he even loves her after she bit his finger...poor kid was trying to play with her and she latched down hard onto his finger. he thought his finger fell off!
i have to say this was one very successful but longgggg trip in a small over packed car. praying for an SUV next year...please God? :) oh, and p.s my little sis, maria got in engaged! wedding spring 2013.

family.

liam, christian, bella and chase.

beach bum.

love.

making sand castles.

smooches from uncle same&aunt amy.

                                                    

i have to say once again how amazing this little girl is. she just melts my heart each day. this past week she has been ultra cuddly. she never seems to want to cuddle with me but on monday she woke from nap and no lie, put her arms around my neck and snuggled with me for almost fifteen minutes.
she is making wonderful progress in her learning. she is so aware of things and trying to say new words each day. she had her one year well child check up last tuesday; she weighed 25 1/2 pounds, 12 1/2 ounces! she's one healthy little girl! she is super into sharing with everyone. she loves her purple ball (the best dollar i've ever spent)! she's finally into sitting down and reading books. she loves to dance or wiggle to about anything that has a beat. she loves to be tickled. she loves just about any food you put in front of her, especially bananas and blueberries. she enjoys being outside the most and going to long walks. she's super into her "pink" wagon from her great-auntie and great-grandparents. she is one happy girl which means i'm one happy mama!