Egg Hunt 2010

Easter morning was warm and sunny, and Gwen had to be convinced that she didn't need a coat to go outside, even in Maine!

Let the egg hunting commence!

In the event Gwen needed any assistance, there were three generations there to support her. Her egg hunt entourage included Dad, Mom, Grandma and Grandpa Earnshaw, and Great-Grandpa and Grandma Earnshaw.

Once Gwen realized there were Cheerios inside the eggs, she became more interested in eating Cheerios than in finding eggs.

Happy Egg Hunting!

Flowers

While we were in Maine, Grandma Earnshaw, Deb (Grandma's friend), Mom, and Gwen went to the Portland Flower Show. The theme was "Gardens Gone Wild" and there was a lot of plants and creativity all mixed up! It was lovely to smell lilacs, hyacinths, and daffodils and to see the variety of flower colors and shapes. Gwen was the cutest buttercup there and a nice addition to each display. On a related note, there is a little flower vase on the nightstand in the room Mom and Dad usually sleep in at Grandma and Grandpa Earnshaw's house. It is in the shape of little green boots and Gwen always wants to put them on. So, with Mom's help, she did.

Grammie's Treasure Trove

Hours...days...maybe even weeks of entertainment for Gwen!

The Most Magical Place on Earth

Because Gwen has roots in Florida, it is inevitable that she will go to Disney World many times. But there is only one first time, and it was today! It was a laid back day taken at Gwen's short- legged pace, and because Mom and Dad were Honorary VoluntEARS, they didn't feel bad about leaving lots to be seen during future visits.

As we walked by Cinderella's Castle, we spotted lots of Disney characters dancing and singing. Gwen recognized Mickey and Minnie because she had been playing with small Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals at Grammie and Poppa's house. She enjoyed the show from her perch.

The carousel was Gwen's favorite ride. She looked so little on the big horse, but Grammie helped her stay safely in the saddle. When the music ended and the horse stopped, Gwen said, "Again! Again!"

Gwen always enjoys her lunch!

Gwen getting playful (or maybe fighting the crowds) at Pooh's Playful Spot.

Then it was on to the classic "It's a Small World" ride. Gwen didn't mind waiting in line as the cuckoo clock was quite entertaining and Grammie offered good companionship.

Gwen was quite taken by the many cultures represented...or maybe it was all the glitter and movement.

The boat ride was fun and the cuckoo clock was still going when we got back to the beginning.

We headed to the tea cups next, but Gwen didn't make it. So we picked up a souvenir Minnie cup for Gwen, took the ferry boat back to the parking lot, and headed back to Grammie and Poppa's instead. It was a magical day!

Visiting with Family

Today we traveled from Maine, and others traveled from New Hampshire, to converge on Beth and Eric's house in Massachusetts for a big family get together. As always, Great-Grandpa Earnshaw captured the events of the day, and here are his great photos of Gwen.

Wicked Good Eats

We couldn't leave Maine without supporting the local businesses. Grandma Earnshaw was kind enough to treat us to lunch at The Lobster Shack. Gwen had already eaten before we went, but got to taste her first french fry. Jared got shrimp, Ashley got a lobstah roll, and Grandma Earnshaw got a fish sandwich. Yum! It was another beautiful day, and the views were as delicious as the food! As we got on the road to go home to New York, we made one last stop at Kettle Cove Ice Cream. Olivia scooped up some blueberry pie ice cream on a sugar cone and mixed up a peanut butter chocolate fudge brownie shake. Double yum!

Gwen Meets Nico

During our visit to Maine, Gwen met her adorable, seven-month-old cousin, Nicholas. He was visiting from Utah with Auntie Audrey.

Sometimes they shared... sometimes they didn't...

But they were always very cute!

What a sweet cousin!

Beach Babe Gwen

Early in the day we went with Grammie and Uncle Jonathan to Fort Desoto and spent a lovely day on North Beach. (This was the place where we got engaged about three years ago.) Gwen got to put her new sunhat to use during her first true beach day. She enjoyed herself by feeling (and eating) the sand, kicking a bit in the water, and relaxing in the shade with Grammie. It was warm enough for Jared, Ashley, and Jonathan to enjoy a swim. We love the beach!

Fish in Florida

Today we visited The Florida Aquarium, "home to over 20000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world." We went with Grammie, Jacob, Rachel, Katie, Jonathan, and Josh. Gwen was on the tired side and wasn't as excited about the "fishies" as we had hoped, but we enjoyed ourselves all the same.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gwen enjoyed her first Thanksgiving in Maine with the Earnshaw side of the family. She visited with her grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, great aunt, uncles, great uncle, and second cousins. In celebration of Thanksgiving (and because it's about time!), Gwen has tried some new foods over the last few weeks. She's tasted harvest vegetable baby food(yum!), applesauce(yum!), green beans(yuck!), bananas(yum!), and sweet potatoes (okay...). While in Maine, Gwen started bringing her hands together to clap. It's not quite a true clap as she keeps her left hand in a little fist, but she's got the idea!

Party Like It's 1492!

We took advantage of the long Columbus Day weekend with a trip to Maine! It was the usual good time seeing family and friends. The weather was beautiful and highlighted the incredible fall colors.

We took a walk around Mackworth Island.

Gwen was looking cute on the Sabbath, and so was her Dad!

Fun with Olivia and Camille (not to mention Gretchen).

Camille says, "Hop on!"

It looks like Olivia and Camille got a hold of the camera without adult supervision...

Gwen loves her Grandpa Earnshaw.