Vanessa's Graduation

I have to start this with Teagan's one month photo because she was such a big girl and took her first plane trip this weekend. Her new tricks are that she has started to giggle. I have only seen it a handful of times, but it can make your whole day. She also has started to notice things around her. She spent some time on her play mat today looking and playing with the hanging toys.

One month old, and proud of it


Teagan's expression says it all: "Who is this crazy person that is always holding me." - that would be me



After getting some packing advice on how and what to pack from my sister (who is a pro of traveling with little ones) the flight down was a breeze and Teagan was great.

Proud picture of Teagan at the end of her first flight



We were greeted at the airport by Luis's smiling face. It has been almost a year since we have seen him and Stanley (way to long.) We had our first experience of putting Teagan's car seat into a new car and it didn't take too long, I was actually impressed with the speed considering how long it took me to get it into our car initially. When we went back to the house we got to meet Stanley and Luis's son Elliot for the first time. He was well worth the wait. He was absolutely a doll, is so social and has the best smile and infectious laugh.
Elliot


Luis got his first present from Teagan after holding her...some puke to compliment the design on his T-shirt.



After a change of clothes for everyone we had lunch and headed down to New College of Florida in Sarasota for the graduation ceremony.

Elliot with Luis


The new family photo: Elliot, Luis and Stanley


Amy under the graduation tent



Mom, Teagan and I at graduation (I was excited to see in the program another Teagan graduating in Vanessa's class)


The campus is gorgeous and right on the water. See for yourself how pretty the setting was. I can see why Vanessa had such a great time at school.





Vanessa looked gorgeous and was all smiles as she walked in the processional.



The speakers were good and then it was Vanessa's turn to get her diploma and walk across the stage.



After the ceremony we headed back to the house and Vanessa stayed on campus for her last night in the college dorm before packing up and heading back up to Virginia.

Everyone got a sample of upset Teagan as her mom forgot to bring a bottle for the ride home. With this whole new mom thing I learn something new everyday. The next morning the little ones were nice enough to sleep in a touch so we went for a late breakfast/lunch at Bob Evan and ate a feast.

The gang at Bob Evans


Elliot with his yummy cheerio container


Then we spent some time hanging out and getting some errands done. We got back to the house and after some naps and relaxing on their porch we were treated to a fantastic meal by the two chefs Stanley and Luis. We had crawfish chowder which was delicious, fried Yucca, and sausage on the grill.

Mom and Teagan on the porch relaxing in a rocking chair


After dinner Stanley and Amy bravely volunteered to watch Teagan and Elliott and the rest of us were off to try our luck at the Hard Rock Casino. We had some fun gambling and I must say that I did leave a winner. Vanessa, Amy and Keyvan left early Sunday morning for their drive back to VA, and on Sunday the rest of us went to the Tampa Zoo. Craig and I love going to the zoo on any trip and this was no exception.

Craig with Teagan at the zoo


At this Zoo you were able to feed the giraffes. I couldn't believe how close you could get so we had to take a picture.



We learned that the kids were probably a little too young to get the full enjoyment from the animals (Teagan 1 month and Elliot 15 months), but the adults had fun. We then went to Ybor city. We started with some appetizers at the Columbia restaurant a historic Cuban restaurant where the pretty setting rivals the great food, then we got to do some window shopping before heading home.

We had a great time and again had no trouble with Teagan on the flight home. As always I wish we had gotten to visit longer, but I must say arriving in Virginia with sunny 80 degree weather with a nice breeze made it easier for the trip to come to an end. Today we took a nap first (our flight left Tampa at 6 am), then we were able to go out for lunch and go to the driving range (Teagan's first trip to the driving range) for our 7 year anniversary.