Outside

Addysen loves to be outside...loves it. In Phoenix, we went outside all the time so she's so used to being out just about every time she's not sleeping. It's a bit different here...we've had a lot of rainy and just "yucky" days where we don't want to spend a lot of time outside, but she doesn't really understand that yet. We've gotten Addysen out as much as possible though...even if it's just to go out front and run around for a few minutes in the rain.

We quite often see her doing this at either the front or the back door...asking to go outside to play!

This is just outside the front door...Addysen loves to smell the flowers! :-)

Last Sunday, it was a bit chilly, but a really nice day so we went over to West Point and walked around and let Addysen explore. It was beautiful...the campus is so beautiful right on the Hudson river, with the fall leaves changing, and all the old buildings and history. I got a few shots that don't do it justice at all, but at least gives a bit of a flavor of the colors changing, etc...

Great views as we walked...

One of Addysen's favorite things even in Phoenix was leaves...she loves them! Any time we were outside, she'd always find as many as she could and have at least 2 or 3 in her hands at all times. Little did she know that she'd hit the jackpot with leaves in New York!!! Lots of leaves falling means lots of fun for Addysen! :-)

Ms. Kim

We were so glad that Addysen and I got here before the Crews' left NY and were able to spend some time with them! Addysen had so much fun with "Ms. Kim!"

Reunited with Elmo and Big Bear!

Last week our car came...filled with the rest of Addysen's toys and the rest of the things we couldn't fit in our 4 suitcases when we flew out here. We brought everything into the house and then I started going through it all...whew!...was that a lot of work! Here I am in the midst of the pile...and this picture honestly doesn't do it justice...we had garbage bags all over the place!

I pulled out most of Addysen's toys while she was down for her nap, but put her two favorites, Elmo and Big Bear aside so she wouldn't see them until her Daddy came home. That night, Jeff told her that he had a surprise for her and brought out the big garbage bag that had them in there. She didn't look too interested.......until she saw what her Daddy was pulling out....Elmo!!! She got SO excited! I wish more than anything that I had taken a video of it because honestly, the pictures just can't do it justice...she was THRILLED to see him!!!


She wanted to dance over and over again! As soon as one Elmo dance would end, she would ask for us to have him go again....and we just laughed and laughed and laughed! It was so funny...she was doing her bopping up and down dancing and her hips side to side dancing...and REALLY getting into it more than we've ever seen her do. Too funny!

Then Jeff told her there was one more surprise...and pulled out Big Bear. She was equally happy to see him...

...but wanted Elmo close by as well... :-)

Ahhh...reunited at last. :-)

Card

The first week we were here, Addysen got a card from her BFF, Abigail...she even drew a picture in it for Addysen! It was so sweet and Addysen loved it and carried it around with her for quite a while that afternoon! :-) So thankful for reminders that just because we are physically far away from friends, that doesn't change how close we are!!

If you blow up the picture, you can see the card says "Tea for One, Not so much fun." Too cute.

Walk

Walks are a bit different in NY than in Phoenix. In Phoenix, we dress Addysen as lightly as possible and put a hat on her only to shield her face from the sun. In NY, we bundle Addysen all up and put hat and gloves on because it's freezing out there!!! :-)

There is a little park that is within walking distance of where we're staying. On "nice" days, it'll be a great to have it so close! They have a little lake so Addysen can still see the ducks at least for a little while until they wise up and fly back down south. :-) And there's a couple little playgrounds...one that's perfect for the Addysen's age.

The Very Best Part of Being in NY....

...is Addysen getting to see her Daddy every day again! This little one is definitely a Daddy's little girl!! I have to say, it's SO great to not have our family apart anymore!!

Favorites

When we first arrived in NY, we had brought very limited toys and stuffed animals for Addysen since obviously we were constrained by what would fit in our suitcases. It's funny though how quickly Addysen can find new fun things that she loves!

Coach Crews' wife, Kim, gave Addysen a bunch of stuffed animals that they had...and this has become one of Addysen's very favorites! Addysen absolutely loves dogs...laughs every time she sees one...but we had never gotten her a puppy stuffed animal. Kim fixed that problem and Addysen now has her very own puppy (as real as they're going to get in our house :-) )!!

Addysen's Gramma had a music box out that Addysen took to right away. As soon as she found out that it played music, she would sign for more every time the music would stop.

Clothes

One fun thing about having a change in seasons is new clothes! It's been fun getting to dress Addysen up in her new clothes (compliments primarily of her Yia Yia!!) and see her all decked out for the fall! We laugh about how she's this fashion queen and we're all in our old clothes from prior years! At least one of us is in style!! :-) Here are a couple of her fun outfits...



I also got her these slippers...felt those were quite important now that we're living in the cold... :-)