One Whirlwind Week

A little less than one year ago we were delighted to receive a Save The Date in the mail for a friend's wedding in Michigan.  We were even more delighted to see that she would be getting married over Labor Day weekend, making it super easy for us to turn this event into a much needed extended trip up north to visit family. 

Before heading out, Ryleigh decided that Tuesday was the day she was going to start walking.  Both Mommy and Daddy were very excited, especially since we were so nervous it was going to happen while we were away from her at the wedding.  But nope, she decided that just in time for her to show off in front of family and friends, our little 10 1/2 month old started wobbling around the house : )

One of Ryleigh's first walking attempts before leaving that night

So off we went...we started out on Tuesday around 6:00 p.m.  We decided to drive through the night in hopes that it would be easier on Ryleigh to make the 10 hour trek and of course, she traveled amazingly.  And thanks to the newest addition to our family, our large SUV, Lucy enjoyed the trip a whole lot more by being able to stretch out fully on her own bench.
  

The girls winding down in preparation for the long drive.



Finally asleep after Mommy made a makeshift bed

We arrived at Gammy & Grandad's house at 4:30 a.m. and after Lucy and Ryleigh blew off a little energy were tucked into bed at 5:15 a.m.  Lucky for us, Ryleigh let us sleep in until 9 a.m.  We spent the day bouncing from place to place seeing who we could and then ended our evening with a nice dinner with Mommy's best friend Adrienne.  Ryleigh also spent the day showing everyone her new walking skills and she continued to work on perfecting her new ability. 

visiting Papaw at his work...clearly showing him how he should be running his business



perfecting my walking skills

The next day, while Daddy and Grandad golfed, Gammy, Mommy and Ryleigh spent the day shopping and visiting more people.  We hung out around Gammy's house and let Ryleigh catch up on some sleep and then had dinner with Mamaw and Papaw.  We also got to spend some time with our cousins, Heather and Heidi.

taking an impromptu dip in Gammy's cousin Lori's pool...it was only 10 a.m. & already 90 degrees

with Heidi



Friday was a fun-filled day spent with Mommy's cousins Veronica and Victoria and her little girls Eleanor and Ava.  Against our better judgement, we went to the Detroit Zoo...in sweltering 90 degree heat and humidity.  Now, to us Richardson's who live in North Carolina, it wasn't that big of a change from being at home, but in retrospect, we probably could have thought of something "cooler" to do.  After only about 4 hours at the zoo we left to spend the rest of the day in air conditioning and to play.

so excited...or is she telling us she's so big?

the quintessential first time at the Detroit Zoo picture

Ryleigh's had one too many

the Gang cooling off in the "Arctic Circle"

now if only there were animals swimming in that water...

where are the Polar Bears?!?

Ryleigh and Veronica with their matching outfits

stripping down

all the girlies watching movies

Ava reading to Ryleigh...although she did keep informing us that she couldn't read, and that Ryleigh was a baby & wouldn't listen to her when she told her not to close the book. Haha.  So sweet.

Zonked!  This wasn't even 2 minutes after getting put in her seat.

Needless to say, Ryleigh was in bed early that night.  I guess that's what happens when a 10 1/2 month old gets up at 8 a.m., spends 4 hours outside in 90+ degree weather, sleeps for 20 minutes in the car and then is up and playing until 7 p.m.  She was a good little sleeper that night.  Which is good because the next day she had a lot of visitors. 

Saturday was Miss Elaine's big wedding day!  While Mommy and Daddy had a night out to celebrate, Ryleigh spent the day with Gammy, Grandad, Mamaw, Papaw, Aunt Sheri, Heather and Heidi.  I know she had lots of fun and got plenty spoiled while Mommy and Daddy were out, but it was nice to see friends and have some "adult" time away from the baby.

Ryleigh helping Mommy get ready...here Mommy, have this q-tip that I put in my mouth

 

a sleepy Ryleigh entertaining herself

No Mommy, don't leave...or at least that's what I like to think she's thinking : )

The wedding we went to that night was for Elaine (a close friend of ours that the hubby has known since middle school).  We've only met her new hubby a handful of times, but from what he know, he's great.  We were so happy to be able to celebrate with them and get to spend some time with them as well as with other friends.  They happened to choose probably one of the hottest September 3rds in history to get married and have their reception at the Detroit Yacht Club, which doesn't have air-conditioning.  Yikes!  But a few storms blew in which created nice winds off of the water and it ended up being a really nice evening for a wedding celebration.  Congratulations you two and welcome to the club!!

I apologize for the quality of my photos...my low-tech, 7 mega pixel camera does not do well without it's flash or while people are moving, so some of the pictures are dark and blurry.  But I figured I'd post them anyways...I know Elaine will enjoy them regardless : )

all dressed up with someplace to actually go...don't mind Lucy, she was feeling left out

that's their first kiss...they moved, so like I said, my camera had an issue with it

the bride's parents

the groom's parents

the D.Y.C. all done up

I think that's us, but I can't be sure

Bridesmaids & our friends Erin and Megan

my camera is strange and all, but I thought this mistake was cool

first dance

Our friends Erin & Shaun

The Hubby with his friends from grade school

with the bride and groom



After spending an evening in such crazy heat, it was weird to wake up the next morning to an unseasonably cool day :/  Guess that's Michigan weather for ya, huh? or should I say, eh?  Anyways, we went to church and then spent the afternoon at Mommy's Aunt Lori's house with her, Uncle Joe, cousins Tim, Kara, Jenna and Great Grandma and Grandpa Elliott.  It was so much fun to watch Ryleigh play around with Mommy's cousins and of course, catch a nice a little nap on Great Grandma's lap.

Since the Mason clan won't be able to see Ryleigh on her first birthday (coming up October 15), Ryleigh got to open her birthday present from them early!  We were very excited to get some new clothes for the fall and some cute hair bows. 

Ryleigh had so much fun playing with that little mountain toy in the bottom left corner.  She kept sticking the ball in the yellow nest, then she would put in a hole in the top and it was fall down a shoot and she would bend down and look into the door waiting for it to come out.  It was the cutest thing, but every time I turned on the camera, she became distracted by something!

Great Grandma starting to get Ryleigh into the sleep zone like only she can do

Tim finding ways to entertain Ryleigh

PS:  That's Kara...she will be 11 on Sunday...she's 5'2"  When did that happen?!

awww, lovins

On Labor Day we stopped by Mamaw and Papaw's one last time to say goodbye and then traveled on down to Temperance to spend the day with Aunt Cristin, Uncle Dave, and cousins Tyler and Kylie.  We were really excited to spend the day on their boat with them (Aunt Cristin even bought Ryleigh her own butterfly life jacket), but unfortunately the weather did not have the same plan in mind.  Talk about unseasonably cool!!  Mommy and Ryleigh had to put on pants and sweatshirts!!  We ended up spending the day at Uncle Dave and Aunt Cristin's house playing (a safe distance away) by a nice big fire!!  Mmmmm...feels like fall!!  It was nice to see our cousins again and Daddy sure enjoyed spending time with his brother.  Gammy and Grandad came down to spend the day with everyone as well.  We enjoyed hot dogs, watermelon and LOVED playing with the doggies (Lucy and Blue).

Ryleigh was "doing her business" and holding onto the table leg for leverage...such a smart pooper

Once again, Ryleigh has obviously had one too many

Tyler showing off his football gear

Now, this next string of pictures is an attempt at taking a "nice family photo".  Grandad brought his tripod, set it up and asked that we all try to smile nicely.  Well, with a baby and 4 children (Tyler, Kylie, the hubby and his brother), you can guess how well that went...

Tyler...

Daddy...

Uncle Dave & Tyler...

Uncle Dave & Daddy...

Everyone BUT Grandad

Again, everyone BUT Grandad

Everyone but Grandad & Tyler

Daddy...

Tyler...

there we go

After that debacle, Gammy and Grandad headed for home and we prepared to do the same.  The next morning we woke up, saw Tyler and Kylie off to their first day of school, then packed into our car and headed for home.  Ryleigh was a good little traveler yet again, although she was a better one through the night, but we managed.  We pulled into our driveway at 6:30 p.m. and prepared to finally relax : )  

We really enjoyed being able to see all the family and friends that we saw and we hope to be able to see the ones we missed during our next trip!  It's tough living far away, but we're glad we have such an understanding and patient family that makes it so much easier when your time has to be shared between so many.