Baltimore

Elise has officially been on her first vacation- flew on her first airplane- stayed in her first hotel- and attended her first wedding... all thanks to her Uncle Kevin and her new Aunt Rachel and new cousin Amelie.

On the Thursday before the big festivity, we boarded our Delta flight in Detroit- bound for Baltimore. Elise wasn't interested in sitting near the window but found all the new (and old) books that mommy had packed to be the most fun. Of course the snacks helped too (Daddy had bought a cookie as a treat). After a trip to the bathroom, complete with turbulence while Elise was sitting on the potty and I was smashed against the door (praying I wouldn't touch anything... yep, germ-phobe!), we landed.

Right now everyone is sizing us up and saying' I hope they don't sit by us!'                                                                                 

This is a dark picture but truly, Elise read by herself almost the entire flight!

Yes, we didn't exactly nap while in town but our little girl did well under the circumstances. We now can laugh (well, almost) that on the one day she did fall deep asleep during naptime, a fire alarm went off in the hotel and we had to evacuate. Of course by the time we trucked down the stairs, we learned it was only a false alarm. 

Elise and I at the Inner Harbor

Our first wedding festivity was the rehearsal dinner thrown by Nana and Pops at the Dogwood. While we enjoyed Beef Short Ribs and Catfish, Elise snacked on Chicken fingers and mac n'cheese. Yummy menu. But, Elise thought the pears (used as the gift-- 'The perfect pair') were the best. She ate three..

Elise checking out her new outfit before leaving

Here we are minus one pigtail. 

Grandma, Elise and Grandpa

Nana's toast for the couple-- 'It's about the small, everyday stuff that makes a relationship'. How true!
Jeff, thanks for pouring my coffee every morning :)

Nana and Elise

Amelie with her mustache

Jeff and Uncle Kevin. Nice mustaches! So handsome.

Grandpa, Uncle Rik, and Uncle Steve

The next day was the wedding day! The ceremony was beautiful and we were able to keep Elise quiet with Nana's ipad... Desperate times call for desperate matters! I can't say that I am happy we had to bring along electronics to make it through the ceremony but a toddler doesn't really understand the concept of 'No talking'. Right before the ceremony started, Elise shouted 'More music!' when the pianist took a break between songs. So, that's when we knew we had to take matters into our own hands.

Look at the shock on Elise's face when I said there isn't any talking during the ceremony!

The new Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Nilsson

But, not to worry, the reception was the place for Elise to get out some of her energy... and enjoy the music. Enjoy the music she did! The girl danced for over 3-hours (no exaggeration!!!) straight on the dance floor. While she refused to eat her dinner (dancing calls!!), we weren't too worried as she filled up on popcorn and snacks beforehand. We kept her hydrated by bringing her water on the dance floor. Did I mention she likes to dance?!?

Pre-dancing popcorn snack with Daddy

Nana and Pops

Uncle Steve, Aunt Dawn, Alexis, and Stephen

The head table

Brother and Sis

Here we are wondering if Elise will really
dance all night long!

Us cousins

Rachel, Kevin, Pops, Me, and Nana

Just a dancing blur

Early on in the evening... before the sweater came off
and Elise turned into a 'sweat head'.

After a late night of dancing, we headed back to the hotel for a good nights rest. When Elise woke the  next morning, her first words were 'More dancing'. What fun we had!

There was something stinky on the plane ride home

The tiny dancer heading home

Finally home. Not looking too bad even though we skipped a nap. Little did

we know but Elise would sleep 13-14 hours a night for the next

four days. All the fun wore her out!