Atlanta! August 2011

We decided to take the small window we had after Eric stopped working and before he started school to visit Aurora. It was so much fun to see this little munchkin and how much she has grown just since February when we were there and saw her last. She started Kindergarten this last week! So crazy. She has grown so much and is still just as cute as ever. It's always so much fun going to visit her- we basically just try to fit as many fun things in a few days as we can. I'm always amazed at the incredible energy levels of a five year old, because I am usually totally exhausted by the end of the day and she is just ready to go, go, go all night!

This trip was more interesting because Aurora's mom warned us she'd been complaining a little of being sick the day before we got her, so we were watching out for that the whole trip. Of course every time we asked her how she was feeling she would say she was fine because she didn't want to stop playing, but she was having a hard time sleeping at night. We gave her lots of children's Tylenol, hoping it would help. By the last night, she was up most of the night crying. Her mom picked her up in the morning and after a visit to the doctor it turns out she had swimmer's ear and strep throat! No wonder she was so miserable!

We still had a blast with this sweet little girl and can't wait to go back and visit again hopefully soon!

Of course, our first and most important stop was to the traditional Chuck-E-Cheeses. Aurora LOVES this place and we always have a blast with the games and rides. Eric and I keep asking each other how long it will be until she is too old to enjoy this place. :) But we will keep taking her there until that day!

Lovin us some Buffalo Wild Wings!

We saw The Smurf's movie in 3D- not my favorite movie, but it was entertaining. We also saw Winnie The Pooh, and we all LOVED that one! A must-see for sure.

Atlanta: February 2011

When I married Eric I was lucky enough to not only gain an amazing husband but also an absolutely adorable step-daughter. We went to Atlanta to visit Aurora this last week and had an absolute blast. We get to go in and basically just party it up with this sweet girl for a few days, then give her back to her mom to do all of the disciplining :) Eric is an amazing dad and I love watching what a wonderful father he is.

Being a step-mom has been an amazing adventure so far. Aurora is such a well behaved and polite girl, much to the credit of her amazing mom. She is incredibly sweet and loving, always giving hugs and kisses and saying "I love you daddy. I love you Lauren." She loves her dad soooo much.

She is definitely ALL girl, with a love for anything pink, barbie or princess. This trip was an especially fun one for me because I felt like our connection grew a lot as we painted nails, went shopping, had dance parties and talked about boys. She is already a heartbreaker and will definitely give her parents a run for their money as a teenager with all of the boys she'll have chasing her!

We always start the trip off with a visit to Chuck E Cheeses. It's definitely a highlight of the trip! Don't you just LOVE that hair?!

Seeing Gnomeo and Juliet in 3D!

Lovin some Buffalo Wild Wings

Bubble bath!

Swimming at our hotel

This place was awesome. It had a bunch of big blow up toys to climb on and jump around in. So much fun!

The little princess with her new jewelry!

Flying kites!

Love the carousel

Bowling

She gets the rock star genes from her dad :)

She seriously knows the words to just about every song that comes on the radio. And she looooves to dance!

We will definitely miss this girl! Hopefully it won't be too long before we can go back!

Meeting the Little Squirt

We decided to go visit Eric's daughter Aurora in Atlanta, Georgia to end our honeymoon on a high note! Ever since Eric and I started dating, I have been totally terrified about meeting his 4 year old daughter. Really... have you ever heard any stories about the sweet, nice, kind and loving step-mother? Your answer is no-doubtedly no, and that's because there aren't any! What if she totally hated me??? So I finally got the guts up to go and meet her... and I am oh so glad that I did. I was incredibly nervous, but the minute I saw her my fears were calmed. Aurora is the most amazing little girl. She is so well mannered and polite, always saying her "pleases" and "thank you's." And she loves her dad so much! I had the most amazing time seeing Eric with his dad pants on and seeing what a great father he is. We had a great few days full of Chuck-E-Cheeses, movies, swimming, shopping, playing games, coloring and trying to catch a wink or two of sleep somewhere in between. It always amazes me how much energy kids have! The time went by too quickly and we soon had to say goodbye. We hope to get back there to visit the little squirt again soon!

Look at that hair!

The little princess...

"Cheeses!"

Trying to brush through all that hair