First Trip to the Beach

During the first week of July, the Kelley family headed to a rented house a few blocks from Lake Michigan.  The house accommodated all the family togetherness- Ted, Caroline and myself, my parents, Brad, Cassie, Elmer and their dog Bella.  Not only did we enjoy a little beach time, but we also celebrated Caroline's first birthday and the Fourth of July together.  Caroline learned to stand up (and fall back laughing), eat sand and drink Lake Michigan.  We ate ice cream, entertained visitors (thanks for visiting, Katie and Nick, Lisa, Marisa, Jake and Annie!) and had a wonderful time.  In fact, we so enjoyed our vacation together, we plan to do it again next year. 

Caroline is a talker, even to the waves.

Grandpa Ron walking the beach with Caroline and Elmer.

Happy Baby!

Eating ice cream downtown with visiting Katie and Nick.

Saturday at the Park

On a perfect Saturday in June, Ted, Caroline and I visited a park with her birth mother and two sisters.  It was a day that we will remember forever.  Not only did Caroline have the opportunity to meet her sisters, but they were able to help her swing for the first time, to play and laugh together.  We realized what a big girl she is becoming! 

Caroline, the daredevil, swinging for the first time.

Caroline stands well, but Mom (Shannon) still offers a bit of stability.

Teetertottering!

Stop to...

Smell the flowers... Laugh... Pause for a moment today and be grateful for nature, our senses and each other. We look at Caroline and know how truly lucky we are.

Ted and Caroline on the football field at Butler University.

Shannon and Caroline smell the lilacs in Holcomb Gardens.

Spring Visits

During the months of March and April, Ted, Caroline and I went visiting. We visited my grandmother (who is now 95!) for Easter. See the photo below- I am unsure who received more gifts from the Easter bunny. We also spent a quick weekend in the Detroit area with Ted's mother, sister, brother-in-law and nieces. Uncle Eric is still the favorite. He had Caroline guffawing way past her bed time. My Uncle Randy came to visit us here in Indianapolis in April, which allowed him to meet Elmer (Brad and Cassie's son) for the first time. Lots of photos were taken, thus enjoy a few.

Caroline and Great Gramma made the Easter bunny carry a lot!

Three generations in the Kelley family- Gramma, Shannon and Caroline

Caroline and her great grandmother admire the many bracelets.

Shannon, Caroline, Ted and Jean (Ted's mother)

Uncle Eric is funny!

Wiggly smiles- Grandmom and Caroline

Kim, Caroline and Katie- beautiful, smiley cousins

Uncle Randy meets Elmer (with Caroline and Cassie)

Easter's Sweet Caroline

Grandmom (Ted's mother) outfits Caroline like no other. She was a true beauty on Easter Sunday. Sweet as a chocolate bunny...

Spring!

Spring may have arrived today on the calendar, but the temperature here doesn't feel spring-like. I thought I would make "spring" our post title and perhaps it will finally arrive.  Caroline is still happy as ever and growing like a spring weed. She likes an audience and has learned to clap in response to "yay!" Here are some photos that evoke a feeling of spring... 



On one of the few warm days, Ted and Caroline laugh on the field at Butler University, within our neighborhood.

Our honorary Irish kiddo on St. Patrick's Day

Caroline loves to eat and mug for the camera!  A self portrait of sweet potatoes on St. Patrick's Day

Caroline, a cousin

Caroline is lucky to have cousins on both ends of the age spectrum. There's Katie, Kim and Anthony on Ted's side (ages16 to 22). Now, with the addition of baby Elmer on Shannon's side (age 13 days old as of this post), she gets to be a big cousin! Fun times are ahead!

Caroline is so excited to meet her new cousin, Elmer, on Shannon's side of the family.  She wanted to lick him!  Ted photographed too.

Cousins Elmer and Caroline- only six months apart in age!

Caroline and cousin Anthony with their guitars.

Anthony, Kim, Caroline and Katie- cousins on Ted's side of the family.

Winter Escape to the Conservatory

On a cold, cloudy January Saturday, wise Ted said to his cooped up wife: "Let's go to the Garfield Park Conservatory!" This gem, just a few miles south of downtown Indianapolis, has been a favorite escape during winters past. It is tropical, bright, full of flowers, water and fish and only costs a dollar to enter- what a perfect hour or so "vacation." Now that Caroline is six months old, she likes to experience everything (by grabbing and putting it in her month). She is also really into "pets" (after the squealing, she tries to grab and....), hence how perfect to offer a new experience like a greenhouse.  How fun it was to escape as a family.  Enjoy some photos of our adventure below.