*Hope for Addy Grace*

This weekend we went to Busch Gardens and had a GREAT time! James, Addy and I would like to thank Stan and Debbie Davis for getting a condo for us to stay in with James parents and my mom and sister, Allison. You two helped to make the trip even more special by being with family and friends and so much easier having all that space for Addy and her equipment versus getting a small hotel room. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! We drove down Thursday afternoon and spent the evening with James parents (at the condo and dinner at Outback…yum)! Friday we spent the morning and early afternoon at Busch Gardens riding a few rides and having lunch with Elmo and his friends. Addy absolutely LOVED this and it will be something we do from here on out! “Dine with Elmo and friends” is something all parents with young kids should do while visiting Busch Gardens. They have a huge buffet full of YUMMY food. Once everyone arrives and gets their food the show starts. At this particular show Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie came out and sang and danced for a few minutes. Then Elmo and Big Bird stayed on the stage for photo opts while Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie came out and mingled with the kids. While all of this is going on music was playing so all the characters took turns going up on the stage to sing and dance! Addy loved all the characters coming around until she finally fell asleep, but that didn’t stop us from taking pictures! The staff at the lunch was FANTASTIC and sooooo helpful. They definitely helped make Addy’s experience there even better! After lunch we went back to the condo for a few hours so Addy could cool off and get a good nap (It was very humid down there both days). By dinner time my mom and Allison had arrived in Williamsburg and we went back to the park for more fun!! Saturday we spent the day at the park again but this time Stan and Debbie joined us. We spent a good amount of time in Sesame Street’s Forest of Fun where Addy FINALLY got to meet Abby Cadabby. All the Sesame Street characters put on a show and Addy sat in my lap and just starred! She kept waving to Abby Cadabby and of course smiling! Once the show was over the characters came down and mingled under a canopy for lots of photo opts! She met Abby Cadabby (fairy in training), Zoe (a Ballerina), Cookie Monster (again) and Grover. She LOVED them all but Abby was and still is her favorite!! After the show we took her into the water area for a little while too cool her off but she wasn’t too crazy about the cold water! Eventually we took her back to the condo for another nap and cool down and that evening James, my mom, Allison and I went back to park while Smokey and Tracy watched Addy at the condo with Stan and Debbie (they stayed back to watch the race and play cards)! Sunday morning was a little crazy! We started off the morning with plans to go to the outlets but Allison ended up getting sick so my mom and her left. James, Addy and I ended up going to the outlets for a little while and then started our trip back home! Addy was so glad to get home Sunday afternoon and sleep in her own bed. She adjusted so well with all the traveling and has had a WONDERFUL week! She’s been laughing, smiling and talking A LOT!!! It is officially summer for me now (last day of Preschool was today) and boy do we have a crazy summer planned. June will be full of doctor’s appointments and lots of traveling to Wisconsin and Baltimore! I will definitely keep you all updated on all of our adventures! This evening I got to talk to Dock for a few minutes on Facebook and he said he is doing great. Hot, tired and ready to come home but doing good. Can you blame him? Please continue to pray for him and Robbie and their safe return home! I would also like to congratulate Christina (Auntie Stine) on her new job!! Welcome to the working world!!!

Hope you enjoy all the pictures of Addy and our trip to Busch Gardens!