Woolly Worm 2015

We made our annual trip to Banner Elk's Woolly Worm festival.

We stayed up at sugar top and, of course, spent some time in the pool and hot tub. 

Sarah, Micah, Isaac, and Monroe (with Stella below) met us over at the festival.

We tried out several of the food vendors...

Stella really like the lemonade and fried Oreos...

Stella didn't race a woolly worm but did get to pet one

Puerto Rico vacation (Rincoń) Sept. 26th-Oct. 3rd 2015

Stella pointing out the birds to Mom and waiving...."Hi bird" flap, flap, flap" on a beach in Rincoń. 

Rincoń is perched on the cliffs on the western coast of Puerto Rico, known as as a surfer paradise. 

We didn't go in the water in Rincoń because the waves were pretty big while we were there. We did walk the beach and watch some of the surfers for a bit though. 

Here is the house we stayed at in Rincoñ  for two nights. 

From the pool, at the back of the house we were surrounded by plantain, avacado, and other tropical trees and plants and ocean views. 

View from Cameron and Elise's balcony off their room. 

We relaxed at the house and in the pool for most of our time in Rincoñ. Uncle Cameron made a delicious Puerto Rican inspired meal of chicken, rice, beans, and pineapple slices. We also cooked up some fried armadillos (sweet plantains) 

More pictures from Puerto Rico coming soon...

Puerto Rico vacation (Culebra) - Sept. 26th-Oct. 3rd 2015

One of our first places that we went to visit was the beautiful island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Joe, Colby, Stella, Cameron and Elise spent two full days hanging out at Flamenco Beach, which has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the world by CNN, Discovery Channel, and other travel bloggers. 

Stella wasn't a big fan of having her feet in the sand, but enjoyed lounging under the umbrella, waving at the airplanes and birds...."hi bird." "flap, flap, flap" AND 

sipping on Mom's virgin Piña Colada!

Culebra is located approximately 17 miles (27 km) east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles (19 km) west of St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands). In 1939, the U.S. Navy began to use Culebra as a gunnery and bombing practice site as you can see from the tank pictured above. This was done in preparation for the United States' involvement in World War II and continued until 1975. 

This is the hotel we stayed at during our visit overlooking the bay, where boats are moored.

View from our hotel in Culebra, PR. 

More pictures from Flamenco Beach. 

Everyone enjoying the beautiful beach! Not very crowded either, which was nice. 

Scenic view of Culebra that I pulled from the web. 

Friday afternoon

This weekend UT is playing so Stella broke out her orange and white.

One of her favorite activities these days is playing with the water in the sink.

She likes filling and pouring her bottles.

After coming home from daycare, she played for a while in the sink and then mom, dad, and Stella went outside for a Popsicle.

Friday was a little rainy in Knoxville but we had a little break in the clouds in the afternoon.

Molars

In the last 2 weeks, Stella has been acting like her mouth is hurting. She has been waking up more often at night with a pained cry.

Then, Friday when mom was getting her ready for bed, she started crying. With her mouth open, her left bottom molar and top tooth could be seen poking through her gums.

She's needed a dose of Tylenol most nights to help with the pain. If possible, we'll add some pictures of her new choppers soon! Here are a few recent pics. 

Stella's first roller coaster ride - 8/24/15

While in Cleveland Dad & Grandma took Stella to Memphis Kiddie Park, an amusement park that both Joe & Ruth (Grandma) went to as little kids.

Memphis Kiddie Park is an 11-ride amusement park located in Brooklyn, Ohio, designed specifically for children and families. The park is home to the "Little Dipper" roller coaster—the oldest operating steel roller coaster in North America. 

Three generations of visiting Memphis Kiddie Park, which opened on May 28th, 1952.

Stella really didn't care to much for the merry-go-round at first, but warmed up to it. Below: Stella's first roller coaster ride on "Little Dipper." 

As you can see, Stella wasn't enjoying the Little Dipper Coaster and Dad had a hard time just fitting into the seat, the same seat that he once sat in when just a little boy himself. 

Stella enjoyed the mini train ride around the park with Dad and Grandma. 

Checking out the space shuttle ride....

and making sure the ride is safe and up to code by examining the bolts. 

"That" - Stella curious about the bunny.