Jasmine and the Pups

Maine in July

Maine is a beautiful state.  It also happens to be where Jasmine's Grandparents grew up...  We traveled to Maine in July to bury Great Grandpa Lowe's ashes, but also to renew family ties with many wonderful cousins.

One of the family traditions is to hike out to the breakwater lighthouse.  This trip was completed with three little ones in tow!  Jasmine was hidden on my back, Chris, Dick, Jan, Taylor, Cyndy and Wyatt on Cyndy's back.

The sea breeze and salty air put Wyatt to sleep on Aunt Cyndy's back.

Taylor at the breakwater light house.

Grandpa Ross had to take a break after the long hike.

 

Grandma Ross, Jasmine and Chris.

Great Grandpa Lowe had a very nice military service, with a bugler playing taps.  It was a beautiful day.

Grandma Ross with the preacher.

 

Jasmine with Sara Mercanti, Cory's fiance', outside the small church in Tenants Harbor.

After the service, we visited Great Grandpa Lowe's oceanfront property where Chris, Cyndy and Cory spent many summers.

Chris and Taylor were skipping rocks.

Random scenery picture just because it was so pretty.

There was a nice family dinner that evening.  Somehow I don't have the group family picture on this camera... Here are a few pictures though..

Carol Quint and Jasmine.

Jasmine with Grandma and Grandpa Ross

 
Family picture at the party.

 

Taylor and the cousins.

As a bonus we were able to celebrate cousin Steve's birthday with him.

 

Savannah - 4th of July

Cousin Maddie came to visit over the 4th of July.  We went to Savannah, Georgia to watch Chris race and enjoy the scenery.

Chris did awesome and came in 2nd!

Maddie, Jasmine and I explored Savannah.  We also bravely fought the rough Atlantic Ocean waves on Tybee Island.  Jasmine was strapped in tight on my chest in her carrier as she had her first ocean experience.  Somehow we didn't get any pictures!  Maddie did a good job avoiding the camera this trip.

Jasmine and Chris at the race track, Roebling Road Raceway.

A Few Random Pictures - Early Summer

 

A picture of Jasmine in front of the hydrangea bush in the front yard.

At this point, Jasmine is starting to really enjoy the dogs.  She is getting a ride on Merlin.

 

Merlin in motion!

Jasmine started eating solid food just prior to 6 months.  She is a good eater!

April Texas Trip

What happens when a mama goes back to work??? A Blog gets hopelessly behind!  However, we have had a wonderful year and want to post a small portion of what we've been up to.

In April we went to Texas for what was supposed to be Great Grandpa Lowe's 100th birthday party.   It was a wonderful memorial service, and we took the opportunity to meet with many of our friends and family.

Teresa and Ellie,  Melissa and Seth,  and Jasmine and me.

Charlie and Ellie,  Jorge and Seth,  Chris and Jasmine.

Jasmine got to meet her cousins, Ava and Kyle, and her Aunt Kari and Uncle David.  It was great to see Mimi and Grandad, too!

Aunt Cyndy was able to squeeze 3 cars seats in her Honda CRV so Jasmine could sleep along side her other cousins, Taylor and Wyatt.

We got to visit with my college friend, Mary, who was expecting her 3rd little boy at the time.

This is a picture of my high school friend, Jennifer, with her daughters Valerie and Brooke.  We were at Karen's house where I spent many summers playing!  Karen's son, Zachary is in this picture. 

Here's a picture of our kids!  Alex (Karen's), Jasmine (mine of course), Valerie and Brooke (Jen's), Zachary (Karen's). 

 

Right now I would like to insert the picture of Karen, Jennifer and me outside Karen's house... I'm sad to admit that particular picture was overwritten because of my technical difficulty.  I'm sorry Karen!  We need to get together again!

Jasmine with Chris's Godparents, Bubba and Maxine.

Great Grandpa Lowe's celebration...

Jasmine and Uncle Tim were having a great time.

As you can see, we packed in a lot to our quick trip to Texas. 

 

 

Spring continues...

Spring continues to bloom... Now the tulips are here!

 Jasmine was laughing at her Grandma's song while I snapped this picture.

This was one of our favorite tulips.

Jasmine was trying out her hat and shades... getting ready for summer.

Easter Baptism

This Easter was extra special because Jasmine was baptized.  Her name is Jasmine Elise.  Jasmine is a sweet smelling flower, and Elise means consecrated to God - in essence a fragrant offering to God.  One person told me that is a big name to live up to.  I responded that we are all fragrant offerings to God in one way or another.

Jasmine wore her Great Grandpa Lowe's Christening gown that he wore as a baby 100 years ago.

   

Jasmine's photo in sepia.

Great Grandpa Lowe's Christening picture.  Sadly, Jasmine never got a chance to meet him in person as he passed away on Good Friday, just 3 days before Jasmine was baptized in his gown.

Jasmine in living color.  She was focused on the pouring water.

Jasmine getting baptized.  She didn't flinch, just smiled at everyone instead.

 

Grandma came to visit for the week since Ms. Sara was on Spring Break with her family.

It was a great day.  Chris ate Jasmine's chocolate for her :-) and we finished off the day with our nightly reading ritual.

Easter Egg Hunt

Jasmine went on her first Easter egg hunt at church.  Well, OK... So I hunted and she just came along for the ride, but we had fun anyway. 

Before the egg hunt, we searched for a good sturdy basket so next year, Jasmine can hunt a lot of eggs!

Our friends Natalie and Will were hunting eggs, too.  Jasmine and Will are buddies.

 

Four Month Check-up

Jasmine's Stats:

Height: 24 inches! (50th percentile)

Weight: 13 1/2 lbs (50th percentile)

Smiles:  Tons!

New stuff... Jasmine started rolling over - tummy to back.

Spring is Here!

I really enjoy spring in North Carolina.  I've learned over the last four years that there is a sequence to the spring flowers blooming, unlike Texas where every wildflower wakes up at the same time and you have 3 weeks of Spring.

I've always loved daffodils because they are the first sign of spring; a cheery yellow flower that comes up when it is still cold and grey outside.  I had to show them to Jasmine.

Pear trees are usually next to bloom.  Jasmine and I went on a walk and got this picture from a tree across the street.

The cherry trees are next...  We were throwing Jasmine up into the air.  She loves that game.  We had to be quick though because it was still chilly outside!

Time for a dog picture.  Alexis, aka "Alex" from the neighborhood came by for a visit.

 

Race Weekend

Chris had a race at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC, which is close enough that Jasmine and I could visit.  It was still cold outside so we don't have a sun hat on Jasmine, but we tried out her shades for the first time.  At the moment, the strap is too big for Jasmine's head so they don't stay on so well but Jasmine didn't mind them too bad.

Fun weekend... Happy girl.