Slappy Visits ELF

Maddie got to visit her friend, Elf (Eleanor Loa Findley), who is now a week and a half old, and as cute as the cupcakes on Maddie's dress.

Slappy Goes to Spencer and Yana's Wedding

Maddie was excited for her first wedding on the outside, and was impressed with how fly her Dad looked.

Her grandparents, on the other hand, were impressed by her, as demonstrated by the fact that they could not be convinced to look at the camera.

Not even close to all of the Smyth clan was there, but there was a good sampling. From left to right - Taisie, Great Uncle Whit, Mom, Dad, kid, Great Uncle Bill, Grandpa Toby, cousin Laura, Great Aunt Francie, soon-to-be-cousin-in-law Rio, Great Uncle Chris, Great Aunt Susan, and cousin Wendy.And, flanking the left - cousin and best man Faber, and on the right, Great Aunt Lu and mother of the groom.
The ceremony was held outdoors on a perfect, warm evening. Maddie spent the first five minutes of the wedding with her head tilted back, long enough that Jess had begun to worry that maybe she had strained or hurt her neck. Finally, Jess pushed her head forward only to realize that Maddie had just mastered total head control, and had been enjoying the beautiful tree canopy.
After the ceremony, the guests toasted the happy couple with champagne and strawberries .
Great Uncle Jeff and father of the groom shared congratulations with Wendy.

The elated groom, Spencer, toasted his bride by explaining that even though they had been married in a civil ceremony a year earlier, he had wanted to have a wedding, so that he could finally see his bride in her white dress.

The happy bride, Yana, managed to both enjoy the festivities and provide comfort for a very tired flower girl and daughter, Nika.

After dinner, many a Smyth was seen on the dance floor.

As well as a Page or two.

Dad was impressed.Especially when Maddie stayed up until 10pm on the dance floor.
Weddings rock!

Slappy Is Insatiable

After visiting with all of the Kender side of her family, she had to have more. Luckily, Taisie and Grandpa Toby returned to LA for a Smyth family (Taisie's maiden name) wedding.

Her reasons for wanting to see more family quickly became clear. Her Taisie has the great talent for putting a baby to sleep in a matter of minutes.

At a pre-wedding cocktail party, her Great Uncle Bill tasted delicious.

Her Great Aunt Francie promised her a cute knit hat, and everyone knows Maddie loves rockin' the top pieces.

Great Uncle Jeff pointed out additional important family and friends, as well as playing the important role of father of the groom.

Great Aunt Lu and mother of the groom, enjoyed the beach with Taisie, where Taisie demonstrated her talents once again. As for the bride and groom, we'll be seeing them in all of their glory tomorrow.

Slappy Meets Baby Ellie

A 4-day-old Ellie greeted us with her proud Papa, Drew.

New mom, Aarin, was looking fabulous, and there is a definite likeness between the two. Ellie has surprisingly big, beautiful, wide open eyes, not the standard, rarely open eyes of a newborn, which she clearly got from her Mom.

Jess got some time with expertly swaddled Ellie, and was amazed at the difference 4 months can make. Although we all know that once these two grow up a little, age will no longer matter, and this here Valley will have to watch out for this duo, lead around by the little Miss Leonhardt.

Who had also stopped by for a visit, and was excited to see that one of her two babies was back after our 3 week tour.

Slappy Dances

This video is a bit older, taken from Mateo's Birthday - July 21 (Jess couldn't put this video up on Fire Island, what with her internet connetions being on the DL). Maddie got to dance again, this time with Bee Grandma (Borrowed Grandma). As you can tell, she loved it.

Slappy Leaves Fire Island

Maddie spent her last full day at Fire Island, learning all about thunderstorms. Uncle Ant and she spent many an hour looking out the screen door at the lightening and rain.

Uncle Wills gave Jess a break by feeding Maddie her first Uncle bottle.

After the storms blew through, Aunt Tara and Uncle Ant took her down to look at the frothy ocean.

And that evening we saw them off on the ferry, bayside.

All of us are barefoot in this picture, as all of Ocean Beach was flooded, some water reaching up to our ankles. Both Maddie and Jess enjoyed the puddle jumping.

Our trip back to LA began at 1pm with a trip back to Long Island on the ferry, Tio Greg letting Maddie be "King of the World".

12 hours and one cancelled flight later, we landed in Burbank.

And one tired baby, finally got to see her Dad. Sam was amazed at how much bigger she had gotten and even commented that her voice sounded older. Jess and Maddie were both so happy to be back in his arms.

Slappy Continues Her Beach Time

With a primary focus on her feet, which she has now figured out how to grab, and is steadily working towards getting into her mouth. Dedo has said that Maddie has succeeded, but it has yet to be confirmed by Mom.

When not focusing on her new appendages, she was watching thunderstorms with Uncle Ant.

Getting read “Pat the Bunny,” by Mimi, and maybe, Maddie’s Mom might have been listening in as well.

Investigating Dedo’s glasses.

Relaxing after walks with Tio Greg.

And meeting her friend/nemesis: sand. Maddie has been fascinated with the sand at all of our beach visits, but up until now, she had only been allowed to put her feet in it. Jess finally decided it was time for something more, and Maddie loved squishing it in her fingers. That is, until she decided she wanted to chew on them. The fast friendship her and sand had formed quickly fell apart, and a hasty departure from the beach was demanded.

Vacationing is hard work.