another weekend away

I took off of work this past Friday and drove up to northern VA to celebrate Bella's (my niece) 1st birthday! I kept my visit a secret from my sister-in-law which was fun...I called her as I was driving up to their house and told her to come to the door...she was so surprised and we had a great weekend together! It was fun too because I was able to be there to see the girls dressed up in their costumes. My brother and sister-in-law had something going on that night at their church so my dad babysat the girls and I was able to help assist him in the walk around the neighborhood for trick-or-treating! Anna was dressed up as a Fire-woman and Bella was dressed as a zebra!

Saturday morning Anna came waking me up with the flick of the light switch at 7:30am...I entertained her and let my brother and sister-in-law sleep in a bit. It isn't every Saturday that I get woken up to little Anna's voice saying "ah ha, auntie, I found you!!" I had a great Saturday seeing all my family and my other little niece, Chloe, at Bella's first birthday! It was a great day! I left Sunday morning to drive back to Daniel in Charlotte...he hated missing all the fun. We have been out of town the past couple of weekends and so he couldn't take another Friday off of work.

This is my favorite picture from the weekend...Anna loves her cousin Chloe so much! She was so happy to hold her all to herself!

Auntie and the birthday girl! Happy birthday, baby Bella!

My dad and Chloe, the youngest niece...my brother's Jeremy's little girl!

Bella and Justin...as we sang happy birthday to her.

Auntie and the girls on Saturday morning!

my dad and the girls before heading out for our trick-or-treating walk.

Bella in her zebra costume!

Anna as a fire-woman.

i love this girl! This picture shows her beautiful smile...she looks so grown up!