Laughing Halle

I love being a Daddy. One of my favorite things to do with Halle is simply to get here to laugh and smile. As many of you know, Jessica has a, well, contagious laugh. I wonder what type of hybrid laugher we will have in our little girl as she grows. This is a short video of Halle just laughing as I play a little game of peek-a-boo with her.

Dan

Two cultures in love

Dan, Halle, and I had the privilege of attending some beyond beautiful wedding festivities this past weekend of our friends Matthew and Melanny. Matthew is the brother of some of our best friends Laurie and Jason Lefevers.  Matthew is from a christian american family while Mellany is from a hindu/sikh indian family. The wedding contained both american and indian customs. It is always so interesting and exciting to see different cultures and their customs. The whole wedding event lasted from  3:30 that afternoon until late into the night. The groom was welcomed into the hotel by a dancing party, bongos, shouting, and crowds of people on the streets of Atlanta. This is called a barat. Then the wedding ceremony began shortly after. The ceremony was just beautiful. Not only were the decorations, bridal party's dresses, bride's dress breathtaking, but the content and depth of the actual ceremony was profound and so sweet!  

The decorations were gorgeous!! Every seat was covered in gold colored satin.
Laurie was a bridesmaid which all wore sarees or lehngas. It was so FUN to look at all those women in those beautiful dresses all night. Jason was a groomsmen.
Here is the bride, Mellany and her dad. Her dress left me speechless...WOW...beautiful! It was designed by her family and hand made in India. She said she had a hard time even walking in the dress because it weighed 30 pounds.
Look at that bead and jewel work detail!!
The bride and groom's parents sat with them on stage during the ceremony. There was a REAL fire pit on stage and Laurie actually tied them together. (literally)
This is the american traditional part led by Jason's dad.
They were so HAPPY!! She was BEAUTIFUL!

Every woman in attendance received a REAL pearl bracelet when arriving at the reception.

Between the ceremony and reception there was a cocktail room where there were open bars and indian food appetizers.
Laurie was absolutely gorgeous in her lehnga!! Could not even tell she was pregnant.
Really COOL indian decorations. 
The bride changed into a different dress for the reception which was also hand made  just for her in India and was just as beautiful.
The indian culture loves to dance. Here is a dance they performed at the reception, which was super cool to see. 
YEAH....my favorite...lots and lots of indian food! It was soooo good and REALLY SPICY!
Here's Daddy's girl! Halle's first dance.
She was the life of the party..hehe!
We were so honored to spend such a memorable beautiful event with some really great friends. What an amazing weekend. We wish the VERY best for Matthew and Mellany in their new life together.

Our trek to Missouri and back home again

Dan, Halle and I started our 13 hour trek to Trenton, Missouri last Thursday. This was Halle's first LONG road trip and indeed it was VERY LONG!! We stayed in a little Bed and Breakfast in Trenton that was so unique and beautiful. 

This old COMFORTABLE bed we had in the Bed and Breakfast was my favorite!!

After a great weekend in Missouri we started our trip back to Atlanta. We split the trip into two days. The first night we stayed in a Drury Inn with an indoor pool. Dan took Halle for her first swim in a pool. She absolutely LOVED it. We have never heard her laugh so MUCH!! She never stopped smiling. Dan would pop out from under the water and make water fountains with his mouth...she would cackle so loud!

The next day we stopped off at Mammoth cave for a two hour tour of the longest cave in the world. The cave was so massive...I couldn't believe it. And we only saw a fraction of it on our two hour tour.

There were some tight spots.
Halle didn't really enjoy those tight spots.
This is one of the natural openings to Mammoth cave. This is where we began and ended our tour. It was a great trip!

Spring Forward

Dan, Halle, and I had an amazing spring forward weekend! The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Halle went on her first of MANY hikes! She is truly Dan and I's girl...she loves to be outside! On Sunday evening we went for a stroll on Acworth beach and were able to grab some great shots. 

It was a strenuous hike for Halle, she conked out pretty quick!

Look at those BIG BLUE EYES!
And of course she eats the leaves.
Going for a ride with daddy!


Now she's eating the grass.
oh...and now the sand!
yes...bare feet finally!
I am so EXCITED spring is coming!!!

Daddy's Home!!!!!

Just in the past couple of months Halle has really started to realize when Daddy is home and not home. It has been so cute!! Halle and I know when Daddy's coming so I will look at Halle and say Daddy's home. We will then go to the door to greet him. When she realizes Daddy getting out of the car, she immediately starts kicking her feet and waving her hands up and down. She leans forward with the biggest smile on her face and a screech of excitement ecstatic for her Daddy to sweep her up and toss her into the air. Then starts play time wtih Daddy (after Mommy gets a kiss of course.)  Halle gets tossed in the air, tickled and kissed all over. They go through her exercises with sitting up by herself, standing up and walking. She gets taken on flights through the air and of course practice with her (soon to be Daddy says) first word..."DaDa!" I am so proud of Dan. He is a GREAT daddy and an even GREATER husband! Halle and Mommy love when Daddy comes home!