Big Adventure of 2011

Well. Carmela would like you to know all about her Big Adventure of 2011. Carmela has been on several airplanes in her young life, but she doesn't remember them, which kicked the Big Adventure of 2011 off to a great start: She got to board and ride two airplanes! In one day! She loved it. She held Mama's hand during take-off and landing because that part is a little bit scary for Mama, and the rest of the time she watched some of her Sesame Street DVD and ate some snacks on the way down to see Aunt Tauni and Uncle Justin. She and Mama had the best time. They went to the park and the splashpad, and the library, and they went to Zion National Park to see where Uncle Justin works, and they walked around a bunch and met some neighborhood horses and a few kids. They got to visit a whole bunch with Uncle Justin and Aunt Tauni and watch some movies, and, best of all, Carmela got to meet and pet Uncle Justin and Aunt Tauni's five rabbits! Carmela's favorite is Marduk, who she told Grandma about today on the phone. Carmela also got to try her first snow-cone, and she had some chocolate, too, from the candy store at the park. It was a little bit sad to leave, but Carmela was pretty excited to ride two more airplanes to come home (her fellow passengers were pretty amused with her antics, especially her post-flight dance moves while she and Mama waited their turn to get off the plane) and she was very happy to see her Daddy, and gave him a big hug when he picked her and Mama up from the airport.

Carmela cools her heiny off at the splashpad.

Carmela jumps and squeals when a water jet gets her.

Having a great time in the sun at the splashpad.

Carmela enjoys a shady walk with her sun hat, which she later used to scoop sand, at Zion National Park.

Carmela enjoys one of her favorite activities — riding the bus — at Zion National Park. The bus shuttles visitors up and down the canyon, and is a really terrific way to see the park when you're a toddler dragging around your Mama.

Carmela falls into a chocolate coma on the drive home after sharing Mama's dark chocolate covered honeycomb candy from the candy store at Zion National Park.

Kiddie Parade 2011

Every year for the past 62 years, our neighborhood has played host to the annual Kiddie Parade, which kicks off a summer of exciting events in our neighborhood and around town. This year was the first year Miss Carmela got to participate, as in years past she was asleep during all the excitement. Carmela enjoyed her first parade, and watched in awe as several drill teams, wearing about a million sequins and feathers, marched by, their boots clicking on the street, drums beating in the background. Carmela also very much enjoyed her balloon, and she enjoyed looking at the ponies, but backed out of a ride at the last minute (forcing Daddy to ask for his money back). But mostly, she enjoyed the bouncy inflatable toys the Kiddie Parade procured this year, and she also enjoyed peering down the tall, tall, tube slide at her favorite park. Small pleasures. :)

Guess who loves root beer floats in the sun?

This kid!