Grandpa Tony and Isla
Bananas - even better when you have two spoons!
Stephen and Isla - cuddle buddies! 
Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to this every morning!?!
Jack - 14 month old Gardener
Grandma Teddy and Kevin
Just a SMALL fraction of the lavender Grandma Teddy is drying in the garage.
On Thursday night we got back from 4 days of family and fun on Whidbey Island in WA. The weather was absolutely gorgeous - sunny and breezy Monday through Wednesday and then blazing hot on Thursday. (Anyone ever heard of a 90 degree day in Seattle?!? The Cullens would not have been in school.)This trip was a lot of firsts for Isla - it started before we left with her first cold. She had a very low fever throughout the trip, but other than waking up a lot, taking extra long naps, and acting a little more fussy than usual, she was great.
This was our first plane trip with just Mommy and Isla. Isla decided that sleeping on planes is for 4 month olds and did her best to stay awake on both flights. The cool thing for 6 month olds to do on airplanes is to wiggle and grab everything and everyone in reach. Luckily we were seated next to some angels - experienced grandmas and a very very nice business man on the way there, and Isla had her own personal fan club comprised of the steward and stewardess on the way back, which made things easier. (I've learned even more about flying with babies if anyone wants tips.)
Grandpa Tony (Andrew's dad) picked us up in Seattle (Isla's first tine out of state!) and we went on Isla's first ferry ride. Isla absolutely loved the ferry. Her Grandpa walked her around the boat and we went outside and she laughed and squealed the whole time. She seemed to especially love the breeze and looking at all the twinkling lights in the dark.
Isla's Grandma Teddy waited up for us and Isla got to meet her for the first time! Isla got some cuddling while I unpacked. In the morning Isla met her Auntie Nell and Uncle Phil and her three cousins - Kevin, Stephen and Jack.
Jack and Isla are about 8 months apart, so their interactions consisted of parallel play and taking turns in the highchair. The older boys were absolutely fantastic with Isla. Both of them used their outstanding older brother skills to keep her entertained and happy throughout our trip. After explaining to Kevin and Stephen that Isla was so lucky to meet them because she doesn't have any other boy cousins, Kevin explained to the grocery clerk that it would be better for him to push Isla's stroller because Isla, "likes boys better than girls, because she gets to see her girl cousins all the time." (He was right, Isla did prefer to have him pushing her stroller.)
Stephen had a little cold bug, but all he wanted to do was snuggle with Isla. We admonished him to avoid touching her with his face and it was all he could do not to give her kisses. At one point he turned to me and said, "Aunt Ali, Isla wants me!"
Stephen and Jack both had the same allergies that Isla has, and it was encouraging to see Stephen drinking milk and Jack transitioning to dairy. Nell also taught me to make dairy and soy free almond macaroons and crab cakes - SO yummy!
The last time Andrew and I went to the island there was snow and we had to drive off road around a tree to make it off the island because of a terrible storm. Needless to say, visiting in the summer was a very different and beautiful experience. Every square inch of earth was covered with green and Grandma and Grandpa's garden was exploding with flowers and vegetables. It was still cool enough to use the hot tub and I also enjoyed walking along the beach and staying up late and catching up with family. With so many relatives, Isla was constantly being held and entertained, giving me lots of time to relax.
We had some amazing food, including fresh blackberry pie made with berries that Kevin and Uncle Phil picked (berries are everywhere on the island!). Grandpa and Grandma stocked up on soy and dairy free snacks for me, but all the soy and dairy free cooking was so good that I barely made a dent in the food.
The only downside was that our visit was short and Andrew couldn't come. Thank you for a wonderful visit!!!
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