She Returns!! :)

To cap a week-long picture extravagana (can you tell we missed her?), of course we had to add a Sunday night post announcing the little one's safe and happy return to Vermont.












She had an amazing week with Nana, with more fun squeezed into 6 1/2 days than the laws of physics would allow. When Nana had time in between the giggles, hugs, and fun, she snapped off a few shots seen here, chronicalling Emma's week back in "La-La-Vermont, Penn-sul-vane-ya!" (Lemont, PA)



Basking in the sun, swimming at Welch Pool. Emma apparently did extremely well all week in different pools (Nana commented on her being part fish), kicking her legs and using her swimmies to move through the water. She really looks happy. And as we all know, there's nothing quite like a good pee under water.











Emma also accompanied Nana and Kirk to the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival (a pretty big to-do down there). Here are some pictures from "Kid's Day" where local kids make crafts and sell them, along with other kid-themed happenings throughout the day.

The rain couldn't stop the joy.


Making a mask to help uncle Kirk hide from his ex-girlfriends.


Checking to see if it works.


They also have set up these "misters" to help the kids cool off while walking through what usually is some very hot weather. Emma told Nana she didn't want to get out because she was in the "jungle."








Next, Emma met the man that may now rival the Easter Bunny in terms of Emma's fondest large costumed animal memories--Curious George. She kept hugging him and asking him to watch her do various dances and jumps.


Next it was on to an equally lovable and furry creature--Emma's Great-"Pap" Gentile. She absolutely loved spending time with him, and his two dogs Lucy and Phoebe. She also got to see some of Pap's talking parrots, who startled Emma with their speaking ability, but of course called out "Hello Sweetheart!" when she walked in. Quite the special bond developed between Pap and Emma, with her still commenting on how much she loved Pap and how she met his puppies and the birds that talked. It's absolutely wonderful that Emma has such love and support from such important extended family members who care for her with such outward affection and joy. The wedding, and trips like this, certainly reminded us of as much. It's the kind of stuff really puts the true meaning of "family" in perspective.







How cute is this?

Then in was back to State College for some late-night (well, for Emma 8pm is late night) music on Old Main Lawn.

Uhhh...someone is either dancing, or....well, use your imagination.


Uncle Kirk returns to Emma's side.


Kirk crafted a pretty ingenius story for Emma, telling her how Old Main is sort of like a castle. Here is a picture of the two of them going to knock on the door to see if there's a ball.


Losing the glass slipper and all shoeware in general.



A final pet of the Nittany Lion before her return. What a week for her, and Nana and Poppy for sure.



Bonus Footage (b-sides for you completists out there): Before Emma left, we also snapped off some pictures of her meeting one of the toads hopping through our yard. She bravely picked him up, named him Kirk (yep!), and followed him hopping along the house, announcing that she was "Walking with the frog."





She also introduced the toad to "Gus-Gus," her toy mouse. I believe she even had an imaginary conversation between the two of them. We haven't seen the toad since, so maybe Gus-Gus was a bit territorial.

For those not-so-frequent viewers, the wedding and honeymoon photos are a few posts down, so keep scrolling.