Who needs Nanny McPhee when you can call on Nanny Winfield!

Last week Todd had a conference in Orlando, so I called in the troops!  Grammie and Uncle Jojo flew in to hang with Miss Charlotte.  It was such a treat to have them both in CVille, though I wish they could have extended their stay to be in town on days that I didn't have to work.  Family visits always seem to go by too fast.  

Eventhough I had to work each day they were here, we were able to spend most evenings together.  One night, Jojo and I headed to a favorite restaurant in town called "Continental Divide", though you wouldn't know that to be the name if you walked by because outside it just says "Get In Here" ...my kind of place ;)  They have yummy Mexican food and I thought it would be fun for Jojo and I to belly up to the bar for a few drinks before ordering carry-out (which in the Winfield home is considered "cooking").  We got in some solid brother/sister bonding time over margaritas and Pacificos!  Cuppie and I later snuck out for a frozen treat at another local hot spot called Arch's (think DQ but local and WAY WAY better....nothing better than low-fat yogurt and not so low-fat toppings!). 

Overall it was a wonderful week with Jojo and Cuppie!  They were able to spend quality time with Charlie, sprinkled in with some time with me :)  However, the highlight of the week?  Drum roll please.......Charlotte rolled over!!  Cuppie was the one to catch it for the first time :) Being a working mom I know that I will miss out on some of Charlotte's "firsts" but it was really nice that Cuppie was there to see it first hand.  She is such a wonderful Grammie and we are so lucky to have her to help us with Miss Charlotte (aka Sassypants).  No Nanny McPhee this time but Nanny Cuppie & Jojo had a few magic tricks up their sleeves to help calm the Sassafras down while I was trotting around down in my luon :)  

*Disclaimer: I certainly didn't take enough photos to accurately portray the week we shared, so the few below will have to do*

~Cuppie LOVES to be sure Charlie's feet aren't cold....socks are a MUST when Grammie is in town~

~Charlie LOVES her Uncle~

~Rockin' her Jackson Hole outift...very appropriate with the mountain man in town~

~Charlotte lovin' on her BFF Ophalia the Otter that Uncle Jojo bought her when he was on an adventure up in Alaksa~

~Charlie's CURLY hair after her bath. You would never believe it if you didn't see it, so we documented it here.~

~'Curls be Gone' after a quick brush~

~Close up :)~

~When Daddy got home, he Charlie and Grammie came to the outdoor yoga event we had on Saturday! Looking good in your new lululemon threads Grammie!~

~Charlotte rolled over on August the 17th, but we caught it on camera a few days later~

Sunday Funday!

Sundays in the Lorenger home have recently been dedicated to 'FAMILY DAY'.  This is the only day of the week that both Todd and I do not have to work.  So, we have decided that its a 'no cell phone', 'no email', 'very little facebook ;)' kind of day!  This has not only allowed us to truly enjoy our time with one another, but also helped us to get to know Charlottesville a little better too!  Last weekend we enjoyed a low key morning at home and then packed up and headed out for a picnic lunch and hiking on a nearby trail.  Lunch was from one of our fave local sandwich shops called "Take it Away".  They specialize in some super yummy sandwiches and we typically indulge every few weeks.  This family outing called for a tasty treat before we hit the trails and "Take it Away" hit the spot!  The exciting part of last weekend's trip was that the WHOLE family was able to participate.  Brutus was thrilled to find out he would be joining us on our Sunday Funday (although he was a bit upset that we didn't pick up a lunch treat for him..see the glare he gave us during our pre-hike picnic).  All in all it was a great little afternoon outing! The Rivanna Trail was perfect for us for several reasons: it allowed pups, was mostly shaded and ran right alongside the river,  providing great scenery.  All in all it was a very successful family day!  At three months, Charlotte is loving our mini-adventures :)

 ~Brutus' stare down as we enjoyed lunch and he impatiently waited for the fun to begin~

 ~Todd's sandwich~

 ~Kiki's sammy~

~Big smiles from this guy! I bet he is just counting down the days till our family funday includes Lions games~

 ~Charlie napping during lunch~

~Waking up just in time to hop in the Bjorn and head out on our hike~ 

 ~Pretty good looking family if you ask me!~

 ~Daddy's girl~

 ~One tuckered out pup (I am referring to Brutus not me!) ;)~

Summer Fiesta....more like Summer Siesta!

Okay, I know... I belong in the BLOGGING DOG HOUSE!  I have taken over a month long siesta from "Charlotte's little Web-site", but what can I say...we've had a lot going on people! Since the end of June (when I posted last), I made the transition back to work and I am still trying to figure out this whole "working mom" gig.  Its no easy task! The good thing is I love what I do and am excited to be back with my lululemon team in the showroom and back sweating with the C'Ville community.  Shortly after my return to work, we had a vacation planned UpNorth, so we were able to leave reality for a full seven days and spend time with family and friends...in my "happy place" :)  We spent a portion of the week with the Lorenger family on Lake Michigan in Goodhart, not far from Harbor Springs and then the tail end of the trip with the Winfield fam on Burt Lake.  Uncle Jojo took advantage of the perks from his job with SkyWest airlines and flew in for a visit.  And, Megan and Grayson Ferris came up to celebrate the Fourth of July as well!  We packed in as much fun in the sun as we could handle and loved every minute of it!

It was a 'first' for a lot of things....

*Charlotte's first flight *Charlotte's first visit to northern Michigan *Charlotte's first time meeting some of our long time friends who feel more like family (Hulls & Donnellys) *Charlotte's first overnight with her future husband (Grayson Ferris) *Charlotte's first dip in the lake *Charlotte's first beach party at L'abre Croche *AND....Mom & Dad's first night date night/ overnight away from sweet Charlie*

Anyhow, I'll let the photos tell the story and promise to be better at posting on a regular basis (thank you to Jenny and Maureen for holding me accountable :))!

A glimpse at Charlotte's 2nd month and first trip UpNorth....

~Daddy & Charlie at the airpot pre-flight~

~Mommy & Charlie about to board~

(By the way Charlotte...for the record you dropped a bomb on the plane while laying in the sling, definitely making your first flight one that we will never forget :))

~Legs Inn with the Lorenger fam~

(Charlotte you are the queen of sleeping during cocktail hour and getting really sassy as soon as dinner is served)

~Aunt Jocelyn & cousin Kate~

~Cousin Emma~

~Matching jammies are the BEST!~

~Meg came down to meet Charlie, Todd and I in Harbor- so FUN!~

~OBVIOUSLY we stopped at Tom's Mom's cookies~

~Papa and Ella in Goodhart~

~Grandma Sue and Charlotte hanging out~

~Aunt Jocelyn telling Charlie all her fashion tips~

~Ella & Uncle Jon (and this is why he is not allowed to babysit Charlotte~ :)

~Emma and Grandma Sue lovin' on Charlotte~

~Lorenger family shot ...the self timer on our camera works!~

~Beautiful sunset!~

~Watch your hand Lorenger!~

~Cute, cute photo of the Padden's~

~Take #2 of the Kalmink's...Jon goofed up the first one...go figure :) ~

~Happy baby Grayson and Charlotte after breakfast~

~Morning workout....Tummy Time!~

~Totally pooped after a solid ab, neck and back workout~

~Two months postpartum attempt at solemn skiing....with my wild driver Jojo~

~I did it, whew!~

~Jojo rockin' Burt Lake...per usual~

~Always a photo finish with this guy...gearing up to flip out of the ski~

~Showoff!~

~Auntie Mo getting some cuddle time with Baby G~

~It definitely wouldn't be a "PAR-TAY" without a few bible songs by Cuppie & Boyd~

~Uncle Bob looks pretty comfortable chillin' with baby G too...what a natural!~

~Lorenger you're looking a little too tan here, Charlotte thinks mom might need more time in the sun~

~The Winfield men...wild and crazy~

~Megs and Grayson...SOO SOO glad they came to Burt Lake for the Fourth of July~

~Mini Ray~

~After waking up for a 4am feeding with Charlotte I noticed the sun coming up and decided to stay up to take photos and practice some yoga on the dock... MY HAPPY PLACE~

~Emma & Charlotte~

~It wouldn't be a trip UpNorth without the infamous panini spread~

~Aunt Jocelyn snuggling with Miss Charlotte~

(Charlotte it was after this day that we decided you needed to wear a bow in your hair every day moving forward...you just look so fabulous)

~Charlie all cozy in her mamaroo~

~Daddy/Daughter jet ski ride~

~Uncle Todd you better not be sharing your beer with Miss Emma!~

~Looks like they "kinda" love her ;))~

~Yup..this pretty much sums up my family~

~Chillin' with Uncle Jojo~

~Morning laughing session~

(Charlotte your smiling has become a morning ritual....it makes getting up early SO worth it :))

~Charlotte's reaction when I told her she will be marrying Grayson in 25 years~

~Moments later she decided that just might be okay..he will play in the MLB afterall~

(HOW PRECIOUS ARE THEY, holding hands?!?)

~Megs and Kiki with their kiddos...OMG we are both Moms~

~Dipping the kids' toes in the lake~

~Charlotte you surprisingly actually enjoyed the dip in Burt Lake!~

~Making our way to the beach at L'abre Croche~

~The girls!~

~Family of three...just missing Brutus!~

~Friends who are much more like FAMILY (just missing Jack & Tracey!)~

~Our parents are pretty darn fabulous~

~Mo you are going to be the BEST mommy!~

~Poppie & Daddy hanging with Charlie~

~Charlie certainly did not lack attention at the beach party~

~Grammie & Charlie partying!~

~STUDS!~

~OUTFIT CHANGE! Charlotte rocking her jammies at the beach~

~Last day at the lake, Charlotte is not holding back her emotion...BOO HOO we don't want to leave~

~BOOZEHOUND~

~Beth Spina meets Charlotte~

~Poppie hanging with his favorite lady~

~This guy was pretty excited about our evening sans baby~

~Mommy was a bit more apprehensive...but the beer helped!~

~View from the Perry Hotel~

~Sunset after dinner~

~Perfecting ending to a wonderful week...I love you Lorenger!~