first hotel stay

We spent the weekend in Evansville to celebrate my lifelong friend's son's first birthday. We also did four photo sessions with extended families of Jessie's, which was so fun! Since my parents live in Indy now, we don't have anywhere to stay when we travel to Evansville, so we booked our first hotel with the girls. At first, it was such fun!!!!!

As soon as we walked in the door, Sammi ran and jumped in the bed and got snuggled in! 

Then we had a dance party to the music on tv!

Then daddy blew up Sammi's bed and OH BOY, did she have fun jumping back and forth!!!!

We did three of the photo sessions that afternoon and Jessie's parents and family watched our girls for us --- a special thanks to all of them, as Samantha has had quite the separation problems since her last school experience! Then we were treated to some pizza for dinner (another thank you!), and went back to the hotel to "sleep". Yes, "sleep". Sam has to have a light on and Natalie has to have it dark.....one seemed to always be crying, overtired, in a new environment...do we let them cry it out when we have people on the other side of the wall or not.....do we just go to bed with them at 8pm or sit in the dark in silence.....I don't think we'll be doing any more hotel stays until Natalie is about 2.5! 

The next day was filled with meltdowns, crying, needing attention, and a very stressed mama and dada, but we made it through and we had SO MUCH fun despite the attitudes & lack of sleep!!!! 

We started with breakfast in the hotel! (It was actually very good!!!)  And Natalie ate her first scrambled eggs and cherrios!!! What a big girl!!! 

Aunt Jessie (and Uncle Bryan) :) had everything a kid could possibly want at Cooper's party!!!! Hats, toys, bracelets, candy, chocolate, cake, a HUGE bouncy house and blow-up slide, and lots of food and friends!!!!

Sammi liked the slide a lot more than Natalie! She went down many, many times, but Natalie was good with one try. :)

We all had fun in the bounce house!!!

We have lots of professional photos of Cooper that aren't ready yet, but I didn't get many with my little camera. He was the star of the party! So cute!!!! A lot of cameras were on him that day!!! (And for some reason, Jessie and I have a big problem of always forgetting to take a photo of us! :( Loved seeing you though, Jess!!!!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOPER! And thanks, McCools, for your hospitality!!!!!!