Wedding Bells

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to attend the wedding of Harper's Uncle Brandon and his wife, Ashton, in Atlanta.  It was quite the whirlwind weekend, getting in on Friday morning and flying back to Boston on Sunday morning, but we were able to pack a lot of fun into a few short days!

Always Coca Cola

Getting ready to see the 4D Coke movie!

Our flight landed first thing on Friday morning so we had the whole day to hang out with our family before Brandon and Ashton's rehearsal dinner later that night.  So we went right to the Coca Cola Factory!  We got to take a tour and taste all sorts of soda; as you can imagine, that was the kids' favorite part--Harper included.  We even got to take a bottle of Coke home from the factory as a souvenir!   

Taste-testing some delicious Coke

Brynn and Harper share a Coke

Harper, at Brandon and Ashton's rehearsal dinner

Brandon and Ashton were married in the Atlanta Temple on Saturday morning.  It was such a special experience to be a part of and to share in their joy.  Even though the weather forecast called for rain, it held off until after we waved farewell to the bridge and groom later that night.  So we were able to enjoy the day--and take lots of pictures--outside.  Harper was not the most cooperative photo subject outside the temple, though she and her cousins, Brynn and Kate, were absolutely adorable in matching pink dresses!  Harper had a blast with the little girls.  She insisted that Brynn hold her constantly; Brynn did the best she could, not an easy feat when Harper feels heavy to Dallin and me, let alone Harper's sweet 9 year-old cousin!  But she was a trooper, and Harper enjoyed every minute of her time with the girls!

Auntie Ashton with Brynn, Kate, and Harper

All worn out by the wedding festivities!

The wedding reception wasn't until later in the evening so we got some down time in between, which worked out well for our sweet girl--since she was long overdue for a decent nap and was totally exhausted.  The reception was so much fun!  The food was amazing, classic southern comfort food that Harper devoured, and then our lucky girl even got to spend time with the bride and groom on the dance floor!  Perhaps her favorite part though was hanging out with her cousins. By the end of the night, Harper and Kate were even holding hands.  Love!

Little H, loving the lemonade!

Addicted to Apple

Harper and Uncle Brandon

Harper and Grandma

Harper and Kate

Time always passes too quickly, and we were sad to say goodbye after such a fun wedding weekend!  We are incredibly happy for Brandon and Ashton, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome Ashton into the family and to get to know her better as the years unfold.  Now we just need to plan another family trip!  Fortunately, summer is right around the corner...

17 months old!

17 months old!--
and blessed to be Boston strong.

April 19, the day that marked Harper's 17th month was one that we will likely never forget.  After the terrible and tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon earlier in the week, our town was on lockdown while the manhunt for one the bombers was underway just a mile or so from our house.  We were glued to the news all day long, and it felt like time stood still as we waited and wondered if they would catch him, whether they would be able to catch him alive, if there were any answers to be found.  Harper puttered around in her jammies all day, looking out the window, and maybe even wondering why we were inside on what was arguably the nicest day that week!  We felt blessed by her sweet little spirit and silly antics that offered joy and comic relief to what was an unusual, stressful, and tense day.  

When the lockdown was lifted that evening, we finally realized: Harper is 17 months old!  So we headed far out of town for some much-needed fresh air...and cheeseburgers and french fries too!  As it turns out, the only thing Harper loves more than french fries is ketchup:

We actually ran into some friends at church while we were out for dinner; apparently great minds think alike!  While we were eating, that is when the bomber was finally found--after almost a full day.  It was a relief to know that justice would be served, and we were able to sleep better that night.  We have felt both impressed and touched by the strength of the Boston community, and feel proud to call Boston our home.

Looking at the ducks with Auntie Annie

The following weekend, we went downtown to walk around the Boston Public Gardens with Harper's Auntie Annie and our dear friend, Grayson.  We were happy to have the opportunity to feel connected to our city.  Even though Harper is typically very skittish around animals, she loved the ducks; I guess all the readings of Make Way For Ducklings paid off!  Ducks are sort-of the ideal animal for Harper since they essentially run/fly away from her before she can get too close and get scared.  That being said, Harper did not like the Make Way For Ducklings statues at all...but she was willing to ride on Mrs. Mallard's back, as long as Grayson was holding her.

Make Way For Ducklings!
Harper, Grayson, and Mrs. Mallard

In addition to discovering her love for ketchup, here are some of the other things that our busy little bee is up to lately:

Braving the great outdoors- The weather has finally turned from winter to spring, and we have been enjoying as much fresh air as we possibly can.  Sometimes this means braving temperatures that aren't quite as warm and sunny as we would prefer, like this trip to Mount Auburn Cemetery when we went for a family walk on a Sunday afternoon.  We climbed to the top of the tower to see the city view, and it couldn't have been more windy up there! Harper was NOT a fan, and I have to admit I wanted to get the heck out of dodge too, before a gust of wind blew us right off the top of the tower!  But not before first capturing this picture of Little H and Daddy, rocking the wind blown look.

Harper and Amelia at the park

Being outside also means getting to play with friends at the park!  Harper has had so much fun running around the park with her baby bestie, Amelia.  Harper and I recently got to have a playdate with Amelia and her mommy, and our good friend Talyn, at an indoor play place too!  With lots of foam padding and slides and tunnels to crawl in and over and around, the little girls had a total blast!  And if I do say so, the adults did too!

Harper and Amelia, doing a little tumbling!

Little girl on the go!

Miss Independent- Harper's vocabulary is developing almost as fast as her independence.  She has learned the word "NO" so you can imagine what that means...
Mommy: Harper, it's time to get out of the bath.
Harper: Nnnno!
or
Mommy: Harper, it's time to give me my ice cream cone back.
Harper: Nnnno!
And so it begins...

First soft-serve of the season!  Yum.
(This used to be my ice cream cone.)

Mirror, mirror, on the wall- Harper is loving her reflection!  And can you blame her, really?  Not with a face like that.  We have a full-length mirror on the inside of one of our closet doors, and that mirror is her particular favorite because she can get right up close to her twin in the mirror.  But perhaps the best part is when she gives her reflection a little kiss.  Oh how I love my sweet girl!

Harper kisses! x2

It's incredible to realize, but pretty soon, Harper will officially be 1 1/2 years old--and well on her way towards the terrific 2s!  She has been babbling up a storm and beginning to say a few little words, and I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of an absolutely fabulous vocabulary.  Everyday is as new and exciting for her as it is for us, which is a truly amazing thing.

16 months old!

16 months old!

How is it possible that we breezed through Harper's 16-month milestone?  Shame on the keeper of the Wilson family blog!  It's true, life has been moving fast, and--especially now that she is walking/climbing/running--Harper is moving even faster!  Here are some of the highlights from March, Harper's 16th month:


Playing dress up- Like mother, like daughter...  Harper loves dressing up, whether it's in my clothes, in her clothes, and even Daddy's clothes are fair game.  Accessories are probably her favorite, particularly scarves, shoes, and sunglasses.  It is so sweet to see the pure glee on her face when she is all dressed up in the accoutrements of her choosing.  Harper has also learned how to zip and unzip, which only adds to the fashion possibilities.

Hand-me-down rain boots,
from our friend Jen and her daughter, Eliza!

Designer sunglasses?  Yes, please.

Harper in my vest

Ready for the sudden onset of rain--
more fun hand-me-downs from Jen and Eliza.

Harper trying on Daddy's ring

Playing with friends- Harper has really been enjoying time with other kids.  We went to brunch with our friends, Kate and Andrew, and their son, Luke, and it was so cute to watch Harper and Luke, side by side in their highchairs. They shared their snacks--and books.  We are so sad that they will be moving back to California this summer!

Harper and Luke,
having brunch at Zaftig's!

Snuggling- Harper has become a little bit more snuggly as she moves towards being 1 1/2.  As her parents, we are thrilled by this development, since before we had to practically beg for kisses.  Still, she is the most snuggly when she is either tired or sick, and she is quite the Daddy's girl in either of these scenarios.

Harper needed some hugs from Daddy
after a visit to the doctor.

And so our sweet, smiley, and sometimes snuggly girl moves into her 17th month!  And we, of course, are just along for the ride.