First Day of Preschool

Tess is growing up too fast! Last Thursday she started going to a day school at a local church two mornings a week. Here she is all ready to go to school! Doesn't she look like a little girl and not a baby any more!?!?

When we arrived she was mesmerized by the other kids. She couldn't take her eyes off of them.

Once we were in the classroom, Tess was totally preoccupied with the other kids, the toys, and her new environment. She didn't even notice when we left and she had a really fun morning. And a really great nap that afternoon too!

Tess Doing Push Ups

Tess is always imitating different things we do and one of her favorite things is to imitate her dad when he does push-ups. Here's a video of her showing off what a tough girl she is.

Outer Banks Vacation

In early August, we spent a week with David's family at the Outer Banks. Tess and Liz were both sick for the first half of the week, but when we finally made it to the beach, Tess LOVED it. She loved the sand, the water, the waves, the sun, the seashells, everything. She did try eating the sand once and quickly learned not to do that again. Going in the water was probably what fascinated her most. It was so neat to watch her experience something so new and amazing as the ocean. We can't wait to go back.

Deep Creek Lake Vacation

In late July, we spent a week with Liz's family at Deep Creek Lake in Western MD. Tess had such a great time with her Grammy, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her favorite activities were climbing in and out of empty cabinets and visiting a wool farm with lots of fascinating animals.

On the road again. Tess spend A LOT of time in her carseat this summer. And she was a true angel, hardly complaining at all.

First Birthday, July 3rd

Tess announces to the punk rock world that she is ONE!!! In case you're wondering, her gorgeous hair-do was accomplished with a very expensive salon professional avocado-based hair product (OK, just avocado :-).

After having her hair done, we celebrated Tess's birthday with a trip to the zoo, a nice afternoon nap and then a picnic and walk at Furman. We decided to get Tess dressed up for some official one-year-old portraits. She cleans up good, don't ya think?

Random Summer Fun

Falls Park in Downtown Greenville

Our old washer died. I guess that's what happens when you throw your husband in with the wash!

Daddy's little helper

The box from our new washer was the highlight of Tess's summer. She LOVED playing in it, especially peeking through the little window at the end. It's too bad we didn't get a picture of Compa playing too. She really loved giving Tess kisses through the little window! We're not gonna have this much fun again until we get a new dryer!

Tess's Baptism, June 14

Tess was baptised on June 14th at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Greenville. Her grandparents were all there, and we were so happy to celebrate this special moment in Tess's life with our friends and family. Her baptismal gown is a Gandolfo family treasure, having been worn by David and his four siblings when they were all baptised as babies .