Carolina Fun!

Hello from North Carolina... where Elena is wrapping up her first trip to see my family. We've had a fantastic week here on the Outer Banks, the barrier islands on the Atlantic coast -- home to my mom and dad, and only a few hours away from my grandparents and my sister, Nancy.

Elena has been incredible on this trip -- happy, easygoing, and a real charmer. Above you can see her trying on a hat in a beach shop (ok, so I put the hat on her).

And she even managed a few firsts... the grabbing of her own feet and even a small laugh!

Much more soon, as we travel back to Sacramento.