Sugarcreek Hike

We love to take a family "hike" (I use that term loosely!). Sugarcreek reserve and the Narrows are the places we usually go for our hiking adventures! We always have an exciting, fun-filled time!!! So sweet!

They always hold hands when they walk together! I love it!!!

We always seem to find our way into the water and the mud always finds US!

Daddy found several salamanders! My brave Claire enjoys touching the slimy creatures (not a trait inherited from her mother...).

Our beautiful Greyhound, Sophie! We enjoy taking her on our family hikes!

Gotta love the Great Outdoors!

Doggie Dash -N- Splash

Every year we try and make it to the Doggie Dash -N- Splash at the dog park in Greene Co. It's a fun way to spend time with your dog and meet lots of other neat doggies!! This dog was a pet therapy dog and he was soooo cool! He could catch this ball every time it was thrown! Needless to say, Claire thought it was so fun to throw him the ball and watch him JUMP to retrieve it. He would bring it right back to her and drop it at her feet!

Of course, any excuse to eat a funnel cake I'll gladly take! YUM!!

Sophie romping with some other canines! She slept well after we got home!

I love this photo! It looks like quite the show down. Nose-to-nose with tails waving high... very dominant, alpha stances!

The doggie pool was a big hit with the pooches and with my girls! They loved watching the dogs swim & play!

This Lab was a trip!! Labs are the comedians of the dog world... gotta LOVE them!

Anna is Ka-Razy for animals, especially dogs. It's a borderline obsession!

Claire & Anna threw in the balls and frisbees a million times (we all got baths after our doggie adventure!).

I love how you can tell Claire just threw a ball and this black Lab is about to jump in and fetch it! We LOVE dogs and find any chance to spend time with them!!

First Sleepover

Claire had her VERY first sleepover at Grammy's house a couple weeks back! She was so excited about sleeping on her blow up "princess bed" at Grammy's! I was a little worried that we would get a 2am phone call to come pick her up, but not so... she did GREAT! Grammy & Papa took her to Young's for dinner and some fun, came home and popped popcorn and read books and then it was time for bed! She had a blast! It was so sweet to watch as Claire said goodbye to Anna!

My big girl off on her sleepover adventure! She even packed her backpack all by herself!

Going down the big slide at Young's!

She loved that slide!

A yummy dinner at Young's!

Seeing Mommy for the first time after her sleepover!

Great Grandparents

My girls are fortunate enough to have four of their great grandparents living! These are just a few our recent pictures with them! We TRULY enjoy our time with them!!!

Claire having a very serious conversation with her Grandpa Shepherd!

Claire, Anna & Papa Shepherd

This chair has been in the Shepherd family for over 100 years. Grandpa Shepherd had pictures taken in this chair as a child!

The girls with their Papa Stephens!

He brings out the "silly" in almost everyone! He just has that affect on people!

Anna pointing at Papa Stephens eye (more like poking his eye out!).

Anna giving Nanny Grey a hug! (I would've taken more pictures with Nanny Grey, but she didn't want any taken... I snuck this one!!).

The girls and I had the pleasure of spending the day with my Grandma McDowell on her 82nd birthday! Since my Grandpa died almost a decade ago, she doesn't really have anyone to do something special for her on her birthday. We brought her a cookie cake, a plant, a gift, a balloon and a card that Claire made for her! It was a special day!

The girls helping Grandma pick tomatoes off her plant!

A very sweet and spontaneous birthday hug for Grandma!!

Grandma teaching Anna how to blow bubbles!

This time with our great grandparents is priceless and I honestly wouldn't trade our time with them for ANYTHING!!!!

Uncle Brad & Aunt Sharon's Reception

In mid-August, Grammy & Papa hosted a beautiful wedding reception for Uncle Brad & Aunt Sharon in Ohio. Grammy and her friends did a great job planning and coordinating a lovely reception to honor the newlyweds! We enjoyed seeing Brad & Sharon and many other friends and family we don't see often!

The happy couple!

Sharon opening up the gift I made for her!

Grammy & Anna

Claire and our family friend, Kate. They had so much fun playing together!

Grammy with her siblings, Shari & John.

Grammy with Kurt & Barb Hasselbach and Jay & Linda Scrivner (Sharon's parents).

The Shepherd Family (Grammy's family)

Grammy, a screaming Anna, Grandpa Shepherd, Aunt Beth & Steven.

The Cutting side of the family

What a FUN day!

Greene Co. Fair

Grammy & Papa went to the Greene Co. Fair with Claire & Anna. They were able to see lots of farm animals, ride rides, eat fair food and even ride a pony!

My girls absolutley love corn on the cob!!