More Great Grandparents

Grandma McDowell with the girls during one of our "lunch dates". Every couple weeks I take the girls over and my Grandma makes chicken pot pies for lunch and we visit all afternoon with her. We actually kind of make a day out of it. We have a lot of fun and Claire & Anna do great at her house! We look forward to our special time with her!!!

The next several pictures are all of Nanny Grey & Grandpa Stephens with Claire & Anna!

One of my favorite pictures of Grandpa & Claire!! Claire lights up when she is around him!

This is such a sweet picture of Claire & Grandpa having a little conversation. I have taken Claire over to their house fairly often since she was a newborn so she is extremely comfortable there and with my grandparents. It is so sweet t o see her interaction with them. She talks about them often and their dog Buffy, a teacup Poodle. Claire loves Buffy!!

More sweet pictures of Grandma McDowell with her girls!!

These pictures were taken just a few days ago during one of our lunch dates!!

Bath Time

A couple nights ago Claire & Anna took their first bath together!! They were so cute... splashing and squealing! I'm sure someday they will hate bathing together, but right now they seem to love it!

Uncle Brad

Uncle Brad was in town from Atlanta for the 4th. We had a nice time hanging out with him for several days over the Holiday! The girls do great with him!! We look forward to our next visit... we miss you Brad!

Bubblefest

I am late posting this (as usual!!), but a couple weeks ago we took Claire to the Rec Center for Bubblefest. My friends Deanna & Brian and Cynetta also came with their kids. We had fun, although I think Claire was a little young to really enjoy it fully. She seemed to more interested in the balloons they used to decorate than going to the bubble stations. It was still fun. I actually think Ben & Brian had more fun than the kids!!!

Like I mentioned... Claire had more fun playing with the balloons. I think I need to look for a Balloonfest next time!

At this station they painted bubble wrap and then put it on the white paper.

Claire talking to Landon!

Anna loved looking at the big bubbles Ben made!

Daddy & his girls playing!

Ben would blow these huge balloons and the kids would try to pop them! I think Landon got this one!

Claire, Landon & Noah watching Brian blow bubbles.

Cute picture of Ben & Anna! Not sure what Anna is doing with her lips???

Possum Creek

A couple weeks ago Grammy & Grandpa took Claire to Possum Creek Metro Park. Claire was able to get up close & personal with the farm animals. Claire loves animals so this is the perfect field trip for her! She talked about the animals and the different sounds they made for days after their adventure!

Such a cute picture of Claire looking up at Grammy as they were feeding the goats!

Intently watching the animals!

I still can't believe how close Claire was able to get to the turkey's.

More turkey's... Claire was going around the house hunched over saying "gobble, gobble" for sometime after seeing the turkey's! It was quite a sight!!

Claire had the awesome opportunity to feed a lamb (or "baby sheep" according to Claire!!). Whenever I was feeding Anna, Claire would tell me all about giving the baby sheep a bottle of milk! She was very proud of herself!

Two Little Lambs!

Papa and Claire looking at the pigs!

Claire loved driving the tractor with Papa!

After going to the farm, Grammy & Papa took Claire to get a special treat! Grammy thought it would be cute to give her a cupcake because she had a cupcake on her dress!

6 Month Quilt Pictures

On June 21st, Anna turned 6 MONTHS OLD! Wow... I really can't believe she is a half year old now. I thought the time went by quickly with Claire, but I'm telling you... my time with Anna has flown by. I know it's because I am busy with two children under the age of two. Life is like a whirlwind sometimes, but I wouldn't want it any other way!! I remember crying when I was early in my pregnancy with Anna, not because I was upset about having another baby, but that I was having two so closely together. I know now that this is God's perfect plan for our lives. The distance in age between Anna & Claire is great. There has never been any jealousy or meanness on Claire's part. She adores her baby sister and Anna lights up when she sees Claire. Now, I'm not going to pretend that life is easy or that I always get a ton of sleep, but my life is so rewarding. Claire tells me now that she loves me and she thanks me for everything I do for her. Anna gives me the sweetest smiles and giggles. Most importantly, I have a great, supportive husband who absolutely loves his family. I am truly blessed!
Anna has her 6 month well check next week so I will update you then on her progress!

I love, love, love this sweet girl!

This picture is a great depiction of Anna. She really is such a joyful, smiley girl!

Grammy's friend and neighbor, Carolyn, got Anna these adorable personalized shoes. One shoe has her name and the other has her birthdate! She also got Claire a pair when she was born. I love personalized stuff! Thanks Carolyn!

As I'm sure you can tell by the pictures... Anna really likes putting her hand/fingers in her mouth! She has done this since she was a newborn.

Anna sits up well now! The only time she falls over is when she gets excited!!

Grammy got Anna a "Sophie the Giraffe" when she was born. Sophie has been both of my girls favorite toy! I highly recommend this to anyone who has a teething child. This is about the best toy to sooth aching gums and is one of the all-time best selling toys ever. It definitely gets this mother's seal of approval! We don't go anywhere without it!

Half Birthday

Grammy bought a "half birthday" cake for Anna a couple weeks ago! The poor girl was cursed with a Christmastime birthday!!! Anyway... thanks for the cake Grammy! I think Claire enjoyed it more than anyone. She loved picking off the icing and blowing out the candle. She's getting some practice for her own birthday in a couple weeks!

Visit with Phil

Last week Ben's best friend, Phil, was in town from Seattle. He hadn't seen Anna since she was a newborn at Christmas. It was a nice visit and Ben was able to hang out with Phil and play golf several times! We hope to see you again SOON!!!

I took these pictures late at night when Claire was asleep and Anna should have been asleep! You can tell how cuddly she was with Phil! Claire was a little hesitant when she saw Phil initially, but warmed up quickly when he gave her a piece of his Marion's pizza! If you know Claire... the fastest way to her heart is through her tummy!