A Girl's Best Friend!

A girl's best friend... no, not diamonds! Her dog of course!!! I just had to post some of these sweet pictures of Anna & Sophie together over the last couple months. Anna has become VERY aware of Sophie and tracks her when Sophie walks by or moves (usually though she is sound asleep on the couch!). Anna lights up when she sees Sophie and reaches for her. When she gets to touch Sophie she tries to eat her. Ben & I remember Claire doing the same thing at Anna's age. I guess at this age they really do try to put EVERYTHING in their mouth, including pets!! Sophie is so gentle and tolerant of her little sisters! We are fortunate to have a dog that is so good with our children!

Anna was pretty little when I took these pictures! You can see how sweet Sophie is with babies. You've gotta LOVE dogs!

Anna was just starting to notice Sophie here! Sophie was oblivious to Anna. She is sound asleep on the couch... her favorite past time!!

The next group of pictures were taken within the last week or so! Surprise, surprise...Sophie is on the couch! Anna gets so excited when she is close to Sophie!!

Anna is trying to take a bite out of Sophie! For all you germaphobes out there... RELAX! It is proven that children who are raised with animals are healthier and have less allergies than kids who do not have pets.

Sophie is giving Anna a kiss on her leg!!

Jump, Jump, Jumperoo!

About a month ago, Ben put the Jumperoo together for Anna. This was one of Claire's favorite things when she was Anna's age so I wondered how Anna would like it. Well, it didn't take long to find out the answer to my question. Almost immediately after we put her in the Jumperoo, she figured out what she was suppose to do and started jumping away. It was so funny. She jumps and giggles! She goes crazy in this thing. Claire loves watching her and she says, "Jump, Anna, Jump!". Both Claire & Anna have really enjoyed the Jumperoo. This is by far one of their favorites. I think it's good to develop their leg muscles and burn off some of that baby fat. I remember after Claire used it for awhile her legs got thinner. Anna doesn't quite have the thunder thighs Claire had so we may not see any change, but it'll be good exercise for Anna!!

Truly GREAT Grandparents!!

Our girls are fortunate to have four living Great Grandparents. Ben's Grandpa Shepherd lives in the Akron area. We've made the trip up north several times for him to see Claire & Anna. I wish we lived closer so he could see them more often. My Grandparents are all in the area so we make frequent trips to visit them. I try to take the girls to see them every couple weeks. You never know how much more time they have and I want my girls to know their Great Grandparents. Not only that... I feel like they have more than earned the right to see their Great Gandchildren. My Grandparents have been so generous with their time and money. I couldn't put into words how much they have given to me over my lifetime. I know a large part of who I am today is directly related to my relationship with all four of my grandparents. They were always there to support me in my activities and have even helped me financially. I can't thank my Grandparents enough for all they have done for me. I feel like sharing my daughter's with them is just a small way to thank them for their love & support. I always try to take pictures or video of our time together so Claire & Anna will have record of their time with them. Here are just some of the pictures I have captured... mostly I am posting the pictures since Anna's birth, although I have many, many more. It was hard for me to pick because they are all so sweet! I love them all and I know the girls will love them, too!

I couldn't do this post without mentioning the Great Grandparents that have passed away. I wish all eight of our Grandparents were alive to see and hold Claire & Anna, but that just isn't the case. This post is in loving memory of Charles & Eleanor Cutting, Doris Shepherd and Edd McDowell. They are truly missed.

The first time Grandpa Shepherd met Claire.

4 Generations of the Shepherd family.

The first time Grandma McDowell met Anna.

The first time Grandpa Stephens met Anna (he wasn't doing well at this time and was afraid to hold her... he is doing much better now!!).

Nanny Grey & Grandpa Stephens holding the girls!

Grandpa Stephens with his grandgirls on his 80th birthday! He looks much better in these pictures!


The first visit for Grandpa Shepherd and Anna!



This 4 generation picture included Miss Anna!

Grandma McDowell & Anna

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???