More Party Pictures

Posing in the inflatable! Jillian, Claire, Lauren, Makenna, & Caroline.

We had a bubble machine that blew a bunch of bubbles. Claire got some right in the face!

Opening up gifts! We got some really nice things. Thanks to everyone for their generosity!!

Caroline & Claire looking cute!

The kids decorating their cupcakes! It was fun to watch them put their icing and decorations on. Some of them went crazy with the icing and sprinkles and others just wanted to eat the cupcake!!






Spreading the icing!

Claire blowing out her two candles!

It took her a second to realize that we were singing "Happy Birthday" to her, but when she did she got the biggest smile on her face. It was priceless!

Taking a bite of her birthday cupcake!!

The last of the Party Pics!!

Grammy, Claire & Papa. What a silly smile!

Claire's first kiss! Landon & Claire actually did kiss right on the lips!! So glad Ben wasn't there to witness this!

Family picture!

Daddy & Anna! Anna was so good all day!

Grandma McDowell & Claire. We were so happy Grandma could be there to help us celebrate!!

I think swinging is probably Claire's favorite activity!

Uncle Shawn, Lauren, Connor, Jillian & Nuna. We celebrated Lauren & Connor's birthday as well. Connor turned 11 on July 13th and Lauren turned 10 on July 2nd. Happy Birthday!!

Claire & Caroline playing. They actually took these toys (a tricycle & lawn mower) into the inflatable. I still don't know how they managed that. It was quite funny!!

Nuna, Papa, Grandma, Aunt Heather & Uncle Scott

Nuna, Claire & Papa

Claire is TWO!

Yesterday, July 16th, at 3:40 am Claire turned two years old. It just seems impossible to me that my baby is officially two. She is such a big girl now. There is no baby left at all. She talks non-stop now and is becoming more and more self sufficient everyday. She is very outgoing. She doesn't know a stranger (which is a little scary for her Mommy!!), and says "hi" to everyone she meets. Claire is just a delight to be around, although she has her "terrible two" moments. I can rationalize easily with her and she quickly obeys. She seems to have a sensitive heart and because of that she is easy to correct. I am so thankful that the Lord chose me to be Claire's Mommy! My hope & prayer for Claire is that one day she will understand and recognize the depth of love our Lord has for her and that at a young age she will accept this amazing gift of love. I know that God can do awesome things with Claire!!
Happy 2nd Birthday Claire Bear! We love you more than words could ever express! You will always be our baby!

We just hung out yesterday and I let Claire do some of her favorite things... swing, play in the water table, do a craft and watch Barney!!

Grammy & Papa came over and brought Claire a cake and some birthday gifts. They also brought over dinner as well!

She loved her cake!!

Papa, Grammy & Claire!

Grammy got Claire the cutest Bible I have ever seen! It is light pink with a soft, fluffy lamb on the front and they had her name engraved on it. Claire seemed to really like it. She asked for her Bible first thing when she woke up this morning!

Opening up some of the gifts Grammy gave her!

This little cell phone was a hit!

Playing in the inflatable we borrowed from a friend for Claire's party this weekend!

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