Camping (sort of)

So... Ben had this crazy, I mean GREAT idea to camp out with the girls in our backyard. He's been on the lookout for the perfect tent and finally found it at the Northface outlet last week. The girls were so excited to "sleep", and I use the word sleep very loosely, in the big tent. Ben & I had a bet going on how long they would last in the great outdoors. Let's just say I won and they lasted about an hour. Yes, you read it correctly. An HOUR!

Daddy putting up the tent!

The girls were ecstatic about their big camping adventure with Daddy!

Such helpers!

Getting all snuggled in the princess sleeping bag!

Anna in her Elmo sleeping bag! (I literally think she stayed in her sleeping bag as long as it took me to take this picture... not a good sign!).

Both girls ended up on Daddy's air mattress (he's a wuss... an air mattress when you're supposed to be camping out? WHAT???).

This is the photo I took as I was walking back into the HOUSE. I really, really, really love my bed and within an hour both my girls were sound asleep in their beds, too! Maybe next time!

Holiday at Home Parade

Our annual Labor Day tradition is to go to Kettering's Holiday at Home parade and festival. It's a sign that summer is over, but also the beginning of all the fun fall festivals! This is such a fun time of year! This is how we roll, baby!

The girls loved watching all the cheerleaders!

And of course seeing all the doggies, too!

The storm trooper and Claire are waving to each other!

The best view was from Daddy's shoulders!

We all ate so much festival food we were sick. Claire ate almost the whole bag of cotton candy! Makes me queasy just thinking about it. Haha!

It's FALL

Saturday evening we had the first fire in our fire pit! We love this fall like weather and thought it was the perfect time to break out the fire pit! I love how Anna is holding her baby doll with her shades on ! She makes us laugh!

Roasting marshmallows with Grammy & Papa for smores!

Mmmmm! We love smores!

My messy girl!

My Baby

I check on my girls every night before I go to bed and most of the time I find Anna in this position, on her belly with her little bottom up in the air. It's so sweet that she still sleeps like a baby! MELTS my heart!

Kings Island 2010

On Friday, we took our second day trip to King's Island. The girls and I have been there several times, but this was our first time with Daddy. We all had a really, really fun time. We jumped right on every ride and the temperature was in the mid-70's with a nice breeze! What a perfect day for an amusement park!

Daddy, Claire & Anna on the roller coaster! My girls loved all the rides. No fear at all!

The swings are always a fan favorite!

Anna loved the carousel. I'm sure because of the horses!

My little pilots!

This is a glimpse into our future. Lord, help us all!

Nothing says King's Island like Smurf ice cream! The best ice cream E-V-E-R!

One of the favorite rides was the Drop-Zone for kids! Even Daddy liked this one!

I love how Anna has her arms up in the air! My little dare devil!

Fun train ride!

At the end of our day, we let the girls play in the kiddie water park. Thankfully, I had a dry change of clothes for the ride home! What a GREAT day!

The Zoo

Since Ben has been on vacation, we thought it would be fun to go on a couple one day trips with the girls. Our first adventure was to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was a great family day! We were thankful for beautiful weather and a quiet zoo now that school is back in session.

Elephants are our favorite attraction!

Daddy and the girls on the tram!

The girls petting an alligator (eeek... not a huge reptile fan)!

The best $2 we spent at the zoo was for the nectar sticks that allowed the girls to feed the birds in the aviary. The birds were not shy at all about snatching a taste of the sweet treat!

We called Claire the bird whisperer!

This picture cracks us up because Anna had no idea there was a parrot on her head. Once she realized it, she freaked out a bit and Ben & I couldn't help but laugh at her attempt to remove the bird from her head! It was hilarious!

Daddy even got in on the action!

Three birds at once!

The rhino... what a fascinating creature with his God given armor! So pre-historic looking!

Claire kept asking to see the turtles while we were touring the zoo (turtles of all the animals to see?!?!). So, on our way out there was a worker holding a turtle for the kids to pet. Claire finally got her wish!

Claire's 1st Day of Pre-School

My big girl had her very first day of pre-school on Tuesday. We were so happy that Daddy was able to spend the day with us (he is on vacation this week!). We went to breakfast to celebrate the big day and then took her to school as a family. It was a very exciting day and a fun milestone to share together!

At Mimi's Cafe for breakfast!

My big four year old!

Mommy & Daddy walking our girl into school!


She was so excited!

Anna asked us MANY times, "Where sister go?", after we left the school. They are always together so this will be a transition for Anna as well!

Claire and her teachers!

Sunday School Promotion

Last Sunday, Claire was promoted to the pre-school Sunday School class at church. I feel like I was just posting photos of her promotion from the nursery to the 1 year old class! What in the world... PRE-SCHOOL???????

About to go in her big girl class!

These two are inseparable! Claire & Caroline are in the same class and VERY happy about that!!

They are seriously a riot! You don't even know!!!

Papa's 60th Birthday

We recently celebrated Papa's 60th birthday! The girls really adore their Papa and we are so thankful for his life and his love! We pray for many, many more healthy and happy years with him!!!!

Grammy & Claire love to read (especially fairy tales). I have a photo of Claire being read to by Grammy in this rocking chair when she was just a month or so old!

Anna loves to be tickled!!!