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!!!

Sophie the Greyhound

My sweet, sweet Sophie! A.K.A. - The Sophster, Soph, Soph-Soph, Sophetta, or even "Ophie" as Anna refers to her! No matter what you call her, she is the absolute sweetest animal on the planet. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect canine companion for our family. We all adore her and I am so thankful that Sophie is MINE!

Photo by Allison Walton

www.allisonlaura.com

My 33rd Birthday

Well, thirty-three years old... HERE I AM!!! And, I am so glad to be right where I'm at. I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you, Lord, for another year. Let's make it a good one!

I never would've guessed I'd have two little girls on my lap on my 33rd birthday! I'm lovin' it though!

Make a wish!

Love my cute, little helpers!

At my Grandma McDowell's house for our lunch date!

Some of my most favorite girls!

I am so thankful for my Grandma's love and wisdom in my life! She is one of my greatest supporters and prayer warriors!

Swimming at Shawn & Kristen's. (Jillian, Olivia & Claire)

My good friend, Deanna, and I are birthday buddies! No wonder I love her so much!!!

(Kristen, Deanna, Lauren & Landon)

I had a great birthday week!

(Deanna, Cynetta & Benjamin, Me & Anna)

BERRIES!!!

Grammy recently took Claire berry picking! Claire did a great job picking blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. We had lots of berries to eat and bake with! YUM!!

Greene Co. Fair

Grammy & Papa have made it a yearly tradition to take the girls to the Greene County Fair since Claire was a baby and the girls love going!!!

Grammy, Papa, and the girls at the child evangelism booth! They love the fair!

Cousins

We have been having so much fun with our "big cousins" since they moved back to Ohio in July!

The girls in the jacuzzi tub after they went swimming. Clearly the bubbles were out of control. I think Shawn & Kristen are going to have bubbles in their tub for the next 100 times they use it!

Too cute!

Chilling out on the couch with a snack and blanket watching a movie!!

BIG shoes to fill!

My girls are borderline obsessed with shoes of ANY kind, but especially my shoes and Ben's shoes. They think it's the funnest thing ever to walk around in our shoes (my high heels are their favorite!). Anyway, I told them when they were wearing Daddy's shoes the other day that... "those are awfully big shoes to fill"!! They didn't quite understand what I meant, but it is definitely the truth!

My ZOO

This picture pretty much sums up my life right now. Sometimes I feel like I am living in a zoo! Although it can be kind of chaotic around here, I wouldn't change a THING!

I guess I should explain why my Anna is swinging bare bottomed. She is being potty trained and my "pantsless' method of potty training is a pretty amazing way to potty train (if I do say so myself)!!!! Anyway... welcome to my crazy world!

Nuna's Birthday

My mom celebrated her her birthday on the 28th. To help celebrate, the girls and I went over to Shawn & Kristen's house for the afternoon. The kids went swimming and Kristen made all of us lunch. It was a fun and relaxing day! That evening my mom, Kristen and I went to the Melting Pot for a yummy dinner! It was such a fun day celebrating my mom... one of the most giving people I know! Happy Birthday, Mom! I hope you know how much I love you! Nuna opening her gifts with wet grandkids around her!

Having a fabulous dinner at the Melting Pot!

12 Year Anni

July 25th marked the 12 year wedding anniversary for me & Ben. Words don't seem adequate when I try to describe my husband of 12 years. Most people don't really know Ben. He is a private person, but I know his intense love for his family and the Lord. What I love most about him is that he is strong where I am my weakest. He evens me out and makes me feel like the most loved and secure woman in the world. I've never doubted his love and commitment to me. He is definitely a better husband than I am wife. Ben is an equally great father. He is a strong disciplinarian, but loving, soft and sweet with our girls, too. I love watching him with Claire & Anna because I see every quality that I love most in him shine through when he's with his girls. Ben, thank you for being my rock, my love, my dream come true. I love YOU more than anything in this world. I am so thankful that the Lord was thinking of me when he created you. I'm looking forward to the next 12 years and beyond, Babe!

Ben & I went to our favorite restaurant, Fleming's Steakhouse, for our anniversary dinner. It was fun getting dressed up a bit and sharing a delicious and QUIET dinner together!

On our actual anniversary, Grammy had the girls make cards for us and surprise us with a cake! I could've never imagined that this would be our family 12 years later! I feel amazingly blessed!!