Gourds & Ghouls Festival

On Saturday I worked at the hospital, so Ben, Grammy & Papa took the girls to Wegerzyn Gardens and Boonshoft for the Gourds & Ghouls Festival. Ben actually planned and organized this field trip while mommy was away! They all had a lot of fun and enjoyed the Fall festivities!

Showing off Claire's 'Voyage on the Parkway Passport'. Every time she completed an activity she got a stamp on her passport!

Claire listening intently at one of the activity tents.

Anna enjoyed the "what's that sound" activity tent!

Claire loves doing crafts!

Playing with the hay!

By far, the highlight of the trip was taking the bus ride from Wegerzyn to Boonshoft and the trolley ride back! Claire is still talking about it!

Such a big girl sitting on the bus!

Daddy & Claire making a scarecrow!

Papa & Anna... more hay!

Grammy, Papa and the girls on the trolley!

Greyt Greyhound Gathering 2008

The Greyt Greyhound Gathering is an annual get together for adopted retired racing Greyhounds held at Sharon Woods. There are upwards of 300 Greyhounds that attend. We hadn't been there in years. Actually, the last time we went, Maddie was with us. It was fun to return and see some of the Greyhounds and their families that we know. It was kind of sad for me too, because we took Maddie many times, so there were a lot of "Maddie" memories for me. Anyway, it was a pretty day and we had a fun time petting the dogs and chatting with fellow Greyhound lovers!

Claire loved petting all the dogs! This sweet girl was a "brood mama" at a track for TEN years. She is now available for adoption. Melody is her name and was truly one of the sweetest grey's I've ever met. She deserves a wonderful home after ten years of having babies. I wanted to take her home so bad...

Claire seemed to like this little doggie the best! I guess she was bored with all the big Greyhounds!

I really enjoyed talking to other Greyhound lovers!

Some of the Greyhounds available for adoption. There are thousands of these beautiful, gentle creatures waiting for loving homes... please consider adding one of these sweet dogs to your family!

Anna... another dog lover!

No, this isn't Sophie... she just looks exactly like her! Soph's long lost twin!

We went to the gathering right after early service at church, so Claire was really tired and ready for a nap!

A quick family picture! They never turn out like you hope!

Grammy & Papa came with us!

Ben talking with Don Levan. He is the Dayton area representative for TEAM Greyhound. This is the rescue that we adopted Sophie from and I volunteer for. You can go to http://www.teamgreyhound.com/ to look at the Greyhounds that are up for adoption right now. It's fun to just look at the pictures and read descriptions about the dogs. I visit this site daily!!

Caroline's 2nd B-Day Party

Last Saturday Caroline had her 2nd birthday party. It was a beautiful Fall day and "pumpkins" was the theme of the party! They had a bonfire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows and to just sit around and talk. It was a lot of fun!! Happy 2nd Birthday Caroline! We love you so much!!!

The birthday girl! Caroline & Claire both ate non-stop. They must have made several dozen trips around the food table!


Nuna holding baby Catherine!


Grandma McDowell & Catherine

Claire offering Caroline a sip of her drink. They look so big to me here!

The bonfire!

Claire & Papa! This is Claire's "I have no idea what you're talking about" pose!

Possum Creek

After we went to Tom's Maze we went to the nearby Possum Creek (one of the Metro Parks). Although the barns were already closed, we were still able to see the animals in the fields and peek through the windows to see the ones locked in the barns. It was a beautiful Fall day and we all had a great time!

Claire loved standing on the window sill to peek in and watch the chickens and turkeys!

Looking at the muddy pigs. Claire seems to be fascinated with pigs rolling in mud right now!

The highlight of the trip was being able to see all the animals in the field. There were goats, cows, a very large horse, and donkeys. There was a corn field right there so we took corn off the stalks and fed all the animals. Of course, they loved the treat and we loved feeding them. You could definitely tell they were used to people. They were very friendly... especially after they realized we were going to feed them!

Claire loved all the animals!

Waiting for more corn! Isn't this a funny picture!!

So cute!! They followed us as we walked around! they were like little lost puppies!

My girls! I think Claire was disappointed that we didn't go anywhere on the "hay ride"!

Sweet Anna! A little happier here!

Playing on the playground with Papa!

I love this picture of Ben & Claire! Claire loves slides!

The "kids"!! Grammy and Anna looking at the baby goat!

Sweet picture of Papa holding Claire!!

Bye Bye!!

Tom's Maze

Ben & I used to go to Tom's Maze before we had kids and always had a great time, so we thought it would be fun to take the girls! Although they are too little to enjoy the large maze, there was a lot to see and they had a kid's maze that Claire liked running around. They also had animals to look at and we were able to watch a pumpkin launch. Afterward we went to Possum Creek, which was close by. It was a fun Fall day!!

Our little dog lover found "Penny" the Jack Russell as soon as we got there. She sat and played with Penny for quite awhile. She was a very sweet dog!

Claire has an uncanny ability to control dogs. She is the next "Dog Whisperer". She is very firm with dogs and they seem to respond to her. It is interesting to watch. She told Penny to sit and she listened!

I love this picture! Look at poor Anna!

The air compressor on this truck launched a pumpkin a mile or so. It was fun to watch!

The "No Left Turn" maze for kids!

Once again... Anna wasn't very happy! Maybe she'll enjoy it more next year!

Looking at the Donkeys!

Anna 9 Month Update

When I read my cousin Jill's comment about Anna being so tall it reminded me to post about Anna's 9 month well check visit. Well, Jill, you're right! Anna is VERY tall. She is 29.5 inches long , which is almost off the chart at the 97th percentile. She weighs 19 lbs 13 oz (60th percentile) and her head is up to the 75th percentile. I actually had Dr. Denen re-measure her head because I just couldn't believe her head was that big. She's always been under the 50th percentile. She is such a big girl!

Anna's 9 Month Quilt Pictures

Yes... 9 MONTHS! Anna is really 9 months old! I am truly amazed at how quickly the time has gone. I know it's because we are so busy with our girl's, but I still can't believe she is almost through her first year!
Anna has such a fun personality. She has a very strong will (uh oh... watch out) and loves to play. This little girl will play endlessly. She also likes to climb, which is a little worrisome for me. Claire is not a climber, so this will be new for us. Miss Anna definitely keeps us on our toes, but we are having so much fun with our little squirt!!Such a big girl!

LOVE her smile. She has the sweetest smile. Her whole face lights up!

Look at this face... isn't she squeezable!?!?

It's hard keeping this girl down!

Anna is looking intently at her quilt that Grandma McDowell made for her!

You can see Anna's two, only two, bottom teeth in this picture!