Hills & Dales

I'm not sure how I managed to forget to post these photos! They are some of my favorites from our fall fun! We went to Hills & Dales park last month on one of our unseasonably warm and beautiful November days! We had fun playing and hiking and enjoying such a magnificent day!

King of the Hill!

We role played several fairly tales while we were there including 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Guess what character Claire was playing??

So very sweet!!

Probably my favorite action shot ever of my girls (compliments of Grammy)!

Festival of Lights

The highlight of our Christmas festivities so far this season was going to the Cincinnati Zoo for the Festival of Lights! It was a beautiful winter evening and it definitely helped to get us in the Holiday spirit!

Both girls were more than willing to touch the VERY large Boa Constrictor!


Beautiful lights!


Our family in front of the beautiful Christmas tree (a little dark!!).

Anna was terrified of Santa (that may be an understatement). This makes two years in a row that or sweet girls wanted NOTHING to do with the jolly fellow!

Claire, on the other hand, was more than willing to sit on Santa's lap and according to Santa himself, she asked for pink roller skates!

Train ride around the zoo!

The carousel ride was a favorite of the girls and we went several times!!

Mama enjoyed it, too!

The lights were so pretty and bright (Ben said they switched to LED lights this year!).

We LOVE Elephants!

Thanksgiving: ROUND ONE

This post ended up being more of a compilation post of pictures before and after Thanksgiving. We were excited to spend time with Brad and Sharon. We haven't seen them since summer, so it was nice to catch up!

The Cutting Family!

Thanksgiving dinner! Grammy did an excellent job making a delicious and festive Thanksgiving feast!

Sharing a beater with Daddy (not so sure about that!!).

Being silly with Uncle Brad!

Tea Party!

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving: ROUND TWO

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the McDowell side of the family on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We always have fun getting all the cousins together!! Thanks, Mom & Dad, for all your hard work to make the holidays so festive! Uncle Shawn is so much fun!

Jillian & Anna being silly!

Lauren was the only person Claire would allow to comfort her after a little fall!

Cousins!

Our lil' turkeys!

Nuna & Papa with the girls!