Snow Bunny

We spent some time in the snow! This was AB's first official snow experience. We didn't got out last year, but this year we've got all the gear- snow pants and snow boots, we've just been waiting on a good snow to go out and play in. Last night we got our wish, so today we enjoyed watching AB stomp around (but mostly eat) SNOW!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing Everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope to get some video up soon!

The Holiday Rush

AB had a blast trick or treating. Mimzey and Dano came over for the evening to take our little firecracker out on the town. She enjoyed getting candy but the other costumes made her very nervous. We went to Wild Lights at the Zoo! The light display around the "watering hole" were amazing. They have it coordinated with music. AB said "dancing light" We watched for quite a while. The highlight of the night was the merry go round. She loves riding rides. Thanksgiving has been a lot of fun. It started the Sunday before Thanksgiving at the Powell's. We spent the day with all of our cousins, Grandpa (who AB calls Bob) and Wimsey, Nana and Pap. Thursday we were off to Great Grandma and Grandpa Newman's for dinner. We had a chance to play with K, Maci, Austin and Dylan. After eating Great Grandma's yummy dinner we went to Mimzey and Dano's house for another yummy round of turkey and the fixings. There AB is on center stage, having no other little ones just yet, she tends to run the show. She entertained Great Grams, Great Grandma Bessy and the rest of the crowd throughout the evening. We relaxed at Mimzey and Dano's house all day on Friday and Saturday morning. We were then off again to visit with Nana and Pap. We went to a very fun celebration in Springfield. There was a cute Santa Land we were able to walk through in route to see the big man himself. AB loved to watch Santa from a far and told us she wanted to sit on his lap, but when the big moment was upon us she decided Daddy was the only man for her. We end the night in Pap's office looking out his office windows to enjoy the excellent fireworks display. We are looking forward to Christmas more than ever. AB has been talking up a storm and it has been so fun watching her enjoy Christmas lights and music, decorations... You really do see things through their eyes....It's like I'm a little kid all over again. We hope everyone is enjoying the holidays as much as we are. We have enjoyed seeing so many of you over the past few weeks. Love to all!

Wild Lights at the ZOO

Cozy in the wagon, watching the "dancing lights"

Waiting for a turn on the Merry Go Round

Ready Daddy! Here we go!

Great memories, Great night!

Happy Thanksgiving

Annabelle and K on Thanksgiving with the Powells

Annabelle and Maci at the Newman Thanksgiving

Trying to get a shot with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa...Not such a success

I'm done playing in the leaves...Now I'm ready for some snow!

Santa Land with Nana, Pap and KK

Santa Land in Downtown Springfield!

The girls can't believe their eyes!

Very cute displays leading to Santa

Nana and AB checking it out

AB watching the ice skater

Not so sure about Santa..Snuggling with Daddy while waiting for a turn.

Kailyn was up first...no problem

It's not looking good

"Santa, I love you...I just can't look at you!"

The choo choo train ride was far less tramatic

Watching Santa light the town with Nana and KK from Pap's office window

Reflection of Nick and AB enjoying the best seats in town for the amazing fireworks display- MAGIC!

Trick or Treat!!!

Firecracker, Firecracker -shish boom bah!

Firecracker, Firecracker...

Nick felt this was a fitting costume idea...

Annabelle is a little firecracker!!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Out looking at the pretty leaves

It was a beautiful fall day

It's so fun watching her discover new places and new things

Each day brings something new

She is always moving....

I'm just along for the ride, trying to keep up!

Down on the Farm with Mimzey and Dano

Mimzey and Dano took us to Pigeon Roost Farm! We had so much fun seeing all of the pumpkins, animals, sliding down the slides and marching trough the corn maze.

Fall = Fun!! Thanks Mimzey and Dano!

AB Lead the Way Through the Corn Maze

Still Going...

AB Made Sure We Were Still With Her...

Down Lots of Slides!

Baby Bunnies!!!

Lots of Pumpkins to Choose From

Very Fun Day!!!

At the Zoo with Grandpa and Yaya

Here is a little video showing the fun we had at the zoo!! We had a great day riding the choo-choo, pony ride, merry-go-round and of course seeing the animals. We are lucky to have two cousins who are just a few months older than AB. They have fun together and the grown-ups love to watch!

Not Again!!

Well I have good news and bad news... I normally go for the positives first but in this instance I need to go in the order things occured. The week before last we suffered another CRASH! Our stupid DELL (sorry to those who are fans...I am not...in any way) wouldn't even boot up! We think it's more of a VISTA problem, not as much DELL but their customer service has been horrible. Nick has a friend who is trying to recover some of our files...we've gotten a few but there are a lot of holes we're trying to fill in. I'm sick thinking about some of the video and pictures that have been lost. OK>>enough wallowing the good new is... We have purchased a Mac Book Pro. It's been great getting to know our new computer! I know there will be a lot of good things to come and we're still hopeful to get some more things recovered. So wish us luck as we transition and become a APPLE family!!!

ps.... I LOVE MY NEW MAC BOOK PRO!

A Summer To Remember...

Dear Sweet Peanut,

As our summer is coming to a close I wanted to share with you how much it's meant to me to be able to spend each day of this summer with you. I am the luckiest mommy in the world because I'm greeted each morning with your cute little smile and your excitement for what the day may bring. When you are big enough to read this letter you may think I'm silly for writing it at all... However silly it may be you need to know how fun you (were) are at 17,18,19,20 months old. Not all mamas have the opportunity to stay home from work for three whole months, but I do and it is a wonderful perk of being a teacher...remember that when you are heading off to Harvard... (heehee, this is a funny because daddy and I want you to pick OU of course!) Education is the way to go!!

As excited as you were to see me come into your room each one of these summer mornings, I was as excited if not more to scoop you up and snuggle up to your little neck...smell your baby shampoo and laugh at the silly things you'd say while I'd change your diapers... The adventure didn't stop there, next was breakfast---and then we'd get dressed and head off to see the world. Some days we'd go to the zoo, others the park or to COSI and still-others were a simple trip to Giant Eagle ("eagle"-you know it by name) to Target ("Ball, Ball" because of the big red balls outside the doors) or to the Library ("book,book!") It didn't matter what we did, because the two of us could have fun anywhere! A summer of sweet firsts, adventures for the ages and a language all our own. A summer I will never forget! I love you, Peanut...and as I hate for the summer to end I can't wait for another to begin....

I'll love you forever and always....

Mama

Very busy...but having so much fun!!!

Wow! We have had a very busy end of July and start to August. We have had a few dates with some of my ex-second graders/almost 3rd graders. We've driven to North Carolina to visit Great Grandpa and Wimsey and continued to South Carolina to visit Grandpa and YaYa along with some of our very dear friends we met while living in SC. First our date...We went to a living farm with my ex students Chloe and Allyson and Allyson's little sister Audrey who is just 6months older than Annabelle. We had a great time! Annabelle is so into her farm animals right now so seeing them first hand was a big thrill. It was also very fun visiting with my old students.

The next morning we got up at 4am and started our drive to North Carolina! Annabelle didn't sleep much but was an excellent car rider! To get to Grandpa and Wimseys you have to get off the beaten path and drive on curvy, but beautiful country roads. AB was looking out of the window spotting cows and horses. "Moo, Moo! Moo, Moo!" "Horsey, Horsey, Horsey, Horsey!!" While in NC we went to the mountain next to Grandpa's house-Grandfather MT. There we were able to see the native animals in their nature habitat. Very cool! We saw some bear, deer, bald eagle and otters (who were hiding while we were there) After checking out the animals we went to the tip top of the mountain to check out the view! Amazing.

After two nights in NC we went on to SC. It was a very fun week in Florence. It did rain quite a bit while we were there, but that didn't stop us from getting out to visit some of our friends. Annabelle went to Royall to see her Mommy's old room and to meet all of her teacher friends. It was fun to see her running through the halls! I am kicking myself because I didn't get a single picture while we were there. This is the day AB uttered her first "why? Why? WHY?" which she has continued to say. This phrase while on vacation lead to the next, "NO WAY!" It was a fun relaxing time!

Because I treat this as my 'baby book' as well has a blog for others I have to record some of the cute things AB has been saying this summer, because if I don't write them down I'll forget.

Moo,Moo -Cow or Farm Animals DVD

Eee, Eee- Monkey or Head Shoulders Knees and Toes DVD

Tekie-any cat or her Words Around the House DVD (Teke is the name of our cat)

Nick- Drink (confused us at first...wondering how she had learned Daddy's name...lol)

ciggle- Wiggles DVD

cicle- Popsicle or Motorcycle or bike

fassy- French Fry

We are fake sneezing and then saying "bless you, Mama (or whoever she's with)

AB tells our dog Sahara "RaRa" what to do.... "Down RaRa, RaRa Walk, Comere (Come Here) RaRa!" And when RaRa does what she's asking she says "Good Girl RaRa!" This good girl also aplys to anyone who is "nice" She has been known to say "good girl Mama" and even "good girl Dada!" lol

We have completed our first three word sentences while asking for different types of food.

"More cookie please" (signing and saying the words more and please)

"More cracker please" and so on!

There are many more but I'm going to stop for now!

Pretty Girl...Pretty Setting

Smelling the Zenias!!

Today we went into Bellefontaine to visit with our very sweet friends! We were so excited to swim with Tom, Cathy and Katie Sue! Katie Sue is here visiting and we are attempting to soak up as much Sue time as we can. Cathy has an incredible green thumb these pictures prove this to be a fact. Here AB is 'smelling the zenias' after spending the afternoon in the pool. Thank you Frank family! We had a wonderful visit!