a visit to the park

We had originally planned to go to the Country Ham Festival in Spring Hill today, but as the time to leave approached, we got really hungry. So we called my GranWendy and GranDad and asked if they wanted to meet for lunch first. Then we decided to go to one of their favorite parks/walking areas... Bowie Nature Park in Fairview.

Pancho's was yummy as always. Bear is really into trying to help people lately. Yesterday she helped me put groceries on the checkout conveyor. (That was also my 1st trip to the grocery store with just the 3 of us, no help from J.) Today she grew very angry that she could not help the waiters carry our finished plates away from the table. She finally settled for picking up her plate and giving it to the waiter.

Upon our arrival at the Nature Park, we stopped at the visitor center to use the restroom. Bear loved seeing the turtles and fish in the aquariums and snakes in their tanks. (She even kissed the glass...) Then we crossed the driveway to see the pretty mosaic-covered statues: a squirrel, a tree, and a giant tortoise. I suspect someone who's into geo-cache left a bobble head happy meal toy on the squirrel's head, and thought of my brother when I saw it there.

Next, we took our loaf of bread that I picked up at Aldi on the way and headed toward the duck pond. Talk about aggressive ducks and geese! They frightened Bear, and I don't blame her. She was a trooper, and continued feeding them from my arms. (Man, she is getting really heavy.) I was bit twice. Thankfully they don't have teeth. We shared our loaf with some other kids, and tried throwing the bits of bread as far away as we could, but there were probably 2 dozen ducks and geese, so distracting them was difficult.

After the duck feeding frenzy, we walked partially down one of the trails. We kept a couple of pine cones for a craft project (though keeping them might not be legal... shhhh).

Finally, we finished our visit to the park at the playground. GranDad and Daddy played with Bear while GranWendy and I sat with Buddy.

Buddy slept almost the whole time, except toward the very end, when he drank 2 oz of formula.

It was a beautiful, warm fall day- perfect. My Dad took all the pictures, maybe he'll e-mail some to me so I can share them with y'all.

Thanksgiving photos

daddy's helper

Hannah really got into trying to wash the car...


After a few too many dumps of the soapy water and drops of the washing mitts onto the dirt, we gave her her on bucket and mitt to play with in the yard...

...she went straight to the indoor tub after her outdor soak. It was in the upper 60's, possibly one of the last warm days this year.

Happy Halloween: Kid Karnival

We had originally planned to go trick-or-treating with our neighbors, but instead we have been visiting Grandma and Grandpa T. all week while Daddy works in their area. Grandma's church had a Kids' Karnival tonight, and we told Hannah she would get candy if she kept her costume on. She was happy to oblige. Here are some photos from our Halloween fun:

playground fun with Grandma

Happy 2nd Birthday, Part 2

The cake and cupcakes, made by Aunt Becca. They were as yummy as they were adorable:

Blowing out the candles

We love our Grandma!

Mmmmm....

The posing did not go so well... Juliana did not care to join the picture,
and Hannah didn't want to stay in it.

Cousins Juliana and Emily help open presents...

Kisses for Sunshine Bear

Daddy frees the wild horses...

"umbrella... rain... outside..."

A classic toy for little girls of all ages

Having fun with the party favors...

Em and Mad go treasure hunting beyond where the sidewalk ends before the long drive home.

Birthday Celebration Weekend

We had a terrific weekend with family. Gramma and Grandpa T. arrived Friday night, followed by Uncle Nate, Aunt Cheryl, and older cousins Em and Mad. Hannah stayed up over an hour past her bedtime; she was thrilled to see everyone and tackled them with lots of hugs and kisses. We put her to bed first, and a while later the cousins were moved from their parents' bed to their air mattresses in Hannah's room. On Saturday Our little Miss Sunshine showed them what being a morning person is all about. Aunt Becca dropped off the birthday cake later that morning, GranWendy and Grandaddy arrived in the afternoon, and soon Bec, Brett, and cousin Juliana ("Jew-nah-nah-nah") arrived for the party too. We ate dinner, then it was time for the main event- gift opening. Cousin Em served as Hannah's professor of present distribution and opening, and Daddy found wire cutters for taking toys out of their restraints. Who knew that plastic horses might possibly run away? Hannah received lots and lots of wonderful gifts, and then it was time for cake and ice cream. She LOVED the panda bear cake which was designed and made just for her by Aunt Becca, with coordinating paw-print cupcakes. She blew out the candles (with Daddy's help), but not before tasting the yummy frosting with her fingers. After eating her piece of cake and ice cream, she confiscated the cupcake left behind by cousin Em.

Her current favorite new toy is her doll house. The roof makes a terrific slide for the dolls. She exclaims, "down again!" "up again!" as she sends her little family soaring down the slippery slope. She also loves helping her dolls take baths and wash their hands, and she even tried to sit on their potty. She quickly realized it is a little too small for her rear.

While she napped this morning (something that rarely happens, so you know she's tired from all the excitement), Em and Mad and I went on a "treasure hunt" in the undeveloped area behind our house. The found goldenrod, a green tomato, lots of rocks, red leaves, and somebody's silk pansies which had blown down the hill. When we returned to the house, they showed their discoveries to their Mom.

We are so thankful that so many close family members were able to celebrate with us.

not-so-wordless wednesday

Taco-Time Body Art

"Round and round..."

Cheese!

fall flower-picking fashion