The State Fair

Every year we try to get to the State Fair, it's something the husband and I have done every year since we've been married. Mostly, we just enjoy the carnival atmosphere (translated: food). We've taken E since she was tiny, and this is A's first visit.

The tiny little dot is my daughter's head....
and she LOVED it!

She rode these last year, so it was no big deal.

In a sad little ironic twist, the hatching chick exhibit was sponsored by Tyson.

A's learned to kiss on request, we all enjoy the benefits!

Cause that's how I roll...

This is the 2nd year they've had a giant indoor sandbox.
No money required, just some fun for the kids while the grown-ups rest a little.

I don't find anything remarkable about the teacup ride other than the fact we've probably all been on it - maybe even this exact one.
I just had to share because she's pretty!

E's first REAL roller coaster!
No parents - no fear.

I was trying to capture her excitement from the coaster, and while this isn't her initial reaction, I think it speaks volumes!

We had a blast in the unusually warm October sun!

O September

The house is (reasonably) clean, the girls are asleep, and the husband has commandeered the TV for NASCAR. Seems like a good time to catch up!

Swimming at our local water park.

After fifteen minutes of trying to teach E to swim, I leave her with my mother for about 2. This is the child swimming.

First day of Preschool.

First impressions - at least nothing bled.

Bear's eye view at our zoo on member's night.

A-doring aunts watching the "roll over"

She sits!

Some traditions should be passed on early.
Morning cartoons... check.

Hay.

Horseback riding through a vineyard with Grahmi.
Makes next week's sleepover look pretty lame.

The Zoo!

There were some lovely kids from Japan visiting our zoo this day. Our E is so incredibly outgoing she charmed the pictures right out of them! With her blond hair and blue eyes, she's the typical American girl!

She's touching the tortise!
I am SO jealous.

It's difficult to tell who's looking at who here.
Ever been stared down by a meerkat?

Yep. Got up there all by herself.

Daddy takes few pictures... we celebrate the really good ones!

A was there - this proves it!

Flamingos actually pose!
Who wouldn't take this photographic opportunity after chasing a preschooler all day?

Three and a half

Months...

Years...

What a world of difference now. In the blink of an eye, the years won't matter!

A First Fourth

This alert and slightly worried look was too funny! After staring for a minute, she went back to her TV show.

Do you know how hard it is to get 2 wiggly kids to smile in the direction of the camera at the same time? Of course you do! What am I thinking?

Too big to lay down. To small to sit up.
A does a great job of faking it while she watches Oprah.
Couldn't tear her eyes away despite Mom's best attempts!

A's new trick! Really aids in another favorite pastime...
licking my cousin.

Patriotic Birthday

My Birthday is around the 4th.

Isn't it nice the entire nation celebrates with me?
E put the candles on my cake - Cherry inside and out!

Daddy is a (very handsome) veteran. This year he took part in our church's Patriotic Service. We all looked the part!

E's practicing her "Fiona" pose. (Shrek) In case you were wondering, after much testing, the dress twirls nicely.

Nothing but smiles these days :)

Catch Up...

What's a couple of months off the blog worth? I'll tell you...

A lightening strike takes out the modem, several filters and the ethernet card. Newborn takes out the drive to get anything done quickly!
Hysterectomy 2 months post c-section. Not recommended, but certainly recoverable! (Otherwise known as "Thank you, God, for giving me a baby that sleeps!")
Lost camera. Big bad bummer is that it absolutely has to be in this house somewhere... have you seen it? I'm pretty sure it's grown legs. Hubby got me an upgrade for my birthday - isn't he sweet?!! Too bad baby A's baptism pictures are on the lost card.

May and June in pictures -------

A makes tears...and learns to smile!

We visited Pawpaw - our first out of town trip!
A gets love from a fairy
who's known for her artwork.
(She's cleaning it up with a Magic Eraser!)
E graduates and performs with her classmates.
I didn't manage to get a picture of the unscripted twirling.
One picture, 2 milestones!
A's hands find her mouth and she begins bathing with E.
E couldn't be more excited!