Pittsburgh Zoo

Here are a few pictures from the Pittsburgh Zoo. The girls and I went Thursday afternoon. We had a great time. The weather was gorgeous. Addy and I enjoyed an ice cream sandwich before we left. Katelyn had every snack known to man in an effort to keep her entertained in her stroller for so long! Addy's favorite animal of the day: the tiger (We got to see him jump in the water from a high cliff and then jump/climb back up. It looked so effortless for him.). Kate's favorite animal of the day (I am guessing): the penguins. She liked seeing them dive deep then pop out of the water. It was a great day with the girls!

First Day

Addy's official first day of school (where she went by herself) was this past Friday. Here she is before heading out the door to school. She is getting so big. I included her picture from last year on her first day of school.

The girls at the zoo...

Here are the girls at the petting zoo. We encountered the meanest black goat while we were there. He would head butt (with his horns) all the other goats around him so that he would get all the food. Mean ol' goat!

Living Treasure Animal Park

We went back to our favorite petting zoo on Friday! We had a great time. Check out the lion rolled onto his back...ha! We went in the afternoon vs the morning and all of the animals were so lazy!

Craft

While we were at the craft store yesterday, Addy picked out a craft she wanted to do. She chose a dog house, that came with a little dog, that she could paint. Here is Addy Leigh in action! She did a great job. She was also learning what colors mixed together turned out to be! She is starting school next week, thank goodness, because Momma is running out of things to keep her entertained!

Sand Volleyball

Yesterday we went with our friend Evan and some of his friends to play sand volleyball and launch the rocket. We had a blast. We played volleyball and Addy loved playing in the sand!!

Pre-launch

Here are Jason, Evan, and Addyson before launching the rocket!

One of Jason's co-workers, and our friend, Evan bought a rocket ship and invited Addy along to help launch it. She had a ball! She was so excited about it that she slept with this thing the night before.

Cake Time

This is Katelyn eating her birthday cake. We had to purchase a cake because our oven broke :( We sure do wish Nana could have made her cake, like she made all of Addy's cakes! Katelyn loved the cake!!! She was not shy about it at all. She started digging into the icing before we even finished singing 'Happy Birthday' to her.

Please excuse my horrible singing voice. I was balancing the cake with one hand, singing, and holding the camera all at the same time (not that that is the reason my voice is bad, but...). Here is Katelyn with her cake. Addy blew out the candle before Katelyn even had a chance...oh well!

Addy and Kate

This is Addy and Kate right after Katelyn opened her birthday gifts! You can tell Katelyn wanted the baby doll and didn't want sissy to have it...hehe!

Opening gifts

Katelyn had fun opening her gifts. Sissy gave her a baby doll that says "momma" and coos. She also came with a bottle and pacifier. Katelyn knew right what to do with both!!!

Katelyn's Birthday

Here are the girls right after they got dressed (in their matching outfits of course) for Katelyn's birthday!!! What little beauties they are!

Sisters

Addy and Kate...sisters forever!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today my baby Katelyn is ONE!!! I cannot believe it. Time sure did fly by. Katelyn is such a sweet baby. Her personality shows up more and more each day. She is not passive or meek. She is determined and strong willed. Uh oh- sounds familiar (Addyson)!! She is an observer. She is intelligent and purposeful. She has the cutest smile ever! She loves her sister SO much. She copies everything that Addy does. I am sure they will be partners in crime someday. When I think back over Katelyn's life, it is hard to imagine that she is so healthy now considering how her life started out. All my life I remember people saying, "kids grow up too fast" and I never thought anything about it. Now I truly know what they meant. Katelyn is growing up too fast! She will be walking and talking before I know it. I am going to try and treasure each day with her. I will post more pictures later tonight of her eating cake (for the first time)!!! Happy Birthday Katie Reese!!

Liliput

Yesterday, I took the girls to a place called Liliput with a friend of Addy's. She and Luca had a great time together. Liliput is a bunch of play houses with different themes (post office, movie theater, train station, fire house, etc.). It is like a big town. It was our first time there. I can see us going there a LOT in the winter!! Kate had a good time too! PS- don't know why it won't let me turn that last picture...sorry!

At the Pool

I took Addy and Kate to the pool this week. I usually only take Addy (I put Kate in the childcare), but our gym/pool got a new sprinkler pad with things for babies. Kate had a good time...Addy always has a good time. Love my little cuties in their matching swim suits!!

Sisters Forever

Here are the girls with Daddy's racquet balls. They love playing catch!!

New Snack Cup

Katelyn got a new little cup that I put her snacks (cereals, puffs, yogurt melts, etc.) in and she LOVES it! Did you also notice her new 'bitter beer' face. She does it all the time. It is hilarious!! She is getting so big now! She is almost one...I can't believe it! She does sign language for: milk, all done, and more. She is into EVERYthing! She is pulling up on everything. She wants to stand up really bad so she just stands on her head with her hiney in the air! She points the clicker at the t.v., she puts a phone up to her ear and pretends to talk, she tries to brush her hair when she picks up a brush or comb, she tries to put on socks when she finds them lying around, she plays peek-a-boo, and she knows what she wants and doesn't want very adamantly! She is getting so big right before our eyes! I love my little Katie Reese!!!

A Lazy Day...

On Sunday Jason cooked ribs on the grill (which takes over six hours). We lounged around outside on a blanket while he cooked. The girls played together all day. We had a good family day! Here they are enjoying the new slider door!!

Nana's Visit

Jason's mom came to visit us for a couple of weeks. We had a great time! Addy had her in the kitchen A LOT making all kinds of recipes. They made blueberry/strawberry muffins, cupcakes (pictures shown above with princess cupcake toppers), chocolate cream pudding, cinnamon rolls, a fruit smoothie, and Lord knows what else. Jason, Addy and Nana went to the Duquesne Incline and the Strip District (like markets and shops, not what some of you are thinking) in downtown Pittsburgh. Nana cooked an amazing meal for us one night. She also kept the girls overnight so that Jason and I could get away! We had lots of laughs and miss Nana already!!!

Bedford Springs

While Jason's mom was here, we were able to slip away for one night. We went to a resort called Bedford Springs. This place was beautiful, and enormous! We went with another couple and had a great time. Even though it was only one night, we had an amazing time. The boys golfed while Cindy and I played mah jongg by the pool. We went to a nice dinner and enjoyed smores by the fire pit. We had a fabulous brunch the next morning and more mah jongg by the pool. I love to get away with my awesome hubby!