Family Visit

This weekend my Great Grandpa, Great Grandma, Aunt LouAnn and Uncle Rick came to visit us. Thanks for driving all the way to Ohio! We had a great time playing and soaking up all the attention and hugs.

Snuggles in the front yard.

Snuggles in the backyard.

Snuggles all day long. Aunt LouAnn also played Barbies with me in the house they made. I couldn't wait to show them all my Barbie's.

Grandma & Grandpa sent down this awesome play center for my Barbie's as well. Dad put me straight to work chipping off the old paint so he can fix it up. My Barbie's love it!

Of course, this city can be a little confusing. We were waiting and waiting for our guests to arrive after breakfast - apparently they got a little lost. Oh well they finally made and we all went shopping! Thanks for coming to visit us, we had a great time.

Our Kings Island Adventure

So today we went on an adventure to Kings Island. They have a Nick Jr. area just for kids our size. We were so excited to go on rides and to see the Dora show! I wanted to go on all the scary rides, but Dad says I wasn't big enough. Maybe those vegetables do have a purpose other than child torture.

Sarah went on a few rides as well, but not the scary ones. Only I am brave enough for them.
Here we are on the Nick Jr. racer ride.

Mmmmmm, ice cream. Sarah ate the whole thing!

While waiting in line for Plankton's plunge we enjoyed a nice icy drink to turn our tongues blue.

See I love scary rides. This is the big drop plankton's plunge. Mom thought I might get scared, but I loved it and after that requested only scary rides.

We met up with my friend McKenna. We are ride buddies at the zoo so we thought we should hit some of these rides together. This is Swiper's Sweeper. It whips you around the corners fast, which we thought was pretty awesome.

Dora is coming!

Dora is coming!

Dora!!! We really loved the Dora and Boots show. I helped Dora get to the Big Red Chicken's party.

Of course, I got right in on the dancing action.

Mom took us on the helicopter ride above the park. Of course, I requested a pink copter.

Here we are meeting Scobby Doo. Dad and I went in the Scobby Doo haunted mansion. Again, I loved it and wasn't scared at all. I got all the ghosts with my laser gun.

Riding the mystery machine.

We met Pablo from the Backyardigans.

We also met Spongebob! This one is for you my cousins!

One more ride....please. After a full day of fun we are exhausted and heading for home. I am already making plans to come back again soon and ride a roller coaster and talk my parents into going into the water park.

Carnivore

Well just like my Grandpa, I like to eat steak. I prefer steak bigger than my plate and my belly. No need to cut it up, I will just pick it up and chew on it. Mmmmmm, steak!

My Barbie Dollhouse

So while we were in Canada we picked up the Barbie doll house that Mom and Aunt Michelle played with when they were little. My Great Aunt LouAnn and Great Uncle Rick made it for them 30 or so years ago!

The poor little house had seen better days so Mom set to refurbishing it for Sarah and I. I have amassed quite a collection of Barbie's already, but Mom wasn't interested in adding more bedrooms. Maybe I can talk her into a pool or patio.

After a few coats of new paint, flooring, curtains and wheels we were ready to go. We went to Toys R Us today and picked out some new furniture for Barbie.

Here is my new Italian kitchen. I picked out the wallpaper all by myself!

I Love It!!! I spent all afternoon playing and showing my dolls their new house. You are all welcome to come play with me anytime.

Summer Days = Park Time

Hey Everyone - Happy July!

Sarah has been showing a lot of personality lately and hammin' it up for the camera everytime we pull it out.

In a preview of the teenage years she spends a lot of time on the phone (mostly talking to Elmo) and deciding which shoes to wear.

It has become an almost daily ritual that Claire comes running into our room in the morning and asks which park we can go to today. We often go to the park early in the morning so they can burn some energy before it gets too hot.

Claire has been riding her bike often and is getting pretty good. We are starting to get the hang of steering, although when we hit a little slope today and built up some speed she had a panic moment. She did pedal back up the slope though - perhaps a mountain climber, not a sprinter?

Tour de France here I come!

That's all for now. We are currently counting down to our trip to King's Island coming up soon. The kids are a little excited to see Dora and the gang!

Finally - vacation time has arrived. Sarah was packed and ready!

We set off on our adventure to Ontario and our first stop was Niagara Falls. We timed it just right with a rainbow shining for us.

First we went to visit Grandpa & Grandma Thomas. Grandpa took Claire fishing. She caught 8 fish the first time and saw a lot of wildlife - bears, bugs, pheasants, cranes and of course, fish.

A really gross bug dad caught.

When we were fishing a big bear came walking out to the woods for a swim. Of course, Claire's constant chatter scared it away.

Aunt Vanessa arranged a pony ride for us. My horse's name was Spirit. What a great time!

I liked fishing so much I asked Grandpa to take me again the next day. We had a great time!

vacation - part 2

Next stop on our Canadian adventure was Wasaga Beach. Our pals Jules & Melissa met up with us for a day at the beach before we headed over to Blue Mountain.

Sarah's supermodel beach pose. Of course, Claire & Jules had a great time getting sandy and dirty. Me, I prefer to stay clean and dry!

Jules and I discover that on vacation you can make a big mess and your parental units really don't care that much - awesome!

Mom and Melissa introduce the girls to a favorite from the days at Carleton - beavertails! Yummy sugar!

Dad took us to the Creemore Springs Beer Factory. We were very quiet and attentive during the tour - okay, maybe not so quiet or attentive at all.

Claire was determined to climb Blue Mountain so she and dad set off. In an effort to prove mom wrong she successfully climbed the mountain and rode the gondola back down.

Family picture at Blue Mountain.

Dinner at a restaurant with 3 tired kids. Thank goodness for patio's, markers and sharing of food!

After our Blue Mountain adventure we headed up to Hanover to see Grandma & Grandpa Chantry and all the family. We had a great time watering flowers, boating with Grandpa, playing with the cousins, aunts & uncles.

I'm big enough to drive the golf cart right?

Dad caught us a frog!

Bubbles!

Well, we are exhausted and heading home. We are bringing home lots of memories - thanks for a great vacation!