Fall into Parties

Mommy says we have a big weekend coming up-- three parties to attend!

Saturday: Party #1-- pretty good with a big bounce house.

Nothing beats having a big bouncy to just yourself and your little sister!

Saturday Evening: Party #2-- No bouncy but some cute boys to entertain us.

Sunday: Party #3-- Another bouncy!!!!

This is a GREAT weekend!

Whoa-- this is a REALLY WILD Party!

Clara Rose cautiously checking out the alligator.

No pictures of Josie-- she wasn't going anywhere near these guys!

OOooooooo! Pony rides!

Ride'm like a true cowpoke!

"I'm not too sure about this!

Me sitting next to Leah, our adoption Social Worker and host of the party we attended on Sunday.

The girls about 5 seconds after we left the party on Sunday.

I thought things would settle down a bit after the season of summer fun, but our calender is booking up and now, by the time it slows down-- it will be the holiday season!

Cape Cod Adventure

The girls the night before we left for a fun sleep over on Cape Cod.

They are enjoying some ice-cream cones in the Eye of the Storm-Earl.

"Mommy is taking us to visit friends on Cape Cod tomorrow!"

The girls had a great time playing jewelry with their friend Ela. Ela is a big girl of 5-years and has lots of super cool big girl toys and crafts.

The girls enjoying dinner with thier friend Max and his Mommy, Katherine.

The girls and Ela-- still snacking and laughing it up.

The night was filled with lots of playing and watching movies.

The next day the girls were up super early and we all hung out in our room upstairs and let Max and his Mommy get some more shut-eye.

The girls enjoyed hanging out for some girl-time . . .

and all their *guys* enjoyed hanging out together as well.

After a yummy breakfast and more running around and playing at the house-- we headed to a nearby beach.

All the kids had a blast playing on a sandbar out in the water.

The coast was still pretty windy from Hurrican Earl, but the kids had a fun time playing on the beach.

The girls running around-- Josie leading the pack.

Clara Rose trying to keep up with her gal pals-- max in the background.

Ela trying to keep from flying off in the wind.

Joise laughing it up and being silly.

The girls donned some lifejackets and did a little fashion show.

Josie explaining that her jacket is for big "gurls" and the one Clara Rose has on is for babies.

Ela did a great job moderating the fashion show with lots of entertaining details.

Ela taking center stage and describing in detail her fashioista ensemble.

Ela and Josie, Queens of the beach and having a great time!

The Big Hike

On our last day in New Hampshire we took the girls out for a mini-hike.

Clara Rose was excited and ready to go in her 'Yayyie's' hiking boots.

We're going on a big hike today! I'm all ready to go!

I gave each of the girls a plastic bag to collect 'treasures' along the way.

Wim and Josie were quite a ways ahead of us on the trail through the - - -  wait for it---

Nutty Forest.

Josie had quite a bit to say about the hike through the nutty forest-- she wanted to check Map and find Isa.
No worries about running into any bears or any other wildlife with this crew around-- they can hear us coming miles away!

Clara Rose soon tired of hiking through the Nutty Forest. Actually, I think it was freaking her out a bit, so she soon found herself lifted up for a ride from her 'Yayyie.'

OK-- this picture. I mean THIS picture!

Who is this mature looking pretty little girl?

I have no idea-- honestly.

I just KNOW this could not possibly be my little baby!

And there she goes-- off into the world-- wtihout me . . .

sort of, but not really.

After riding for awhile, Clara Rose was ready to do some more hiking on her own. She hiked  most of the  the way out of the Nutty Forest-- a whole 1/4 mile (maybe).

Night time in New Hampshire

Fresh from their nap on the drive 'home' the girls were ready to explore the backyard. It is a pretty big backyard so we kept them to the upper part of the backyard to start.

Clara Rose posing with a bear.

The girls thought it was pretty funny to see chickens in the "nutty forest." Those who are familar with Dora should get this. If you are not familar with Dora-- just be thankful for that. LOL.

After some running around, we went inside and the girls chilled out to play for a little while and I started dinner.

Wim took the opportunity to nap-- he was worn out from Storyland as well!

"OOooooo! We have to be pwiet so Daddy can seep!"

"Yayyie can use my bankie!"

After Wim's nap and chowing down on some pizza- we took the girls out to explore the rest of the 'yard'.

They were super excited to walk down a super large grassy hill. Clara Rose giggled the whole way down and even stayed ahead of Josie!

Two happy little girls runnng in the 'nutty forest.'

Josie takes the lead becaue as she puts it,

"I'm a big gurlll."

At the bottom of the grassy hill is a big open meadow---

and a  pretty frog pond.

I love this picture of the girls!

and this one of me with them.

Enough with the Kodak moments-- time for more running and exploring!

After a day at the theme park and an evenng traipsing around the 'nutty forest' the girls got nice and fresh in a bath and snuggled in for a couple cartoons before bedtime.

Time for bed means time to climb this spiral staircase!

Up and around . . .

and Up some more and . . .

around even more . . .

Even going to bed is a big adventure!