First trip to the zoo

Well gang, I waited long enough to take the littlest Coleman on a rite of passage: her first trip to the zoo. I must admit that the idea of taking an infant to the zoo leaves a lot to be desired... the diaper changes, the heat, and the fact that she will not even remember the trip. But hey, isn't that what this blog is for? She can relive it in print when she is older. I must say, that we did have a wonderful time and I look back on these photos with fondness. I am glad we gave it a go.

My two cuties.   Sarah has a habit of shrugging her shoulders when I say "smile".  I am not sure from where this came, but you will see it in a number of the photos from the year. Leah, on the other hand, has learned how to "cheese" for the camera.  She looks like an old pro.

Daddy was away on one of the many business trips this year, but we were determined to have fun anyway.  We asked aunt Amy to go with us.  She was happy to go with us.  Woo Hoo!

I didn't take too many photos (my hands were pretty busy with Leah).   But this was one of the girls favorite stops.  The apes simply put on a show for us.  They were swinging and almost dancing for our small audience.  It was fantastic.

This one even decided to get "up close and personal with us."   How cool!

Leah's favorite exhibit had to be the giraffes.  Here is a baby giraffe.  How huge!

I love this expression.  This says it all.  I know she was excited and confused all at the same time seeing the beautiful baby giraffe. 

Sarah is quite a bit smaller than the gorillas at the zoo but I think she is twice as cute.

Leah had fun eating goldfish crackers and hanging out with mommy in the stroller while Sarah ran around. 

Can you see the exhaustion?  Tired children means a successful trip if you asked me. 

After the zoo, we moved the party over to the Cheesecake factory (yum).  My favorite!

I had to include these photos because the joy on everyone's faces was so beautiful.  We love our girls and our "aunt Amy". 

What a great day. I can't wait to do it again. I wonder if Amy will be up for it next year?...

Random photos to remember

OK...I am officially so far behind on this blog that I am going to have to combine some photos into one post.  We had lots of fun in the early part of fall and I wanted to be sure to include great memories.   First family memory:  the arboretum in Lexington.

We have been to the arboretum a number of times over the years.  It is a beautiful place to walk, enjoy the flowers, bike, walk pets, etc. I love this photo because we have so many memories of Sarah on Daddy's shoulders.  I cannot believe she is to big to be hoisted up now!   I also can't believe that Leah is big enough to take her place on those shoulders.

Unlike Sarah, Leah has her own way of "riding high" on Daddy's shoulders. :)

When Leah got tired of the fun and Sarah was still rearing to go, Leah and I snuck away for a snack in the back of the van.   I absolutely LOVE this photo of my girl.  What a sweetie!

Leah is so full of life now.  She loves "reading" climbing and getting into mischief.  Watch out toilet paper, here I come!

Here is Leah hanging out with her Mamaw and Papaw at a local Mexican restaurant.  Leah absolutely loves Mexican food.  I think it is her favorite (along with Cracker Barrell)

Sarah of course sitting with "my Amy".   She has called her this since she was very small.  It is so fitting.  They have a very close relationship.  We are blessed to have her.

A rare photo of Chris.  He has been gone for countless weeks this year.  We are very glad to have him with us.

Leah being her silly self.  What a beautiful gummy smile she had.  Now she has a mouthful of teeth!

I love this photo.  This finger has been in her mouth a lot of late.  We can always count on a tooth popping through shortly after.  She now has 5 and is working on number 6!

Sarah has been keeping busy in ballet this semseter.  She had a ballet/gymnastics class.  It has really helped her coordination.  She even performed on stage recently!  Photos to follow.

Learning basic moves.  How cute!

She has also been busy with art projects.  She loves watching Bob Ross on PBS on the weekends.  How funny!

I am so glad she has a love of the arts.  She likes singing, dancing, drawing, and crafting.  Her favorite pastime is decorating the house.  Yes, she is 4 years old, but she acts like an adult in that respect.  We love our girls so much and look forward to very bright futures for both of them.

World Equestrian Games

My first fall post! Boy am I excited! Sarah and I had a stupendous time at the World Equestrian Games which were practically held in our backyard this year. Pretty big stuff!  The Kentucky Horse Park was decked out for this event which literally brought competitors from all over the WORLD.  Here are the flags of the competitors.

Sarah had a blast looking at the horse sculptures that were created in honor of the games.

She was especially excited to pose in front of a photo of a REAL queen (the lady in red).  She is the leader of the World Equestrian games this year.

A pink horse!  Can this get any cooler?   Look at that face :)

On this day (which was perfect in temperature and weather by the way) we were entertained with the sounds of Mexico.  The horses were decorated with sombreros.  Cute!

An awesome mariachi band entertained us.  They were really talented.

Finally, we enter the horse park with very little time to spare before our event begins (all the way across the huge horse park).

We did take a moment to pose with a "thoroughbred".  LOL!

Look at the vastness of this park.  I walked this entire park both ways pushing a 4 year old in an umbrella stroller.  Whew!

Finally, we make it to the Altech center just as the event begins.  We went to team vaulting, which is basically acrobatics on horseback.  There were people stacked three high on a horses back.  Sooo cool!

My photos came out blurry because of the lack of flash and the fast movement.   Oh well...

What a great "date" I had with my girl.  She was perfectly behaved.  We get so little alone time together, I think she enjoyed all the attention.

A proud moment.  She sat through the entire event and was entertained.  What a success!

Leaving the Altech center.  What a beautiful view.

On our way back we saw some of the acts in the entertainment arenas practicing  around the park.

We also let Sarah take a moment to satisfy her "need for speed" in a corvette which is made here in KY.

Sarah thought this was hilarious.  Sitting next to good old Colonal Sanders

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As we were leaving, I took a quick photo of the outdoor event stadium with a capacity crowd. What a fun day I had with my girl. We made memories we will never forget.

Summer family Memories

I am well aware that this blog is officially outdated.  I am working like crazy to keep my home and family in order.  Since Leah's mobility, the blog has landed on the back burner.  But I simply can't skip precious family memories due to the fact that I am binding these for my children to inherit.  I only wish I had this much information on my childhood.  Time has erased so many memories. 

Leah and Alena are so cute together.   Alena is outgoing and Leah is quiet but on the go all the time.  They are already great friends.  I am sure they will become closer as the years pass.

      I love these girls!

Leah is definitely a summer girl.  She is so much happier outside in nature.  If only the sun weren't burning so bright, you could see those beautiful baby blues.

Here she is with one of her favorite things in the world... Our dog Katie. She is preparing for the like that she knows is coming :)

Speaking of favorite people.  One of our favorites is Aunt Amy.  Here we are at Darlin' Jeans in Midway sharing a delicious pizza.  Can't you just smell it?  Yummmm!

                 Sarah and her Mamaw "from the street"  Ha!


Mom and Dad visited some this summer.  One day we went to a local elementary school to enjoy the playground.  I think this is one of Leah's first "swings".

  She is not quite sure what to think of it all.

                        Sarah, on the other hand, is the old pro. 

I think this officially ends my summer photos.  Yay!  But boo to cold weather.  I cant wait for May.   New updates coming soon.