The last batch of randomness...I think...

Boy, do I feel like a big heel now that I have found a plethora of photos "unblogged" from throughout the summer! I am determined to right this error while getting caught up to winter (I know, this seems like a feat, but it WILL be done). Here is my speed blog entitled "the last batch of randomness...I think..."

One day in late summer, we spent Sunday attending church with some friends in Cynthiana.  They kindly invited us to their home afterward for lunch.  No, I shamelessly took NO photos of my friends, but they did leave their mark on this photo.  You see the Besson family are big Bama fans.  So, yes, my child and my niece are playing happily on an Alabama quilt but I promise you, it means nothing!  :)

I love our girls.  They are so fun!  Being a mom and an aunt has been a true blessing.

I just had to include this photo from our backyard.  Katie is notorious for licking Leah on the face.  Here, she is simply preparing for the inevitable.  He he!

Check out the gum line on Leah.  Her first tooth is popping through.  No more gummy smiles for her.  Sniff, sniff...

One of the truly special things that happened in 2010 is that my friends adopted a beautiful baby girl, Anna Grace.  The next few photos were taken at a shower we threw in their honor. 

Mollie and I have been friends since college (boy am I getting old, but this is for another blog...).   I know her well enough to know that she will not like me putting her photo on here.  She also knows me well enough to know that I won't listen. :)

Alena came by for the shower as well.   Check out those piercing blue eyes.   Just beautiful!

 I like to think of Mollie's husband Daniel as the baby whisperer. Here he is with my baby. But where is the baby of honor?

 

Here is the beauty with Mollie's friend Sara.  How cute!

Speaking of cute, little Leah is just in love with Papaw from the mountains (as are all the girls in the family).  My Dad just has a special way with little ones.  Leah lights up when she sees his photo, but it is nothing compared to her expression when she sees him in person.  Priceless!

Our girls and their Papaw.  I am so thankful that they have the opportunity to know all of their grandparents.

 Sweet!

I love this photo of my girls and myself.  I have so few because I am usually the one taking the photos. 

I am immeasurably blessed.  Thank you gracious Lord!

Here is a random photo of my silly Sarah getting ready for school.  She got a brand new pink princess backpack and lunchbox this year.  Boy is she proud of them.

Daddy and his beauties.  I know they are the apple of his eye.  I am so thankful that Chris gets to drive Sarah to school on many days.  It keeps Leah and myself at home much more, safe and sound. 

I had to add this last photo of my little piggy.  She looooves food and is one of the messiest eaters I know.   I recently saw a quote that said "My kids drive me crazy, and I drive them everywhere else".   So true!   Ha!  But seriously, I wouldn't trade my family for anything in the world.
Will the randomness end?   Stay tuned...

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.