Incredible Indianapolis

Those of you who are in close contact with me know how challenging this year has been for our family.  Chris was called to be on a job in March which has taken him away from home (most of that time) out of the country for around 15 weeks!  The girls ached for him to be home and so did I.  After one of his particularly long trips, we pleaded for a mini family vacation.  We wanted to do something fun, close, and kid oriented.  We had never been to Indianapolis and had heard wonderful things about it, so, it was settled!  Indy here we come!  We are so glad we made this choice.

Our first stop was the Indianapolis zoo.  Here is daddy holding his two precious girls.  They are eating it up!  Did I mention how much they missed him?

Next we got "up close and personal with the wildlife.

There were so many beautiful animals at the park

 In this exhibit, you could try to race a cheeta if you dare.

   

 

 Mommy and baby sharing a moment...

    Mommy and baby sharing a moment... :)

 Leah loved the train.  Check out that cute smiley face!

       And this one as well!

  On day 2 we visited the Indianapolis Children's Museum and guess who met us in the parking lot?  Jack Sparrow!  This guy was so good you would have thought Johnny Depp was in the house!  My big one loved it!

                                            Initially, she wasn't as thrilled about the dinosaur exhibit.

But all that changed when she was able to get dirty in the sand digging for bones.  She especially liked the goggles.

                          Any time Sarah has a chance to accessorize, she is all over it!  I love my girly girl!

                   She also got to talk with a paleontologist.  She was very interested in touching the bones.

              Next was the train exhibit.  I think the "jet lag" hit at this point.  No smiles from Sarah.

                          Until I played peek a boo with her from outside the train car.

                                     A wall of blown glass.  What beautiful art they have at the children's museum
 

                                                                        More sculptures

Now for the main event:   There was a travelling Barbie exhibit in the museum!  Sarah probably spent two hours in this area!  We were exhausted, but I think I could have dropped her off and came back the next day and she would never have noticed!

                                                      Trying on clothes and walking the catwalk.

 She has watched project runway with me before so she knows how to "make it work"  She is into any type of design.  She loves crafting, decorating, and she commonly designs her own clothing using craft paper.  I grew up as a tomboy, so this is definitely not from my genes.

                                                                    Smiling for the paparazzi.

                                          

       Next for the hair.  She waited patiently for some time to get to play with these mannequin heads.

Finally, her chance to design an outfit on a life size mannequin! She was so proud!

                         Racing was not so exciting for her, but she did like to sit inside and pretend.

Leah preferred to eat goldfish in her own "race car"

Here was our view from the hotel room.  We were right in the middle of downtown Indianapolis.  How cool!

Sarah enjoyed standing in a chair, looking out the window.  She loved the heights!  I think she is a big city girl at heart. What wonderful memories we created this weekend.  I am so glad for our Indy vacation as a reprieve from the norm this year!

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?...