Summit County Fair

Yesterday's adventures took Audrey and I along with our best friend Laura (AKA "Fairy God Mommy") to the Summit County Fair. This is actually the second year the three of us went to the fair and I have a feeling this may turn into an annual event for a long time to come. Audrey LOVED the horses. In fact, she loved them so much that she spent a good amount of time last night and today pointing out all of the horses in her books and says "Hssss" when she points to them. Here are some pictures from our trip...

Peninsula Stroller Playdate

The weather was wonderful today and Audrey and I were really itching to get out of the house. We are both just about through a week plus bout of not so fun colds so being outside in the sun and fresh air was exactly what we needed to lift our spirits! We walked along the towpath with friends Eleni and Melina - we ran into some caterpillars crawling to the ground from tall trees, stopped to look and wave to a loud train pass on the bridge above us, had some snacks, and listened to Baby Einstein music on Pandora. Plus the "mommy's" had a great time chatting and catching up.

Post Walk- Melina is full of energy and Audrey is wiped out

Christmas in July

With all the talk I am hearing this year about Christmas in July, I can't help but think about what I did three years ago at this time. Knowing that my step father John wouldn't make it to Christmas that year due to Leukemia that had taken over his body, my family decided we wanted to give John a special experience by celebrating his last Christmas. As part of the celebration, we visited the Christmas Story House in downtown Cleveland. We had lots of laughs walking through the old house from the famous movie and shared a special family experience I will NEVER forget. He was just like a father to me and I still miss him so much.

Akron Zoo

We took a trip to the Akron Zoo today with my friend Eleni and her daughter Melina (AKA Audrey's BFF). It was our first time to this zoo and we were so excited when we realized EVERYTHING was geared for small children! Audrey and Melina had a blast. We started at the Penguin exhibit and made our way through snow leopards, bears, lions, storks, otters, turtles and lemurs. We arrived at the petting zoo/farm area and took a relaxing (but very short) train ride just before we took a stroll through the gorgeous gardens. The day ended with a light lunch to in a cool air conditioned cafe (cafe might be an overstatement but it sounds nice lol). Such a great day and we already have plans to return next week. I think I see a membership pass in our near future!

Yay matching outfits!

Our wiggley babies.....

"Mom, why don't we have these in our yard?"

I like to point at things I like

Learning to be gentle

These two are so cute together!!

"Look Mom! I found this in the flower bed."

"Melina, I think this is a swimming pool. Just follow me."

This little monkey learned to climb the couch after we got home from the zoo!!

I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for Ice Cream!

Jason and I decided it would be a great day to get ice cream since it was in the high 80's today and oh so hot!! Plus, we haven't gone out for ice cream this year except for once in the DQ drive through and that technically does not count.  Jason had a hair cut after work, so we decided to meet after that. We both thought Audrey was going to devour the ice cream but she proved us wrong (I thought parents were never wrong?) and wouldn't have a single bite. Never the less, we still had a lot of family fun hanging out in the gazebo that is just off the parking lot to the shop.

THE #1 ice cream place in our neighborhood!

"Daddy...I'm not eating that"

"Mommy... I'm not eating that"

All smiles in her new dress!

Our 4th of July Weekend

We had a very busy 4th of July weekend. We kicked off the weekend with a cookout down the street and Audrey had a blast swimming in her friend Melina's pool. We also headed to Jason's parents house for a cookout and swimming. And we hosted a cookout at our house for my family. All in all, it was a great time with the people we love the most!!

This picture reminds me of Mary Poppins

Playing with clovers

stomping around the house with my favorite thing to eat....fruit pouches!!

Playing in the water table with Aunt Sophie and Jordan

Zoo

Jason and I couldn't think of a better way to spend our 8 year anniversary then at the Zoo with our little beauty. It was such a fun and perfect family day!