Lions and Tigers and Bears.... Oh, My!

Allie, Chase, Connie and I went to the National Zoo in Washington, DC the other day. The weather turned out to be perfect, and it wasn't very crowded. We had a great time. Chase enjoyed seeing the animals, but he didn't want to get too close. He would back away if they were up by the glass. :) He felt the same way about Chuck E. Cheese! Allie was a little disappointed because she really wanted to see the giraffes. They are renovating the elephant area which the giraffes were right by. Apparently, the giraffes have gone to Miami until the renovations are complete. Chase loved all the rocks and sticks. If there was a rock he could climb on we had to stop.




This was not a very happy gorilla!!










Look Mommy, I found another stick!

A rock AND a stick... this is great, Mommy!

Allie's First Day of School

Allie started pre-school again this week. She needed to turn 5 by September 1st to start Kindergarten this year... no exceptions. Since her birthday is September 7th, she went back to preschool. Everyone keeps saying that this is better for her, and I will be happy with it down the road. We'll see. She is already tall so being the oldest in the class means she really towers over everyone. Anyway, she had a great first day. Most of the kids in her class were the same ones from last year so she got to see her friends again and make a few new ones. They celebrated her birthday on the second day of school since her birthday was before class started. Now she has had three birthday celebrations this year! She loves it! :)

My little monster!!!

Chase loves the refrigerator. When you open the door, you have to be quick or he will climb in it. Maybe I need to keep the house colder?!?




One of Allie's birthday presents was a big Barbie house. She was very excited to get this. Apparently, Chase liked it too! :) He kept crawling into the second story of it and just sitting there. It's in her room now so he stays away from it.
A friend of ours was over with a baby so I brought this little swing out for her to use. Chase decided he wanted to use it too. He would climb up in it throughout the day and swing himself. He didn't really even like this when he fit in it.

Horseback Riding!

An old friend of Troy's has horses so the kids were lucky enough to go horseback riding this past weekend. The horse Allie is on is 25 years old. Allie LOVED it. Chase had a good time too.


















































































































Allie even got to chase and catch chickens. She caught them by herself.

A Flash Back

Allie eating her first birthday cake.

Allie after cake. Look at that sweet face.

Allie's Birthday Party

Allie wanted to have her birthday party with her friends at Chuck E. Cheese this year. I try to avoid Chuck E. Cheese on the weekends so we did it on Tuesday night. Everyone had a great time, and I didn't have to clean up afterwards! :)





Chase LOVED this Bob the Builder ride. He would have stayed there the whole time if we let him.


More cake!

Chuck E. Cheese with some of the party guests. A few others ran back to play by this point.

Princess Allie has turned 5!!!

Well, I know every parent says it, but I can't believe my little girl is already five years old! Time goes by so quick. It doesn't feel like it has been five years since we brought our beautiful baby girl home from the hospital. Now she is running the house. :) Here are some pictures from her birthday on Sunday.


She is sitting on her horse that Uncle Damon gave her for Christmas a few years ago.



Allie loves Hannah Montana so we went with a guitar cake.

Allie also loves Webkinz. She got several more for her birthday. At least I don't have to feed all these animals.