Song for Sophie

Ben was inspired by a video of his friend Sophie on Facebook, so he wanted to record a message for her. It is sort of a message to Sophie, but mostly a song about Halloween (I think).

Summer 2011

We had a busy summer - we started in Charlotte, spent a month in Ft. Thomas and moved to Rye, NY in early August. We made some fun trips in between - to Murray, Lake Wawasee and Carmel, IN. Here are some pictures from our summer adventures. Now that we're settled I hope to be better about keeping this blog up-to-date!

At Kings Island with Elise

Getting their Graeter's ice cream fix

4th of July parade

Visit to Springfield, Ohio

Trip to Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, IN to visit the Wenstrups.

Courtney and Ben

Ben and Reagan

Trip to Murray, Kentucky. Ben & Miles

Going for a ride with Cohen

Kate with Great Aunt J.R.

Cincinnati Zoo

Visiting the Habeggers in Carmel, Indiana (the Stormer ladies stopped by for a visit)

Ben and Kate's favorite summer game - getting sprayed in the driveway by Poppie!

Kate's 2nd Birthday

Kate celebrated her second birthday on June 18th. It was our last weekend in our Charlotte house so we rented a water slide and had friends over to celebrate with us. Kate was not a huge fan of the water slide. While I was running errands Jeff sent her down alone and she was quite scared. So, everyone else enjoyed the water slide and she splashed in the water at the bottom. She did go down one more time in Jeff's lap.

Getting some help opening presents from Ben and Anna.

Springtime

We've had a busy spring and I haven't been good about posting pictures. So, here are some of the kids from the past few months. We're preparing to head to the northeast and are sad to be leaving Charlotte, but are excited for the new adventure too.

Visiting the Georgia Aquarium with Jackson and Wyatt during our recent trip to Atlanta.

Ben & Jackson

Kate & Wyatt

Kate enjoys the boxes that are around the house

Easter Weekend

This year for Easter we went to the beach. We went to Kiawah Island because I've always wanted to go there and since we don't have much time left in Charlotte we thought we better go!

Donuts With Dad

This morning Ben's school had something called "Donuts with Dad." Thankfully Jeff was able to make it and here's a picture of them before the big event. The picture quality isn't great because I had to take it with my cell phone, but at least we captured the moment!

Ben showed Daddy around his classroom and they had donuts. Then the children sang a "good morning" song and recited the pledge of allegiance (Ben got to hold the flag). Then Ben gave Daddy a picture he drew of him that said "I love my daddy because he plays trains with me."

Kate + markers

We left Kate, Ben and Elise alone to play together in the playroom. Kate found some markers and not only marked all over everything, but all over herself as well. The most damage was done to her arm, but her face also got some action. She thought it was quite funny.

Our Little Valentines

Valentine's Day was fun this year because Ben got very excited about preparing cards for his friends at school. He had a great time distributing them in class and getting cards and treats in return. He also mailed some princess Valentine cards to some special ladies in Zionsville, Indiana.

Getting his Valentine cards ready. He put heart stickers on all of the envelopes.

Kate modeling her new 'do.

Enjoying their Valentine's cookies with Daddy.