Living Treasures Animal Park

A few weekends ago we took the kiddos to a little animal park near where we live. It is much smaller than the zoo so it was really fun to see Will checking out the animals up close. Ella was a trooper, wide-eyed and excited about all the fun things to look at!

Feeding the deer with Dad.

Checking out the tigers with Pap.

Perhaps the funniest picture ever... Will's grin is priceless.

Ella loving the attention!

Whoa, camel.

Hi Duck!!

No such luck...

So my mom and I took advantage of a nice day to try and get a picture of Will and Ella together in the yard. No luck. Seriously, our Christmas card this year is going to be one of Will running in the opposite direction and Ella trying to eat the camera. Our kids are just WAY to busy to sit for pictures. We did however, get a few cute pictures of each of them separately and a few funny ones of them together. Check back soon as we've also gone on a trip to the zoo and a pumpkin patch trip that I'll be adding!

Ella pulling up!

In the tradition of our "super human" active and crazy mobile kids, Ella decided to pull up last weekend. Yes, she's not even 6 months yet. She'll be walking in no time, trying to catch her brother! Excuse the video quality, Joe took it with his blackberry. We were at my parent's house watching the Steeler game. Here she goes...

News and Notes

We had a fun visit from Joe's family over the Labor Day weekend. We went to a kid's day at Pitt and Will had a good time getting his arm painted, getting a balloon animal, and watching the magician (for about 5 minutes!).
Watching the magician.

Getting a dinosaur!

The four of us.

With Grandmom and Grandpop.

With Aunt Jen.


Ella's two teeth!

Mommy and her kiddies!


Will (which he pronounces "O Will") is becoming quite the little chatter box these days. Loves to say "Hi-ya" to caterpillars, Ella and dogs ("dog-a"). He only says hi to people on the phone. He has learned some letters and LOVES to point out anytime he sees an M or B. He has a serious obsession with diggers and trucks (pronounced "dig-ewws" and "tucks"). He loves the library and Costco (because his Nan, my mom, lets him eat basically anything they are giving out!).

Ella is getting so much bigger, more mobile, and definitely showing her headstrong personality! She is sitting up on her own, crawling around, eating SO much better (really likes sweet potatoes) and even starting to sleep at night! Here are some new pics!

Silly headband!

Mom, why?

Kennywood!

Last weekend we decided to take Will to our treasured amusement park in Pittsburgh, Kennywood. This was particularly nostalgic for me as I spent many a summer day trekking around Kennywood with my friends growing up. Will LOVED Kiddieland and had a blast riding the rides. Joe and I were a bit cautious at first, only taking him on the rides we could ride with him thinking he would be reluctant to go on any by himself. We were quite sure he wouldn't venture into the ride with the stranger high-schoolers escorting him onto the large moving contraptions that spun around dizzily where he couldn't reach his beloved parents because of the fence that separated us. HA! He marched right in everytime, held the hand of the nearest Kiddieland worker, climbed right up, and only looked back to laugh and wave at us! My heart was broken that my little guy was so willing to embark on such exciting adventures without me. All I could think was kindergarten will be here all too soon and I'll be left standing at the bus stop. I was really proud of his try-anything spirit though and we had so much fun watching him take it all in. It is a memory we will always treasure and the beginning of a family tradition! Here are some pictures of our little Evil Knievel!
Riding the merry-go-round with Joe.

Riding the SS Kenny with Dad, because it spun around too much for Mom!

The turtle!

Swings!

Motorcycle!

Flying the airplane!

Flying saucer! Definitely Will's favorite, he rode three times!


Watching the big roller coasters. In a couple of years...

BEAT.

Updates...

We've had a lot of fun these last few weeks of summer!

Ella's first bites of rice cereal. Not particularly loving it... She still doesn't. It is quite the struggle to get this girl to eat!

Mom, what the heck?!?!

Will's new favorite place is the splash pad at one of our local parks. It is hilarious to watch him run around!




We also explored a new park with Benjamin and Jennifer! They boys had a great time and Ella was good as gold!
Sliding.

Benjamin checking out Ella.

Benjamin and his Mommy swinging, which Ben calls "Weeee!" So cute!

Will in the train which Will calls "Woo Woo"!

Swinging!


And now some random fun!
Ella helping me make enchiladas.

Ella rolling around in her clothes! Dr. Sarah Roark, does this remind you of anything?!?!?!

Will loves having his sister in his crib!

Will covered in hummus!

Sunday in the yard...

It's a cool beautiful Sunday here in Pittsburgh. We spent our time after church playing in the yard. Will loves his tee ball and power wheels while Ella works on crawling around on the blanket! Sorry the videos are so shaky, but I was doing it all one-handed. Enjoy!

So cute! Wish you could see her first tooth that came in last weekend!


Good hit!