Two!

On the morning of Claire's 2nd birthday, there was a beautiful sunrise!

It had followed a very noisy overnight storm.

I went to the kids' church.  Darn camera phone didn't get a good shot, but Adam and his sister Staci, visiting from Ohio (can I say that?  She is a traveling gypsy!  She's been in 37 countries and 5 continents!) sang a most wonderful song that sent chills down my body.   "God with Us" by All Sons and Daughters.

Later that day we had 

                  Claire's birthday celebration -

 Hannah designed this easel board that welcomed us at the front door.  Didn't she do a good job??

It was also Father's Day! besides Claire's birthday.

So, before celebrating the birthday, we went to the office to see a video that Hannah spent hours putting together.  Pictures of her daddy and each of the girls put to the music  "Daddy's Girl".  So sweet!  Hannah has a real talent!!

Gifts were given to each of the Dads - Adam, Warren and Allen.

 Al and his precious daughters.  Our son lives far away and was not there, but he did call later on to wish his dad a happy father's day also.

Birthday party time!  Time to celebrate!!

Claire wanted a Dora birthday party.

 The pizza was not quite ready, so we decided to open gifts first.  We were ready for the party to commence!

 

Adam's mom helped Sophie and Hannah sew these teddies for Claire.

 They did a great job!

For dinner, we had delicious home-made pizza (chicken artichoke, pepperoni and cheese), fruit cups and 7-layer salad.

Claire ate only a little.  

"All done!!.....CAKE...CAKE!!!"

We told her she had to wait until everyone was finished with supper.

Watch this!

When the party was finished, we gave our good bye kisses and took mom back to her place.  She asked Allen to come in to the garage for a moment.  He often helps her out so he thought nothing of it.  But we had a surprise for him!!

Ha ha!  Look at his BIG eyes!!

"What did you do??"

He was shocked to find that we got him a Stihl chain saw!

(thanks Dan Prier for your help letting me know what was the best one to get.  Al LOVES this!!)

Celebrations are such fun!!

Horse kind of day - part 3

We said good-bye to the horses and went to see Grandma Lois

and Grandpa Pete.

We always have to see the birdies!

Recently, the home has put in a little snack/coffee shop.

I found this photo so funny.

Mom has trouble keeping her eyes open when I take pictures.

And here Hannah did too.

 After our visit with their great-Grandpa and great-Grandma, the children wanted to stop at the "puppy store."

 Do you see 3 birds nests in the sign?

Too soon for these girls, it was time to go home for lunch and nap/rest time 

before their parents came for them. 

 I sure do enjoy spending time with these girls!

Horse kind of day - part 2

After wading through the water, we continued on to find the horses.

                                         
Sophia thought this horse should be named "Whiskers".  Hannah thought it looked like a "Carmel".

 The girls found some mulberries to feed them.

 Oops.

You can't tell it, but she was making the sound of a horse snorting, where you blow your lips together.
                                    Not sure what you call that.
     In Japan, a horse (uma) makes the sound hihi-n   ひひーん.

 How they just LOVE them!!  They would really like mommy and daddy to move to the country so they could have their very own horses.  But until that time, these are sure nice horses to visit!