Happy Thanksgiving!

Love the Laff girls!

Wildlights

Our first Christmas activity of the year was going to see the Columbus Zoo Wildlights with the Jones boys. They were so impressive!! Rebekah loved going around pointing at them all, and hanging out with her Godfather. Bethany wasn't happy until we got to see some elephants!

Bowling

Bethany went bowling for the first time over Thanksgiving week. She really enjoyed "catching" the balls when they came up, seeing the numbers pop up on the screen, and pushing the reset button. Bowling, however, she could take or leave.

Ohio

A couple random pictures from our last trip to Papa and Grandma's.

Go, Buckeyes!

Bethany and Rebekah went to their first annual skull session this weekend. Poor Rebekah was terrified of the bus, but she braved it all right. They both enjoyed the music, and got into the cheering. Go, Buckeyes!! (And Go, Bills!! who are about to beat New England!)

Go, Bucks!!!

We were in Columbus for the OSU-Michigan game, which is practically a holiday down there! Matthew and his buddy, Andy, were the only ones with tickets to the game, but that didn't stop us all from going to enjoy the skull session. We took the bus (possibly Bethany's favorite part), and clapped/danced/yelled through the band's performance. And of course, had a bathroom emergency, which is always fun in a crowd of 15,000 people. All our cheering paid off. Go, Bucks!!!!

Halloween Preview

Last weekend we were in Columbus for the big Penn State game. It didn't end the way we wanted, but we enjoyed our fellowship with the Tree people, as I call them. We also had a failed attempt at Trunk-or-Treating, which is ok, because it means you get to finally see my girls dressed up! Check out Mommy Bear and Baby Bear. (Papa Bear was back home in Buffalo!)

Brian and Erica

We had so much fun down in Columbus at our last wedding of the summer. Matthew and Erica are good friends from high school, and it was awesome to see her so happy! Bekah tagged along for the festivities while Bethany stayed back and hung out with her Grandma Miriam. Congrats to Brian and Erica!

Weekend Double Feature

Bethany takes the tire swing for a spin...


And learns, "One, Two, Buckle my Shoe"!

Happy Father's Day

A belated happy Father's Day to you all! My girls are so blessed to have a daddy as amazing as Matthew. I've never met a man so happily involved with his kids... who's willing to change diapers, be kept awake at night, and have plenty of time playing on the floor. Bethany and Rebekah would say "you're the best" if they could. We love you, Daddy!

Rose Festival

All that was not quite enough outdoors, so we headed to the Rose Festival in the evening. Bethany steered us around the park, Bekah slept, and we all enjoyed cooling down by the fountain.

35 Years

Saturday was also the 35th wedding anniversary of our friends, Kermit and Kathy. Their son, Kevin, grew up with Matthew. (He's the one in the picture.) It was fun catching up with people from Matthew's former church, including the mother of Bethany's namesake! For those who don't already know, Bethany was named after one of Matt's friends, Bethany, who died several years ago. She meant a lot to Matt, and we wanted to honor her!

Picnic

On the spur of the moment, our family took a trip to Columbus this weekend. Despite the last minute decision, we had a very busy weekend. Saturday we went to the park for a picnic lunch. How could we not when every 10 minutes Bethany asked, "Park?" And once again, Bekah slept through it.

Party #1

We had a nice little get together for Bethany down in Columbus with all the tree guys (Daddy's high school friends). I made her a flower/star cake, depending on who you asked! Either way, it tasted delicious. Grandpa and Grandma got Bethany lots of presents (she's very spoiled, or well-loved... I'm hoping usually the later)! She even got a bottle for her baby.

COSI Concluded

COSI had a toddler room, which was a great place to conclude our afternoon. I think Bethany would have spent the rest of the day on this slide.We took the opportunity for some family pictures before we left. I think these are the first pictures with all 4 of us!!

COSI Birthday

Bethany celebrated her birthday afternoon at COSI with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Miriam, and "Uncle" Andy C. (Lots of Andys, hence the initial.) She got right into the fun in the space exhibit, where she was able to throw around bouncy balls to see how spaceships slingshot around the moon. Not sure she understood that part of it...Then it was on to the Ocean exhibit, which was by far her favorite. She saw a submarine, and really wanted to be like the big kids and go inside. Maybe next year.
She also got to get good and wet playing with all the fountains! This fountain was the best!!
The gadget room was lots of fun. Bethany loved spinning these gears... especially because spinning one made all of them move.

Naked Egg Hunt

Part of our Easter celebration was dying eggs. (Hence the nakedness.) After we made such beautiful eggs, we had the brilliant idea to send Bethany on an Easter egg hunt. She doesn't really understand that you have to be careful with hard-boiled eggs, so none of the eggs survived. Ah well, it was well worth it!

Easter Celebration

Bethany got spend Easter in Ohio! She loved having plenty of time with her grandpa Jon and grandma Miriam, and got to visit with lots of friends and family. A belated Happy Easter to all, or as the Lutherans would say, "Christ is risen!"

The Jones Boys!

Bethany got to meet baby Benjamin while she was down in Ohio too, although the real highlight for her was being able to hang out with Matthew. She was entertained for hours by his high energy level!

Happy 1st, Evie!

Bethany got to see her friend, Evalyn, down in Columbus this weekend, just in time for her 1st birthday party. Bethany really enjoyed all the babies there, but did not appreciate having to wait until Evie finished her cake to have a bit!