Happy "Dadadadadada" Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dadadadadadda's out there. Just last week Anna Claire starting saying dada (really more like dadadadaadadaadada) and really applying it toward Brad. Perfect timing just before Father's Day! Lucky for me if she is really tired or wanting to snuggle she also reaches up and says "mamamamama." We had a great day celebrating Brad and spoiling him - it was easy as he is an amazing Dad. We were in Danville for the weekend, so after a great breakfast with Honey and Poppy we stopped by the cemetary in Danville to pay respects to my Dad and then made our way to the Lexington Cemetary to visit Brad's Dad before heading home. Days like this remind us of how much we miss our own Dad's and wish they could be here to see what we have become and most of all, to meet our daughter. We just know that they both would adore Anna Claire and would enjoy being Grandfathers. Thankfully we have amazing mother's and siblings and we feel especially blessed that Ray (AKA "Poppy") has become such a part of our lives since marrying my Mom. We truly feel blessed that Anna Claire will grow up with a Grandfather after all... and an amazing Poppy at that! He absolutely adores her and Anna Claire thinks he hung the moon! Father's Day has a new feel for us now that Brad is a Daddy - it is a joyous day for us once again! Happy Father's Day to Brad, Poppy and ALL of our favorite Dad's out there.

Anna Claire loved the pond and ducks at Lex Cemetary and below are some great shots of AC hanging out with her Daddy. I think she might be a Daddy's girl...





After a great afternoon, Grandmom and Aunt Kelly joined us for dinner and dessert. We had a great time visiting and watching AC play with her adoring Grandmom and Aunt. She is one lucky gal to have so many people that love her!

Uncle Alex is Home!!!

We greeted Alex and MB as they arrived at the airport this evening and it was SO great to see and hug Uncle Alex. Of course we loved to see Aunt MB too, but it has been over a year since we last saw Alex and this was the first time he met Anna Claire due to his deployment in Iraq. AC sported her patriotic dress and held a sign for him that said "Uncle Alex is My Hero." We enjoyed a great dinner with Alex, MB and the Griffin family at Ramsey's and then they proceeded onto Danville. We are so happy they are in town for a couple of weeks and we cannot wait to spend more time with them. Anna Claire and Uncly Ally have a lot of catching up to do...

Anna Claire FINALLY meets Uncle Alex!





A few of AC being cute earlier this morning.... she was so excited knowing that today was the day she got to meet Uncle Ally!!!

GABBF - Great American Brass Band Festival

Anna Claire and I spent the weekend in Danville for what we Danvillians refer to as "BBF" or Brass Band Festival weekend. Friday we strolled around town for the Gallery Hop and then attended a porch party. It was fun strolling around town and introducing Anna Claire to many old friends. Saturday we enjoyed some festival action and then a long afternoon nap. Saturday evening we headed downtown once more to enjoy the BBF picnic with friends and family and we had a great time! Anna Claire was a trooper and stayed out until 9:00. She slept like a log after all the action! Unfortunately I was busy with Mom duties and didn't do too well as photographer. I wish I had gotten more shots of Anna Claire with her new friends Davis and Jack. We also enjoyed visiting with my dear college friends, Ellen and Amy. Anna Claire loved all of the people, sights and sounds. She sure loves to be where the action is... I think she gets that from her Daddy. Maybe a little from her Mommy too, but DEFINITELY she takes after her Honey in that sense. (wink, wink) Sunday morning we had a delicious brunch thanks to Honey and Poppy, then headed back home to rejoin with Daddy. We missed him, but he had a good time camping and biking with friends in IN. We all took a VERY long nap on Sunday after a busy weekend and woke up ready to do it again. We are sooooo excited that Anna Claire will be meeting her Uncle Alex for the first time later this week! He has returned to Germany from Iraq and he and MB are making the trip home to KY on Thursday! We will have something great to blog about after their arrival.

Weekend at Honey and Poppy's

Daddy went on a camping/biking weekend with some friends, so Anna Claire and I packed up and headed to Danville for some fun at H & P's. It was Brass Band Festival weekend, so we had a good time visting with family and friends. More posts and photos to follow. Below are some photos and videos of Anna Claire in her walker on the deck at Honey's house. Didn't take her too long to figure it out... she is a speedy little thing and everyone on deck had to watch out for their toes! All cribs have been lowered as she is pulling up now and really showing more interest in being on her feet. A few times this weekend we found her standing in the crib, waiting for someone to come and rescue her. Hard to believe she is getting so big, so fast.

Relaxing on the Deck

I walked outside Saturday afternoon to this scene.




Anna Claire was so beat that she just fell asleep in her high chair after enjoying a snack on the porch while Daddy was reading!

She continues to get faster and faster on all fours and is into EVERYTHING. I keep catching her standing on her knees and she is also trying to pull up on everything. She can stand for short periods while holding onto a chair or her crib. Yikes! We literally cannot turn our heads and if she is really going after something she wants, we can barely keep up. Child proofing phase II has sprung into action... fireplace hearth guard, table corner guards and gate are ON THE WAY and can't get here fast enough.




More pics and video clips to come later this week.

Baby Boom! Anna Claire Welcomes Her New Friends!

Riley Kate Porter was born to our dear friends, Jessica and Jason Porter on Monday, June 1st! Here a couple of iPhone shots of the happy family just after RK's arrival. Last night we went to visit the Porter's at home so Anna Claire could meet the baby. When Riley Kate let out a little cry, Anna Claire got very upset and started crying too! She is already looking out for her friend. ;-) More pictures to come soon of Anna Claire with Riley Kate!




ALSO... another sweet babe was born to our good friends Lee and Kim Chapman just recently. Kenneth Cade Chapman was born on Friday, May 29th. Cade and Riley Kate are just a few days apart and will have so much fun growing up together! Cade is a sweetie and we can't wait to meet him! We plan to visit him this weekend and I will be sure to take photos.



Welcome to the world Riley Kate and Cade! We are so happy that everyone is healthy and doing well. It will be no time before Anna Claire is having a great time playing with her new friends!