Video - Service Team of Professionals S.T.O.P.

Many of you know that a year ago we bought a property restoration franchise. Cameron had done a lot of research on this franchise and after much prayer, advice, and planning, we decided to buy the franchise.

 

Here's a one minute video that shows you what S.T.O.P. has done for some of our customers.

 

Emma - First Day of Preschool

Tuesday September 17th was Emma's first day of preschool. She did great on her first day and she almost forgot to wave goodbye to me as she entered her classroom! Emma is such a big girl.  I'm sure this will be the first of many "first day" pictures.

 

Grand Haven 2013 Family Picture

I didn't take many pictures this year during our annual vacation to Grand Haven, MI but it has become a tradition to take a picture on the steps in front of the house we rent.

 

I set up my tripod and set my camera to take three consecutive shots.  Unfortunately, I didn't tell anyone how many shots I was taking and everyone started to move around after the first shot (everyone except for me, of course). the first picture would have been perfect except that Emma and Ana aren't really looking at the camera. I was too busy setting up the tripod and camera that I didn't even notice that Emma was holding her sister for the picture (too cute). Anyway, I decided to post all three pictures.

 

Top row (left to right): Mark & Linda, Cameron, John & Nancy (holding Atenas), Lisa & Ed.

Bottom row (left to right): Angeline (friend of the family), Gramp, aunt Jan, Emma, Ana, Ellie (holding Rudy), Anna, and me.

 

Love Emma's face on this one.  I don't know what made her laugh.  Maybe something that aunt Jan said.

Kentucky Horse Park

One of our summer highlights was our visit to the Kentucky Horse Park earlier last month. Only a two hour drive, it was perfect day trip to take the girls.  We had been talking about our visit to the horse park for a while and Emma was very excited.  She couldn't wait to ride a horse! 

 

Cameron and I were very surprised to see her approach the horses with care, respect and not being afraid. She got more comfortable as we were surrounded by horses.

Love this picture. Emma holding Daddy and Ana holding her bear.  Too cute!

 

 

 Emma watching one of the riders:

 

Posing for the camera:

I wanted to take a picture in front of this old wall apparently made by slaves:

 



 

With my other baby: 

 

Ana walked as if she knew what she was doing and where she was going:

 

Once we turn her lose, we really have to keep an eye on her:

 

One of the shows:

 

Emma proudly showing off her ticket to her first pony ride.  She's still talking about it!

 

We will definitely go back.  We loved it!

Ana

Girls sharing

Sister Love

Girls being silly and playing together.

Back Home

We had to cut our vacation a day short because the girls were sick and Emma wasn't getting enough sleep.

The girls did great in the car. We stopped at Cabela's so that the girls could see the animal display as well as their aquarium.

Once we got home, we got the girls ready for bed. Emma wanted to read Goodnight Moon to Ana. She did a great job and could "read" most of it by memory.

Corn Dogs

This year the corn dog stand next to the canal was still open (a lot of these shops close during the winter). It didn't take long for all of us to devour our delicious corn dogs.

Main Street

We enjoyed walking on Main Street and visiting the cute shops. Emma's favorite store was general store Fortinos, where she discovered candy necklaces.

She's holding and eating one of those candy necklaces in this picture.

At the beach

Emma and sunset

Walking down to the pier.

Grand Haven 2013

We arrived to Grand Haven yesterday afternoon. After a five hour non stop drive the girls were ready to get out and move around. They did great in the car and we didn't have any meltdowns.

We are all ready to enjoy our annual vacation!

Reds Game

Cameron and I went to a Cincinnati Reds game earlier today and it was a great experience. The Reds won against the LA Dodgers 4 to 3 in extra inings. We had great seats and the game was sold out.

John and Nancy came to our house to watch the girls so we could enjoy the game. Both girls behaved and took naps (it was after we got home that Ana became her old wild self).

Emma - Some things never change

Look at Emma's mouth. Too cute!

Back to Storytime

Our library's children program resumed last Tuesday. We've been attending since Emma was Ana's age and now both girls are old enough to enjoy it together.

Here they are waiting for storytime to start.

Emma's Big Ole Cake

Yesterday Emma went to her friend's house and together they baked a cake. The frosting was pink and purple and topped with sprinkles.

Emma proudly helped me serve it as dessert during last night's dinner for our out-of-town guest. The cake was very good and Ana and Emma had fun displaying their purple tongues to all of us.

Banana

Ana loves to eat bananas. She could eat two or more if I let her.

So we have one kid who loves bananas and another one that loves to speak like a monkey (Enma is into the Curious George phase).  Just lovely!

Emma

Ana