Sunday, December 20, 2009

Incredible Pizza

Two weeks ago, Hunter's Mom came up for a four day weekend and we had a blast! The first night we went to Incredible Pizza for some Incredible fun... he he!

Marilyn enjoys riding the horse very much!

And the Grandma hopped on the cow! Amazing things happen when Grandma's are around the little ones.

Gimme five Mammaw Jane!

Hunter, Grandma Jane & Marilyn... the three stooges?

What a trio!

Trying her hardest

Marilyn's favorite ride! Should could ride for hours... and has tried. How wonderful to be able to have a fun outing with Grandma Jane!

Decorating with Grandma

Mom & I welcomed Black Friday with traditional early morning shopping. Although, I was "done" with Christmas shopping... I managed to find even more super deals and had a great time with my Mom. After we were finished we headed back to Mom & Dad's house, where Marilyn and Pappaw had been playing. Then we decorated their house for Christmas.

Mom & Marilyn- Great picture!


Amazing how a Grandma turns silly when the little one is near.

Such a helper!

Decorating the tree.

Marilyn put the same little ornament on and off the tree all day.

Mommy & Marilyn- What a great day for three generations of holiday decorating! I just know Marilyn will love her times with her Grandma as much as I have loved mine. Some traditions just have to be carried on.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a yummy Brenton meal and day full of family. Here the Brenton family gathers for lunch at my Grandparent's house.


This is the Brenton family, minus Kate & Brett. A big change from my Mom's side of nearly 100.

Joshua, Aunt Ronna, Grandpa, Grandma & Joel
(my two cousins)

Marilyn playing Poker with Hunter, Grandpa, Uncle Greg & Grandma

Looks like she can hold her own... hehe.

Mommy's Birthday

I celebrated my 28th birthday on November 17 and was treated to some new shoes from my Mother-in-Law... well Marilyn thought they were great too!

Baby wearing my new Keens-- the most comfortable shoes ever!

Marilyn proudly sporting my new Columbia snow boots!

Baby taking the boots for a trial run... and her name is Baby. Marilyn refuses to call her anything else. Thanks Jane! I LOVE the new shoes!!! And the boots came in very handy on my recent trip to Chicago!


Also on my birthday, Marilyn spent the day with my cousin Matt's wife Angie and their two youngest, Cooper & Ava. They made these yummy birthday cupcakes. Marilyn was so proud of them and kept asking if she could have "one more". Thanks Angie for the sweet treat (and watching Marilyn!!)

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Downtown in the Fall

In November, we enjoyed an unseasonably warm Autumn day with a stroll around Downtown. Marilyn LOVES to go Downtown. She squeals with delight as she sees the skyline and gets very excited about seeing the statues. We had a great afternoon walking around the Circle and taking in the sights.







Halloween 2009

So sorry for the delay in posting... I know it has been awhile. But I wanted to get caught up before Christmas... so here goes!

Halloween night-
Marilyn refused to wear her costume so she assisted with candy distribution in her Halloween jammies... Thanks Aunt Ronna for such adorable pj's.

Marilyn and her guard dogs watching for "the kids". She tried to leave a few times with the trick-or-treaters, but for the most part was a very good candy assistant. Next year, she will get to make the neighborhood rounds.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Visit to Ohio

In late October, we took a day trip to Waynesville, OH. Hunter's sister, Lizzie was running a trail marathon through the state park. Since she lives in Boston, it is a rare treat to be close enough for a visit. Pappaw Robert and Kirk also traveled up from Nashville for the weekend visit.

Pappaw Robert, Lizzie, Hunter & Marilyn
Handling the Big Girl Swing

Marilyn had a great time on the swings and slides at the state park. Although the air was brisk, she had a delightful time. I just love her cute little gloves and the coat from Hunter's Grandmother, Day Day.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Zoo Boo

Our little Bumble Bee is getting so big! Marilyn's costume came as a gift from her Great-Grandma Day Day in Nashville. It is so cute! She even sent a leotard and tights to make sure that the cooler Indy air wouldn't be too much for Miss Buzzz. We went to the Zoo Boo where all the little people come dressed up for Halloween at the Zoo.

Anything at the Zoo has Marilyn's approval. She liked getting to see the other kids in the costumes. But I think her favorite was a twirling Elmo that she met on the dance floor.


In this one, the seals just started barking- you can see the surprise on Marilyn's face.



Watching the other kids on the dance floor before deciding to join in. Yes, she wowed them all when she twirled and did her fancy dance moves.

Here the fog machine made it a little hard to see while dancing.

Talking to the ducks.

Full on cuteness. I just love her excitement. Zoo Boo was wonderful. In order to leave, I did have to tell Marilyn that the animals needed to go back to sleep.

After the Zoo we went out to dinner Downtown and Marilyn was able to see construction equipment, trains and horses- her favorite things. It must have been like day in Heaven for our little two year old.

Pumpkin Patch

I love Fall and I love the Pumpkin Patch. We had a beautiful crisp day to be walking through the Anderson Orchard and Patch. Marilyn was elated to see the tractor that pulled the wagon to the patch. She kept exclaiming that it was "her turn". She picked out her own little pumpkin, and we selected a fantastic large family pumpkin. It is so hard to believe this is our third year here.







The Zoo!

By far our best Christmas present last year was a Zoo membership. It has been used frequently this year, and I foresee numerous trips still to come. Marilyn LOVES the Zoo. Sometimes she wakes up in the morning and asks, "Me, Marilyn, Zoo, Animals, Downtown, Now, PLEASE, Mommy..." This mantra varies but repeats itself over and over.

One day it started, and it was a day for the sitter, so I explained to Marilyn that she was going to visit her friends and play. Well, she started to cry. She kept saying, "Me, Marilyn, Animals, Downtown...." so I fibbed. I told her that all of the animals were sleeping and she would have to wait to visit them when they woke up. This worked. She said, "Ok, Animals, Night-Night, Nap."

So when Hunter and I planned a weekday excursion to the Zoo, it was great to tell Marilyn we were headed to see the animals. She excitedly asked Piper (our Dachshund) if she wanted to go see the animals. Then she asked Spud (our other Dachshund) if he wanted to go. She even tracked down our skittish cat Macy and invited her to the Zoo. I explained that she could only take one toy. She chose her new Owl, Who Who.




We had such a wonderful day at the Zoo. We both had the day off and made for a great family day. It felt like we had the whole zoo to ourselves. We even splurged and let Marilyn ride the carousel. Her sweet, "Me, Marilyn's Turn" is sometimes just too hard to resist.

Thanks Kate & Brett for the membership and the opportunity for so many wonderful memories.