Mara AnnMarie turns 2

Mara on her birth day at daycare.  Happy Birthday little one!

Anna & Elsa (from Frozen, the movie) are her favorites!  So grown up!

 We went to the Zoo for her birthday with Claire, Max & Auntie Whitney.  They are enjoying the carousel again!

Princess Mara at the Zoo checking out the pink flamingos!

Mama and Daddy celebrate with Princess Mara at Jesse James Days.  Mmm, fair food!

Beautiful little Princess Mara AnnMarie turns 2 - woo hoo!

End of Summer

The Parks went back to Roanoke and the rest of us are getting ready for school to start.  Max is enjoying a chocolate chip cookie after naptime.

Max gets the motorcycle to himself while Claire and Mara swing together in the back.  He always asks me to take a picture or a video and send it to his mama and dad!

Claire and Max would rather play baby with Mara than the dollies.  She cooperates - she loves to lay down on a pillow with a blanket anytime.  If their cuddling gets too much for her, she lets them know!

Max's first day of daycare without his sister, Claire.  Mara is napping and he is busy building a farm.

As usual, our farm vehicles need constant maintenance.  Max is doing his best to repair the motorcycle.

Success!  He got it running again!

Omi and Max take a selfie together!  He loves to snuggle after naptime.

Decorating food faces for lunch

Mara gets interested in putting raisin eyes on her person.

Max is finished decorating and ready to start eating it, where to begin...

Claire is showing us her little friend.  Love how they used the cucumbers for smiles!

The Fab Five at the Zoo together

They LOVED the carousel - who knew!!  Those are real smiles...

They also really LOVED the Coral Reef Show with the scuba diver.

Sleepover at the Camper...

While Brody & Maverick were in Minnesota we had the oldest 4 sleep overnight with us at the camper.

They had fun building things out of sand and water...

and then we had s'mores by the campfire...

...they were messy, ok?

morning at the camper - butter and jelly on toast.

 I think what Papa is thinking is, "these precious boys are gonna be going back to Roanoke soon."

Nothing beats a good video story...

dancing moves...

Brody and Max, Claire and Maverick show us their jeep driving skills...

Brody and Max together...

Claire and Maverick together, he is in the drivers' seat, but she is steering & running the gas, so sweet...

Maverick & Brody tickle Papa on the night before they leave to go back home to Roanoke...

Brody & Maverick visit Claire, Max & Mara (& Omi & Papa) FARM FUN

One of the first things to do was get Maverick a haircut, Uncle Josh cut 'em all for him.

 The kids really love to dance, and dance they do.  New moves are created each day!

 Mara & Brody enjoy some cuddle time.  They both enjoy watching movies SO MUCH!

 Driving and riding on the jeep & motorcycle are wonderful adventures, even if Mara is driving!

 Even if Maverick is driving!

 Mara is ok with riding, too, on occasion!  Brody is an experienced driver!

 Papa is the only one who can drive the 6x6, but they all love a ride with him.

Our summer Lemonade Stand was a huge success!!  We had so much fun and made $24!!  They spent it together at the State Fair the next day at the Giant Slide.

A visit wouldn't be complete without a trip to the orchard.  They opened just a couple days before they had to go home.  Brody was impressed with the amount of apples on the trees!!