Knoebels

Yesterday we went to Knoebel's for the school employee picninc.  Annalise had a great time taking everything in and even rode rides by herself for the first time!  I was really questioning whether or not she would sit still on a ride for the entire ride or if she would try to climb out but she did well.  She rode on the fire trucks, the boats, the cars and the train.  She said that she wanted to go on the helicopters but once I put her in and pushed the lap bar over she panicked and wanted out.  That was the only ride with a lap bar and not a strap so it must have been something about the bar that freaked her out.  Anyway, I can't wait to take her back this summer!

On the fire trucks.  She liked ringing the bell!

She spent much of the fire truck ride looking at the other kids on the ride so it was hard to get  a picture of her face.

Aidan and Anna going for a spin on the cars.

Following the cars, they enjoyed a nice boat ride.

They both kept turning around and looking back at the water but neither one ever stuck their hands in.

Annalise likes the Smith's double stroller.  She liked to stand on Aidan's spot on the back.

Anna and Lily in the double stroller.

Aidan nicely shared the back standing part with Anna.  Poor Brad ended up pushing it with both of them on it!

Anna and Riley's Friend

The other night, Anna and Riley were able to play a little with Aidan which they both enjoyed a lot! Anna loves to watch him run around and play with Riley. She gets really excited and starts waving her legs and arms a million miles an hour! Riley especially likes it when Aidan throws the ball for her and Aidan does a really good job telling her to "Sit!" and "Drop it!" while playing ball. Here are some pictures of the fun they had:

Aidan getting the ball to throw

Riley saying "Throw it, throw it, throw it" to Aidan

Sometimes when Stan would tell Riley to sit, Aidan would sit. It was REALLY CUTE!
Here, that had happened and Stan it helping Aidan back to his feet. Notice Miss Riley is NOT sitting though

Riley must have been getting tired here because Aidan is running after the ball.

Anna and Aidan playing with the tool bench

Aidan clapping along to the song from the bench. He impressively had much of it memorized by the time he left!!

First Carnival

Last night we went to Annalise's first carnival with the Smiths. Just like at Knoebel's last month, she loved looking at all the lights and people and loved the sounds. She at first was pretty mellow but after a ride on the Merry-Go-Round she was wound up. I am discovering that she is really easy to feed at home, but if there is any distraction around (not just something major like a carnival, but any person that usually is not around) she really does not have much time for eating! I was impressed that without eating she was still in a pleasant mood and jazzed up past 9:00! That is a new record for her!

Mommy and Anna on the carousel

Mommy and Anna
Brad and Aidan

Aidan on the cars
He really liked these!

Riding the train
It is funny, I can clearly remember riding this same train at this same carnival as a kid. The ride seemed to last much longer back then!

Brad, Lori and Aidan &
Mommy and Anna go for a train ride