Veterans Day Parade

Claire had a Veteran's Day program and parade at her school. We were able to invite the veterans in our life so Eden and I brought Grandpa to be honored!! He served in the Air Force which is what brought us to SA. I just love how my dad gets emotional at any patriotic celebration. At the end of it all he said that was the most he had done for veteran's day for a long time and I think he really enjoyed the morning! They had a nice program outside with the choir and middle school band. Each veteran got a carnation and was brought up to the front so the kids could see them and honor them. We also remember my brother who served in the Navy!

Claire parading through the halls with her float!
Sportin her red, white and blue
Eden was in a little mood that morning and I couldn't get a smile until I told her I was taking her to chick-fil-a to play with her friends!
One of my favorite pictures - Eden sharing a pear with Grandpa - they are pretty smitten =)
We love you dad and are proud of you!

Bert and Ernie & the Zoo

Claire has a thing for Bert and Ernie - her favorite Sesame Street Characters from the start (Elmo was a close second as well as Slimey). As soon as PBS told her they were coming to town for an appearance at the Children's Museum, she asked everyday if she could go. It ended up being the same day that we planned to go to the zoo with my parents but it meant so much to her that we did both! So off we went to the museum to see these guys but we didn't get as close as we wanted. Luckily Claire was content with waving from a far since we couldn't wait in the MASSIVE line that had formed. We said our hellos, took a picture from behind the fence and then it was off to the zoo to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa for some sweaty fun!

Here is Eden loving the ball zone at the museum. It was a free day which was nice so we could check things out. It's a really great place and now I know we will need to go back soon!
Claire milking a cow - my Wisconsin family will love this picture!
Claire's picture with Bert and Ernie - she was a trooper!
Before leaving, we had to do some shopping at the pretend HEB store. Claire plays shopping almost everyday if not multiple times a day. I always check her out and say "beep" so checking herself out was a dream for her! Eden was helping =)
After meeting up and bathing in sunscreen, we had a great day at the zoo! The monkeys were our favorite! They were so lively!
Grandma packed a lunch - Here is Claire with a couple of her favorite men!
Grandma and Eden
They have an aviary with these Lory birds that just fly around. One landed on Neil's head and Eden just loved it!
Resting in front of the Elephants
The Africa phase 2 is finally open and really nice!
Love this one =)
Claire really loved getting so close to the hippo
Sharing ice cream - one of the girls favorite parts of the day! This is probably my favorite picture!
Can't leave the zoo without the classic picture of girls on lions!
Of course I have about 100 more pictures but I had to only choose a handful! I will be uploading all of them to Shutterfly and adding a link sometime. I know my aunts will appreciate some recent pictures uploaded on there!

Let's go fly a kite!

Another catch up post! Back in early May my parents called up wanting to take Claire out to fly a really cool kite they picked up. What better to fly a kite with your grandparents?! It wasn't the most successful of runs but Claire had fun =) There was a sweet little girl who desperately wanted to play with us so she ran right beside Claire. Claire later found a ladybug and was so sweet sharing her find with her new friend!
Isn't this a neat kite?

Grandpa trying to catch some wind!

Claire tried holding it too =)

Love that face! Such wonder and little ladybug feet are so ticklish!

Sharing with her friend

We are so blessed to have our parents around the corner to build such memories! I didn't have that growing up so I cherish each and every moment.