Trick or Treat!!!!! Look at my Bumble Bees! This has been one adventure....getting my children into these costumes! I thought I was being a great Mom by purchasing these Halloween costumes back in July. I mean, come on, I'm an "on top of it Mommy"! Right? Who knew that during the course of the summer Avery would be stung twice and both children would develop a huge fear of bees? Chris and I spent weeks before Halloween coming up with creative ways to get the girls to want to put these costumes on. No luck. So on the eve of the big day, I broke down and offered up chocolate. As you can see, chocolate works. I think you can even see it dripping down Sidney's chin in this picture! :)

The girls really took to the whole idea of collecting candy from their neighbors. Three house into it the concept was understood and they were off running to the next door! Here they are checking out a ghost in the front yard!

We enjoyed the evening with our friends Santiago, Julie and Rafi. Here is Sidney, Rafi (RaRa) and Avery as the night came to an end.

The girls were hoisting their suckers into the air as a gesture of victory in the amount of candy collected! Just kidding:) I'm not sure what they are doing!

A trip to the park! The girls walked down to the water to watch the ducks!

Avery on the jungle gym!

Sidney being cute as ever!

Walking back home!

Enjoying the last few days left of fall before the snow comes!

This is Sidney running around at the Apple Orchard. A few weeks ago we spent the day with Santiago, Julie and Rafi at the orchard. It was a really great day!

Posing for a picture!

The best shot at a family photo!

All my sweethearts together!

Playing on the train (Sidney in front)

Summer! It's hard to believe that it's over already again. This past weekend we celebrated the girls turning 2 yrs old. It was a fun day! Mom & Dad were here for the last two weeks and then my Gramma flew in town to help celebrate the birthday! Enjoy the pictures!

Sidney and Avery in their birthday outfits Gramma Joseph bought for them (along with several other cute outfits!)
Grandma Shinabery sent a wonderful package of presents for the girls to open. They got purses filled with books & chocolate - now, what could be better?

Avery, Sarah (neighbor) and Sidney

We tried to take a picture of all the kids that evening, but it was late and past several bedtimes!

Sidney and Avery with Great Gramma Joseph!

Granny with Sidney!
This summer I took the girls to an apple orchard with Katri & Clint. That is their nephew, Charlie, in the middle. This picture is us on our hayride.

Sidney pressed her forehead up against the fire place!

Playing outside on their swing set!

Katri & I flew the girls home to Ohio for a short trip. Grandma Shinabery was nice enough to come over one night and babysit the girls. They got to read books and eat popcorn! We also got to visit with my cousin's Chas & Nicki. Nicki was home with her husband and new baby, Dane!


We also got to spend some time with Michelle, Rick & Nick down in Dayton, OH. Here is Nick with Sid & Avery!
Aunt Michelle with Avery & Sid.

Avery being silly!
Sidney being silly with her underwear on her head!
Here we are back in August with my parent's in Pompano Beach, FL. The girl's first vacation outside of Ohio. It was a great two weeks of swimming in the ocean, playing in the sand & visiting with Granny & Grampy! We had so much fun!

Avery cleaning up after dinner out! That is a napkin wrapped around her!

Sidney eating ice cream (I-do)

Mom & Dad! This was Mom's birthday!


Sidney with her Grampy!

Hanging out on the beach!

Taking a nap on the beach!

Wow! Time goes by fast! As you will see in the pictures, we got to spend a wonderful weekend with Ed & Sarah in the beginning of August. It took about all of ten minutes for the girls to warm up to them and then it was nothing but love. Here is Sarah showing the girls pictures off her camera.
Something made them all laugh!! I'm sure it's a picture of one of Sarah's cats!
In the back yard playing in their favorite toy!
We were able to go on a dinner boat cruise the last night Sarah and Ed were in town. It was a nice, relaxing way to spend time together. Here is Sidney stealing some love from her Auntie Sarah!
And now Sidney is loving up Uncle Ed!

Uncle Ed entertaining the girls!
Ed & Avery looking out over the lake...
What a great picture!
Playing in the back yard again with the hose. Sidney loves the water!

Hello Everyone! Summer is flying by here. We have been filling up our days with walks & trips to the pool. We are getting ready to try some potty training real soon (as soon as I have a couple of free days to devote to it). The girls seem to be into taking their clothes off lately. I woke up yesterday to find them both naked in their rooms. Sidney can get totally naked in less than 2 minutes which means you have to constantly watch her when you are in public or outside in the backyard. We are getting closer and closer to talking. They continue to deepen their "secret" communication skills and I think Chris & I are just getting better at guessing at what they are trying to say. They have definitely learned the word no and are not afraid to use it. I am actually surprised at how useful it is. They seem to feel the need to disipline each other and say "no, no, no" when they see the other one misbehaving.
God this age is fun...and challenging, but so much fun! They are really starting to become little people with opinions. I think that will be growth opportunity #1 for good old mom! God, am I ready for that? I hate that mirror!!!! Anyway.....on to the reason you log onto to this blog...No shoe is safe in the Shinabery house. They love wearing our shoes. Here is Avery getting ready to go out for a run! Speaking of run, I will sometimes run with the girls. Whenever we are running the girls will throw up their arms and scream like they are riding a roller coaster. I laugh everytime!
And for a more formal look....

Sidney...
Heather and Carissa visited a few weeks ago. We had so much fun with them here. One of the things we were able to do was celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks. Here is Avery laying on Dad watching the lights in the sky!
Carissa hanging out with her cousins and their friends, the Tate clan (JT, Mosimo & Sarah). They all got to watch the fireworks together!
Carissa & Sidney out at dinner.
We took Heather and Carissa to Lake Calhoun for ice cream. The girls are getting very good at holding hands!

At the MOA (Mall of Amer) we went to the Underwater World. I think Avery is afraid of the big beaver behind her.
Chris & one of the girls walking through the aquarium. It was cool, you could see all the fish swimming beside and above you!
Carissa and Sidney at the aquarium.

Chris & Heather!

Eating popcorn....
Swinging on the back swing. I'm trying to remember why they had their binki's out of their bedroom. Must have been a special day or Dad was watching them!
Helping Dad clean the car.
Sidney
Avery