A Visit to the Zoo

Today Harry, Alaina, and I met my sister, Martha, and my niece and nephews, Madison, Luke, and Alex, at the NC zoo. We enjoyed some quality time together and seeing some interesting animals. Alaina was looking forward to seeing the elephants and the bears the most. 

The cousins (Alex, Alaina, Madison, and Luke)

Alligator!

Harry and Alaina looking at the geysers. 

Another attempt at a cousin picture (this pretty much sums up the day).

Madison and Alaina spent a lot of time holding hands yesterday. 

Madison and Harry (on a cheetah) on the carousel.

 Alaina's first ride on a carousel! She picked the elephant.

More hand holding. 

Luke also chose a cheetah. 

Martha and Alex the Flash rode a tiger. 

The whole crew (minus me) Alex, Madison, Alaina, and Harry with Luke and Martha bringing up the rear. 

Alaina wanted to see the elephants the most. 

There's an elephant! 

Madison, Alaina, and me at the elephants. 

Alaina and me at the elephants. 

Alaina was also pretty excited about seeing the giraffes and the zebras.

A lioness 

The king of the jungle

Overall we had a great day! The zoo was very busy but we kept everyone together and enjoyed seeing the animals.

Step Out: Walk to Cure Diabetes

Today, Harry and I participated in the Step Out: Walk to Cure Diabetes event in Charlotte. It was a 3 mile walk to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. We were able to raise money through donations (thanks everyone!!!) and we also promoted Insulindependence, the group that Harry is working hard to start in Charlotte. We made a lot of contacts with other diabetics and those who care for diabetics so we are hoping our next Dawn Phenom will have a lot more participation.

Harry and me working the Insulindependence table.
Harry got the new spiffy red hat AND his picture taken on the red carpet because he was a "red strider" (aka. a walker with diabetes).

Alaina got to spend the morning with Aunt Laura. They played with Play Dough, played games, and even went to the park. I think they both had a great time. Thanks, Laura!!

Happy Halloween from the Clubhouse!

We took our little mouse, Minnie Mouse, trick-or-treating this year. We went to 6 houses (or close neighbors) and she had a blast. Her favorite score of the night... suckers! She was also very excited about the M&Ms and already ate her Smarties (a first). She had a great night despite the cold weather.

Ready to visit our first house. Alaina would say trick-or-treat when it was just us, but not at a single door we knocked on. She did say thank you at every house. 

Waiting for candy, and more importantly, to see the baby across the street. 

I think you could say that she enjoyed trick-or-treating. 

We had to stop Alaina from trying to open every door we knocked on. 

Alaina posing with her pumpkin. 

Awesome family picture.

We ended the evening doing what everyone should do after trick-or-treating... going through the Halloween candy with our cat.

Happy Halloween Eve!

Tonight we carved Alaina's pumpkin. She loves it because it is "silly." 

Tomorrow, she will dress up as her favorite character, Minnie Mouse, and go trick-or-treating. I can't wait.

Thompson Family Reunion

This past weekend Harry, Alaina, and I spent our time socializing with our family and eating plenty of food at the 31st annual Thompson Family Reunion. There was even a documentary film crew there record the events (the film should be ready by mid-November). 

Alaina wore her Minnie Mouse Halloween costume after dinner last night and ate her first ever dark chocolate truffle. It was messy and delicious.

Sliding

Alaina loves to play on the slides but she is a little afraid of sliding too fast so she uses her feet to slow herself down. 

It's so cute!

Tractor Show

Today Harry, Alaina, and I went to the Stumptown Tractor Show (a show that Harry's dad and mom help organize). She had a great time looking at the tractors, fire trucks, and pumpkins. 

Harry and Alaina with the fire truck.

Alaina got to "drive" the fire truck!

Alaina trying out grandpa's tractor.. 

Looking at the sheep and talking to grandpa. 

Here they are making molasses. It smelled amazing. 

Our sweet little girl on her tractor seat.

Fire Truck

On Thursday Harry, Alaina, and I attended Family Fun Night at my school. Alaina had a great time, despite it being very close to her 7:15 bed time, visiting the book fair and seeing the fire trucks.

Alaina seriously loves fire trucks so this was a big event for her. She made sure to wave bye-bye to the fire truck when we left. 

 

In other exciting news... Harry peeled his orange in one piece the other day at work. He thought this was such an accomplishment that he took a picture. 

We really live on the edge here. :-)

Lazy 5 Ranch

Today Harry, Alaina, and I took a trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville to feed and see various animals from around the world. This was not our first trip to the ranch, it is actually the first thing we ever blogged about (years ago) with our post, "Goats on a Durango."

The last time we went to the Lazy 5 Ranch we left with a scratched up car and a terrorized Madison (and me). This time we took the wagon ride through the park and everyone had a great time. 

Harry and Alaina ready to feed animals. 

 the deer

 Water Buffalo! Alaina couldn't wait to feed them.

Throughout the entire visit, Alaina just dropped feed off the wagon in hopes that some animal would come and eat it. 

My favorite, the giraffes. This is the "daddy" giraffe." He was 18 feet tall and the only male in the group. 

 

This picture is for Martha, Ed, and Madison. We saw the zebra again. They were much nicer this time. 

 

Alaina feeding the sheep and goats. 

porcupine 

Alaina loved the camels. She will get to see them again at Christmas time when they are rented out for various live nativities. 

Finally, the prairie dogs. Alaina liked them, too.

It's beginning to sound a lot like...

Every evening, Alaina picks out 3 (or 6 or 12) books to read before bed. Tonight, she picked out a large stack and Harry and I told her she had to pick 3 since it was already bed time. Alaina kept saying, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" as she held up a book telling the Christmas Story. What an amazing little girl.

Also, in an attempt to get just a few more crackers before bed, Alaina told us she wanted 4 more Cheese-Its. She then counted, 1, 2, 3, 4 all while holding up the correct corresponding fingers! I couldn't believe it; it is amazing to see what she picks up and how much she learns daily. 

She is getting so big; I'm so proud of how she learns and grows and I hope I can remember all of these milestones as she gets older.