We Have A Climber

Nick and I are in big trouble. By the time Allie was 9 months old, she was climbing on EVERYTHING! It's only gotten worse as she gets older. Tables, couches, chairs, toys...all pose no match for Allie's climbing skills. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she's climbing out of the crib. Then we're definitely in BIG trouble. Here are some of her recent antics:

Getting ready to climb on top of her music table.

Hmmm, this walker would be better if I were on top of it.

Yep, much better. Now it's like a baby Segway!

Apparently watching Ellen from the floor wasn't good enough. She had to climb on top of her toys to get closer to the TV.

Mini Nick

Allie looks just like her father. Not one person has ever said that she looks like me. It doesn't bother me but I do find it amusing. Nick left his boots out the other day and Allie climbed right in. The combination of the OSU shirt, jeans and work boots definitely brought the Mini Nick characterization to life.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Nick's parents have this wooden rocking horse from their oldest Grandchild, Loren. The boys love to rock on it but Allie hadn't shown much interest in it. Nick decided to put her on it the other night and she went crazy! She loves that thing!

Daddy, can you put me on the horse?

Woohoo! This is so much fun!

Pretending she's doing some bull-riding.

She loves riding the rocking horse!

I don't think this is how you're supposed to ride...

This is definitely NOT how you're supposed to ride the horse!

Restaurant Week

Twice a year the Greater Cincinnati Independents host a Restaurant Week. During this week, various independently owned restaurants put together a special 3-course menu and offer great deals to allow more people to experience their food. Nick's Mom is all about food. She's a wonderful cook and loves to try new things. This week was her dream come true!

We started our Restaurant Week experience Friday night at Bella Luna. I had heard wonderful things but had never been there and really didn't know what to expect. We arrived, slightly under dressed, with Nick's parents and our small child in tow, but no one seemed to notice. Allie was a trooper through a very long meal. She charmed the waiter and several of the patrons while we ate. She loved Linda's chicken and gobbled down almost an entire chicken breast! I guess she knows good food when she tastes it! The food was wonderful and we can't wait to go back.

Saturday night's destination was a steakhouse called Red. We dressed appropriately this time but did not feel overly welcome thanks to the waiter. Allie sat quietly and played with her toys. She's a pro at fancy restaurants already :) I thought my food was pretty good but Nick said his left a little to be desired. Allie wasn't interested in trying our main courses but loved sharing Grandpa's cookies! That's my girl!

Offering her Mum-Mum to the table next to us.

Reading her book while we read the menu.

Posing with Grandma and Grandpa after dinner.

One of our few family pictures.

Allie gives restaurant week a big thumbs up!

Going For A Ride

Nick's Aunt Peggy had a neighborhood garage sale a few weeks ago. We decided to stop by and hang out for awhile. The triplets, the twins and Izzy were there running around. Allie does not understand that she is over a year younger than the other kids and had a wonderful time chasing them around. She actually does a good job of keeping up with them. The girl loves her cousins! I think we have a lot of fun years ahead of us with all of the kids being so close in age.

All of the kids, minus Cameron.

Cole re-living his younger days when he fit in the stroller.

Peggy had a little tricycle there for her grandkids. Allie could not get enough of it. She kept climbing on and off, although she climbed on backwards most of the time. She was so proud of herself!

Fun At Home

While I tend to take more pictures of "special days" or events that we go to, some of my favorite times are just hanging out at home with Princess Pea. Here are a couple of pics from a recent afternoon at home.

Sharing some puffs in the living room with Mom

This smile just melts my heart!

She's gone Hollywood!

Not overly thrilled with the new baby gate keeping her confined to the living room and hallway.

Weekend At Tony's

After the Union Picnic, we headed up to Columbus to spend the weekend at Tony's house. He was hosting an Ohio State vs USC party and invited the whole family. Allie was all decked out in her Buckeye gear for the occasion. Of course the game didn't turn out quite as we had hoped, but we still had a fun weekend.

Exploring the backyard before the game.

The sippy cup thief is at it again.

So proud of herself for stealing the boys' cup.

Cameron giving Allie a hug...so sweet!

Logan and Allie playing in the storage bin.

We stayed in Columbus for the Bengals game as well. That, of course, meant that Allie needed her Bengals outfit on for Sunday!

Not feeling too hopeful for the Bengals game.

Wow, these new toys are much better than the football game!

The boys checking out the fish that Uncle Casey caught in the pond.

Cutie Carson doing a little hula-hooping in the backyard.