Halloween in Oakwood

The neighbors really go all out with their decorations!! Maggie was a little bit confused by the witch that lived down the street. Lesson 1: Living in the Midwest. Halloween costumes need to be warm!! Auntie Carol gave Maggie the tinkerbell outfit and it would have been perfect for California. But, as you can see, she has some random accessories on to keep warm! Now we know for next year.

Cousin Katherine shows Maggie how trick or treating is done.

John & Maggie looking cute out in front of our house.

We are reconnected!

We are reconnected to the internet finally. We have moved into a little house in Oakwood, Ohio, just outside of Dayton. Our neighborhood is really 'picture perfect' America with tree lined streets, kids out riding their bikes, a greaters ice cream store & starbucks within walking distance, playgrounds, and great family friends just around the corner! We are thrilled to be here. Especially when it is November, the leaves are changing and the weather is 75 degrees! Just beautiful. We are so thankful to Bill & Steph for putting us up at the farm while we waited for a place to live. Don't worry Maggie will be back to play 'outside'!

Some pictures to get you caught up on the last month.

Curled up and snoozing in grandpa's chair.

Eating her first ice cream pop.

Life at the Farm

Helping Grandpa mow the grass.
She thinks that mommy is funny.
Sweet girl
Another moment of serious study.

Ovarian Cancer Walk

The girls from Cinci Childrens! Tracy, Mary & Susan walked with us.
Maggie Enjoying the walk.
This weekend we walked in the Ovarian Cancer Charity walk to honor our Auntie Sussus.

Maggie reading her book

Can you blog about Gymboree??

Our lives are pretty routine around here and there is not a whole lot to report. We celebrated my birthday this week and it was not as much fun as Maggie's cupcake party! We do go to Gymboree a few times a week and Maggie really seems to like it. Today at music class we played 'freeze dance'. When the music plays you dance and then it stops and you freeze (I know... pretty self-explanatory) . Maggie started to boogie out in the middle of the circle with the teacher. When the teacher froze, Maggie was shocked. She put her hands on her hips and started yelling at him as only she could. Then she stomped out! I can't wait until she talks. Or not...

Breakfast this morning

Hurricane in Ohio?

Last Sunday, the tail of Ike whipped up the Ohio valley bringing with it 80 mph winds. As you can see from the pictures below, it knocked down trees and power. We did not have power for 5 days. Thank you Grandma Trudie for letting us stay with you.
The house across the street from us in Oakwood.
The end of our street.
The front porch at the farm.

Newport with Courtney

Thank you Cousin Courtney for giving Maggie & I a tour of Kentucky. I think Maggie's favorite part was playing with your necklaces!

Crazy glasses from the Pinata

Our friend Lucky & John in the crazy glasses. Those silly boys!
Sweet Katherine!

Pinata time!

Maggie with the party glasses on!

More pictures from the Party!

Decorating cupcakes with cousin Katherine. Katherine is trying to teach Maggie the proper way to decorate. Obviously it did not work... that is a tube of frosting in Maggie's mouth.
On a sugar high playing with her baloons.
Time for the pinata!

Birthday Girl

Maggie is one year old. How is that possible? She is now running around, laughing, exploring, and enjoying life out at the farm. We could not love our little girl any more than we already do. Here are some pictures from her Birthday party this past weekend at the Farm. It was a pool party and all of her cousins came for a swim.
Eating cake... hey this is pretty good!

Opening her presents.

Life on the Farm with Daddy

Enjoying her pool.
Taking a drink from the hose. One of her favorite things to do is water the grass! As you can see in the background... there is plenty of it.
Another cute picture of Maggie and her favorite person.

Riverfest

Labor Day weekend and we had to attend an ohio tradition... fireworks at Riverfest. You can not even imagine how many people are packed along the river front. People arrive days before and all of the 'good seats' are taken/reserved/blocked by 6 am that morning! Crazy. It was really fun and the fireworks were beautiful.

The Little Princess on her pony

Thank you Auntie Carol for the princess tinker bell outfit!

Beach with Baba

At Stillwater Cove, the best beach in Pebble, just under the 5th fairway. This was Bantry's last picture. Bantry loved Stillwater because it was so calm and she could swim after the seals and otters. Of course, even in her advancing age, she would not sit still for a picture! She was such a great dog!

Noodles on her head

Dinner last night... she thought she was so clever to put the noodles on her head.

August 2008: More Glasses!

Insprired by Auntie Erin Schelcher. We found these in the back of Grandma's car!! Anyone want to claim them?

August 2008: Maggie at the Park

It is hot in Ohio so we took Maggie to the water park. Pictures are taken from our phone so the quality is not that great. Check out these glasses.

Moving on!

We made it to Ohio and I guess it is now time to change the title of our blog. Any suggestions for the next few months/years in Ohio?

August 2008

Sorry for the long gap of silence in the Blogger world.  We made it to the states and have been enjoying time at the Farm in Ohio and in California.  Maggie had her first big debut as a flower girl and she walked straight down that aisle (with a little help).   Weddings are so much fun and this one was no exception.  We had such an amazing time visiting with my high school & college girlfriends and of course enjoying the food, wine & fireworks (well done Gianna!!).  

Today we celebrated Maggie's 1st Birthday & my dad's 81st.  Maggie loved the cake from "Grandma Gayle".   

I will post pics as soon as I get them! 

  

Over the weekend, our little town of Capitola was invaded by birds.  A little known fact about my home town is that it was the inspiration for the movie, The Birds after an invasion in the 60s.   Well, I finally know why.   Check out some video of the last day of the swarm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKgnkeiPR8

Homeward Bound

Movers are on their way and that means packing up the computer, no more posts for a while. We are so sad to leave the UK but excited to be heading home. I will leave you with a picture that sums up our 3 year jaunt around Europe. We have had such a great time and now we are exhausted. I think that we plan on staying put for a while...

We will forward our address when we get settled, until then our email always works! redingmary@yahoo.com

Love,

John, Mary & Maggie Smith

Barton Bendish, UK

John & Maggie snoozing.

Amsterdam!

One last trip before we leave Europe... Off to Holland to visit our friends. Yet another international flight for the little Maggie. She is a pro at sleeping on the go.
Here she is sitting on our hotel bed
The most interesting thing on the trip... the fish tank at the restaurant.
The beautiful canals.