Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Dayton

Maggie & Mommy explore the wilderness through the safety of a bubble.

Maggie at the wheel. She is an excellent driver.

Warm kisses on a cold day

Getting ready to discover

The Lovely little Miss Maggie Jane Smith

Update from John:

Miss Maggie Jane Smith is almost 15 months old and already she has quite the personality. She is inquisitive, sweet, and affectionate. But underneath her sweet demeanor, lies a strong willed little girl. Most of her day is spent exploring, whether it be the cupboards or bookshelf. Her favorite is to spend as much time as she can 'Outside'. She says this word from the second she wakes up until she goes to sleep. She likes to make use of her new skills at the local park, especially crossing the 'bridge of terror'. She laughs and laughs and laughs as the mean ogre (played by her dadda) tries to get her from below. Her favorite books include, 'one fish, two fish' and 'each peach pear plum'. She is currently in the process of destroying her favorite pop-up... Dr. Suess. Her favorite words are 'Mine', 'Dadda', 'Mommy', but the word she uses the most is 'no', as she asserts her dominance on the world. She likes to sing and dance and watch her favorite DVDs about animals.

Thank you Dadda for the update!

Fun at the Park with Baba!

She loved her new outfit from Baba, but she is still figuring out what to do with the purse. Gianna, you will have to help her!

We are finally on Skype!

I know, we should have been on it a long time ago. It would have helped in England! Well, better late than never. We have finally joined the 21st century! Call us :)

ringo.mary.maggie.smith

Our Kitchen!!!

Well, half of a kitchen. The countertop will not be here for another 4 weeks and then we have to paint etc. All of this means that we are still doing the dishes in the bathroom!

More pictures of the girl we love!

Maggie is in love with her dolly Lamby that Dori gave her. She dances around the living room chanting... Lamby, Lamby, Lamby, Lamby. It is pretty cute. She loves it so much that 'just in case' we have ordered another one.

Raking the leaves in the front yard. A first for her and for her mom! We don't have to do this in California.

It is Cold!

Maggie & her baby are all bundled up for a walk.

Libby & Catherine waiting for a treat

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.