Friends!

Our first group of friends from Indy came this past Tuesday night. The Sohockis became great friends with us only over the past year but we grew close fairly quick. Usually the adults introduce the kids but this time it was Ella & their oldest daughter, Amanda, who introduced us. We have known about the Sohockis for years but it wasn't until the girls were in Kindergarten that we got to know them well.

We did sleepovers and playdates often when we lived in Fishers and knew we would miss them a ton when we moved. Brian does work here in Cincy every 6 weeks so this time, the family came along. While Ella was at VBS, we went to the zoo for a few hours (thank goodness for shade and indoor exhibits). Amanda then came with me to pick up Ella from VBS. It was such a cute sight to see as Ella saw Amanda and ran towards her with open arms (and screams of joy).

Amanda played with Ella for a few hours and then Jenny and her other two children (Ella, who is Laney's age, and Aiden, who is a few months ahead of Matthew) came over for dinner. It is so nice when we get together because each child has somebody to play with :)

Love the shades

Last time we didn't make it to the giraffes so I was excited to head there.
It was a new exhibit (I believe) and you get right up there with them.
We got there right in time for each of our kids to feed the giraffes a biscuit.

Matthew wanted to feed him through the fence and given the giraffe's long tongue, he was able to get it.

Laney went for the more traditional approach of biscuit feeding

The train is always fun (glad we got the pass where you get to ride the train every time) but the thing I think of when I see this pic? What is UP with my bangs??? Time for a haircut!

Smiling at the Polar Bear exhibit

Matthew was not so sure of the turtle but I was glad I got a quick pic

Getting them all to look was nearly impossible. But 4 of the 5 isn't so bad :)

The workers were out taking the donkey for a walk.

These gorillas were just too cute.
The larger one was stretching his hamstring (or so I thought) and the little one just kept going up and teasing him.

The teasing turned to kissing/whispering sweet nothings in his ear

See...impossible to get all of them to look!

Laney and her wing span :)

You can't come to Cincinnati without going to Graeters (or is that just the ice cream lover in me talking) so we took them to the original one in the city next to us.
This is the fountain in the middle of the square.

Laney, Amanda & Ella


I love the affect of the water


Laney & Ella S.

Ella & Amanda

The sign of a hot day

Jenny & Aiden

Amanda and Ella S. spent the night with us and the girls had such a blast.
All 4 stayed in the same room and slept well--how could they not with the day they had?
When Laney noticed Ella S's skirt she was wearing the next day, she had to put on her matching one.

It was a great visit and we can't wait to see them again!