Sammie went to spend the weekend with Grandpa Bob & Grandma Teri, so we did some home renovation! It was time to say goodbye to the red/yellow striped/ivy painted dining room, and hello to chocolate & coconut :) Here are the beford & after pictures.
Before #2
Before #3
After #3
Today we went to the traveling zoo at the XL Center in Hartford. Samantha LOVED all the animals. She had no fear, wanted to pet and feed all of them.
She was pointing out all their noses and eyes. It was very cute.
She would get all excited if they stayed still long enough for her to get close & touch them.
There were llamas, sheep, goats, donkeys, a zebra, a yak, elephants, camels & LOTS of other animals. Sammie seemed to like the sheep & goats best, they were the most friendly, especially if you had food for them.
She loved running from one pen to the next to see what animals were coming up next.
She was especially interested in this Emu. She wanted to get into the pen with it!
Hmmm, how do I get that Emu...
We even got to pet a Camel, they're surprisingly soft.
We all had a wonderful day at the zoo. Thanks Grandma & Papa for coming up to spend the day with us - & Happy 1 day belated Birthday Grandma Teri! 
Sammie invited her friends over this weekend for some playtime and and some smoked BBQ. The kids all had a great time playing on the swings & Mike multi-tasked to push them all at the same time.
Gabe even helped push Sammie - she loves the big girl swing!
And then played some ball with Gabe.
She even showed Lilly how to use the slide :)
Then everyone - including Bob - got to go for a ride in the lawn cart. Craig pulled them with the mower :) It was a great day.
On Saturday we took Sammie to Snip-its - kids hair salon - for her very first haircut. It was a cool place, brightly colored mini-seats for the kids & kiddie sized smocks. Sammie was scared, so she sat on Craig's lap for her first haircut. This is the "before" picture, she is eating the cookie "bribe" they gave her :)
She did a good job sitting still, and the hairdresser moved quickly.
New haircut - now for some hair bling!
All done, time to turn in her special card for a prize.
Sammie enjoyed exploring the woodland environment and checking out the nice views.
We had snacktime halfway through the hike, Sammie is very good at sharing - giving some raisins to Dada.
And some for her, of course.
Hanging out with mom soaking up some sun.
We had a nice hike, and a nice weekend.
Sammie & Daddy have been getting to have playtime after work now that its so light out! They take walks in the wagon and play on the swings - Sammie has a great time!
Hmmm, where do we want to walk to tonight...
Look dad, no hands! ... fashion first, safety second!
Trying out the big girl swing - Sammie's growing up SO fast! - She turned 1 and a half yesterday!
