Grand Forks in July!

This weekend Zoey and I drove up to Grand Forks to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately we had to leave Dad behind so that he could sell the house. So, Tyler, how did that go? Grandma and Grandpa kept us plenty busy with trips to the playground, walks around the neighborhood garage sales, and lots of time around the water.

We went and tried out the Spray Park in Grand Forks. It was a really neat place where water just sprayed in every direction. What a neat way for kids to cool off!

"I wish I could swim in the big kid pool."

Wish granted. (Well, close enough.) The girls played in grandma's pool all weekend!

The lifegaurd sat close to the pool with a frosty one--just in case anything happened.

Thank you grandma for finding the pool. It made the hot days much cooler!

Zoey learned how to blow bubbles INSTEAD of drinking the pool water. Ishy!

Even Cousin Kylie had a wonderful time in the pool. What a smile!

She Talks!

And everyone gets to hear it. Thanks to our friend Adam, I have found a new way to share things that Zoey can do. As you can see Zoey likes the camera and tends to gravitate towards it. I still think that stillshots are my favorite-- but there are plenty of things that pictures just don't capture. Also this gives me a great excuse to learn how to use my mother's day gift--Adobe Premiere. So to all the Zoey fans out there. . .more videos (and pictures to come). PS. . . Nana and Grandpa L. will probably want to upgrade the dial-up.

I need a pony this big...

 

It's fun to play ball!

 

You Won't Find This on Amazon.com. . .

I sent Zoey (and Daddy) to the mailbox today and she came back holding a package addressed to her. It was from Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen! We immediately opened it and found this wonderful book. If you could have only seen the smile she had on her face when she saw a picture of herself on the cover. We sat down together and read through the alphabet containing pictures of Zoey's first 13 1/2 months. So cute!

Zoey's love of looking at family pictures made this book especially neat. Thank you for putting so much time and thought into this gift! We love you!

Livingbean

First solo overnight: Sorry no pictures... I was too busy.

Zoey was a big girl (13 1/2 months) and spent the night, (all by herself in the Pack and Play,) at Nana and Grandpa Livingston's house. Mom and Dad went to a Twins game with some last minute tickets courtesy of Eric and Auntie Tammy. Zoey played with all her toys, showed us all the DADA pictures, pulled all the dust covers off the books that she could reach, showed us the "please" sign to get extra raisen toast off Nana, played cars in the kitchen, threw the ball around, used the couch for mountain climbing... And dismounted correctly, blew bubbles, tried to jump and dance, maybe said Zoey but came out Doey, "otdat" could have been what's that..., plus!!!!! went to bed just by being asked if she wanted to?!? She just walked down the hall a few minutes after her bath and her drink of milk and was ready for a fast read and into the sack she went. She slept with her favorite Matilda Street blanket which she knows where to find even when it's hidden. She woke up at 6 a.m. or so and just looked at me for about an hour. Finally I got up and got dressed put my glasses on and said "do you recognize me now and do you want to get up?" She decided she did and it was back to playing after eating a good breakfast. I had to take a nap and rest up for the rest of the day after Zoey was picked up by Mom. But we had a good time and even some rocking and quiet time looking at family pictures. However, where does she get all that energy??? It will take me a week to recover. It's good to be a Nana and Grandpa, though. Maybe it will keep us lively longer.

One thing I learned: The next overnight she sleeps in her Daddy's old room where I don't hear her every murmur and movement. She moves about that Pack and Play all night long, snores a little and talks in her sleep!

How to Stay Cool on a Very Hot Day!

Zoey and I tried to stay out of Daddy's way this weekend so that he could host open houses for our place. We had a fun while Daddy waited and waited and waited for no one to come. Today we drove down to Rochester to see Lisa, Josh, Aiden, and Kiera. It was about 100 degrees today--so here are Zoey's instructions as to how to stay cool:

Step 1: Put on a ton of sunscreen on and go jump in the pool with friends!

Step 2: Cool off by putting your head through the floatee thing.

Step 3: Put a lot of kids in the water.

Step 4: Wear a hat--because its cute!

More things Zoey can do. . .

Time to update the list of Things Zoey Can Do:
1. Zoey can say the following words: hi, mama, dada, bubbles
2. Zoey can use baby sign language to say the following things: apple, please, more, drink, all done, stars, cold
3. She can make a great Elephant noise.
4. She can show you where her nose is and find mommy's belly button.
5. She can color with crayons.

Anniversary Weekend

For our anniversary, Tyler and I decided that every year we would at least do an over night trip somewhere. This year we went to the ever exciting city of St. Paul and stayed at the City Center Hotel. The hotel was very nice and we went to the Science Museam and out for dinner and drinks. Although we had a relaxing time, next year we will pick somewhere with a pulse. While we were out, Zoey stayed with Grandma, Grandpa and Gracie (the dog). They had a fabulous time. We tried all day on Saturday not to call and check-up (I mean check-in) but at the end of the day, Tyler and I just HAD to hear some Zoey stories, because she makes us very happy. Below you will find a brief outline of her weekend away from us. Sure looks like she had fun!

This is the Litte Engine that could. . .

Yeah! My wish finally came true. Not only was I able to ride the train at Como Town, I got to be the conductor! It was everything I hoped it would be!

Grandpa took me on the carousel ride. It was the only other ride at Como Town that I was big enough for. Can't wait for next year.

I even got to ride on a horse!

We stopped and smelled the roses at the Como Conservatory.

Dinner at the IHOP.

I ended my day by washing down all the sugar with some more sugar--Dairy Queen Blizzards are tasty!

What better way to end a great weekend away from my parents than with a trip to the park!

Ishy

Zoey's level of understanding life constantly amazes me. Even though she isn't talking, she can (selectively) follow directions and just do so much!

Classic example:

For weeks Zoey has been fascinated with the garbage can in our kitchen. Tyler and I have been using the word "ishy" to remind her that she shouldn't be playing with the garbage. So, the other day I turn around and low and behold she is standing at the garbage can trying to open it. I immediately go into my "ishy" routine. She just stands there and looks at me--then matter of factly shows me the piece of garbage that she had in her hand. The same peice of garbage that she wanted to place in the garbage can. I opened up the garbage for her, she threw her garbage away and went back to play in the livingroom.

Happy 4th of July!


Here we are at the Coon Rapids Dam--getting ready to eat our lunch. Zoey was prepared and wanted her sunscreen put on.

It was a beautiful day for a picnic.

She didn't want to eat her peanut butter sandwich like a baby--she is a big girl in every way.

Blowing Bubbles and Riding With You is So Much Fun!

Zoey has been LOVING the bubble train she got for her birthday. She knows where every button is and enjoys running through the bubbles. She has even said the word "Bubbles." She is looking forward to waking Grandma and Grandpa up with the train whistles this weekend.