Happy 1st Birthday, Zander!

It is Zander's 1st birthday today! I can't believe how fast this year has gone. In about 3 days it will mark our 1st year in our new home--so many good things have happened to us in the last year. Zander has added so much joy and laughter to our house. Zoey loves being a big sister and although she screams bloody murder whenever Zander dares touch one of her toys, we know that she adores him, too.

Here are some facts about the Zan Man.

He can. . .

• blow and give kisses
• clap
  
• cruise on anything that is sturdy
• put blocks into a container
• knock down towers
• throw a ball
  
• turn pages of a book
• take things off of shelves
• feed himself
• play in the sandbox w/o constantly eating sand
• climb stairs
• babble (a ton! Mostly dadada, mamama)
• crawl for real (man this kid is fast!)

He likes. . .

• the book Five Little Ladybugs
• electrical cords (No! We don't LET him play with them. He just migrates toward them.)
• almost everything we feed him
• anything that Zoey is doing
• playing catch

He has. . .

• 8 teeth
• a great smile (especially when he knows he's being naughty)
  

Zander in the tent I set up for the kids today to play in.

Getting brave and wanting to climb the slide. . .just like Zoey.

Zoey (3), Kylie (2), and the new 1 year old.

Zander playing in the sandbox. He seems to like it.

A few days ago, Zander fed himself some ravioli. "How did I do, Mom?"

This last weekend Zoey, Zander and I went up to Bemidji for the weekend. On Sunday we went into town to see Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox and visit the annual Art in the Park.

Zoey got her face painted. It is an orange butterfly. (You can hardly see it, but she loved it!)

Zander is contemplating the size of Babe the Blue Ox.

Here is Zander's impression of Babe.

Zoey and Zander tried to pose for a picture together, but Zander just NEVER stays in one place.

Here is one way to get a picture of the two of them.
Zoey has grown so much since the last time we saw Paul and Babe.
Grandma, Zoey, and Zander check out some Art in the Park.
Grandpa and Zander sat and enjoyed some of the music.
Self Portrait