Sunday Afternoon Fun with the Cousins

Family Pictures

We have a new photographer in the family! Auntie Nicole got to play with a professional camera this weekend and was kind enough to practice on our family--we don't get to have pictures of all four of us together. . .so I am excited that they turned out so nice. Thanks Nicole!

See what I mean?

Above, Tyler and I are imitating Zoey's infamous "UgDoll Face."

The Birthday Bash

This weekend we had a blast hanging out with our family. Grandma, Grandpa, Rob, Kylie, and Kristie all came on Friday night. Kylie and Zoey did a lot of playing and not a lot of sleeping the entire weekend. Kristie needed an evening to adjust, but was fantastic the rest of the time--I am having a hard time remembering if she even cried much!

Zander enjoyed his cake a lot--there were crumbs everywhere! The best part of the party was right before we went to clean him up after his cake, I told him to give his Uncle Eric a great big hug. He turned around and ran into Eric and hugged him, repeatedly. Zander isn't usually so bold around Uncle Eric--so I was surprised that he went for it. . . very cute!

Zander is enjoying all the gifts that he received from his friends and family. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the event!

The girl cousins

Zoey wanted to hold Kristie, and I think Kristie liked it!

Grandma Nyhlen reading to the whole crew.

Zander was enthralled with his baby cousin. Many times during the weekend, he got down on his stomach and hung out with her a while.

Cousin Kristie catching some Zzzzz's before the party.

The birthday song. . .

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY ZANDER!

Happy Birthday Little Z! You manage to make us smile each and every day. Part of me wishes that you would stop growing because you are so darn cute! The other part can't wait to see how you keep growing and what you will learn next. . .

Zander had a great birthday and his party is tomorrow. He celebrated with all his friends at daycare and got his special daycare birthday crown. (Thanks, Mary!) As you can see the kids love their birthday crowns--Zoey still wears hers all the time--even though it is being held together by tape and love.

Zander even managed to play some games with Gracie and make some peace--he isn't really a dog person yet.

My Little Lake Bums

The kids and I went to Grace Lake this weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen. We arrived on Friday and came home on Sunday--so it was a quick trip, but we packed a lot in on Saturday. Unfortunately, it was a bit cold that day so we weren't able to enjoy the water too much, but that didn't stop Zoey and Zander from playing around for awhile at the lake. Here are the pictures from our weekend. . .

Zander waiting to go on his first boat ride!

Zander and Grandma on the boat.

Zander and Grandpa drove the boat for a bit--they even managed to keep us out of the weeds.

Here is Zander's face after he and Grandpa discovered the horn.

Our little sailor became pretty brave on the boat--he walked around and everything.

Zoey really enjoyed the boat ride, but she stayed in one place.

Zander has been excited about seeing all kinds of veichles. He makes sure to tell me everytime a big truck or a motorcycle goes by. . .so when he and Grandpa saw our neighbor's motorcycle, Zander got on for a picture--he didn't like being on the motorcycle, just seeing it, I guess.

Zoey had a great time getting buried in the sand.

At Art in the Park, Zoey got her face painted with a butterfly.

The annual picture of the kids by Paul and Babe.

The train was working this time!!!

Couldn't resist a quick walk down memory lane. . .

Last year at Art in the Park, Zoey got her face painted with a butterfly.

Zander and Zoey by Paul--Zander couldn't even walk yet!
They have both grown so much in just a year.

Ta-Dah!

Back in the Spring, Grandpa Nyhlen bought Zoey this wooden birdfeeder because Zoey wanted a birdfeeder for our yard. After her persistent asking about when she gets to paint it, I finally let her. She had a great time painting and it seemed every color had a story as to why it was there.


Zoey also successfully completed swimming lessons this week. She was the only one signed up for her group lessons--so she essentially had private lessons all week long. It was fantastic for her! She gained a lot of confidence in the water.