We're going to the zooooooo!!

Today was Erik's last day of Spring Break, so we headed to the Sacramento Zoo. It's a nice, small zoo which is perfect for us. Every Friday for the month of March they have half price admission. Kids under 3 are always free. So, for all of us, it was nine bucks! Can't beat that! Max is really into animals and animal sounds so this trip was especially exciting for him.Enjoying lunch, giggling and watching the birds (above). Below Max was eye to eye with fish. He tries to make a fish face, which is more of him opening and closing his mouth. Here he is making fish faces with Erik.

Below is in front of the Chimp's. Max LOVES monkey's and making monkey noises. So he made sure everyone around knew he could sound like a monkey. They were actually really cute.

We took a little rest to watch some ducks and eat a berry ice treat. Max is signing "please" for more. He liked it. A lot.

This last one has to be one of my favorites of him. It was really hard to get him to look at the camera. There were way too many things for him to watch. I think he's looking at the giraffe's here? Who knows. He had a great time and fell asleep within moments of getting in the car. Next week it's back to boring old parks. But it sure was a nice break!!!

Beach Day

All the kids are out of school this week for Spring Break so we decided to take a beach day. Erik and I talked about how funny it is when you pack for the beach in Northern California. It's so different than Southern California. Here, you pack extra blankets, sweatshirts, and plenty of sand toys because you are CRAZY if you swim in that freezing water. You also bring a change of clothes because there is a chance you might get wet.

When you are a kid, you just don't care though and you get sandy and wet and have a blast. We all had such a fun time. Some are a little sun burnt and all windblown. And how does all that sand get EVERYWHERE!!!! I'm still cleaning it up. Eck!

Jordan getting buried above and some of the kids digging whatever it was they were trying to do below.

Below is Kirra and Clay just starting to get wet. Clay ended up without pants and Kirra (who actually wore a bathing suit) eventually dove into that water. She sure loves the beach.


Max thought he was "one of the boys" as we say often. He thinks he can keep up with his older cousins. They are all really careful with him and (I think) enjoy having him around. Here he is playing with their creation.

It was a really fun day...tomorrow...the ZOO!!!!

15 months

I forgot to add in the last post that Max had his 15 month check-up last week. Here's the latest:

Height: 34 inches
Weight: 24 pounds 13 oz
Head: 19 inches

He hated everything abut this appointment this time. The doctor was great about it and did the examination while Max was curled into a ball on my hip, squeezing the living daylights out of me. I think he's caught on to what the doctor's office is all about. Oh well. He has to go again in 3 months.

Last night we went to a friend's birthday party. Kids were welcome and there were several there. The birthday girl has a little dog, Olive, and Max instantly fell in love with her. Actually, all the kids did. There were four or five people that came up to me telling me that Max has no fear. It's so true. He will walk up to anything, anybody, thinking that is where he belongs. He loves to touch other kids (their heads mostly) and animals are just about the best things. He will talk to what ever it is at the time and tell them/it exactly what is on his mind.

Except at the doctor's office. Then he just screams.

Enjoying the weather

The rain has stopped (hopefully temporarily!) and it's been nice and sunny. We've been outside enjoying it everyday. Now that Max is walking (well, almost running at this point) he needs to get out and get his energy out. The nice weather is making that much easier. These pictures were taken a few days ago in our backyard. Max is playing where our garden was last year. (We still debating on whether or not we should start it up again this year, in case we move.) It sure doesn't take much to entertain this little boy. I moved the cooler to drain (we're still trying to figure out how the rainwater filled it up completely). He noticed the top opened and he kept himself busy by dropping pecans, one by one, into the bottom of the cooler. Occupied him for a looong time. Below is Max trying to feed Obi more pecans.


Last weekend Erik and Max went to the Boer's for a visit. The weather was beautiful and the kids were able to keep busy on their property. Erik said they took a great hike on Saturday, ate good food, and Max had fun exploring around the backyard. The last time he was there he wasn't walking, so this was a whole new experience for him.

They have a big sandbox in the backyard...Max LOVES the sand!!

As for me, I got the weekend "off". I saw three chick flicks, slept and basically enjoyed a clean, quiet house for two days. But, yes, I was ready for them to come home!