Minnesota Zoo

Well, it's no San Diego Zoo, but on Saturday we had a great time with a few Target moms/toddlers at the Minnesota Zoo, which niether Addison nor I had visited before. There was a baby farm animals exhibit that we didn't want to miss and the kids LOVED it! The day was comical with all of us trying to corral the tots and get them from place to place in a pack. Addison and her buddy Kellen shared a wagon that Kellen's mom kindly pulled (thanks Nicole!), and just watching the two of them together was hilarious. Addison talked to him non-stop, seemingly trying to either tell him what to do or point things out to him. They have this thing with snacks, the two of them - each always wants what the other is having, so snack time in the wagon was interesting! It was a warm, sunny day and we walked and walked and walked.....despite this, Nicole told me that we didn't see at least 60% of the actual zoo! More reason to go back later this summer. Addison was singing "Old McDonald" all day and was still sining it today - the animals she picks for the farm are funnny - always owls, pigs and horses and that's about it. She's also been singing her ABCs quite well and she's got her numbers one through ten down PAT! So proud of her.



On Saturday night we went to a BBQ at Jeff, Natalie and new baby Gus's loft. Addison was a party animal and quite the little entertainer. There was a birthday cake for me and she enjoyed eating off of everyone's plates while saying "Happy birthday to you" - nice sugar rush at 9pm. :)

Loading up the wagon

Noah and Addison looking at the fish in the lagoon

On the tractor ride to the "Farm" to see the baby animals

At one point she insisted on pushing the wagon up a hill...with Kellen in it!

There was a petting zoo where the kids fed goats - so cute

Lounging on the roofdeck at Jeff and Natalie's - sorry I didn't get any pictures of Gus. What's wrong with me?

Weekend update

Spring is truly here, although our neighbor, Ann, swears there will be a snowstorm in April. We don't believe her though, and are in great spirits due to the mid-70s weather. Perfect for sleeping with the windows open at night, a treat all Minnesotans cherish! This weekend we finished up the yard, cleared out all the flower beds, raked the lawn, picked up leaves and pulled the cushions out for the patio furniture. Addison was outside pretty much the entire weekend, and wanted to play with her water table as much as possible. In fact, at one point she hoisted herself INTO the water table and did not want to come out. We need to get her a little blow-up pool, fast! We also ALMOST finished Addison's new room, and I promise within the next week or two I will debut pics.

She's standing in the water table here

and blowing bubbles here

lunch outside!

Easter and more...

Easter weekend greeted us with AMAZING weather! Almost 70 degrees and sunny - the ideal temperature for a big Easter egg hunt outside....but we didn't do that unfortunately. Maybe next year. We spent the morning opening Easter basket goodies and relaxing (well, really doing a ton of chores and things) around the house before heading out to Heather and Guy's for brunch in the early afternoon. We ate, opened more Easter goodies, decorated Easter cookies, hung out with all the kids/cousins, who coincidentally are ALL girls, and headed home right in time for Addison to throw a temper tantrum in response to having to leave a flashlight and ball that she was obsessed with behind. Once home, Addison went down for a long nap and DJ and I worked in the yard, raking sticks and leaves, cleaning the patio and setting the patio furniture out. Can't wait to use it! At the moment, Addison is next door at the neighbors having a blast, being entertained by about 6 girls and clearly the center of all attention. All in all a great weekend!

One of Addison's favorites is Cookie Monster; every morning she greets Daddy with a very convincing "COOO-KIE!"

Digging in to the Easter basket

Addison's butterfly cookie masterpiece

Relaxing on the bunny floor pillow

Looking good in her Easter pink!

She loves to run around naked after a bath