A Visit to Princeton

Andy went back to a preaching institute at Princeton so Zach and I decided to tag along. We are certainly glad we did. We all had a wonderful week. We spent a great day at Bounce U- I am not sure which one of us was having more fun there - I was scaling walls and going through obstacle courses that I am pretty sure were not intended for women that are 6 months pregnant, but hey, we had a blast and I wanted Zach to have the time of his life on vacation! We went cherry picking and dancing at Market Fair as well. We hard bbqs and playdates with friends that are still in the area. We were blessed to reconnect with our friends the Collins! Dave was there for the institute as well so Zach got to spend our days looking for adventures with Megan and their sweet boys. Even though daddy was working we still got to see him for lunch and dinner and we were sure to hit up every great ice cream shop in town-of which there are many in Princeton!

Drew, Mac, and Zach patiently waiting to pick cherries at Terhune Orchard.

"A whole basket of delicious cherries all picked by me!"

Zach insisted that I take his pictures in front of the "roller." I am developing quite the collection of pictures of him standing in front of various machines.

While in Princeton we were able to be a part of Andy's Granddad's burial. It was a wonderful time to remember such an incredible man!

And thank goodness we didn't have to get through an entire afternoon without a digger!

"Thanks Uncle David for helping to make all of my dreams come true!"

Eating with friends at a BBQ

Zach dancing to the singer at Market Fair

Daddy and Zach at a fountain in downtown Princeton

On the steps to the seminary chapel. This campus was such a special place for daddy that it was great to have Zach there too! Not sure what was so exciting off to the side, but it looks like it was great doesn't it?

My sweet guys!

Uncle David and Aunt Emily were so sweet to introduce us to "The Please Touch Museum" as we went through Philadelphia on our way home. Zach had a blast as you can see! Driving a REAL car!

"Gas fill up high"

Picking up balls with a digger.

Doing a little grocery shopping

Cooking with Aunt Emily

Helping Uncle David find the perfect shoe!

The carousel was a big hit-had to do this one a few times.

June

June has been a fun and busy month for us. I was able to finish up two summer classes, which means I am done with school until after the baby comes. It will be a much needed break and will give me lots of important time with Zach and soon the new baby! We have been spending most of our days cooling off at the pool. Zach is becoming a very brave little swimmer. He loves to jump off of the side into my arms. When we aren't at the pool we have been playing in the backyard with the sandbox and water table. We have also been working in the garden this year and are excited about the vegetables and flowers that are coming up. Zach likes to help me weed and only occasionally pulls up a thriving plant instead of a weed. Other than that we have been enjoying time with friends as well as trips to the zoo, library, and various playgrounds. One great thing I have found about being a parent is that you get to relive childhood again-some days when Zach runs into my room and asks when we can go to the pool I feel like I am just as excited about it as he is! Here are a few highlights in pictures below

We bought a new bath tub for the baby and Zach decided to try it out. Its hard to believe he used to fit perfectly in one of those.

Excitedly waiting to hear the baby's heart beat at the midwife appointment.

At a graduation party with two of his favorite friends from church, Sophie and Ben.

Making cupcakes for daddy's birthday. Zach loves to bake so I try to do a lot of baking projects with him these days. I think it is very good for me too as I tend to get a little tense about everything turning out perfectly when I bake. I am learning to relax and remember that is more about the enjoyment of the process than the finished product. This project was an interesting one as we did it right before we left for the gym so I was wearing my heart rate monitor. HA! I am embarrassed to say how high it was getting just watching that little guy ice cupcakes! Of course they were delicious and daddy loved them. I am learning and growing everyday too!

Checking out the birds at the zoo with his sweet friend Mackie.

Zach and Mackie watching what may have been the coolest construction site ever. We sat here for at least 30 minutes as this site had every possible construction vehicle and they were all working hard!

Some wonderful members of the church invited Zach and Andy to go fishing one day while I was in class. They had a blast! Here is Zach holding a fish!

Wading through the pond. Those little dinosaur boots will never be the same!

Zach and Andy taking a spin around the lake.

Trains, Toads & Time with Friends

Today we took a spontaneous trip to the zoo. We took the metro down which was, of course the best part of the day for Zach. We saw a few animals at the zoo, ate the lunch we packed and then he was ready to get back on the metro. 

Zach looks out the window as the train speeds down the tracks. 

We celebrated Memorial day with a bbq with our small group from church. The kids love to play together. They caught a toad and they all took turns holding it before setting it free again. They also got in a great game of basketball. 

Having a good-bye ceremony for the toad. 

He shoots...He scores! 

A Relaxing Family Weekend

Thought I would post some pictures of our wonderful weekend! The great part is that since it is Memorial day weekend we still have one more day of fun left! Yesterday we went strawberry picking at homestead farms. We had no idea that a tractor ride was involved, so you can imagine the excitement when they told us to climb on and they would escort us out to the fields. The only problem was that we had to pick strawberries quickly as Zach was dying to get back on the tractor. Growing up in Colorado I had never been strawberry picking before. We couldn't believe the difference between these strawberries and those from the store. We both decided that we had never truly tasted a strawberry until yesterday! I feel at ease knowing that we are not depriving our son in the same way I was deprived as a child. HA! 

Today after church we finally got around to starting our garden. Zach and I picked up the seeds on our way home and he was so proud of them! He took good care of them until it was time to place them in the garden. We planted 4 different kinds of sunflowers, which I am most excited about and green peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers as well. All vegetables that I know Zach will eat!  He did a great job with the planting part as well. He was especially excited to find a worm as he was digging around with his little shovel. I chose to be the photographer for this event as a pregnant woman bent over in the garden is just not something the world needs to see! 

Life in our house is lots of fun and also very busy lately. I am taking two summer all day intensive classes right now so Andy and Zach get two days during the week to get into mischief and have boy time. I feel so blessed that I am able to take these classes and that Andy and Zach can have their time together. Those two love each other so much and Zach is always a happier boy after quality time with dad! 

Baby Nagel #2 is healthy and strong! I am starting to feel those precious kicks and am already amazed by how much more active this little one is than Zach ever was. I think we are seriously in for it! Zach loves to kiss my belly these days. Today he asked to talk to the baby and said, "I'm big brother Zach. Love you!" Wow! That was such a precious moment. I know he is going to be such a wonderful big brother. He has decided that he also has a baby in his tummy, so we are sure to give that baby lots of kisses too! 

Showing daddy the best place to put the seeds. 

Planting sunflower seeds. 

Supervising as daddy makes the rows. It is so nice that our next door neighbor is an expert gardener and not only does she let us use her cool garden tools, she also gives great gardening advice, which is much needed! 

Petting "Elmo" the baby calf at the farm. 

Zach and daddy on the tractor ready to go home. He was still telling everyone at church today about how big the wheels were. 

Picking strawberries

Silly faces

A fun Mother's Day Weekend

My two favorite boys in downtown Rockville after a delicious pizza dinner. 

Zach quickly joined in the game that the big kids at the climbing rocks were playing. 

He was an excellent assisant! 

Then he decided that he had figured this game out and wanted to try for himself. 

Daddy helped him give it a try. 

We have been watching a praying mantis nest for a few weeks now waiting for it to hatch. 

On Saturday morning we woke up to a wonderful surprise! Lots of baby praying mantis's hopping around the jar. Zach was thrilled! 

Getting ready to take them out to the garden to release them...

...Zach wanted them to stay with him instead :-(