1st Birthday Party and the Beach

We have had a busy few weeks packed with lots of fun things. The biggest event was that Zach turned one on April 19th. My mom, dad, and sister came out for a fun birthday with lots of other friends and family and we had a wonderful time. A definite highlight was that my dad refinished the wagon that he had made for my brother and I when we were young and he brought it out here on the plane. Zach loves his wagon and we spend many afternoons taking wagon rides and checking out the neighborhood. We also took a small vacation to the beach with some great friends from Princeton and Zach loved getting to walk around in the sand and run from the waves with daddy! Zach had his one year checkup and all is well! He is 30.25 in (70 %) 21.4 lbs (25%) and a 19in head (95 %). Also, he is way off the charts in cuteness and personality. So he is still our tall, thin, SMART, healthy, and sweet little boy! 

 I am starting my classes for my masters program next week so things will be changing a bit around here, but since I have been blessed with such a sweet and easy going little boy and the most wonderful and supportive husband in the world I know that everything will work out great. 

One of the best parts of getting presents sent in the mail is the box that they come in. 

Zach's new wagon from Papere. 

Petting the neighbor horses

Checking out his birthday hat. It didn't exactly stay on his head. 

Crusing around with his friend Felipe. 

Showing off his new ride to his friend Stella. 

OH here comes my cake...this is so exciting! 

He clapped for himself in between each bite! 

Walking on the beach with mommy! 

Those waves are doing a great job. Lets give them a hand! 

"Daddy, did you see that wave?" 

Doug and Kerri

Running from the waves. 

My daddy is so funny!

The boys

The girls

Wow! That is so cold water, but Doug doesn't seem to mind :-) 

A Few New Words and A Trip to the Zoo

It is midnight and I can't sleep so I thought I would at least do something fun and put some cute pictures up on the blog. We have had a fun few weeks with lots of visitors. We have been so blessed this year by how much we have gotten to see family and by how they have all really gotten the opportunity to know Zach. He is still crusing around the house from one piece of furniture to the next and when he doesn't have furniture to grab he uses his little push toys to get around. He says "Hi" "ball" and "uh-oh". Uh-oh is definitely the new favorite and he will continuously throw things on the floor just for the chance to say it. He still loves to read books and listen to music. It was a beautiful day today and we took him to the zoo. We had a great time and he really liked the zebras and the sea lions. He was most entertained however by the other kids at the zoo. We have been going to the park a lot more with the nice weather that we have been having and his is really having fun learning about all of the different things to do at the park, but again he is most excited about the other kids that are there. He loves to go outside and watch Maggie catch the frisbee. When we are in the house he likes to throw things for her to catch and she is being so great with him by gently looking out for his fingers before she picks up anything he is tossing her way. He loves to look at the door with her and check out the exciting things that are happening around the neighborhood. He will be 1 year old in a week and I truly can't believe it! Time just goes so quickly. I will often find myself getting so nostalgic about this past year. But then I remember that I truly did enjoy and savor my moments with him swaddled up in my arms as a baby and now I am enjoying our time together as we start off into the toddler years. With Zach every moment is fun and it is hard to imagine life without my precious little boy!

Zach and Maggie checking out the birds and squirrels in the backyard.

Playing with his cousins Nina and Forrest. 

On the slide with daddy. 

Zach and his friend Stella playing in his ball pit. 

This is the sign he does for "hi". He associates hi with the cell phone so there you have it.  

Clapping

How big is Zach? SOOOoo big

Okay mommy, I am ready to get down. 

It's the teddy bears turn to sit in my chair. 

Zach and Grandma Lois (his Great-Grandma)

Grandmom builds the pyramid...

...Zach knocks it down. 

Hi again

Zach and daddy at the zoo. 

Watching the waterfall. That was another highlight of the zoo trip for Zach. 

Zach and mommy at the zoo.