Bethany Beach 2009

We just got back from an incredible 10 days at the beach! I say this all the time, but everything is better with Zach. I have always looked forward to this vacation every year as it is a great time with lots of family and days filled with playing and relaxing. However, bringing Zach to the beach makes it even better. He has such a great time playing in the sand and the ocean and spending time with all of his cousins. We are blessed with this time! Here are a few pictures although they certainly don't do it justice!

We stopped for lunch in Annapolis on our way there...the boats were a big hit.

I also think this is the first "belly shot" I have of this pregnancy, so there we have it-24 weeks.

Kassie, Zach and Berkeley in Annapolis

We finally made it...playing with trucks on the porch before dinner.

Enjoying some fun snack that he doesn't get at home!

Zach and uncle Berkeley, I love the patriotism in this picture on July 3rd!

Watching the 4th of July parade. This is a definite highlight for Zach, we put chairs in the driveway and watch firetrucks, cool cars, horses and other amazing parade features while trying to avoid getting knocked out by all of the candy that is thrown. I love that he is waving his flag in this picture.

Playing in the yard with Hannah. He has so much fun with her this year!

Playing on the beach with Arielle

Cool guy in his Thomas the Train shades!

Daddy and Zach in the ocean!

Riding the rides at Funland in Rehobeth. I love his faces in these pictures because he was totally having a blast, but trying to play it cool at be really serious!

Riding the boats with Arielle...the great part is that I have pictures of me riding these boats with my cousins when I was Zach's age!

The fire trucks were a favorite. We did these a few times.

His first light stick!

Being sneaky and spraying Jackson!

Strawberries on the beach

This one was from playgroup after we got home,

but it was so cute I just had to throw it in!

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.