Happy Halloween!

Halloween was pretty fun this year!  We had 3 Halloween events this year, and Zoe got to wear 2 different costumes thanks to Alesia who sent us an owl costume she made for Eleanor.  A butterfly and an owl, so we had a winged theme going on.  Zoe really got into saying "Hoot Hoot" and trying to flap her wings, but would NOT wear the goggles for one second and wasn't into knocking on doors, so trick or treating was a little out of her reach.  Also, it is a good thing the Giants colors correspond with Halloween colors since Tim decorated our house in streamers and a huge Giants flag to celebrate their World Series win... I am sure our neighbors just think we are very festive!

A few of our favorite pictures...

Mooo

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but life has been so busy lately.  Zoe is learning a new word pretty much every day, but her favorite "words" are definitely animal sounds.  I remember Hannah telling me that these totally count as words, so we are very proud of our little farm animal.  For some reason most of our books feature farm animals!  We are trying to decide what to be for Halloween (we are going to a party where kids and adults are supposed to dress up), and I am thinking a farm theme would be fun.   Tim would prefer to dress Zoe up as Brian Wilson or Pablo Sandoval... if you're not an SF Giants fan, you wouldn't get this, which is kinda my point since we live in CO. 

Expressions

Zoe loves making really extreme faces.  The other day a nice man in the grocery store tried to make her smile by playing the harmonica and she gave him the dirtiest look I've ever seen... he was scared and ran away!  These are some of her many expressions I captured post-nap (all within about 30 seconds)...

Hi Mom, so nice to see you!

Look at my teeth

I'm feeling a little crazy

Are you going to pick me up or what?

I'll get you...

Really, you're not picking me up?

GRRRR....

Walking the frog

This frog follows Zoe wherever she goes, sometimes she turns around and is shocked to see him right behind her.  She is really excited about animals right now and practices making their sounds.  She can "moooo"  and "neighhhh" so far.  We are working on "ribbit" but that one seems kind of hard. 

Harmonica

kid food

One great thing about having a toddler is getting to eat kid food again.  We've remembered how much we love graham crackers and milk, the simplest spaghetti we make about once a week and applesauce.  Our apple tree in the backyard is full of small apples that are a little tart to eat raw.  But a little steaming and... voila!  Delicious homeade applesauce (eating it while still warm is the best)!  Credits to IlaJane VanDyke for helping pick the apples, wash them and sprinkling just the right amount of cinnamon.

iphone pics

Zoe eating sushi for the first time (veggies and tofu)

She loves kissing pictures in her book of names and faces

Hi mom!

Jordan and kids feeding sheep at the farm

Tim's evening workout

cutie pies

Britton, Zoe and Finn at the park... the boys were so sweet!

Walking

Zoe started walking last week!  Here she goes... walking and then doing some of her funny moves.

Guppies

We've been taking Zoe to swim classes this month, she is in the Guppy Class.  I was told tonight by her instructor that she "passed" to Advanced Guppy.  ahhaha... these classes have been a real crack-up for me and Tim.  There is just something so funny about a group of parents circled together bouncing their babies and singing the hokey pokey.  Tim didn't feel like getting in tonight so he took these awesome videos.  Since we're obsessed with the Olympics right now he pointed out that it's a good thing he captured these precious moments just in case Zoe becomes an Olympic swimmer... they will make a great montage in 2030. 

Garden

My garden is amazing.  I can't believe I thought it was never going to grow... shows how impatient I am.  Since it's been so hot all the peppers, herbs and tomatoes seem to be doing really well and the zucchini and beets and squash are off the charts.  The cilantro, spinach and lettuce has all bolted, so I guess I have to replant them.  The only thing that has been upsetting is how the birds have eaten all the heads of the broccoli and I think the heat pretty much killed the snap peas.  Also, I set up a drip system which is connected to our sprinkler system so I am feeling pretty happy with myself (I even tried to dig a few mini irrigation ditches) so when Tim asked me what I was doing I could say "irrigating".  hahaha. 

Happy 4th of July!

Our neighborhood is the cutest. We got an invitation last week for brunch and a 4th of July parade so we walked one block over and everyone was outside.  It turns out we were a little late and just missed the parade, but everyone was still congregating in the street.  And I've been kind of obsessed with these two adorable corgis who I see all the time, and I got to take their picture!  If we ever got another dog I would really want a corgi, I just think they seem to have a great sense of humor.

they are best friends!

I love his bow-tie. And his name is Georgie!

The scene on Birky Street

Zoe's Baptism

Zoe was baptized last Sunday, and it was very sweet, despite a few tears being shed (mostly by Zoe, just a few by me).  We are really thankful for the love, support and understanding from our families.

catching up

It's been such a whirlwind ever since we got back from California a week ago, but it's been a good and happy whirlwind.  Our trip to Fairfax was awesome, we loved spending time with family and friends and Zoe was on top of her game wooing just about everyone.  It was especially nice to be in the cool coastal weather since it's been unbearably hot here in Fort Collins and our house doesn't get AC!  Seeing Jeff and Cassie get married was just beautiful, their vows and wedding were so touching and inspiring.  And since Tim and I were also celebrating our anniversary it was nice to be reminded of that incredible day. 
Here are a couple of my favorite pics, and if you want to see a whole album click here.

Zoe's 1st Birthday!

We had a fun time celebrating Zoe's first birthday, we stretched it out over several days.   Here are some highlights!

Early morning birthday pancakes at Snooze

We did a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme for the food... fun and easy!

It was SO HOT (even at 6pm) that everyone lined up by the fence to be in the shade... here YaYa is holding Zoe up "Lion King Style"... :)

Here is Tim's creation... the best carrot cake I've ever eaten!  Zoe loved it too...

Carrot Cake Coma...

Cedar loves balls

Alex is so dreamy...