Trip to the John Ball Park Zoo

Ride 'em Cowboy!

We took Brody to the Zoo in Grand Rapids on Friday. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time. I thought Brody was going to be very excited to see all of the animals, but it ended up that he was a little nervous around all the new creatures. None of us had been there before and Jim got to enjoy feeding the birds and petting the sting rays. Those of you who know anything about me would know that there was no way that I would be feeding the birds and no way that Brody or I would be taking a ride on a camel.

Not too sure about the chickens

Must be the turtle felt like this leg was a little pale

Maybe mommy has a right to be scared!

Brody was brave enough to pet the goat

Look at the sharks!

Just along for the ride!
(This picture is especially for Schon)

My favorite picture of the day

We have started to experience the beginnings of the "Terrible Twos" with Brody. Last week Jim was gone on business and Brody decided to give mom a run for her money. He has started to enjoy throwing food and laughs when he is punished. This all lead to my stop at the bookstore today to pick up a parenting book - this could be the hardest part of being a parent - getting a 1 1/2 year old to do what you want them to...or at least stop doing what you don't want them to do.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Mother's Day

Brody and Jim helped me celebrate a great Mother's Day. Brody made me a beautiful card at Daycare and picked out the perfect present at Hallmark. I received a red cardinal with flowers painted on it - which is the perfect gift from Brody this year because it is a "Ducky".

The Ducky

We had a great time Mother's Day weekend with my parents and my brother. Brody was excited to have so many people to entertain and play with.

We tried to get a family picture, but the only way Brody would smile was if he was upside down!

When I was a child this would have never been allowed...but now that she is a Grandma anything goes!

Brody helped all of us eat our chocolate cake after dinner. He definitely got his mother's sweet tooth!

Uncle Neal is a great play pal! They had fun playing in Brody's new playhouse (a great find for $50) and in the yard.




And then everyone had to leave on Sunday....

Jim and Brody were walking across the street to see the neighbor's new pole barn and I caught this picture - I think this is one of my favorites!

Grandma Sue brought a shirt she had embroidered for Brody - he got to wear it this week and was proud to say there was a Ducky on his shirt!

I tried and tried to get a picture with him smiling...the best I could do was to get him to look at me!

Brody LOVES to be outside now that the weather is nice out. It seems like the end of the world when we have to go in.

We are going camping for the first time this weekend. I am sure that I will have a lot of pictures to update when we get back. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Brody is Quite the Helper

Brody has become quite the helper in the last few weeks. He does everything from picking up his toys to weeding the flowerbeds with me. Today he helped Jim clean up after a Baby Shower for our neighbor and showed us that child locks may not have been such a great invention! Brody and I have been sharing a cold for the last week, so not too many pictures have been taken. I will update again once I start feeling better!