January 26th - Baconfest Jr.

After Chuck E. Cheese, we loaded up all of our loot and headed to the Science Center for the first ever Baconfest Jr.  Zach has always been bummed he can't go to the actual Baconfest, so when they announced they were having a family-friendly event on his birthday, it was a no-brainer.  We met Mimi & Papa and ate bacon related foods and played at the Science Center.  Zach was pooped by the end but had a great time!  Happy 5th Birthday Little Man!

January 26th - Chuck E. Cheese Palmer Party

Deciding what kind of birthday party you want is a BIG deal for a kid.  After MUCH deliberation, Zach decided he wanted a party at Chuck E. Cheese.  It was the easiest party I ever planned.  A few click online and we were set to go.  I didn't even need to bring a cake or candles.  Zach had a blast playing games and collecting tickets and spending time with the Palmers.  He got to dance with Chuck E. and was treated like a rock star.  His favorite part was definitely the ticket blaster!

January 26th - Morning

Sunday our baby turned 5. I still can't believe it...no longer considered a preschooler but a kid. Breaks my heart...but anyway, we spent all day Sunday celebrating our little man. We started off the day opening presents which is pretty much all you want to do when you are 5. Kim from Noodle Zoo asked us to stop there Sunday morning when we were there the night before. When we walked in, all of the staff came out and sang Happy Birthday to Zach and gave him a big present.  That little boy is sure loved!

January 25th - Birthday Eve

Saturday morning Zach & I stopped over at my parent's house while Chris had breakfast with the guys.  My dad had rented scaffolding to replace some lights in their vaulted ceilings.  While Zach isn't the biggest fan of heights, he did have fun having a breakfast picnic up on the scaffolding with Mimi...and while Mimi HATES heights, she did enjoy the extra snuggles of a little boy!

Later in the afternoon, we dropped cookies at the NICU as a thank you for another year with our miracle man.  We normally take a picture of him next to the level in the parking garage that he is turning...but he has outgrown this tradition!  There are only 4 floors so we took a picture on the 5th floor of Blank.

Zach picked Noodle Zoo for his pre-birthday dinner (surprise, surprise!).  He is currently into making weird faces when I take pictures.  He says I take too many pictures, haha.  I figured this day would come soon.

January 24th

Today before Zach left daycare, Karen gave him his birthday present.  He was dying to open it!  I went shopping with my mom after work but told the boys Zach could open the present after they got haircuts as long as Chris took pictures.  This is the 1 picture I got which is exactly why I am NEVER in any pictures unless I take them.  Chris, you need to work on your photography skills!  :)  Love you babe!
 

January 19th

Zach loves pizza.  He saw a tv show about a family who makes homemade pizza every Monday night or something and thought that is something we should do.  I am all for traditions so we tried it out tonight.  Zach LOVED the sauce but insisted he hates cheese on his pizza.  I snuck cheese on his before we baked it.  He only ate about half of his and decided he likes pizza you buy at a store better.  So much for that tradition!  :)

January 12th - Afternoon

After leaving the farm, we headed downtown.  The Iowa Energy hosted a basketball clinic for the Ankeny Parks & Rec basketball kids before their game.  Zach had a blast and looked so tiny next to the professtional players.  It happened to be Free Jersey Sunday so all in all, it was a pretty great night!

January 12th

Sunday morning we all joined my Grandma at her church in Collins for worship to celebrate her 85th birthday.  We had brunch in Colo and then went to the farm for cake.  She looked beautiful and it was great to have the whole family (minus Erin who was missed) together.  I don't think that many Huntrods have ever been seen together in Collins anywhere besides the bar!  :)  Happy Birthday Grandma!  Here's to MANY more!

January 11th - Night

Saturday night we had tickets to the ISU basketball game to celebrate Lil' Cyclone Club January birthdays.  It's not a game without a Clone Cone or Cy!

January 11th

Zach had the flu on Friday so I wasn't sure if he would be able to play basketball Saturday.  Luckily he felt much better Saturday morning and he actually made a basket in the game!  I didn't get a picture because the coach was standing in the way, but it was pretty darn exciting for his cheering section.  In the afternoon the boys had fun testing out Chris' new "as seen on tv" bacon cooker.  It was a hit.