June 25th

We went to the Collins Days Parade today, despite the rain.  The weather Gods actually smiled down on us, and it stopped raining right as the parade was starting.

Daddy & Zach waiting for the parade to begin.

Uncle Jim carried the flag.

Zach was a little freaked out by all of the firetruck sirens.

Showing off his candy stash to Great Grandma & her friends.

At the petting zoo

He was so proud of his filled candy bucket

After the parade we stopped at the farm to drive tractors.  I absolutely LOVE this picture of my two boys.  It is just is so them and captures their relationship.

Zach waiting for Daddy to get the tractor started and ready for him

Zach and I went on a 4-wheeler ride.  He calls them vroom vrooms.  My awesome hairdo is courtesy of the weather.

Sitting on Great Grandpa Huntrods' truck

June 23rd

No matter where he goes, the boy can find a tractor.  I think it is his sixth sense.  (cell phone picture)

June 22nd

Our boy saw this helmet at the store tonight and fell in love.  He HAD to have it, and even wanted to wear it to bed.  It is so funny the things kids latch on to!  (cell phone picture)

June 21st

Zach was so determined to eat with chop sticks at HuHot tonight.  He did a GREAT job, even picking up the noodles!  We were very impressed!  (cell phone picture

June 20th

Tonight we stopped by Kyle & Amber's to help them with their trim.  Zach had a blast watching the boys work and wearing the safety goggles.  He even helped Chris air up my tires!  (cell phone pictures)

June 19th

We spent Father's Day at the Ankeny pool as a family.  It was so much fun and tired us all out!

June 18th

Today we had breakfast at the Johnston Fire Department.  Zach LOVED looking at and sitting in the fire trucks.  It was every little boys dream!  (cell phone pictures)

June 16th

Just chilling in the living room watching Clifford...

June 15th

Zach has become obsessed with washing his hands and playing with the water in the sink.  He says he is "wassin dishes".  The only problem is he likes to use the sprayer...and has a hard time keeping the water under control.  Wednesday night Chris tested his new culinary skills by making 2 batches of ribs.  We had a BBQ sauce taste test, and a rub taste test.  Chris did a GREAT job.  I am pretty sure Tony inhaled half a rack of ribs in about 3 minutes.

June 14th

Dear Mother Nature,

Please stop with the thunderstorms.  I am tired of seeing this scared face, and we are running out of clean clothes.

Thanks,
Sara

June 13th

Imagine my surprise when I picked Zach up today and he was wearing this outfit (size 18 months).  He threw up all over himself at daycare during the storm, and this was the last extra outfit we had given Karen.  Yikes, might be time to bring her something a tad bigger!

Zach had a great time helping Daddy & Papa fix the Goldwing.  He is such a big helper...just ask him!

He discovered how to pick up his feet and coast down the hill on his bike, and how to ride his 4-wheeler standing up.

In other big news, Zach ate pizza like a BIG BOY!  He was so proud of himself for picking up the pizza and taking bites.  He pretty much inhaled this piece.

What a sweet little boy!

June 12th

Sunday was the Baby Shower for Randy and Jenny at our house.  There was a TON of really good food, great friends, and lots of love all around.  Noah & Zach had fun playing on the hammock and in the sandbox.  We can't wait to meet Baby Palmer!

June 11th

I <3 my blue-eyed (and messy faced) boy!

June 9th

Oh what a night!  We started off the evening watching Kyle's baseball game.  Zach LOVED every second and Kyle played GREAT!  Afterwards, we all went to Monterrey for dinner.  We left there and Kyle & Amber took Zach to the Game Stop next door to look at video games.  Chris and my mom went over to Sally Beauty Supply (and yes I know how weird that sounds).  We all ended up at Sallys when it started to storm pretty badly.  Zach got scared of the thunder so I put him on my shoulders because he was getting heavy to hold and I didn't want him roaming the store.  Chris had had a few margaritas and was helping Amber pick out a hair color.  Kyle was outside hyperventilating because their new car was being pelted with ping pong ball sized hail.  There was drama all around.  A few minutes later I heard a noise I have become all too familiar with as a mother...Zach threw up on the top of my head.  Oh what a night!  (cell phone picture)

June 7th

I would like to introduce you to Evel Knievel Palmer!  Zach has actually gotten so brave on his 4-wheeler that he sits and drives it down the sidewalk backwards!  (cell phone picture)

June 6th

A beautiful day calls for a trip to the park by our house.  Sometimes Zach forgets he is only 2 and goes for the "big kid" activities.  With a little help he can do most of them!

June 4th

Today was our first family day on the boat of 2011!  The weather was perfect, and Zach had a blast driving with Papa and dancing to the music.  He doesn't complain about wearing a life jacket at all, which makes me SO happy since that would be a deal breaker.  I hope for a summer full of Saturdays just like today!  (cell phone picture)

June 2nd

Our little man is such a big helper...whether you want help or not!  Tonight he helped me stir the pasta for his mac 'n cheese.  The extra hassle is worth it though to see him so proud of himself!

June 1st

Another gorgeous night on the deck!  Tonight we brought out a special table just for Zach.  He LOVED eating dinner and feeling like a big kid.  On a side note, my peonies are blooming and are beautiful!  I wish they lasted more than a few days!

May 30th

After all of our hard work, Monday was a day to enjoy the deck!  We had a family water gun fight, laid on the deck, and had supper outside.  Zach and Tony ended the evening by playing in the sandbox.  What a productive weekend!  Thanks again to everyone who helped!

May 29th

Not much left to do!

Other side

Zach trying out the COMPLETED deck!

Enjoying the evening!