Como Zoo

What a beautiful day yesterday was. we went to the Como Zoo with my brother's family. we all had a great time and only a few meltdowns. The kids loved the animals. It was so much fun watching Devin's face light up as he has the animals. we are working on their names, but to him all of the animals are "puppy."

This photo was right before his major meltdown. He wanted everything that he couldn't have. It was pass lunch time and going onto naptime. But it was short-lived and we were onto the next animal.

The three of them riding the big turtle. Devin did not want to sit on it, but Uncle Patrick made him. He kept saying "hot, hot" which yes it was hot, but that is his new word and everything is hot.

These are just a few photos from our day, there are more on my Shutterfly webpage (if you would like to see more of what we did). To get to the page there is a link on the side you just have to click on.

Devin is at such a fun age where everything is new. He is seeing things for the first time and it is really exciting to watch him explore.

When we got home last night (which we had been gone for 12 hours) Devin was so excited to see Jordan. He just wanted to carry her around everywhere he went. he just kept saying puppy, puppy over and over. It wasn't until 10:00 that he finally settled down to go to sleep. But he slept good, so that is a bonus.

Last night of the Fair

On Saturday night we made one last trip to the fair. But this time we brought along a few extras. And no I am not talking about the goat that Devin likes.

Patrick, Robin, Alexis, And Austin came over to go to the fair. They arrived a little before noon so Devin got plenty of time to play with his cousins. But after lunch playtime came to a stop and the little boys needed a NAP.
The daddy's took the kids down the big slide. When Devin reached the bottom he had a huge smile on his face and wanted to go again. He would point and use his sign language for more.

These are not the best pictures but I think he will remember the slide.

The three of them went on a few more rides and then it was time for supper. It was a nice night at the fair and I think if the boys were a little older they would have been asking to go to the demo derby. They were both looking around to see what was making all that noise and yelling yeah!!!

Strawberry picking

Sunday morning we went over to heron Lake to go and pick strawberries. Along the way we stopped in Jackson to pick up Pat, robin, Alexis, and Austin.

Devin and I went to pick strawberries while Ben stayed with the dog. he did pretty well with me. I gave him one strawberry and then he realized that he could pick his own. wow, was he happy and messy. When he was done his face was full of strawberry juice.
I love fruit and strawberries are one of my favorite.

After about an hour and a half of picking (mostly by myself) this is the fruit of our (my) labor.

Trip to Jackson to watch a t-ball game

Last night Devin, my mom, and I went to Jackson to watch Alexis play in her second t-ball game. She did a pretty good job. She was able to hit the ball and even got it a couple of times after someone hit it. Here she is with her daddy (my brother Patrick) and I have to say that I love her pink glove.

Way to go!!! Look at that form.
Before the game we got to the park a little early so that the kids could play. Devin loved playing with EVERYTHING. He was up and down on everything.

He got very brave with the moving bridge. At first he was not too sure about it. But before we were all done he would walk across it all by himself.
The boys found a fun box to play with. Austin really liked Devin's hat and kept trying to take it. He would walk around putting it on his head and then taking it off and the repeating it over and over. They can be so funny some times.

After we were all done and got by to my grandparent's house. Grandpa Charlie called Devin over and he went right over there and sat on his lap. This is big for the great-grandkids. Devin kind-of liked his great-grandpa last night.

One last photo of Devin on the way home. He was so tired, but did not want to give in. I love how big his eyes are in this photo. He dug out his hat from the bag and put it on himself, even though it is inside out, he still looks cute.

Rainy Days

Pat, Robin and the kids came over on Sunday for the afternoon. And all of them really wanted to be outside playing, but it was just too cool for them. They were all a little stir crazy, but we had a nice afternoon. It is really hard to get 2 toddlers and a preschool to all sit still and look in the same place for a photo, but this was the best I could do. Devin loves to play with the camera, so it has gotten hard to take pictures of him. He tries to grab the camera and wont give it back.

I love this picture of the two boys. They are watching their dad's and Alexis outside, wishing they could be out there with them.
My little superman. He would only sit for so long and that was barely long enough to get a photo.

Slumber Party

On Saturday Austin and Alexis came to spend the day and night with us. Which meant we have 2 toddlers and a 4 year old. What a time we had at our house. We went to the park, played outside (a lot), made cupcakes, colored and all slept in the same room and slept through the whole night!!

Everyone wanted to get some playtime with Uncle Ben/daddy

Alexis wanted to color and Devin just wanted to play. Not always a good combination.
Outside time playing catch and raking the driveway. Austin really loves to play with the ball.

The boys at the park.

Christmas in Jackson

On Christmas day we went to Jackson to my grandparents house. Devin was on the go all day long. He would go from one room to the next non-stop. He had no fear. He did really well with all of the people; well not that many, but more than we have in our house at one time. He enjoyed seeing what he could get into. His favorite was great-grandpa's chap stick and chair remote. He liked pushing the buttons and seeing the lights light up.

Devin and his great-grandpa Charlie. It took him a little while, but by the end of the day he had really warmed up to him.

This was the first time that the two boys actually interacted. Devin even gave him a hug. Of course Alexis had to get in on the action.

Christmas with Grandma O'Reilly

On Saturday we had Christmas with my mom, Patrick, Robin, Alexis, and Austin. They came over from Jackson on Friday night because the weather was going to be not the best on saturday. And for a change the weather man was right, it snoed again and the wind picked up and starting blowing the snow. We had a good time just hanging around the house and watching Patrick and Alexis outside in the cold.

After an afternoon nap for the kids and supper, we "finally" (in Alexis' mind) got to opening presents. Devin hasn't been feeling that well, so the idea of people and presents in a small around didn't go over to well. He opened one present and that was it. Once Ben moved him to the other side of the room he seemed to be a little better.

We were able to get a few photos in front of the christmas tree.

Family Pictures

On Saturday we had some family pictures taken with my mom and my brother's family. Ana Ankeny took the photos and she did a great job. They turned out great. Ben, Devin, and I even took a good photo!!!!! This one is my favorite, because we all have the same happy expression on our faces. We took some that all of our mouths are wide open.

Fun Finds

This weekend was city wide garage sales. I went after clinicals on Friday to a few places and hit big at one. I found a slide/swing combination. Devin is not too sure about swinging in it because he would rather push the swing himself. He is still too small to climb on it, but that means he will grow into it. I thought it would be great for this winter in the basement. It would give him something to do in order to work on those large motor skills. Other than that I did find some clothes for him. Like he needs anymore!!!! I tried to look for more jeans and 18 month sizes.

We went Saturday with Pat, Robin and the kids. Robin and I went garage saling together, while Pat and my mom had the three kids. After Devin finally got an afternoon nap Ben, Devin and I went to Fairmont for supper and to do a little shopping. Devin thought it would be fun to push the cart himself. And to our surprise he was able to move it just find.

Cousins

On Saturday, we went to Jackson to visit Patrick, Robin, Alexis, and Austin for the day. There was not a lot going on here in Blue Earth, so we thought that we would go and see what they were doing in Jackson. I think that Alexis was really excited to see Devin. She kept giving him hugs and wanting to play with him. Usually Devin wants to play with little kids, but Alexis he was like HELP ME!!! No I am kidding. He liked playing with her when it was on his terms and not hers. Alexis and Devin went swimming after lunch. They had a lot of fun. Devin liked going down the slide and landing on Alexis.

Austin and Devin are both growing up so fast. They are almost the small size in every way. They don't play together yet, but some time soon they will. When we would put Devin down on the floor by Austin, he would just crawl right over top of him. My son can be such a bully!!!!!