EASYRIDERS

Steve sold his bike today on Craigslist. So while Mackenzie was napping and I was running to my niece's baby shower Steve was showing his bike.
First guy to come look at it drove up from about 2 hours away. He really liked it but he also said he had another bike to look at that was about an hour away from us. He left and ended up coming back later and took the Vulcan home. Steve has done a lot of custom work to it and the guy really liked all that.
Ya gotta love Craigslist!
This is one of the last pictures taken on it.

Playing in the Flowers

I love rolling fields of clover flowers. They have always been my favorite and it's such a pretty view when you're traveling along a country road.
I took a few pics of Mackenzie a couple weeks ago when it was sunny. The pictures below I took over Memorial Day weekend. I knew I wanted to snap some shots when the clovers bloomed since we did not make it to the tulip fields this year.

PUMP IT UP - still shots

Today we took Mackenzie to this place called Pump It Up. It's an inflatable party zone for little ones. Parents play for free. What's nice is they have sessions that are called pop-in-play and you just show up for a scheduled time. There are no birthday parties going on during this time. You don't have to worry about overfilled bellies combined with activity!

We were not sure what to expect. The ages are for 6 and under, which at first I thought 6 was a little old to put with a 1-1/2 year old. Today there were not any ages probably over 4 and I quickly realized that that is the size toddler I need to worry about. Today there was a toddler that was maybe around 3 or 4 that came barreling through and about knocked her down. Happened twice in the same place, right after the other. He was zoomin like he's never zoomed before! lol
But other then that most the kids were curious about each other and Mackenzie seems to enjoy watching them. It took her awhile to warm up to the whole place. She would only go into the mazes if I was with her and holding her. She would run around outside of them but was reluctant to go inside. By the end of the session she was crawling through the obstacles, going into the arenas and climbing up to the slides. After seeing how she got more involved it got me thinking that I would take her again, and often. I think it's good for her to get out and socialize.

PUMP IT UP - video shots

Here are a few videos that Dad took. The obstacle course took her the longest to warm up to but after she was ok with it she went through it all pretty good. Only needed help towards the end climbing up. Everything is so soft and spongy so any tumbles are really not a big deal.

BIG GIRL ON THE SLIDE

The video is a little blurry. Earlier before the camera came out she was enjoying it. She is getting fussy at this point and is in the middle of liking it and just being cranky. Of course maybe me bonking her head lightly on the top of the slide didn't help any. Whoops. Eh what would a childhood be without some once in awhile bumps and bruises from Mom or Dad.

BOATING AT THE LAKE

Because it was going to be so hot today we had decided to take the boat out. This was Mackenzies first time on it. She was a little cranky at first. I think wearing a life jacket and being warm isn't a good combination. As long as your anchored up the jacket can come off. The boat has really tall sides so we didn't have to worry about her falling in, plus we kept a watchful eye on her anyway. We got in the water, at separate times of course, but she never got in. I am so thankful that I brought one of her little pools. She found fun with that and was starting to get more into it as the day progressed. At first she would just put a foot in here and there but by the end of the day she was sitting in it.

At one point we were cruising around the lake and she started getting sleepy. I think it was the motion of the boat. So we anchored up and we took off her lifejacket and she caught almost a 2 hour nap in the shade. It was nice for her and she was still getting a breeze where she was laying. It was a good day and we plan on always trying to take her. We figure she needs to get used to what we both enjoy.

The video is her playing in her pool on the boat while it's anchored. Just a nice hot day and a little classic Tom Petty.

GOOFING AROUND IN DADS HAT

17 MONTHS OLD

Mothers Day

Had my parents in for dinner. We had grilled shish-ka-bobs, Mom's awesome homemade potato salad, fresh strawberry lemonade and strawberry shortcake for dessert. We had a nice dinner and we put to use the new BBQ we just got.
Below are this and last years mothers day.

3 GENERATIONS

Mothers Day 2008

ZOO DAY

Sunday, May 4th
It was going to be a gorgeous day so I took Mackenzie to the zoo. We got there almost an hour after it opened and stayed for just a couple hours. Our first stop was the elephants, we didn't get to those the last time we were there. She had difficulty looking at them out in the yard, too busy looking at the plants that were right in front of her. We went inside where a large elephant was and she spotted him. Oh boy! I had her in my arms and she was clutching on to me and was not taking her eyes off of him. At one point there was a pole in her way and I caught her creening her neck to see around it. We stared at him for awhile.
Right after that there were some goats to pet so we went in and did that. I think she just thought they were doggies. We went by and saw 2 hippos out and she most likely just thought they were 2 large boulders laying there. If the animals aren't moving around right in front of her she basically doesn't see them. She enjoyed the bats and small birds. They seem to have the most action. Oh and she did stare at the polar bear for a little bit. We also rode the zoo train which she enjoyed that too.
It was a nice day just to hang as the 2 of us. I know she won't remember it but I certainly will.

There is a giraffe and 3 gazelles. I was so hoping he would come over but of course he stayed to the other side.

Loving the Yellow

Friday night I was out doing a little yard work and Mackenzie was outside with me. And wouldn't you know it she went right over and picked one of my new yellow pansies I had just planted the night before! She seems to be attracted to yellow. I should have kept all the dandelions we had in our yard just for her plucking! I will say at least the flower does not go to waste, she hangs on to it for a very long time.

Here is a video of our tap-dancing wind up toy.