Dauphin Island/Mobile Trip

 June 22 we packed up two suburbans and headed to Dauphin Island, AL to watch my cousin, Kasey, represent Missouri in the Distinguished Young Women National Finals (formally America's Junior Miss).  I was also excited for a little beach time.  I was a bit nervous about the 12 hour car ride with an almost 2 year old, but he was a champ.  Thank goodness for the DVD player!  On the way back, he had his moments when he would whine and I would ask him what the problem was.  Tyler's response "I stuck."  We all (Mom, Sandy, Krista, Anna and I) of course thought it was hillarious so all week he has really been working the same phrase for a response.  He cracks me up!

Enjoy some photos from our trip!

This former dock was right off our beach house and the birds arrived early every morning and stayed for the entire day.  We all joked that one of their family members had passed away and they were awaiting the reading of the will. 

This is pretty much what Grandma and Grandpa did the entire trip.  Krista and I throughly enjoyed the "banter" between them regarding who was going to finish their book first. :)

Everyone else enjoyed reading on the huge porch of the beach house. 

Tyler wanted to join in the reading activity too.  No need for picture books.  He too is ready for big "chapter" books. 

I don't have too many beach photos, but on our first morning after a great walk on the island and to the other beach house (so many of us we had to get 2!), we decided to check out the water.  Tyler had no fear - he was ready to go right in.  While he went in to take a nap Krista, Anna and I made our attempt at a sand castle and then Jeanne joined us for a water fight.  We all were in our "workout" clothes and got soaked.  We acted very immature, but had the best time! :)

Ages 47, 48 and 49 for siblings Mike, Frank and Patty, respectively before we celebrated Patty's big 5-0 birthday! 

Tyler loved the southern belles in their big poofy dresses.  He was even giving kisses!

Krista and Tyler had some good bonding time on the trip. 

Patty was kidnapped and taken to the casinos for her birthday so the "kids" decided to take the ferry over to Gulf Shores and enjoy a little fun of our own. 

This is a natural gas rig we could see from the ferry. 

Tyler was ready to run while the big "kids" rode go-karts, bumber boats, played lazer tag and hit the skee ball games.  Jeanne, we are waiting for the skee ball tournament in your basement. 

Great photo by Jeanne of Zach getting me in the bumber boat battle. 

Adorable photo of Mike and Jeanne kissing under the giraffe.  Let's hear it....awwwwww!

Tyler was happy playing air hockey without the puck. 

The lazer tag gang. 

Our nights were spent at the Mobile Civic Center watching Kasey put her moves on.  She was amazing!

Cousin photo after the National Finals.

I am sad I don't have an entire group photo of all 23 of us that made the trip

Good looking group of sisters, eh?

Tyler was a tropper staying up until 9:30-10 each night (his usual bedtime is 7pm). 

Special thanks to Great Uncle Mike for taking Tyler to watch the big trucks on the highway while we waited and visited with Kasey after the show. 

I had to capture the sunrise on our final morning on Dauphin Island.  It was an amazing family trip! 

Field Trip Friday - Botanical Gardens

The Missouri Botanical Gardens was my choice for this week's field trip.  I haven't been to the Botanical Gardens for years.  I enjoy beautiful gardens and I had been told by many that it is really a pretty neat place for kids.  I have been wanting to go to see the tree that was planted in memory of my cousin, Todd Zick who passed away in February 2010 too.  Unfortunately, our trip got cut short due to severe storms that entered the area.  We thought we could just go in for lunch while it passed but it was not that simple.  We were ushered to the auditorium in the lower level for safety.  After getting the all clear, we did get to eat lunch but the rain was still coming down so we will have to make another trip to enjoy more of the Children's Garden and see Todd's Tree.  Enjoy a few of the pics we were able to capture before the rain. 

Beautiful Victorian Garden

Tyler loved this waterfall at the entrance to the Children's Garden.

Look at his excitement.

The Children's Garden had this cool slide that Tyler went down backwards.

Tyler loved ringing the bells in one of the gardens.

We leave tomorrow for Dauphin Island, AL.  It will be a big field trip to the BEACH with 18 family members.  We are sad to have to leave Dad at home, but the golf course needs him.  I will have plenty of help and it may feel like a real vacation...even with an almost 2 year old.  

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my best friend in the world! 

You are such a wonderful daddy! 

Day 1

Yesterday - Tyler l.o.v.e.d. the "trat-tor" with Dad.

Happy Father's Day to my dad and Jeff's dad too! 

I am so thankful Tyler has some of the best male role models to learn from. 

Jeff was at the golf course early this morning and then home to celebrate with gifts and naps.  This evening we enjoyed dinner with my mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa Zick and Kyle and Maggie.  It was a perfect way to end a great weekend!

21 Month Photos!

Tyler turned 21 months on Tuesday so of course I made had him smile for a few pics!

Usually we sit together in this chair to read books.  Tyler is getting so big that he is often content to read his books by himself and that is exactly what he had in mind on this day.  Also, please note his HUGE feet.  We skipped size 7 in his New Balance sneakers.  I guess when your daddy wears size 14 and your mommy wears size 11 - you should simply admit you are going to have enormous feet.  Sorry, Tyler!

Bright-eyed and happy!

Laughing at daddy...

Only a few more months until the big 2! 

I suppose at some point I should stop having him sit in his chair and take monthly photos. ;)

Field Trip Friday - Grant's Farm

This past Friday took us to Grant's Farm (Zach's pick).  GG was able to join us too.  We were smarter this week and arrived right when Grant's Farm opened hoping to beat the heat.

On the tram headed to the farm.

Grant's Home.

Zach enjoyed feeding the goats.  The milk sure went fast as those goats know exactly what to do. 

Tyler loved being in the mix with all of the goats.  This child has no fear. 

Tyler and Zach posed in front of the Grant's Farm sign.  No, Tyler is not drinking a complementary Budweiser.  :)

The parrots are so pretty.

GG, Zach and Tyler

Tyler enjoyed his first carousel ride.  This photo does not do an adequate job of capturing his excitement.  During the ride he would say "whooooaa" and "up....down.....up....down."   He loved it!

Bald eagles are so neat looking.

I thought you would enjoy this lovely photo of the Clydesdale's rear end. 

These animals are so massive and pretty. 

We even got to see a baby Clydesdale sunbathing. 

Tyler wasn't too excited by the Clydesdales so he took a brief nap. 

Zach was brave enough to pet the mama Clydesdale despite the warning sign. 

We left as temperatures were really heating up and enjoyed lunch at Fuddruckers (in the AC) before heading home.  It was a great Field Trip Friday!

Field Trip Friday - Transportation Museum

Sorry I am a bit behind in my blog posts.  I figured tomorrow is a new Field Trip Friday so I had better get last weeks edition posted.  Patty, Zach, Tyler and I ventured to the Transportation Museum on a VERY hot day.  It didn't matter - we were excited to see the choo-choo trains.  The one bummer was my camera had unknowingly run out of battery life.  So on to plan B - the cell phone camera...not near as great, but enjoy anyway.  Tomorrow I plan on having the camera charged and ready to go. 

Touring the inside of the trains.

Tyler driving.

My little climber.

He thinks he is going to drive the train.  Can you tell how red his face was from the heat?

Zach in front of a huge steam engine. 



Happy Birthday Kyle!

Happy Birthday to my "little" brother today!  I wanted to post some funny photos of him from our childhood but I didn't get around to scan them into the computer today (we really take the digital age for granted) .  Kyle, you are safe....at least for now! :)

Thanks for being an awesome brother, brother-in-law and uncle!  We love you!

Such a sweet photo of Kyle holding Tyler.  Kyle left his house at 4 in the morning to make it to the hospital by 8am the morning after Tyler was born.  Such a great uncle!

And then there is this photo...I am sure Kyle will have a hand in teaching Tyler all kinds of great lessons. 

 I do love the pure joy on both Kyle's and Tyler's face in this photo - who looks more excited?

Happy Birthday, Kyle!