Happy Easter!!! 4-8-2007

Travelling for the fourth weekend in a row, we returned to Columbus to celebrate Easter with Tony's side of the family. Zoe had a great time playing with all of her cousins, hunting for Easter eggs & finding her Easter basket (the candy involved may have been the best part). We also celebrated Shannon, Zoe & Grandma's birthday on Saturday - including a quick dip at what has to have been the coldest indoor hotel pool ever!! Nonetheless, the kids all had a great time. Sunday, Aunt Kathy prepared a delicious Easter brunch. We went to the noon service at their church where poor Shannon threw up during the service. Quite a memorable Easter all-in-all.

We stopped for dinner on the way home at my Aunt Kathy's to drop Zoe off with my Mom & Dave with whom Zoe was spending the following week. Zoe got even more candy in another egg hunt with Carson & Ava.

Easter Eggs 4-5-2007

This evening, Zoe colored Easter eggs. She had a great time with Daddy helping her color them & then Mommy helping her decorate them - as princesses of course.

Fort Rapids 4-1-2007

This weekend, we travelled to Columbus to Aunt Kathy & Uncle Jason's house. Saturday night, we cheered Ohio State on to its victory over Georgetown. On Sunday, we went to Fort Rapids where the three girls all had a great time. It is safe to say that all parties involved were exhausted by the time we returned home. (I do not actually remember being this tired anytime in the recent past.)

Roller Skating with the Easter Bunny!! 3-29-2007

This morning, Zoe went *roller skating* with the Easter Bunny!! Disappointingly, the Easter Bunny didn't actually roller skate. I mean, if you were "really" good, you could skate in one of those costumes.

Anyway, you will also notice there are no pictures of Zoe with the Easter Bunny as she was too scared to get much closer to him than 6 feet. This is Zoe's 2nd time skating and she did a really good job - actually skating a bit. Last time was entirely comprised of roller-walking. She did manage to take both of us down once & I took us down another time. Of course, the best part was the easter eggs - which contained chocolate candy.

Happy Birthday Zoe!! 3-26-2007

What beautiful weather we had today (sunny and 80 - haha to those people in Arizona, it's not *always* bad weather here). Zoe and I spent most of the day outside. We blew bubbles & played hopscotch. Then, after a birthday lunch of grilled cheese, we walked up to Cold Stone & Zoe enjoyed some beary berry blue ice cream. We stopped at the park on the way home and then she had a nap. For supper, Miss Susan, Daddy (with 3 balloons) & the Saunders met us at Red Robin for Zoe's birthday supper. She especially enjoyed her free ice cream sundae. Zoe had a good day (although I don't think she really understood that today was her birthday!!)

Zoe's Birthday Party!! 3-24-2007

Today, we celebrated Zoe's birthday with my side of the family. Zoe had a great time blowing out the candles & opening all of her presents - she now has an entire summer wardrobe due some very generous grandparents. Lots of princesses could be found at the party - including Cinderella's castle (one of the cakes), books, dolls and lots of clothes.

Making Supper 3-22-2007

This morning, while I peacefully (read accidentally) dozed on the couch, Zoe lovingly made me supper -- on the kitchen floor -- using new bags of powered & brown -- that she opened using scissors -- my good "fabric only" scissors (she tried to used the kitchen shears, but couldn't figure out to get them unlocked) -- the scissors were obtained from the supposedly "locked" den (locked due to previous incident - see below). This is the last of many such incidents in the past week or so. These include:

-> Putting on make-up - using an entire tube of lipstick & mascara
-> Rubbing an entire glue stick on the foot of our bed
-> Emptying 3 things of chapstick in various places
-> "Cleaning" her room - this means emptying everything out of her dresser onto the floor.
-> Getting black paint all over herself (including her hair - which may still have paint in it) & on the floor of the den
-> Squirting suntan lotion all over the floor of her room & her crib & the footstool & the wall & the book shelf & the books.

I've come to the only appropriate conclusion -- that the next stage of toddler development involves her being tied to a chair since she obviously cannot be trusted once she is out of my sight -- the suntan incident having occurred while she told me she was playing with her dollhouse...

Anyway, I was too furious about the other incidents to have taken a photo, but Tony asked me to document this one (apparently there is some doubt in his mind that they are actually taking place)...

3-18-2007 Trip to Louisville

This weekend, Tony & I went to Louisville, KY to see the Blue Man Group - as my Valentine's Day gift to him. We stopped in Blufton on the way down to celebrate Uncle Ben's birthday & to drop Zoe off. We left Bluffton Saturday morning and stopped in Cinncinati to watch the Ohio State BB game (very close to Xavier actually). We stayed at The Brown hotel in downtown Louisville - home of the famous "Hot Brown" sandwich - which neither Tony nor I actually had. Saturday night we went to the show - which was very good - with lots of stuff we had seen before, but lots we hadn't also. We headed home on Sunday.

3-16-2007 Happy Birthday Uncle Ben!!

We celebrated Uncle Ben's birthday on this Friday. Zoe, as always, enjoyed helping him blow out the candles and unwrapping his gifts. She even told him what was in them - before he opened them - as she had helped me wrapped them.

3-3-2007 Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!!

After going to the OSU - Michigan basketball game, we celebrated Uncle Matt's 18th birthday. Zoe helped him blow out the candles & enjoyed her frosting. (Yes, Uncle Matt is a Michigan fan, but we won't hold it against him - well, not too much anyway).

3-2-2007 Princesses on Ice

Today, Zoe & I went to see Princess on Ice at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It was a neat show & Zoe had a great time - especially since she got to wear her Cinderella dress to the show.

2-22-2007 Sesame Street Live

Today, we met Daddy downtown to go see Sesame Street Live. It was mass confusion, but Zoe had a great time (although her favorite part might have been the M&Ms.).

2-14-2007 Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day at home with Zoe. I made a heart-shaped red velvet cake & even heart-shaped muffins. Zoe enjoyed her gift - most especially the jelly beans...

2-9-2007 Happy Birthday Ava!!

We travelled to Bluffton this weekend to help Ava celebrate her first birthday. Ava enjoyed her cake tremendously - even though she was exhausted. Zoe enjoyed ordering Poppa Dave around & even got him to put on some princess accessories.

Snow Play 1-30-2007

Today, Zoe & I went outside & played in the newly fallen snow. We had great time shoveling, making snow angels & having a snow ball fight. I may have had a bit of an advantage in the snow ball fight since Zoe couldn't make the snowballs, she had to wait until I threw one at her & then she could throw it back at me.

In the afternoon, we went to Target & we got her a little plastic shovel of her own. She must have mentioned shoveling the snow off the driveway about 20 times in the store. The fact we had already cleared the driveway did not bother her a bit. She had a great time using her shovel to put snow back onto the driveway once we got back home. Zoe & Daddy even played outside a bit when he got home. The snow is definitely a hit with her.

A Cinderella Day 1-29-2007

Today, Zoe watch her Cinderella movie while wearing her Cinderella dress & eating Cinderella fruit snacks. Once the movie was over, I put on Family Feud - on which a question was: "Name something that the Fairy Godmother gave to Cinderella". The answers were:

1. Glass Slippers
2. Dress
3. Coach
4. Prince Charming**

**The Fairy Godmother didn't actually "give" Cinderella the Prince. I like to think that Cinderella's own charm & winning personality actually had a bit to do with it.

Anyway, quite a charming day, here in the land of happily ever after.... :)

Notice Zoe is wearing two different shoes & carrying another two. Apparently, she is worried that she will lose her slipper like Cinderella did & has taken to stockpiling them.

Zoe's Pond 1-27-2007

Today, while playing Zoe created a "pond" for her pirate ship. She has quite the imagination. Of course, now I can no longer use my blanket since it is now a "pond"...a battle to be fought another day, I guess.

Zoe visits the Dentist 1-23-2007

To prepare Zoe for her first visit to the dentist, she accompained me to my dentist appointment this afternoon. She had a great adventure and was extremely interested in what the hygentist was doing. We had to tell her to move back a couple of times because she was so closely watching her clean my teeth. The "silly straw" was also fascinating & Zoe laughed every time I used it.

Whirlyball 1-20-2007

Tonight, while Grandma Carol & Poppa Dave watched Zoe (or maybe she watched them, sometimes it can be hard to tell), Tony & I played whiryball with a group organized by Lew (past events have included bowling & putt-putt). This event was slightly more physical. At point, I ran into wall going about 50 mph (okay, maybe it was more like 20 mph, but the guy running the place asked if I was okay). He then proceeded to remove the car I had been using from the court because it was too fast!! My hips are both raw and bruised from the seatbeat, but I'll live. Unfortunately, my team (the red team) did not do so well and only won 1 game - and finished in the bottom spot in the tournament (yes, there was a tournament - remember it was organized by Lew).

This is a video of Nancy running into the wall (not nearly as fast as I did though).

Anyway, it was lots of fun & there was much discussion about what the next event should be.

Zoe's Hives 1-17-2007

This morning, Zoe woke up with a lovely rash EVERYWHERE... We went to the doctor & she has hives, most likely caused by her body over reacting to fighting a virus of some sort. She is fine, but certainly does not look that way. She looks even worse in person... wish her well soon!!

Our beautifal Arizonan Sunset 1-12-2007

Thursday, we drove to Gates Pass in hopes of having a beautiful sunset to watch. We got cold & wind and not such a great sunset.

The Butterfly Garden 1-8-2007

This "morning" Grandma, Mommy & Zoe went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens to see the butterfly exhibit. Zoe had a great time with the butterflies & just wanted one to land her. Thank goodness one finally did & our visit was complete. Of course, outside she found more rocks to play with...

1-7-2007 Sabino Canyon

After our McDonald's stop, we headed to Sabino Canyon where we took a tram up into the canyon. Due to flooding last year that washed out parts of the road, the tram doesn't go as far as it used. Once disembarking, we walked a little ways until we found a creek bed with lots and lots of rocks. Zoe & Daddy enjoyed throwing the rocks into the water for a while & we then we headed back down to catch the tram.

This is a picture by a SAGUARO catcus. They grow extremely slowly - Growth occurs in spurts, with most of it taking place in the summer rainy season each year. By the end of a year, the saguaro seedling may measure only 1/4 inch. After 15 years, the saguaro may be barely a foot tall. At about 30 years saguaro can begin to flower and produce fruits. By 50 years, the saguaro may be as tall as 7 feet. After about 75 years, it may sprout its first branches or "arms." The branches begin as prickly balls, then extend out and upward. - borrowed from the Saguaro National Park website. So, you can imagine how old this catucs must be.

McDonald's Pit Stop 1-7-2007

While leaving De Grazia, we detected a faint odor resulting in a pit stop at a McDonald's which of course had a play place. I think Zoe may have planned it that way...

1-7-2007 De Grazia Gallery in the Sun

Today we visited the De Grazia Gallery in the Sun. I've borrowed the description of it from their web-site...

"Beginning in the early 1950s, DeGrazia designed and built the Gallery in the Sun complex from the ground up with Native American friends who made traditional adobe bricks on the ten-acre foothills site. The first buildings include the Mission in the Sun, the artist's home, a studio and small gallery.

The main gallery opened in 1965, a place where the prolific artist could exhibit his growing collections of work. Six permanent collections of paintings trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures and ceramics.

Before his death in 1982, the artist created the DeGrazia Foundation to preserve his beloved Gallery in the Sun and display collections of his life's work for future generations."

It was a very neat place to visit & I could not imagine actually living in such a place. Zoe had a good time running around wanting to touch everything.

One of Zoe's favorite parts of Arizona was the rocks (which are everywhere!!). Here is a touching photo of her removing a rock from what we can only assume is De Grazia's grave.

1-6-2007 Our Trailer

Here is a picture of our home for the next 8 days. It is directly across the street from Grandma & Poppa. And, it is even smaller than it looks, but has all of the comforts of home. Grandma & Poppa added lots of nice little touches to make us feel welcome.

1-5-2007 Planes, Trams & Automobiles

Today, we rode in 2 cars, 2 trams & 2 planes. We arrived in Tucson this afternoon/evening after a relatively good, but l-o-n-g trip. Zoe had a good time on her first plane ride & after take-off in Detroit said, "That was awesome." The worst part on both flights was the descent when Zoe's ears started bothering her. She wouldn't do anything you told her to, i.e. yawn, chew, etc... I am sure it was made worse by the fact that she had so much congestion. Luckily, this part did not last too long. By far, Zoe's favorite part of the travelling was riding the trams. We killed time in Detroit, by riding them back & forth and then, had to ride another in Houston. Zoe was very excited to see Grandma & Poppa and is so far, having a great time. After a quick stop at the grocery store, we had supper at G&P's trailer and soon headed to ours for bed.

1-4-2007 Misc. Zoe Pictures...

Here are just a few random pictures from Zoe's camera. I think that they are really cute and give you some insight into the perspective of a 2 year old...

1-2-2007 Zoe Not Feeling Well

Last night, Zoe developed a rapsy cough & froggy voice that she still had when she woke up this morning. At one point this morning, she says..."Mommy, I lost my scream." And, she then, proceeded to demonstrate with a soundless scream that it indeed was gone. Although I feel bad that she does not feel well, I will enjoy the temporary repreive from her scream. :)

12-31-2006 Happy New Year!!

Because we didn't have enough Christmas parties this year, Tony & I decided to have a New Year's Eve party to celebrate our 5th anniversary (how time does fly). We invited friends, family & neighbors. Friends & neighbors showed up (apparently, our families are sick of seeing us at this point & opted not to come - just kidding everyone). It was a good time & a nice way to celebrate our anniversary. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures with my camera - but Zoe did manage to capture a few with hers. We still need to work with her on a few basics, like holding the camera still & focusing on your subject, but some of the pictures are pretty funny.

Miss Susan's knees....

Yes, I wore my wedding tiara...I've found there are few occasions you can get away with wearing it, so I took advantage while I could...

Happy New Year!!

12-30-2006 Christmas at Grandma Harts

Okay, this is it. Our last "official" Christmas (yes, we still have a few gifts to exchange, but the "big" ones are finished after this one). I promise.

Saturday, we drove down to Bluffton for Christmas at my Grandma's. Zoe got to open even more gifts - still loving it, of course. We had a nice meal, opened presents and then, went outside to play - without coats, very typical weather in Ohio at the end of December.