Kids are so funny

If you're ever missing anything in our house, you should really check the lost and found. Or should I say, the spa tub in the master bathroom. Zach drags things from around the house and happily throws them in, satisfied with a job well done.

This is an example of typical findings. We find:
1. a soccer ball
2. a box
3. a single brown heel
4. a single linky
5. a burp cloth
6. a green dishtowel
7. a pair of red shoes
8. a headlamp
9. a yellow toy boat
10. a blankie
11. a book (How Loud Is A Lion?)
12. Zach's brush (only after brushing his full head of hair)
13. a running shoe insole
14. a pink maternity shirt (NO, I'm not pregnant)
15. a cat stuffed animal.

And at the end of the day, we sort it out and try to put things back in their home. Silly boy.

Zach's always loved ripping paper. One day at church he found another kid's book. I quickly grabbed it away and moved it out of his reach. The mother of the child whose book it was handed it back to him and told me, "He can look at it!" I smiled. "No, he'll just rip it up" I explained. Her eyes got big and she took it back. I thought this was a pretty common thing, but maybe her three kids didn't have that obsession?

We never could let him play too much with paper because he would also always eat it. But he is gradually getting over putting EVERYTHING in his mouth (much to my relief!). So today I let him work on a catalogue I didn't care about. He was delighted and I think he did some pretty good work:

I'm glad he can be happy with simple pleasures.

Rocky Mountain National Park

We went with my parents up to the park to see the elk and the pretty leaves. It was gorgeous up there and we wished we had gotten there with a little more light and time. Zach was super excited to get out of the car and run around picking up rocks and sticks.

What a cute daddy.

This is my Dad's favorite picture. It is just oh so typical.

A little blurry, but simply too cute. He was in heaven.

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The elk themselves. There were tons of herds really close, and they were bugling and tussling. Very cool.



One good thing about being there in the evening was this incredible sunset!!

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More

I've decided to try taking photography a little more seriously, which means taking LOTS of photos. And lots of BAD photos. Don't worry, I won't post them all. I have been really frustrated with my camera lately (I can't get it to focus right...to start), but got some pretty cute ones with my dad's nice camera. I decided to work on portraits, which I've never really done before, so of course, my subject is Zach. (unless anyone else will let me practice on their kids??) I've got a LONG ways to go!

Yes, that is a big scrape on his nose. He decided to check out the asphalt up close and personal while at the zoo.

And his outfit is a little funny thanks to a "code brown" incident while at my parents' house.

Of course, feedback (criticism included) is one of the best ways to learn!!

Gore-illl-ah!

Last Friday Zach and I went to the Denver Zoo with my mom and Amy and Owen. It was perfect weather and we had so much fun! We used Amy's double Bob (glorious) for the boys (she's due in a few weeks!).

We tried the carousel again and this time went better than last time. Owen loved it and was really sad when it stopped and was time to get off.

I'd have to say that the gorillas were the biggest attraction for Zachie again. He thought they were just great and was telling everyone around him. The gorilla marched right over to him. (not the greatest pictures...)

To the park! To the park!!

That's what Zach would say if he could communicate just a little better. He LOVES going to the park and we go AT LEAST once a day. He just can't get enough. I'm not sure what we're going to do when it gets cold and snowy. Snowsuit?

One Year Photos

Why oh why, when I have taken a BAZILION photos of Zach would I take him to get his pictures taken??? Good question. I guess I was just hoping they could catch him better now that he is not exactly good at holding still for me. He kept trying to run off the little stage there, too. (imagine that?) I have to say I wasn't totally impressed with their work. The pictures seem really dark. And the photographer didn't take very many pictures or much time. Is it just me??? Am I a photo snob? It's not like I'm that great. In any case, we got a few good ones:

And here, I photoshopped quickly just to fix the lighting in a few- what looks better to you?

Just wondering...

But isn't he cute?

Labor Day

We walked down to a nearby park and had a picnic with our friends the Rogers for a little Labor Day fun.

A good shot of his little teethies.