Random summer post....

This post isn't about anything at all....they're just a collection of photos taken at random and different times that I want to remember :)

Could she be ANY cuter?

A trip to the zoo, visiting the cows (my favorite part of the zoo)

Doesn't this just scream summer?

Clearly, Izzy loves the boat as much as Joacim does (she's watching an iPad under the towel...the sun was getting in her way that particular day :)

Zoo trip!

It seems like forever ago now, looking back at the pictures, but it wasn't too long ago that we took a little trip to the zoo. Still trying to squeeze the most out of outdoor activities that we can :)

These wolves are beautiful...and occasionally they'll look at you, and it absolutely captivates...

This mamma and her baby were having a good time playing chase.  Mamma's taking a drink here....I think I forgot to take a photo of her cub!

This is a beautiful carving into the Woodland Adventures area at the zoo, which is essentially the playground.  I don't know if you can see it or not, but there are several animals carved on the outside edge.  Beautiful craftsmanship.

One of the new tiger cubs

I could sit and watch them play all day....

Caroline and Daniel went along with us, which we always enjoy

I hope she remembers this so that one day she can return the favor :)

This is pretty typical of our wagon....full of lots of stuff and a little bit o' kid

new snow leopard cubs...lots of babies at the zoo this time!

At the end of the visit, on the way out of the zoo, there were several hay bales set out with fall decor around, so I thought it'd be nice to have a photo of the three of us (Joacim, Izzy and I) in there, especially since we had people with us willing to take a picture.  Here's the results....

Success!!!  Yeah...not really.  She's in a bit of a stage right now where she's a bit...oh.....difficult.  :)  Thinking maybe I should use this for our Christmas card :)

Fantastic weekend....

We had a really great weekend with Izzy.  Saturday, since the weather was nice, we headed to the zoo.  The last time she was there she was terrified of everything, but this time she was so interested in everything!  And naming the animals and what-not.

Self-portrait

I kinda feel like we were interrupting something here....

We got to see an elephant show this time, and it was really fun!

She was scared of the elephants, even when they were way on the other side of the ring, so I didn't think there was any way that Joacim was going to be able to get this close to one with her in his arms

but I was totally wrong, and I'm so happy that I was!

I had never touched an elephant before, and it was totally not what I expected.  Look at the texture of the skin!

OMG...so much fun that day.  We went to get something to eat after that and then came home and relaxed.  And I'll admit that, when I put her to bed, I cried....because I didn't want the day to end.  And because I don't get to spend enough time with her, and because it's been so hard to go back to work and not be with her all day since our vacation.

The next day, she woke up in a great mood!  She and Joacim watched Formula 1 and World Cup while I was outside reading magazines...

she's playing with my iPhone in this photo....she's addicted to it

Oh, and more swinging......soo much swinging.....look at little miss Hollywood here...man, she's got more personality already than I think we're prepared for

I'm so thankful that I have my little family here.  And I know how lucky I am to be her mamma and his wife.

Zoo Lights 2009!!!

Last night we went to the Zoo Lights. I love going to this every year...so festive! But we must be the dumbest parents to go there without a stroller. I swear, I think Joacim and I both agree that we've had some moments of sheer "parental stupidity" since we had Izzy, like forgetting her diaper bag on an outing, but to go to the zoo without a stroller??? Stupid. We ended up carrying her around the entire time because, oddly enough, she was petrified of the animals. This from the little girl who asks anyone and everyone to read her animal books 17000 times in a row. When we got there we went straight over to the seals, and she looked at them, and then looked at Joacim, and shook her head and said "No" in her angelic little voice. Then she buried her head in Joacim's neck...her sign for being scared. It was like this whenever we were near an animal. Sooo strange....maybe it was the darkness, because she wasn't afraid when we were in ocean's exhibit with the sharks and penguins...
But we were able to get a nice family self-portrait...

Compared to the one last year...look how much she's GROWN!!!

The lights were beautiful..


Now she's finally checking out the lights...

It wasn't easy to get photos, that's for sure!



Like I mentioned early, the FINALLY was OK with the animals once we got to the penguins. And lucky for us, they were really active that evening!

After the zoo lights, we went to Bazbeauz pizza for some dinner. We'd never been there before, but always heard great things about it, and we weren't disappointed!

She got bored rather quickly, so we kept trying to find ways to occupy her. The only thing that worked at the end was getting her out of her seat and letting her roam around (which I'm sure EVERYONE else there LOVED :) Screw 'em....it's better than dealing with a tantrum!!!!!