Wow! What a great time we have had as a family these last two days. We really took advantage of the great weather and tried to get out together for some fun. On Monday we decided to have lunch at the lake. I love Capital lake, as you already know, so we got some Meconi's sandwiches and drinks and headed down to Marathon Park. There is a wide open space perfect for a one year old to wear herself out before nap time.

FINALLY!! The weather was nice enough last Tuesday for us to take Kaylee to the Zoo. Wow! I forgot how exciting the zoo is. Even though they are the same animals I have seen every year since I was little, it still amazes me. We started our day out with a great family lunch. Arby's! I have been doing so well training and eating right but when Isaiah suggested the wonderful and delicious curly fries I couldn't resist. Boy where they good. I even broke down and let Kaylee try one. I have a strict rule of NO JUNK FOOD but I figure if mommy was having one she could have one too. Just one! :)

After a great lunch we made the short drive to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma. This is a smaller zoo on the shores of the sound. It is beautiful. We would have made the drive to Seattle for Woodland park but I had my chemistry class at 5 and I didn't want to be stuck in traffic and miss it. So Point Defiance it was.
After deciding on a single admission or a season pass we made our way into the zoo. (FYI.. such a better deal to get the season pass. For a one time visit is $13.50 a person.... a season pass $50 a year.... score!!)
Kaylee had a blast! The funny part was though, she was more interested in walking by herself and going up and down every step than the animals. Here she is for two seconds looking into the big fish tank. She is definitely at the age where standing still for a picture is pretty much impossible. Looking through all of the pictures we took I noticed most are of the back of her head because she is running away from us!

Next it was back outside to the Asia Experience. It was about this time that I realized it was about one o'clock and nap time was 15 mins ago! Lets just say we hurried through the rest of the exhibit because tired and grouchy Kaylee was in the shadows. :) (Mommy lesson... don't try and do fun things during nap time... they aren't fun anymore.)

So I just had to post this adorable video of Kaylee this morning. Every morning when I brush my teeth I set her up on the counter and brush hers. Usually she just plays with her tooth brush afterward. This morning she started to copy what I was doing. I had the camera in my purse on the floor so I captured most of it!! So cute!
(Really this is for the grandparents....I'm sure other people could care less that Kaylee is brushing her teeth. As a mom though, I feel it is my duty to post as much as I can for the grandparents far away so they can see their little one growing up.)

ENJOY!!

Well this last weekend was suppose to be the start of summer but it was more liquid sunshine than actual sunshine. I spent the majority of the weekend at work so I don't really feel like I missed out on much. This week is looking better though. Only showing rain on two days! We are almost in shorts weather.....almost!
This week was really really busy for our family. School is coming to an end in a week and a half so I have been busy studying, writing papers, and doing endless amounts of homework. I see the end in site...well at least for this quarter. I am taking summer classes so this hectic life is something I am just going to have to get use to.

Kaylee hit a huge milestone this last week! She has graduated from her high chair to a big girl chair. She decided all on her own that she wanted to sit at the table with me. It is so cute because her mouth is about level with the table. She started using real plates too!! The bib will be around for a while.... :)
With the outside pretty much off limits we spend most of our time coloring and reading.



Our video of coloring is on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCW0phulCA

We did have a little fun in the rain over at Grandma and Grandpa Reece's house. I have been trying to mow the lawn for about three weeks now. Every time I have a day off it is raining so we played in the grass that is about as tall as she is.

For the last month or so Kaylee and I have been at war with her car seat. She has started the terrible twos a bit early and has decided that she doesn't want to be strapped in anymore. When I place her in it she decides to throw her pelvis up, stiffen her legs, and wiggle herself so she is facing the car seat instead of sitting in it. I feel like I have tried everything. I showed her how to help me buckle her in. (Not a good idea....now she likes to unbuckle her chest straps while we are driving as you will see in the video.) I've tried distracting her with objects like food, toys, and books. Music seems to be the best thing to work. This next video is of her listening to the radio. (I am stopped and pulled over...not driving and recording)



Kaylee also went to the doctor today for her 18 month checkup. Can you believe she is 18 months already! Two is right around the corner!! She is a healthy little girl. She is now in the 97% for her height and she dropped down to the 10% for her weight. No worries though. The doctor said she is following on her same path she has had since birth. She is healthy and happy and that's all that matters. She now weights in at 21.5 lbs!

American Idol ended last week! Go Lee!! I was a Lee fan all along. We watched as a family as much as possible but Kaylee had her own agenda during this time. Here is another video of her being as cute as can be during Idol. (Its kind of funny because you can hear the show in the background.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNY4le9D-RU

Here is another video of Kaylee dancing to her favorite Yo Gabba Gabba toy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsqQAl2EszE


Well that is all for now.
Oh wait...one more thing..... I colored my hair! Yep I am back to brown. This way you can't tell I have blond roots!