Fun in Missouri

Before baby #2 arrives, we decided to go visit Pa and Great Pa in Missouri. It was a fun trip for all!

The first thing Kaitlyn did when we arrived was go for a ride with Pa in the golf cart.

On a turtle statue outside the St. Louis zoo.

Let's go have some fun daddy!

Kaitlyn talked about riding the merry-go-round for days leading up to our trip.

The St. Louis zoo has a grand Merry-go-Round (carousel).

Kaitlyn and Pa riding the train - she loves train rides too!

In the children's zoo at the St. Louis zoo, they had a turtle walking around. Kaitlyn eventually patted it's shell.

Instead of riding the turtle, she decided to try this frog...

These are photos from "The Magic House", which is a great childrens activity center in St. Louis. Kaitlyn still talks about it. Below, Kaitlyn and Pa are playing in the bubble room.

Pulling the string to make a bubble wall. It really worked!

Kaitlyn sitting on a pulley while daddy and Pa pull her up and down.

Now Kaitlyn's in heaven - a giant sandbox - yahoo!!

A small pond to fish (magnetic rod and fish) in was a hit too!

Back at the lake house, cousin Evie and Matt gave Kaitlyn an early birthday gift. A princess hair style set and a Kai-Lan book. Great gifts!!!

Mommy and Kaitlyn reading her new book.

Pa Mark, Great Pa Adolph, Daddy and Kaitlyn.

Pa and Kaitlyn eating breakfast.

Breakfast with both Pa's, Uncle Bill, and daddy.

Hi Mommy!!

Thanks for a nice visit!!

Petting Zoo Fun

Today we went to a petting zoo for Kaitlyn's cousin, Carter's birthday party. Lots of one to four year olds checking out the animals and riding some ponies. The petting zoo had lambs, sheep, goats, a camel, llamas, wallabies, deer, donkeys, snakes, birds, macaw monkeys, etc.

The kids got to feed some of the animals too. Carter was a brave kiddo and starting feeding the animals right away, whereas Kaitlyn needed some time to observe and get comfortable before jumping in and feeding them. All the kids were super cute!!

Kaitlyn saying hi to a lamb.

Kaitlyn, Carter and Cameron showing off their stamps for the pony ride.

Quick side trip to swing.

Baby goats.

Carter by the goat pen. He did awesome feeding them!

Kaitlyn on her first pony ride.

Here she comes again on the pony.

Baby Kennedy (Carter's sister) even went for a pony ride.

Kaitlyn and Carter on the ponies.

Kaitlyn feeding the lambs. The zoo gives the kids ice cream cones to put the food in to serve.

Cake and present time for Carter!

Kaitlyn and Carter enjoying some juice. Kaitlyn would not look up for this picture - had to have some of that juice!!

All the kids by the goat pen.

Happy Birthday Carter!!!

Carter and his daddy feeding the lambs.

The next four pictures are hilarious. Carter's mommy and daddy arranged for the kids to find treats (candy, jump ropes, puzzles, balls, etc.) in this huge pile of hay. They all enjoyed it!!

Hi baby lamb... I'm just going to dump my entire cone in your pen for you.

Kaitlyn feeding the goats.

Carter, Cameron and Kaitlyn were giggling as two donkeys chased each other around the yard. Super cute!

One more pony ride before we go home. Kaitlyn only lasted about a quarter lap before she was "all done mommy!"

Gamma Laurie's Visit

Kaitlyn's grandma Laurie came to visit for a long Easter weekend. We also celebrated gamma's birthday while she visited. The photos are backwards such that the most recent photos come first. Sorry, but just to many to organize !! At the very bottom is a video, but first you get to see some of the pics:

Kaitlyn's new favorite spot on the couch - on top of the cushions.

Taste test of the cake mommy made WITHOUT me. Hmmmm.....

Daddy and gamma enjoying cake outside on the deck.

A mug Kaitlyn painted for grandma.

Time to blow out candles!

Grandma Laurie's b-day carrot cake! Thanks for the recipe Bridget!

Kaitlyn insisted on making gamma a b-day cake too. This is yellow box cake, which Kaitlyn enjoyed more than the carrot cake. Never promise your child that he/she can make a cake with you and then make it while he/she is sleeping even if it saves time. :-) I learned this the hard way. Kaitlyn broke down crying when I told her I made the cake while she was sleeping. I felt so bad that we whipped up a second cake for gamma made especially by Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn and daddy reading a Dora book left in her Easter basket.

Gamma gave her a 'make it yourself' candy necklace for Easter. She chewed on it all day!

Kaitlyn and gamma putting the candy necklace together.

Kaitlyn and mommy enjoying some peeps (mommy's Easter favorite)!

Kaitlyn actually offered to share her Easter candy from the hunt with daddy. How sweet!

Check out my loot!!

EASTER EGG HUNT PHOTOS BELOW:

Kaitlyn singing "Happy Birthday" to her Gamma Laurie: