Morning at the zoo

Paigey's first trip to the zoo!!!

We had so much fun!!  This is the first weekend we have NOTHING going on so we decided to take advantage of some of the amazing things we have in Des Moines.  We decided to go to the zoo.  I think all 3 of us were so excited!  When we first got there Rob and I were both in agreement we were going to let her experience everything possible.  So we walked into the zoo and there was a merry go round, Paige has never ridden on one so off we went.  There is a video at the bottom of her while riding.  She was constantly smiling and telling me WEEE MAMA!!

Getting buckled on to the horsey

Smiling at Daddy on our way around

Then we were off to see the animals.  Paige was so excited to see all of the different animals she could barely stay at one animal for very long without wanting to go see more.  Here is Daddy and Paige looking at the monkeys

Then we found the giraffes.  This is the one time she stopped and was just amazed by them.  I think she just couldn't process how tall they were.

They were kissing

Then after some other animals we were off to the petting zoo.  When I went to buy food the lady asked me animal or fish food.  Rob immediately said BOTH.  So we started with the animals.  Paige was not a fan of feeding them so you can tell Daddy took over those duties.

HUGE pig

 Then it became time to  feed the fish.  Now Paige is a professional at this one as she does this at Grammie & Papa Hartz' house.  So she was talking to the fish and throwing them all kinds of food.  She was sad to leave when we ran out of food.

The last thing we did was ride the train.  Please enjoy the look on my daughters face as she is thrilled to be taking yet another picture, that or she was really tired.  Rob and I think it's so funny.  We must have all been worn out because we all took very long naps this afternoon.

We were in and out of the zoo in 2 hours and right when the crowds of people arrived.  We had so much fun and think we'll try and do this as many times as we can this summer.  Enjoy all of the pictures and of course the video.  Hope everyone is having a great summer!  Can't believe June is half over already!

Third Time is a Charm

Well my daughter has had 3 haircuts and it apparently took me till the third one to actually remember to take pictures.  Paige had her hair cut when she was somewhere around 3-6 months.  Then I trimmed it when she was around 18 months to even it up.  But last night was her first real hair cut I would say.  Paige was in the bath last night and I was rinsing her hair out.  Her hair was down in the water while she was sitting basically to her butt.  Rob and I both said ok it needs trimmed.  So we debated taking her somewhere to have someone else do it.  But starting in college I cut Rob's hair for about 4 years, basically until I had Paige.  So I branched out and decided to try and cut Paige's.  She did so good watching a movie on Daddy's phone and we cut almost 2 inches off.  Notice how nervous my face way in these pictures!

combing it all out

Here we go

Final touches

Not too bad if I say so myself

What 2 year old can do this with her hair after you cut 2 inches off...geez!

A Very Vander Waal Weekend!

Well this weekend we had our annual Vander Waal Olympics (Kate still don't know how to spell it in Dutch).  For those of you who don't know Vander Waal is my Mom's maiden name.  Our family keeps getting bigger and bigger!  The concept of the day is we set up brackets for multiple games and compete.  But the main point of the day is for us cousins to catch up and the great grandkids to get to run and play together.  We have done this for 3 years now and it's so much fun to spend the day with my family.  Paige had a blast and was in the pool with the big girls most of the day.  Enjoy all of the pictures!!

Ploeg Gdubb (That's our team!)

Paige hugging Hanna (my cousin Kate's daughter)

This explains the Wallace girls so much.  I play on putting this up at someones graduation

One of my favorite little men...Colin is amazing!

Paige spending some time with Colin watching the games

Thanks Aunt Heather for giving me a scotcharoo...I love how Colin is holding her leg

How many people does it take to plan an egg race?

Grandma Greta holding the ones who are too little to race

Kids race

My niece Carly ready to race

My niece Elise who may be little but she is fast and mighty!

Popcorn and a movie back and Aunt Nikki and Uncle Rob's before bed

They were all so tired

The next morning...two monkeys hanging from my couch

On Sunday we celebrated my cousin Kristin getting married with a bridal shower.  Here are all of the Vander Waal women who could make it to the shower.  Good job Amy!  It was a great shower and nice to have lunch with my family without my daughter wanting to run run run.  Love you all!!

My Meredith Got Married!

Well, Rob and I went to a wedding this weekend.  Most of you know when I started working at IKON there was only 3 girls in the office and 1 of them was my age.  Now when I met Meredith I thought what could we possibly have in common.  She went to Iowa (YUCK!), was in a sorority, and really girly.  Now one of the main things Meredith and I found in common is we have both been dating the same guy since high school.    Well flash forward probably only 1 month and Meredith and I were inseparable at work.  Then the next thing you know we were in a calligraphy class together and hanging out quite a bit.  She was at the hospital soon after Paige was born and I was so excited to spend her special day with her this weekend.  Her wedding was everything I expected, elegant, beautiful and a lot a fun!  Enjoy the pictures!  

Shout out to Heather and Tony for watching Paige for us.  She had so much fun at her cousins!

Rob and I ready to go!

The beautiful bridesmaids

I love this picture!!  

Mr. and Mrs Glendening

I love you Meredith!!  I hope you are enjoying Hawaii!!!

Why Rob is meant to be a dad

Rob is an amazing daddy first and foremost.  But this picture explains why he is meant to be a daddy of girls. He's such a great sport. Paige asked if she could comb his hair and he totally let her.  Love you Robby!

Very Busy Weekend

We went to Newton this weekend and man were we go go go!  Enjoy all of the pictures!!

Helping Grammie pick lettuce from her garden

Cocktail hour

Seeing Grandma after church

I mean who can't love this face!

Laek, Sean and Paige enjoying the swing