Back To the Zoo!

Steven, Erica, and Gage really wanted to go to the zoo while they were here. They live in the Orlando area which means that they can go to just about any kind of amusement park you can imagine. One thing that they don't have is a big zoo, so after breakfast we headed for Riverbanks Zoo. Weston had a really nice time because he had his cousin with him.

Weston brought home a bear this time. Last trip we left the bear in the store because we thought he didn't need another stuffed animal. Weston picked out the same bear as he did last trip, so decided we had to get it this time.

Gage makes breakfast!

As a joke, Nathan wrote Gage a list of things to do Saturday morning. Here was his list:

1. start the coffee pot
2. give Weston his morning milk
3. toast frozen waffles for everyone
4. pour coffee
   

Gage thought Nathan was serious so he set the alarm on his watch. We did not think that he would actually get up and do these things! Around 7:30 we could hear that someone was in the kitchen. Nathan ran downstairs to see if it really was Gage. Nathan found Weston and Gage alone in the kitchen. He had taken Weston out of his crib, brought him to the kitchen, started the coffee, and gave Weston milk! Here are some photos that Nathan took. Thanks for breakfast Gage!

toasting waffles

pouring coffee

Weston's First Slumber Party

Weston had the best time with Gage while they were here. We let Gage sleep in Weston's room on an air mattress. I guess this would count as Weston's very first slumber party. Of course they had to jump on the mattress before they went to sleep. After we tucked them in, we could hear Gage singing the alphabet song and Jingle Bells to Weston. Weston wanted to get out of his crib in the worst way, but he fell asleep after about 10 minutes.

Asleep

A Visit From Uncle Steven and My Birthday

Greeting Uncle Steven and Cousin Gage

Nathan's brother Steven, Erica, and cousin Gage came to visit us this weekend. We haven't seen Steven and Erica since Weston was 2 months old. They spent the week visiting Nathan's parents in North Carolina and the stopped here on their way back to Florida. They arrived here Friday afternoon, which also happened to be my 32nd birthday. Weston immediately bonded with Gage and didn't want him to get two feet away from him. That evening, Nathan grilled a nice dinner for all of us. My Mom made me a delicious strawberry birthday cake. After dinner the guys went swimming

shaking hands for the first time

Within 15 minutes, Weston wanted Gage to read him a book.



Gage asked Weston to show him around the yard.

Weston distracting Erica from working

Picnic at the Swamp

Today we went to the swamp with Nana, Papa, Nolan, and Brandon for a picnic. After we ate, we took a quick walk around the swamp before it got too hot. Everything was really green and pretty. We had a nice time. Mom, thanks for the picnic!

Blueberry & Plum Picking

Today we got up really early to work in the yard. Weston helped us pick plums and blueberries. After three years, we finally have more than handful of blueberries. We were really excited to get a whole bowl this year. I have let Weston pick as many plums as he wanted, but I haven't let him touch our blueberries until today. We have waited a long time for these berries! I just can't decide what to make with them- cobbler, pie, muffins, smoothies, or pancakes?

getting the last of our plums

trying to carry them around

he picked a dandelion for me too!

diving head first into the blueberries

he didn't like them!