Kylie turned TWO!

Todd had the week of Kylie's birthday off from work. We started the week with the whole family (Mommy, Daddy, Kylie, Uncle Matt, Nana, Papa, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Josh) going to Binder Park Zoo, in Battle Creek. It was a very hot day, but we had fun anyway. Kylie wore her Happy Birthday to Me shirt and was very proud of it, even if it was the day before.



















Kylie had the zoo map and was trying to help Todd read it, I'm sure she was helping ;)

She loved the instruments, and wanted to stay and play them.





Kylie and Aunt Amy check out the animals in Africa.































Of course the highlight of the day was feeding the giraffes. Everyone had fun, Kylie was a little unsure at first, and then got the hang of it.








She had so much fun with everyone. She even stopped to dance once in awhile. Papa was lifting her up and she was laughing so hard and yelling.











She found some leaves and was walking behind Todd and I saying, "Go Daddy, Go Mommy." The were her pom pons I guess. Her and Grandpa found a nice place to rest along the path.



Yup, hands on her hips, two and already has an attitude ;)











Uncle Matt was trying to walk with the water bowl on his head.....Uncle Josh has a picture of Kylie doing the same, hopefully I will get those loaded to my computer soon :)



After we got home and everyone left, she was so tired. She asked to watch Tinker Bell and we put it in and let her just have some quiet time. She stayed awake, but was ready for bead early. She walked almost the whole time at the zoo, unless she was riding on someone's shoulders, we had her stroller, but she was too excited to stay in it for too long. Overall it was a good day!

Backyard fun at the Matzke's

On Saturday June 13th, we went to a backyard party at Abby and Brian's house. Usually when I get together with my friends that I still keep in touch with from High School, it is just us ladies. This time we decided to include our husbands and children. Abby and Brian have a nice size backyard with lots of seating room and also a lot of space for the kids to run around. The kids enjoyed playing on the toys and then then we also had water balloons, which led to getting the kiddie pool out and the sprinkler. Kylie loved being in the water and we had a tough time getting her out without a fit. She insisted on wearing her rain boats with her skirt and then she decided to put them on with her bathing suit at one point. Hilary and Phil came with Amara and also their 7 nieces and nephews, Heather and Brian and Alexis were there, Shannon showed up for a little while without Carl, who was home resting, and of Course Abby, Brian, Brandon and Evelynn were there. We had a ton of fun and the kids all got along so well!

Bring on the water balloons....the kids just started throwing them at the ground, so they didn't last long....but they were having fun, so we didn't stop them.


Kylie and Amara checking out the water balloons
When all the balloons were gone, Kylie and Amara climbed in the bin that the balloons were in.....they thought it was hilarious....they are only 4 weeks apart and don't see each other nearly enough, but always get a long so well!
Kylie, Amara, and Evelynn....I tried to get them all to look at me, this was the best I could do
Time to get out the kiddie pool, the hose itself brought entertainment....and none of kids seemed to mind if they got sprayed...there was a lot of laughter and no tears!




Hilary and Amara, that was Mara's 3rd or 4th piece of watermelon, it looked giant next to her! The next few pictures are after Kylie decided to put her boots on with her bathing suit....she brought the towel to the pool and got it soaked, she is so crazy. The last picture is after everyone was all dried off and settling down, Evelynn and Kylie were watching the Tigers game and Evelynn was explaining baseball to Kylie....it was too cute not to capture.

Softball Saturday

Todd plays in a softball tournament almost every other Saturday during the spring and summer. He actually started playing in April this year, and Kylie and I hadn't been to one since last year, so we finally made it to one in June. She had so much fun playing in the rocks and watching daddy play ball. Kylie loves being outside! She did not get a nap, but was still so good the whole day. Todd's team played in the championship game and took second place, but that means that they played until about 7:30 at night and we had been in Plainwell since about 8:40 in the morning. We were so proud of our good girl. She was filthy and exhausted when the day was over. As soon as they finished the last game we rushed home, but Kylie fell asleep before we were even on the highway and we had to wake her up when we got home so she could eat dinner and take a bath. She was a little crabby, but then went back to sleep after her bath and slept in on Sunday morning. Poor Mia had been home alone all day and was very happy to see us. As sore as Todd was from playing 6 games, he still took Mia for a little jog on our street. Needless to say, she got a little spoiled that night and the next day!

Finally updated! There will be more to come.....soon!

Kylie took her drum and put the strap around her neck and then used our Guitar Hero drumsticks and marched around the house
Just a fun shot of her baby blues
At festival of the arts, with Daddy and Aunt Amy and Uncle Josh
Just hanging out!

New Bathing suit
Planting flowers
Kylie is obsessed with Todd's softball shirt, she put it on and walked around the house, we handed her the bat and started snapping pictures, she didn't want to take off the shirt when it was bed time and threw a huge fit....crazy girl :)
Stomping in puddles and blowing bubbles on the deck.....I rolled her jeans up, she is my own little "Tom Sawyer"
Another shot of the baby blues
Kylie and her new babies, one is named "Blue" the other is "baby" as far as I know
She loves helping in the yard, here she is watering flowers for mommy....yes she is wearing pearls and carrying a water can....she can be so girly sometimes ;)
Mel and Todd