I'm zoo'd out!

Over the past month we have been to 3 zoo's and are starting to get a little zoo'd out at the moment. We were at Milwaukee County Zoo in June and the July we went to Como Zoo and now the MN zoo. I promised Chris we wouldn't head back to the zoo until maybe Halloween when we take the girls for the Halzooween party at MN zoo.

The day started pretty early- up and getting going at 7:30. Met the TOB in SCF at 8:30 and we headed down. Rylee made sure she kept her eye out for David driving the red rocket and the whole way down she said several times that she couldn't see David anymore (he's kinda a pokey driver who goes EXACTLY the speed limit). We finally made it to the zoo about 10am and were off for the day. We decided to start in the aquatic area since that seems to be the busiest area as the kids can be hands on in the tide pools and stuff. I guess we were too early as the tide pools were not open for touching but we had fun anyways. Rylee loved to watch the sharks and sea turtles and we even got to go up and get a view of the dolphins for a minute. The MN zoo is working on a breeding program so they don't have a dolphin show anymore but the trainers were working with them anyways. It was neat- but wished we would have been able to see more!

Miss Quinnie ready to go- ready and patiently waiting

Rylee and Quinn- ahh, they look so darn cute!

I think this is one of my favorite pictures- I thought it turned out so good. The sea horses were kinda sleepy,but that seemed to be the theme of the day for the animals. Almost every exhibit had sleeping animals - but I don't blame them since it was hot out (I would hide in the shade too)

Chris and Rylee looking for where Nemo lives- Ry loves the movie and she thought she saw a sea anemone that looked like Nemo's house.

I just have to laugh at this- she is such a characture sometimes

Look, Momma got to be in the pictures too for a change!!

Rylee loves to pet the goats but these little ones were quite frisky and would jump up on you if they thought you had any food in your hand. We made the mistake of trying to feed them while we were in the pen- not a good idea. They practically knocked Ry over trying to get the food out of her hand. She was tough and brave- telling them to get down.

Daddy and the girls looking at the zebras and ostrich in the field. Rylee kept saying "look, there's racing stripes". Another comment to make me laugh and smile!

Daddy giving Quinnie a better look at the horses! She loved them, unlike David who was super scared of them (sorry Big D for spilling your secret)

The end of the day- the little "lovebirds"cuddling up. It looks like they are about to kiss but Rylee and Nolan were rubbing noses- regardless it was pretty cute and they both were giggling and smiling. They made sure to keep each other in their sights all day- Nolan would lean out of the stroller and ask where Rylee was if he couldn't see her. So cute!

9 months old!

Quinn in now 9 months on on the move. She is crawling all over the place and pulling herself up. The look on her face when she gets to standing is priceless- the biggest grin! She is also walking around objects, like the coffee table and couch. She hasn't made any attempts to walk solo yet, but she can really get around if she has something to hold on to.

Quinn likes to use her high chair as a means of transportation. It's on wheels so she will pull up on it and then push it around the house to where ever she is trying to go.

Two Teeth! Time to get brushing- she really likes the toothbrush and yummy toothpaste.

Our neighbor gave Quinn this hat and I thought it was too cute and couldn't resist getting a few pictures of her in it. She wasn't too happy at first but finally gave in and wore it for almost an hour! Love it!

My Lil Sleeping Beauty! At times she doesn't want to cuddle with Mommy so I take advantage of any chance I get.

Another cute one with the hat and Rylee's beads. Quinn loves beads now and will go nuts until she gets her hands on them, especially if Rylee has some. A girlie girl in the making?

The higher she goes the bigger the smile- and her sister loves to push her fast and high. Mom not quite so sure about that but Quinnie laughs and smiles like no other.

Look at those Baby Blues!!!

Quinn loves to play with a cup in tub- but recently figured out she could drink the tub water with it- ICKY!!! Mommy has to keep a close eye or she'll drink a ton. She thinks she is so big with the cup now!

Happy birthday George!!

All Kellen wanted for his birthday was to go to Como Zoo with his cousins. Well, that was pretty easy for all of us for once. Chris and I got up and headed to the zoo early as we had to be home for a early dinner with the GG's. We got to the zoo about 1130 only to find out that the birthday boy and family was stuck in traffic on 94 and had a ways to go still. We rolled with it and decided to hit some of the exhibits first.

Miss Quinnie on her first visit to Como Park.

Ry and I went into the butterfly house and it was insane! You have to wait outside and have "the rules" explained before you can enter. The rules are: don't touch the butterflies, if one touches you have a staff person remove it, don't swat at a butterfly, watch for them on the ground so you don't step on them,etc.... We finally got in and Ry was in bug heaven. She loved them but I had to repeat several times that she couldn't touch them even when one landed on her arm. That day there were so many people there that they onyl allowed us 5 minutes in the exhibit so it was sort of a short and sweet visit. Quinn and Chris waited outside with the stroller and our stuff- no strollers allowed.

Quinnie and I visiting the baby Giraffe- Willow! We love giraffe's and Quinnie has a ton of stuffed ones at home. She by coincidence has one named Willow!

Rylee and her favorite cousin at the moment- Miss Haley on the teacups! You couldn't pay me enough money to sit in one of those things- I would get sick too easy. It didn't seem to bother them at all, Ry squeeled with delight.

Uncle Chris and the birthday boy (Kellen, aka George) on the roller coaster. Kellen was the only one that wanted to go on it and was excited that Uncle Chris went with him!

Ry being a goof ball. They had a firefighter ride (that was broken) but the kids had fun trying the boots on

The look on thier faces are priceless!!
Jack, Colin, Kellen adn Rylee loving the Frog Hopper

Henry, or Hank as I like to call him (not what his Mom likes me to call him) being a cutie pie. He looks just like Joel- super scary I know!

Miss Rylee sharing the train car. She was alone in her car but was very good and let another little girl ride with her. We were very happy she was so willing to share!

It was a very hot day and the kids enjoyed running thru the mist thing- have no clue what it is really called. In the background is Jack and Kellen.

It was a fun day but a tiring one. The girls fell asleep not far from Como on the way home and had a good nap until we got to GG's for the birthday supper. They did great there too and when we got home is way time for bed (an early one :) )

What a Weekend!

The weekend of July 4th was a busy one to say the least. My nephews, Colin and Kellen were down from Wednesday night on and they got to spend the time with Grandma and Grandpa at the camper. Rylee was so exicted that they were coming she sort of crashed the party for a bit on Thursday afternoon and ended up spending the rest of the weekend there until Saturday when we headed to Balsam Lake for the fireworks. She had a great time, spent almost every waking moment either playing with all the kids there or being the little fish that she is.

Uncle Bill gave the kids some money to buy a treat at the store and all 3 ended up choosing a pair of googles for swimming. They were so stinking cute in them- even though they had the hardest time using them they still had a great time!

Kellen and Rylee being silly! I love the expressions on their faces!

The Three Amigos! Rylee, Kellen, and Colin at Grandma's Lake

5 of the grandkids sitting still for a few seconds to please Grandma and Grandpa for a picture- not an easy thing to get them to sit still for


Rylee loves fireworks even though she refers to them as "the parade". Chris's family was at the fireworks so we all sat together. Rylee lap hopped the whole night, spending time with almost everyone at some point.

Here she is cuddling up to her cousin Paige.

Miss Quinnie enjoying her first time watching fireworks!

Rylee on Auntie 'Cole lap enjoying a caramel sucker from Grandma Williamson

Quinnie and Grandma Williamson watching the ooh ahhs!

Balsam Lake has great fireworks!

They are big, loud, and long. Some of the best in the area I think!

Quinnie couldn't hold her eyes open long enough to see the Grande Finale- I think Grandma has the touch for putting kids to sleep.

I have the same picture of Rylee sleeping on Grandma's lap at this age.

Rylee starting to lose some of her steam. She was following Haley around all weekend and couldn't resist the chance to cuddle up on her lap too! I don't think Haley minded one bit- she's quite the Little Mama in the making!

Another beautiful firework! I have to say I was a little disappointed that they didn't have very many of what I like to refer to as "side show bob" fireworks. If anyone has ever watched the Simpsons, I love the fireworks that look like Side Show Bob's Hair!

After a late night of fireworks we got up and made it to the Balsam Lake Parade in the nick of time. Cousin Naomi, or Nami, as Rylee calls her was crowned Miss Balsam Lake this year so we all made sure to wave and make quite the scene when the float went by.

Quinnie enjoying her first parade! She like the floats that had music playing the best. She was not sure what to think of the fire trucks with the sirens blaring.

Miss rylee sneaking some parade candy before Mom and Dad could say no!

Wow- Grandma sure enjoys having Quinnie on her lap and I think Quinnie enjoys it just as much!

Rylee and Quinnie in their matching dresses that Grandma Bonnie found them. Don't they look super cute! I know the day is coming that Rylee doesn't want to match with Quinnie so we are taking advantage of it while we can!

A New Williamson?

Over the weekend we got some good news- there will be a new Williamson soon (well, sort of)! No.... we are not having another baby. Molly got engaged to her fiance Joe so there will be a wedding in the works. Not alot of details out right now as it just happened. The few tidbits I know include a motorcycle ride to Couderay, a proposal down by the water, an answer of YES! and then some music and champagne later (all the while Joe's Dad and Annette are behind a tree taking pictures of the whole thing as it occurred). Congrats!

On the move

Quinn figured out how to crawl backwards in the middle of June and over the 4th of July she finally figured out how to go forward. Since then- she has been on the move and into everything. I forgot how much I have to move when there is a baby in the house. I was finally able to put stuff back on the lower shelfs from Ry and now they are in the process of getting moved back up and out of reach. Not only can she crawl- but Tuesday morning she figured out how to pull herself up to standing. I went to get her up in the morning and was quite surprised to see her standing in her crib, shaking the railing and laughing her head off. She was pretty proud of herself!!

Ready...

Set...

GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quinnie on the move after her new favorite thing- the remote control for the TV. I think she is taking after her Daddy already! Oh- did I tell you all that Quinn said her first word. It was "Da" of course and she only says it when she sees her Daddy!!

You better not have...

Chris loves Texas Roadhouse and that is where he chose to go for his birthday dinner. We went for a late lunch/early supper. Ry enjoyed all the peanuts on the table and the lemonaide she got to have with her chicken. Not long after we sat down the loud music quieted down and the whole staff began to wlak towards us and were clapping thier hands. Chris flashed me a dirty look at started to say "you better not have F**** told them it's my birthday!!" Boy, with the reaction like that I am glad I hadn't told the waitress- Yet. Turns out the staff was performing a line dance to the Texas Roadhouse song and not coming to sing to Chris. Ry was disappointed- she really wanted to see Daddy ride the big wooden saddle and wear the oversized ( and I mean huge) cowboy hat while the staff sings to him.

Hmm, what do I want to eat? Everything there is excellent-everything!
Happy 31st Birthday Daddy!




Quinnie getting to enjoy some of Daddy's cake


After cake- we ran over to Kopp's for some frozen custard- so worth it. If you are ever in Milwaukee, get on Blue Mound Road and look for Kopp's Frozen Custard- you won't be disappointed.