Big climber!

Last week, Jen and I took Chloe and Ella to the park for a little cousin playdate. It is so cute to watch them talk and laugh and follow each other around! Chloe amazes me with her bravery and strength whenever we go to the park. She climbed all the way to the top of this rock wall! Pretty impressive for 19 months old!! (Ella was a bit more cautious and stayed closer to the ground)

San Francisco Zoo

Last week, Chloe and I travelled to San Francisco with our friend Andrea, and her two kids, Drew and Ava. Drew had a doctor's appointment at UCSF, and Chloe and I went along to help keep Andrea entertained for the drive, allow her to use the carpool lane, and watch Ava during the appointment. We decided to leave for SF early, so we could take the kids to the SF zoo. It was a speedy trip through the zoo, but I think we got to see all the animals we wanted to. I was excited to see the bears, because we do not have those at the Sacramento Zoo. I was sad to learn, though, that there are no longer elephants at the SF Zoo. Chloe has never seen one, so we will have to figure that one our for a future outing.

After the zoo, Andrea and Drew went to his appointment, and Chloe, Ava, and I grabbed some lunch at the food court--yummy Panda Express. There were no parks or playgrounds within walking distance, so we took a walk to Starbucks. Ava and Chloe enjoyed eating "cones" as Ava called her scone!! Chloe loved playing with Ava, and Ava made it a game to see how much she could make Chloe giggle. So cute!!! By the time we cleaned up and walked back, Andrea and Drew were all done. Despite the 3 1/2 hour drive home in traffic, the kids did great watching movies in the van, and it was a fun day. I am convinced that the next vehicle we own will have a DVD player! All the kids were great little passengers!
Ava, Chloe, Drew checking out the animals

two-headed giraffe (just kidding)

we thought the safari area of the zoo was neat--like

a much smaller version of the San Diego wild animal park

posing with my little girl!Chloe, Ava, Drew on the bear

Drew was holding on tight to Chloe, so she wouldn't fall off!

Chloe loves her friends!!

polar bear--one of my favorites! (doesn't compare to the giant pandas, but it will have to do!)

4th of July

To celebrate the fourth of July this year, we loaded Chloe into the bike trailer and rode out to Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova. There were lots of vendors (including our friend Jeff selling hot dogs), bounce houses, petting zoos, and pony rides. Chloe was happy to get into the trailer as long as she had her snacks! Her favorite part of the day was the petting zoo.......

not so sure about the pony

making a silly face on dad's shoulders
We finished out the day with a barbecue with neighbors and friends. Chloe had fun swimming in their pool, although the evening was a bit cool, and she started shivering! We bought a bunch of fireworks to set off in the street. We did some sample ones around 8, and Chloe loved them--saying "ooohhh" to all the bright colors. Once we started lighting more around 9:30, she was too tired and was getting scared every time we set one off. So we took a break to put her to bed, used our cell phones as a baby monitor, and enjoyed the rest of our evening! Hope you all had a happy and safe 4th!!

Sacramento Zoo

Chloe and I also have started going to the Sacramento Zoo with friends. It is so fun for her to see the animals (when they aren't sleeping)!

reading the mapChloe's favorite so far are the flamingoes. (I just looked this up on dictionary.com and it can be spelled either flamingos or flamingoes. Interesting!) I think she likes them because they are bright, there are lots of them, and they are up close where she can see them easily.
First carousel ride. She kept saying "whee!"
l-r Meigan, Faye, Ella, me, Chloe (Jen was the photographer)

not looking so excited here....



The pictures that follow were from a different zoo day, with friends from my mom's group at Arcade Church. Although, Chloe was wearing another green shirt...

Gavin and Chloe were trying to climb in to join the flamingoes

talking with Charles

looking at the giraffes. For some reason, my friends were nervous about Chloe standing on her stroller like that. They made me pose for a picture! I think she was just trying to get a better view. Giraffes are pretty tall, you know!
staying hydrated--it was hot out there!

Elle has this nifty double stroller and the seats can be in a bunch of different arrangements. Chloe loved facing Gavin like this! Looking at the chimps!

worn out after a long morning at the zoo. This picture cracks me up, because it reminds me of how my dad looks when he nods off in his chair--head resting on his hand! This picture is for you, Gramps!!

Fairytale Town

Chloe and I met up with some friends at Fairytale Town for a playdate. Chloe loved running around with Gavin and exploring!I had just finished telling my friend Elle that Chloe did not like corndogs, when Chloe grabs Gavin's corndog and proceeds to eat most of it. Chloe likes to try to prove me wrong!

Pumping water on Jack and Jill's hill

riding Cinderella's horses

I think one of Chloe's favorite parts of the day was discovering drinking fountains! They are all over at the park and she loved to push the buttons and try to drink the water. She was still a bit too short for some of them, but it was still fun for her!Gavin helping Chloe!
So, I asked Chloe to "sit" so that I could take her picture, and she sat on the ground!

Then, I clarified that I wanted her to sit in the chair, and she gave me her infamous "cheese" face! driving the tractor! such a big girl!

Happy Father's Day!

For Father's Day this year, Chloe gave Andrew a bubble mower, since she loves to help with yard work! Andrew loved the mower, saying that he was probably the only dad out there to get a plastic mower for Father's Day!
Chloe and Andrew posing in their PJs

Cute daddy and daughter ready for church! Chloe is so lucky to have Andrew as her daddy. She loves to play with him and squeals when he chases her around the house! When she hears the garage door open when Andrew is getting home from work, she stops what she is doing and runs to the door to greet him! Happy Father's Day to the best daddy!!

Watermelon

These pictures were taken at some point in the last month. Chloe's first taste of watermelon. She has since become nearly obsessed with it! This is Chloe begging watermelon from her cousin Shae, who was nice enough to share with Chloe and Devin. (Yes, for all you germ-friendly people, they are all eating the same piece....)