Foto Friday - Pumpkin

One of my favorite pictures of her from this week.

Another Niabi Zoo Visit

Last Friday was free admission day at Niabi Zoo. Although it was cloudy, a bit chilly, and sprinkled on and off...we still had a wonderful time. This time, Grandma Tracy and Great Grandma Bevy were able to join us, too!!!

Onto the pictures. I didn't take as many because of the sprinkles.

Cute picture with Grandma Bevy!

But...she's already 'too cool' to take pictures with her parents!!!

Feeding the giraffe.

She loved it!

Her first ride on a carousel! She loved it!

Grandma Bevy's turn with M.

Josh was super disappointed that we weren't able to feed those birds like we did last time. It is too cold and they are indoors for the rest of the season. Next year, Josh! :) The Grandmas couldn't leave without getting M a treat from the Gift Shop...so she's added two fun little turtles to her toy animal collection. Grandma Tracy also got M a super cute shirt! Thanks!

We love Niabi Zoo! I'm sad we just started taking her this fall. We will definitely spend some more time here next year for sure!

The Big Wheel

I called Josh last week and he was at Farm and Fleet. Ok. Nothing unusual about that. We talk for a few minutes...then he says, "They have a Radio Flyer Big Wheel...it's on sale...I think I have to get it for M. It's awesome." I sigh loudly, and respond, "You know she doesn't really need that...it's fall, she won't be able to use it for long this year. Can't it wait?" Silence. "Well, I'll leave it up to you, then."

I totally knew he'd be coming home with that Big Wheel. It was probably already in his cart when he told me about it!!!

Her expression here cracks me up!

Taken a few days later. She loves her new "bike," as she calls it.

She's still a bit too short for it...but she loves being pushed on it...it should be perfect for her next Spring!

Josh and I both reminisced about our big wheels when we were kids. Did you have one?!

The Future of TNT

A few days ago M and I went to 'help' Josh with a few minor tasks on a project we had finished. I just wanted to share the ADORABLE (If I do say so myself. Ha!) pictures or M helping her Daddy.

I LOVE this picture! LOVE it!

Carrying the bucket.

Checkin' out the 'hawk.' I think that's what it's called...it holds the mortar as they are tuckpointing...at least I know what it's for!!!

It was cuteness overload. She was probably seriously more help than me!!! Haha! Although...we're probably breaking some child labor law...but hey...she got some ice cream afterwards anyways!

Knock Knock

M has learned her first 'knock-knock' joke.
Enjoy. :)

Foto Friday - Big Minnie

Two new gifts for the little M this week.

A super cute Minnie stocking hat I couldn't pass up...and a Radio Flyer (more pics to come in separate post) Big Wheel that Daddy couldn't pass up!!!

Jones' Family Reunion 2012

This August we traveled to Mason City, IA for the Jones' Family Reunion! This is the first time that we've ever attended the reunion. This reunion is for Josh's Grandma's side of the family. I actually didn't take that many pictures. :( But, I figured I should document what I got anyways!

A lot of the family camp out all weekend (the actual reunion is always the second Sunday of August). But we decided to travel up Saturday and stay in a hotel. (No tent camping for the Smysers!)

The camp ground has an awesome water park...so once we arrived Saturday we had to have some fun there, first! As usual...M loved the slides!

Love this picture!

Playin' with Matthew at the campsite.

Sunday we met at a park for the Reunion and pot luck lunch. It was sprinkling outside...so that did put a slight damper on things. We took off shortly after the meal (with no nap for M on Saturday and not the best sleep in the hotel...M was kinda a mess by Sunday afternoon). But...we had fun at the park before we left!

She had a blast pushing her Mama on the swings. Her facial expression in this picture cracks me up!

M with Jacob and Kinley.

M had a the best time 'babysitting' her cousin Jacob.

A group shot of the everyone (well...the best we could get on a cell phone and under the shelter).

I think we're going to try and go again next year! And hopefully I won't be posting about it a month later! Oh well...

Niabi Zoo Trip

Last Saturday we went to the zoo! It was the first time for M this year. (Click HERE if you want to check out our visit LAST year.)

We invited Grandpa Dave along. It was a beautiful day, and M had an AWESOME time.

On to the pictures!

Our first stop was to feed these birds. They loved the little nectar cups. M like it, but wasn't too sure about them flying over her head.

Josh is still talking about these birds. He seriously loved it!

Of course we fed the greedy goats in the petting zoo area.
(Petting and feeding these animals still grosses me out SO much!)

I love this picture of M.

The LIONS were out and about!

Here she is asking if she can pet the lion! LOL!

Even the big male lion made an appearance!

Waitin' in line to feed the giraffes! No actual pic of her feeding it though because we video recorded it.

Checkin' out the bald eagle.

Family picture.

Train ride!

Feeding the fish.

Lucky little M gets to go to the zoo AGAIN in just two days with Grandma Tracy and Great Grandma Bev...so we will have another zoo post in a few days!! Yay!

Foto Friday - Turtle Sighting

Last Saturday we went kayaking at West Lake.
Josh LOVES kayaking with M. They particularly enjoy turtle sightings.

Do you see the turtle? He's on the branch directly in front of them.

It jumped in the water, but Josh managed to catch it on his paddle.

She thought this was great!

Foto Friday - UNI FIGHT

Our little Panther.

We hope to take her to her first UNI Homecoming this year!!!

Family Vacation 2012

Wanna see the photo book I created and ordred from Shutterfly?
Do it! Just click HERE.

Ok, wait, don't do it if you are Tracy, my Dad, or Bev...cause you're getting an actual photo book in a couple weeks once they arrive!!!

I had to stay up LATE last night and finish it. I went on their site and saw their 50% off sale on photo books ended that day AND I could get free shipping!! Knowing I was ordering 4 books...it was totally worth it to work on it and get it ordered last night.

BUT...if you don't wanna load, and click through the book, I did include SOME of my FAVORITE photos from the trip in this post. Just scroll on down...

(I had them in order in on my computer...but when they uploaded they got out of order and I'm too lazy to re-order them. Sorry!)


She really did not like the fish.

Mama doesn't camp without running water, A/C, and free Wi-Fi...neither does M apparently. She loved watching one of her shows on my phone.

Not too sure of her first fish! 

A lily pad.

Group shot of all the kayak-ers.

Daddy's favorite part of vacation...kayaking with his girl!

Ooh...checking out the tackle box with G'pa Dave.

She loved looking at the worms.

Fishing!

Fun with her sticker book from Great G'ma Bev.

The lazy river at the water park.

Daddy's so silly.

Jet-skiing (she fell asleep by the way).

More fun in the lake.

Group shot with the three bears of Three Bears Lodge.

Group shot!

Great G'ma Bev, M, and Igor the mouse.

Grandpa Dave, M wearing a cheese hat, and Igor the mouse.

All ready to kayak!

Already giving the camera the look as if I'm totally embarrassing her.

Our family.

The Greats with M.

Patiently waiting on Grandpa.

We had a lot of fun doing all kinds of outdoorsy activities (which before motherhood I would have probably wanted to skip but seeing M experience everything was totally worth it, haha!), and Madison had an absolute blast EVERYDAY. It. was. awesome. M got to ride and nap in a kayak and on a jet ski ride :), go fishing, play at a water park, play outside, and most importantly make lotsa memories with her family.

Josh and I got to enjoy some quiet time each evening out by the fire, eat lotsa s'mores :), read on our Kindles, and finally take a break from work together. :)

So...when can we go on vacation again!?