May and June

Zoe has grown up so much these past few months!

Zoe knows she has big things coming as a 2 year-old 

so over the past few months she learned how to fall asleep

by herself.

She also started leaning how to use the potty.

Unfortunately, Ernie still needs diapers.

She's also learned a thousand new words 

and loves to share them all with us!

Now that she's almost two, Zoe decided she should probably get a job.

She's a big fan of the movie, "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead."

One weekend, Zoe asked to meet some bunnies.

Luckily there were a couple who didn't seem to mind visitors.

Speaking of large animals, we went to the zoo one morning 

to attend a class on Animals and their habitats.

Zoe was so excited she practically pulled the doors off the place.

They took us around and showed us where 

several different animals slept at night.

Then they took us to meet CJ the Tiger.

CJ decided that he wanted to invite Zoe to come play in his room.

So we went around back and got to see CJ's house!

Then we said hello to the elephants.

And they said hello back.

And, of course, you can't leave the zoo without

a ride on the carousel!

Hi, Dada!

Zoe liked seeing the animals so much

she invited one back to our house.

And he invited his friend, Mr. Butterfly.

Zoe loves our neighborhood so much.

She goes for walks every day and loves to explore.

There's a practice field in the Equestrian Center behind our house

with a fun, grassy hill that she loves to climb.

It's so far to climb!

Once she gets to the top...it's all downhill from there!

Dada -- here I come!

Zoe also loves hearing the water fall into the fountains.

More than anything, Zoe loves to swing.

Back at home, Zoe spends her free time coloring, listening to music,

and reading books.

Recently she discovered play-doh.

Recently, I discovered Mama is a play-doh savant.

The snow man has a hat.  A HAT.

Tea Parties are daily around 4pm.

Anyone reading this is invited, but you might have 

fight Ernie for a cucumber sandwich.

I'll leave you this week with a candid photo of our little angel.

Sometimes at home, things get quiet and we peek around the corner to see

her sitting on her stool, listening to music and reading a book.

How in the world did we ever get so lucky?

April 2016 -- We went back East!

Zoe reminded us that she'd never seen Grammie and Grandad's house

OR Grandma and Grandpa's house...

...SO WE WENT BACK EAST!

We decided to fly out of Burbank, through Vegas, and into Albany.

Grandma and Grandpa generously bought each of us our own seat

but we quickly found out we really only needed 2 seats...

Even though she would've fit overhead...

we think she was much more comfy by the window.

All smiles.  On the way out, at least...

It was a long day of travel but we finally checked into our hotel 

around 3:30am in Albany.

The next morning (okay, afternoon) we went to visit Grammie, Grandad, 

Aunt Meme, Aunt Lisa, and Zoe got to meet her cousins, Lillian and Sophia!

Zoe was the center of attention.

Everyone wanted their chance to hold her and take pictures together.

Zoe loved meeting her cousins and Lillian and Sophia were great with her!

Zoe got to show them how much she loves books and even 

got to play with some new toys!

The kids are wondering why the adults are so weird...

Monkey see...

Zoe had a great time hanging out with everyone.

Ta-da!

Liz even came over to visit!

So did Aunt Bekki!

Happy family.

After a few days Zoe decided it was time to go visit Grandma and Grandpa.

So we hopped in the car and drove to Vermont!

Grandma and Grandpa!

Zoe was so excited to see where Grandma and Grandpa live.

She took them on lots of walks...

Grandpa taught Zoe to play the Piano.

He's such a good teacher she's already playing on her own!

Zoe had seen Grandpa play the guitar on video chat but

never in person.  What a treat!

Here's one other thing you can't do over video chat...

Hugs.

Grandma and Grandpa took Zoe to the Montshire Museum

to show Zoe the bubble exhibit!

Zoe loves playing with bubbles in the tub...

but she'd never seen anything like this before!

This one has bubbles that drop from the sky!

Zoe had so much fun playing with the big bubbles.

The young lady on the left was nice enough to gently blow
bubbles toward Zoe so she could pop them!

Upstairs Zoe got to see a moose.

Moose!

 Zoe got a beautiful new book from Gary and Rosemary and

had so much fun reading it with everyone!

  

Then Zoe went exploring and found an old rocking horse in Aunt Deb's room!

She knew just what to do.

And look -- the Easter bunny!

Zoe always wants to party.

And in order to party, you need a party hat.

Grandpa didn't mind.

Whoops!

Zoe loved to walk around the yard and show Mama all the 

fun things she discovered 

And took lots of pictures for the blog.

But all too soon it was time to head back to Albany.

Bye, Grandma and Grandpa -- I'll see you in July!

Back in Albany Zoe got to visit with Aunt Sue and Auntie Sylvia.

She kept everyone laughing.

Zoe also discovered the joys of a chocolate chip cookie.

I could get used to this...

Mama was excited to show Zoe her favorite toy.

Zoe loved to go outside and take lots of walks.

Even her cousins loved taking her for walks.

Of course, the minute you're not holding her hand...

This was the last we ever saw of her...

The weather got nicer and nicer...even Mommy went outside!

"Zoe's World" by Andrew Wyeth

Zoe loved getting to know Lillian and Sophia and 

loved learning new things from them.

And nobody could resist spending a little quality time with Zoe.

 Not even Mama.

  

Grammie had a special present for Zoe...

She gave me a kiss!

But nobody made Zoe smile bigger than Aunt Meme.

Except maybe Grammie on her birthday.

Eventually, we had to come back to California and life's been pretty boring 

compared to all the excitement Zoe had on the East Coast.

But Zoe is learning and discovering new things every day.

She loves to drag her stool over and change the music on her iPod.

She loves going to parties (like Nilu's 2nd birthday!) 

She REALLY loves going for Korean BBQ.

 And sitting under a tree with Mama, watching the horses go by.

Of course there's always time for a little impromptu ballet.

And maybe a round or two of "aprium fingers."

And Zoe is still the best at making new friends, like this lizard buddy by our pool.

And as a special bonus, I present Ms. Zoe dancing to the Honkers:

...and here she is talking about her two favorite Sesame Street characters.