Our first outdoor "pool"

It's true... the fourth of July is right around the corner and yet

this is the first time we have utilized this adorable swim gear.

This summer was slow to start but now we are going for it full on.  

So get out the redneck 'pool" (aka tote)

and the beach toys!

He was a little hesitant at first

but soon got the hang of it!

The highlight was putting the toys in his mouth 

but that is the usual these days.

What's a guy to do when he has 6 little teeth

poking through now...

and he enjoyed watching his puppies run around the yard.

I will be the first to say that I give these dogs a hard time.  

But you have admit they are pretty sweet at times.

And Tristan adores them.

Bubba Baloo at the Zoo

Lions,

Tigers,

and Bears!

Oh My!!

We took our first hotel trip with Tristan to Omaha 

and spent the day at the zoo.

It was so fun to see the zoo through a child's eyes,

through his eyes!

As an adult we take for granted all the beauty and 

wonder of God's creation.

But Tristan was mesmerized as he saw these things

for the first time.

I think it's safe to say that the aquarium was his

favorite part.  

And it was indoors, so it was a much needed 

air conditioned oasis.

When we were outside we used these special blue cloths

that Luke got from my mom that stayed cool when they

were wet.  

haha!

And... it just so happened to be our 6 year wedding anniversary.

We enjoyed each other's company in the rain forest 

while Tristan napped in the stroller.

At the end of the day we were all exhausted but 

we drove home happy and satisfied!

A Father's Bond

There is just something special about the bond between a father and his son 

(or child for that matter.)

Today was Luke's first Father's Day and although he is

human and no human can be perfect he does one thing right...

being a dad!

It is well known that sons learn from their dads and learning 

by example is the best way...

Even the bill of a hat can be used for a simple game of peek-a boo if its someone worth peeking at...

and a hand can be used as a spider and a tickle machine if it makes you giggle.

Some of the best dads get promoted to be grandpas.  

Thank God for dads that know how to play with their kids...

Happy Father's Day!

Cereal Puffs and Sippy Cups

We are on to a new craze of cereal puffs and sippy cups at our house.

I just love watching him figure out how to put them in his mouth...

Sometimes he picks them up with just his little pointer finger and his thumb...

Sometimes he gets them by the fist fulls...

Either way he enjoys stuffing them in and munching on them with his new adorable teeth :)

Then of course he needs a drink from his new big boy cup...

He is getting better at figuring out how to tip it back by himself to get something out of it.  

but a lot of the time he just uses the end of the sippy cup to chew on.

It's so fun watching him learn new things.