The Living Planet Aquarium

We have really been enjoying our weekly get togethers this summer. One that we all look forward to ever year is a day at the aquarium! Although we have been several times, we never tire of seeing all of the fun animals!

Here are all the cousins ready to head in. We were lucky that Jacob was spending the week with Nana and Papa so that he could be with us too!


Here's a picture of our 3 little monkeys posing by the huge frog - they love this frog and insist we take a picture by it every time! Love how Tate is reaching over and touching it - he was very interested in what it was.


Both Zach and Hailey were extremely interested in the stingray pool. We got there just in time to see them being fed and it was so cool - they splashed and zoomed around - it was really neat. Afterwards, everyone was allowed to pet them - Hailey wasn't quite sure she wanted to do that, she would rather just watch.


Zach on the other hand, touched one every time they swam by. He was thrilled and couldn't believe he touched a real stingray!


Here's a picture of Nana with the kids - Tate wasn't feeling well, so he was a bit grumpy and Libby was sleeping on Kylie's shoulder, so we didn't get her in the picture!


I was curious whether Tate would like the fish or just really not know what was going on. I was happy to see that although he wasn't feeling well, he was really enthralled with all the swimming animals behind the glass. A lot of times he would squeal and point at the different things he could see. It was just darling and I had the best time just watching him and the other kids.


I just loved this little turtle, so while Michelle took Tate for me (he decided about 10 minutes into the aquarium that he wanted to wanted to be held instead of sitting in his stroller), I took a quick picture.


One of the new exhibits that we were all excited to see was the penguin exhibit. Unlike the zoo, where the penguins pretty much just stood around and tried to stay cool, these penguins were swimming all around, jumping in and out of the water, and just plain exciting! The kids and the adults all loved them! I love this picture of Zach and a penguin that had come right up to him on the other side of the glass - amazing!


Hailey just couldn't believe how fast they were and she and Branson kept giggling every time one would zoom past.


But by far, Tate was the most fun to watch. He kept squealing and following all the penguins as they would zoom back and forth. It was darling to see him be able to follow them and he just couldn't get enough!



We sure had a fun time and were so happy to go with cousins, Aunts, and our Nana. We sure can't wait until we can go back!

Walking!

Well, the last few months have really been exciting for us as Tate has turned one and started doing so many new things. It's been fun to see him grow, yet sad to realize he's not our little baby boy anymore!

He's now talking quite a bit. Some of the things he now says:

Mama
Dada (usually a very enthusiastic "DA!")
Nana
Papa
Bye-bye
Night-night
Duck
Ball
and just today he started saying "bra-bra" for brother and "thiiii" for sissy

Needless to say both his brother and sister are thrilled now that he can say both of those!

In addition to words, he is now walking up a storm! He's been pulling himself up next to furniture and cruising along it for quite a few weeks, but just the last week or two he's been venturing off into the room away from something to hold on to. At first, he didn't make it very far, only a step or two, but the last week or so he has really been making it quite a distance. Here are some pictures and video to see our little "toddler" in action!







And here's a little Tate smile for you - he's such a happy and content boy and is always giving us smiles and laughs - we all just love it!


Another thing that has become a recent favorite with all of our kids are the Trios legos that we have. Zach and Hailey love to sit and build things, Tate would rather just throw them around, put them in his mouth, or sit and bang them together! The other day, I got them all to hold still long enough to get a quick picture with the Trios.


One of the sets we got came with a car and Tate just loves things that spin (especially wheels) so the car is one of his favorite things!


I just love these three - they are so good to each other (most of the time anyway) and I love them with all my heart!