Indianapolis Zoo

This past Saturday we meet my brother and his family at the Indianapolis Zoo. It was really hot, but we still had a great time! Tyler had so much fun running around with his cousins. We brought Ralph, Noah, and Veronica home with us to stay with Grandma for the week.

Cheese!!!

Tyler, Ralph, Noah, and Veronica

Tyler loved riding on the pony!

Eating lunch :-)

Cooling off in the Splash Park

Tyler got to feed the giraffes. He loved this and is still talking about it!

Fun Run

On Friday nights we take Tyler out to the "Fun Run for Kids" at the track at Central Catholic. He gets a number to wear and they run them in heats according to their age. Tyler's age runs half-way around the track. The first week that we did it we put him in the group with the 3 year olds who run all the way around the track and he was exhausted! So, from now on he runs with the 1-2 year olds half-way around the track. Joe runs with him and he loves when he comes around the turn and we all cheer and wave at him. He's so cute....he smiles and starts running really fast to show off!! He gets a ribbon each week and cookies and juice when he's done. It a fun thing that we look forward to doing with him every Friday:-)

Having Fun with the Boys!

This week we had our playday at our house in the backyard. The kids played in the pool, sandbox, and we brought out all the trucks and cars to play with. They all had a good time :-)

Workin' Hard

Joe was washing the car this weekend, and of course Tyler had to get in on the action. He decided his car needed to be washed also. Doesn't he have a nice ride?!

Saturday nights out sure have changed.....

Having fun at Chuck E. Cheese!!!

Playdate

Today we went with our playgroup to the Fire station. The kids were able to get in the fire truck and ambulance and they even pulled one of the airport fire trucks out and showed the kids how it sprays water. Of course, they loved seeing the water! One of the firemen put on all of his gear and showed the kids. They had a great time. Right as we were wrapping things up and getting ready to go, they got a call and they all took off running and left in the firetruck and ambulance.

We then headed over to McGraw Park to play for awhile. The kids had a great time playing on the playground equipment and in the water area. It was a really fun playdate!

Tyler stood to the back of the group for awhile and said "Ty no truck". But once he saw all the other kids hopping up, he decided he would give it a try. He still looks a little scared!

Tyler and his best bud Brady....doing what they like best....drinking juice!

Swim, Swim, Swim!!

Sunday we went out to State Farm Park to swim . Tyler loves being in the water and gets a little too brave and crazy for my comfort! He loves to jump up and go under the water. When we left, he just kept saying "more swim, no bye bye". So, when he got up from his nap Joe had to take him out to our pool to swim some more. He thinks he's hot stuff swimming around with his water wings on! If Joe even gets too close or touches him, he says "no daddy help". He loves the water :-)

Happy 4th of July!!

Tyler and Corey swimming in the BIG pool.

Can I get some room in here??!!

Waiting for the fireworks to start at Miller Park.

We went to the Gerike's annual 4th of July party. We ate lunch, swam, played, and ate again...I think we ate all day long actually! Tyler loved swimming in the big pool and finally we filled up a little pool so the little kids could swim by themselves. We headed to Miller Park to watch the firework display that night. This was the first year that we have taken Tyler to see the fireworks. He waited all day to see "the big booms" as he calls them. He loved them...he just sat back and took them all in on Grandpa's lap. By the end, he had wandered down to mommy's lap and was getting very sleepy. We then headed back to the Gerike's to watch Darin and his friends let off a few more fireworks and then headed home. Needless to say....Tyler crashed as soon as he crawled in bed! We had a fun 4th of July :-)

Nature Center at Funks Grove

Today we went to the Nature Center at Funks Grove with all the kiddos. We walked on the trails and collected neat things we found along the way and played at the play area. They also have a nice nature center that we went in and explored. There were turtles and snakes and all kinds of "stuffed" animals. The kids all had fun!

Tyler and all his friends....aren't they cute!!

Acting like monkeys :-)

Me and my cousin Adam, chocolate milk, and cartoons.....what could be better!?

Wildlife Prairie Park

Saturday we headed over to Peoria with the Bierbaums to Wildlife Prairie Park. Tyler and Brady had a great time looking at the animals and just running around. Unfortunately the boys were both looking forward to the train ride, but by the time we got there they were done running the train for the day. We went out for dinner at Old Chicago and then headed home.

It was a fun day! Best Buds!

Chu Chu!!

He loves walking around the house in daddy's shoes....he's such a "little Joe"!!

Tyler FINALLY got to have his first ice cream cone (made with soymilk of course!) . Eventhough it wasn't the "real stuff" he still enjoyed it.

Tyler's 1st Boat Ride

We took Tyler out for his first ride on Grandpa Bigger's boat last Sunday. He wasn't too sure about it at first, but quickly warmed up to it and wanted to drive!