August

 At the Zollman Zoo

 The best activity for a 9 month old. I swear I have identical pictures of Dennis when he was this age. Pulling the books off the shelf as soon as they get put back on.

 This boy is such a happy camper... that when he isn't happy, I have to take pictures of it. He was not happy this day because his teeth hurt.

 Zola got some bows from a friend and so we had a day of doing hair. This is one of my most favorite activities! It feels so good to have her put in barrets and take them out.

 One remedy for a teething baby is a watermelon rind. He would chew it up and spit it out. See on his arm...

 I love sleepy kissers.

 Why not hang out in the bathroom!? Seems reasonable to me. Cold tile floor is great for cuddling up and reading your favorite book. I don't blame them... the bathroom is becoming my favorite room too as the remodel gets done.

 Dennis's favorite activity- building a car out of recyclable materials. A great Sabbath activity.

 I just can't believe how big this kid is getting.

 How did this happen? Look how happy he is that he is discovering something new...

 Her favorite thing is to separate the onion layers. "mom, this is making my eyes wet. I'm crying." She has done it a bunch of times but that day was the first time it made her cry.

 Silly faces. Dennis's favorite vegetable: sweet peppers.

 Haircut the way that I styled it.

 Then he got a turn....

I think he likes it. What a stud. He looks like a surfer dude. 

Bath time buddies! Zola perfectly modest. Zola loves her. When she cries so does he. He heard her crying outside and he tried to look for her while crying himself. :)

 Z: mom don't look.
M: what did you do?  Did you write on my cabinets?
Z: no.

Utah

Story time with Nonnie

 Just like last year, it took the girls a week to really warm up to each other. By the second week, they are best friends. They loved jumping on the trampoline with their doggies.

 "i love you-rock on"

 We went to the Hogle zoo.

 The sea lion show

 Dennis and Myer are great friends. They are both so playful and fun. It is very good for Dennis to have a cousin on Ryan's side that he can play with... they have similar dads... and I can see his playful side as a trait that he gets from his dad.

 ... the boys

 ... and the girls

 I can dream about living near them someday... maybe it will happen.

 Beautiful Nonnie. Just yesterday Zola was playing that she was the Nonnie. It was pretty cute. I don't blame her... Nonnie is pretty awesome.

 When asked what Dennis's favorite part of the zoo was he will tell you it was the dinosaurs! Yep, they have dinosaurs everywhere and these ones spit water at you. The kids loved it but when they caught Nonnie unaware, she wasn't too thrilled. It was pretty funny.

 When asked what her favorite part was, Zola will say the Lions. Especially the momma lion.

 What a good looking group of kids. All the cousins together. You can tell they are related!

 We waited to play the wii until the last day... then it was super hard to tear them away... especiallly Dennis. Notice- he is the one with the wii mote.

 Then we drove home... Zola was zonked out. She needed a nap after such a fun trip.

 ... when you can't find your sunglasses on a road trip, this is what you resort to.