the Easter company

This Easter we had family visiting. Uncle Hayden and Aunt Salmon (Samantha) came for an extended weekend. Upon their arrival Friday afternoon, we took them to a community egg hunt (40,000 eggs just laying in the field) which gave them the opportunity to hear and see Max's obsession with them.  As Max puts it ... "eggs are filled with all kinds of stuff like candy, toys, and stickers!"  On Saturday, we had a blast riding the train, going to the zoo, and eating bbq at Pecan Lodge. Sunday was spent eating a ham dinner and sticking around the house since it was a rainy spring day. During the rain break in the evening, Aunt Salmon and Uncle Hayden went out back and hid some eggs for Maximus which was to his delight.

Max & Camille on Good Friday.  Camille is wearing the same gown that I was baptized in 30 years prior.

Max got his cookie monster play-doh kit that he has been wanting for months.  

Camille's favorite item ... her food pouches.  The Easter Bunny knows her well.

Love The Zoo

Featuring your tour guide, Maximus

 We got a membership to the Dallas Zoo from MiMi and PaPa (Tyler's parents) for Christmas and decided to put it to good use. The family sans me has already gone this year since I've been working out of town, but it was perfect weather so we couldn't resist. Here are some highlights, including how much Max has grown since his first visit.

Various species of monkeys were a highlight, as were the elephants. Mille seemed most interested with the penguins. She was eye level with those little guys. It was the perfect Valentine's Day trip. We are definitely looking forward to many more visits this year.

May 2013 - 2.75 years old

February 2015 - 3.5 yrs old

Everyday Should Be Zooday!

I was able to have a couple days off in Dallas over the Memorial Day weekend, so we decided that It would be a great time to take Max to the zoo. He has been extra interested in animals recently because of several books he "reads" every night, as well as many of his toys. He mostly loves dogs and trucks/tractors, but in his eyes every creature that isn't a human is a dog...and sometimes a "Looshee," as he calls his big sister. He was extremely excited from the moment we passed the entrance with the life-sized giraffe statue. As we walked from our car to the entrance, he pointed out one "dog" in the form of a pigeon and another in the form of a squirrel.

Things heated up when we actually made it inside the zoo, only to find a giant picture of a wild beast in an advertisement poster. That's how we knew we made the right decision. There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the day. He would get pretty excited and overjoyed at statues and pictures and a little cautious with the real deal. I think his favorite part was the tunnel that led to the "Giants of the Safari" where there was music and lots and lots of pictures of animals. However, the highlight for all of us has to be Max actually feeding the [real] giraffe. Check out some pictures below. 

He went straight for a "Looshee"

On the prowl for some big game!

This giraffe ate right from our hands. Max was AWESOME!

Future Emperor

Watching Mr. Lion take a nap up close

Roll Tide!