Chichaqua Park

We spent last Saturday morning meandering through Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt and having a picnic.  No mountains to be seen, but fun family time nonetheless.  We re-learning how to be midwesterners!  

Visiting Dad's Office

Sometimes Brian has to leave in the morning before Isaac wakes up.  If so, we'll just pay Dad a visit during his office hour or between classes.  It's so nice to be so close and let this be an easy occurrence.  And, his colleagues are always happy to see Isaac too.  For the record, I have no idea what the writing on Brian's white board means.  But I'm sure glad he does!

Some Flavors of Downtown Des Moines

 Lately I've tried to explore a little more of downtown Des Moines with Isaac during our days together.  It's been fun!

First, we went to Peace Tree Brewery and sampled some kombucha on tap:

Another day, we went to Molly's Cupcakes and sampled some sweet treats and sat on their swing seats at the cupcake bar (you can see them behind him in these pics):

Blank Park Zoo

We are zoo members at the Blank Park Zoo here in Des Moines.  It is a small, very kid-friendly zoo and Isaac always enjoys himself.  The new indoor giraffe barn was a highlight this last visit!  He was telling strangers all about it whenever he got the chance for days afterward.  

Ross the sea lion really wanted to play!

"Billy Goats Gruff" 

Backyard Play & Iowa Weather

Iowa weather patterns have been keeping us on our toes the past month.  Cold/Rainy/Sunny/Clear/Chilly/Warm/Hot/Snowy Again/Warm Again...and it goes on.  Here are just a few pics I've taken of Isaac in our backyard the past couple months to show.

Isaac's First Birthday Party Invitation

Isaac recently received his first birthday party invitation to celebrate his buddy Parker's 4th birthday.  Parker's dad, Sean, and Brian work together at Drake, and they also overlapped a year in grad school in Oregon.  

Isaac.  Loves.  Parker.  

The morning of the party, he announced he wanted to bake banana bread for Parker.  So we did!  

Parker's parents went all out with a really fun party, including face painting.  Isaac stood in line behind two boys who both had "Spiderman" faces painted, and I assumed Isaac would probably choose the same just because.  When it was his turn, though, he announced (of his own volition) that he wanted to look like a tiger!

After cake, he remained "in character" during the piñata line.  The other boy was spiderman, casting out webs of course.

When we left, Isaac went up to Parker and gave him a big hug, saying "I love you, Parker!"  It was adorable, and lots of fun to see him enjoy his first big birthday party.

Playing in the Snow

It's been so cold this winter that we haven't been able to do much playing in the snow.  Last week, though, the temps and the snow were just right for some snow angels and snow persons in our backyard and some skiing at a nearby ski hill.  Yes, skiing does exist in Iowa!

                                          

Seven Oaks Ski Hill is just under an hour drive away.  We got there and both said, "Oh, this is adorable!"  It ain't Juneau, but it'll do.  :)