the sun was out this weekend!

We did the Derby Mini again this year! It was such a gorgeous day. I love to do this type of thing in my community. & I was so glad it was only a half marathon, haha. I am still traumatized by my last full. The rest of the day it was just nice to rest, clean around the house and go for a walk with my baby girl who acts like a dog.

Sunday was church and then a baby shower for my cousin's baby boy who will join the family in May. After that, I stopped by my sister's to say hello and never left. So we had dinner, played four square, rode bikes and enjoyed a lovely day. & nothing beats my nieces playing with Zara and telling her that they love her.

zara lately.

I have not done a update since Z turned 2! Having a toddler makes like such a whirlwind, sometimes it seems she is becoming so well adjusted to our routines and we can be in a great groove. Sometimes I almost pull my hair out. I know that can change depending on the stage of toddlerhood.
She is still the joy in my life & it is worth the tough days :)

Z recognizes colors, even though she only  says "yellow". We have a toy that helps you match colors and shapes and she loves to get them right.

Since Z is learning more words, she uses them more often than crying. It is such a relief. She may not always like what I say, especially when it comes to candy but it is so wonderful to have little talks with a toddler. It amazes me how much she understands.

Z loves to brush my hair and sometimes loves when I brush hers (just not in the morning). Speaking of her hair, it is usually a mess. I can hardly find the energy to start the battle it takes to do pig tails or a pony tail. Please send hair help.

Her favorite songs are 1. Wheels on the Bus. She calls it "roun and roun" with arm motions.
2. "La La Lou". I have no idea what it's called- the song Darling sings to her baby in Lady and the Tramp. I don't know what it is, but I find that movie annoying.
3. Take you to Rio.
4. The alphabet tune
5. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
5. We have a shared favorite- Train song my Charlie Hope

She has strong opinions on which sippy cup she uses for milk. It must be the ladybug (ma- bleah) or the Minnie mouse (ma- haha). ma='s milk.

Z gets invested in movies and will exclaim "oh NO!" during an exciting chase or moment in a movie.

She is not shy about telling me "shh" when she wants me to be quiet. & she asks for help in the sweetest little voice "help, mama" or "I need help".

She loves her school and exclaims, "yay!" when we pull up.

The sweet tooth on this girl is unreal. I try really hard to avoid candy. Even giving Zara a small piece can start a war. She always wants more or wants an entire bag.

She follows along with her ABC's, even though only a few letters are clear. & she is so good at counting but says every number as "two".


Zara is affectionate, goofy, she is a trickster, she loves to hide, she loves to pretend to be a cat or a dog. She also loves to treat me like a cat or dog and pull me around the house and bring me water.


Sometime she says "I wanna dance". Of course, I drop everything and play some music because it is very, very cute.


We have tried some pacifier boundaries. It's hard.

But there is light when it comes to her eating habits! She is trying and liking more things. I am proud of her. & it helps me with the anxiety I have over her nutrition.

Zara hugs me tight and I love it.

She is full of goodness and greatness.

sky star !

Ah, the weekend was so great.

I finished my last long run for the Derby half. I was so excited to do it in some lovely weather on Friday night.

We spent Saturday morning enjoying some reading during a cozy storm. We had a picnic with food from Wild Eggs at Waterfront Park. Zara played & then we took a  ride on the Sky Star. It was a little scary, especially when Z got near the doors but I loved to see my city from above :)

Saturday evening, we spent time with family and friends. I went to see a movie- A Quiet Place with my best friend, Catherine. We have always watched cheesy, scary movies together. This movie was actually really great (and terrifying). It was such a luxury to go see a movie and eat popcorn for dinner !

Sunday was Stake Conference, so basically I just chased my tired toddler in a different church building this week ;)  I was hoping for some nice weather, but we just stayed in, cuddled and completed some home projects.

popsicle adventure.

On the most beautiful evening we have had in a while, we had a little popsicle adventure.
Coco Berry Pops in my neighborhood has the best Indian flavors. mmm!
& the girls devoured their watermelon pops.
They were being so cute and funny.
Zara pulled Bella in the wagon for a long time (by herself!)
We have missed our popsicle trips & warm weather!

my little baby who loves the zoo.

These are some snaps for our past two zoo trip days. Zara asks to go to the zoo every day. I wish I could take her all the time! Lately, we have fed giraffes, watched the elephants do tricks and taken pony rides. We talk about all the animals we will see before we go. She loves to talk about the Rawrs! (lions) We are so thankful to live on exit away and for all the trips to come :)

easter time!

I was so excited to color eggs with Zara (from a few days before Easter). The process went smooth and she was fascinated with the eggs. I had her take a bath while I applied glitter. The eggs looked pretty good and I cleaned it all up..then Zara took them while I was cleaning dishes & destroyed them all. In her playroom. There were eggs in her rug! Eggs in her hair. Eggs in the play food. It amazes me how much damage a toddler can do in a few minutes::

Before they were destroyed::

Stickers from Germany::

This is from our first zoo trip of the year! We visited the animals and did the Easter egg hunt. I would have missed it due to work but they moved the date because of bad weather. The Louisville Zoo is one of our favorite places::

The missionaries came to our house for dinner Saturday, general conference and they helped us with something in our yard. I'm so thankful for them, so I made them an almond cake! ::

Even though church was broadcast, we still took a few family Easter photos. Zara seems so big now! I braided her hair and could not believe how much she looks like a little girl now, not a baby::

Jonas and I shared an Easter basket. Zara had a bug themed basket, she is ready to collect and study some bugs! ::

We had our McKinney Family Easter brunch at my aunt's house. Z was so excited to gather and count eggs just like the older kids..and eat all the candy. & it is about the drive me crazy- this girl has a sweet tooth like I have never seen::

They are so cute! ::

We visited my Grandma's grave between family visits. I cannot believe it has been a year without her. Her grave is in the loveliest spot at Lexington Cemetery. The trees create a blanket of pink ::

We finished Easter day at my sister's house. 
I look forward to Easter season every year. I am thankful for a lovely day with family!