Pool, Galena, and Dubuque Aquarium

Ainsley had a big couple of days. I took her to play at the Coralville Aquatic center on Friday with her buddy Kendall and my friend Amy. On Saturday Nick, Ainsley, and I packed up and headed to Dubuque and Galena for the weekend. We took Ainsley to the Mississippi River Aquarium and she LOVED it as well as walking around Galena. Here are some pics and also a video of Ainsley talking to the fish.

Looking "cool" with Daddy.

Family pic at the aquarium. Thanks to the old lady greeting people at the door.

I realized she had chewed up goldfish cracker in her mouth once I saw this picture on the computer. Just adds to the cuteness.

Checking out the fish

Ready to hit the road with her baby in hand. She doesn't go many places without it!

Pool fun.

Loves the splash pad.

She wasted no time getting in the water!

"Bye Bye Fishy!"

This past weekend we took Ainsley to the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque and she LOVED the fish, turtles and otters. Here is a little video that I took of her talking to the fish and saying bye-bye. She was so amused by the big aquariums that she could walk right up to and everything was right at her eye level. She was very excited and kept squealing fishy, swim turtle, duck, quack quack and otter. It was fun to see her fascination watching the animals. I am sure we'll be back there again!

Ahhhhh to be little again....

Here is a random assortment of some recent pictures from over the last month. We took a little day trip to Niabi zoo and Ainsley really enjoyed that. She's had lots of time playing outside, going to swim lessons, and playing with her buddies William and Kendall. She is growing up more and more each day and always saying something new that surprises us!

Kendall and Ainsley took great joy in pulling the leopards and gorillas off this stuffed animal display at Kohl's. They were roaring at each other and cracking up. We were there with them one Friday night past their bedtime and they were a little giddy. It was hilarious! Then the good parents in us made them stop and put the stuffed animals back.

Nick was quite popular with the ladies last Sunday at church.

Awwwww.....Ainsley's first kiss. After her little play date with William the other weekend they decided it'd be OK to smooch goodbye. I think later in life I will not encourage her trying to kiss lots of little boys, but this was too cute!

William smiling big for the camera in his make-shift tent. Ainsley.....chugging her milk. Had to capture that on camera!!!

More smooches at the end of their play date :)

Two peas in a pod.....or tent rather.

Mmmmmmm, strawberry.....yum.

I really wanted her to sit still for this picture, but just didn't happen!

Ainsley wasn't sure what to think of the big hippo at Niabi Zoo.

Seriously, enough with the camera already......

Feeding the ducks and fish--still her favorite part of the zoo trips we have been on. I swear those ducks and fish NEVER get full.

Reading her Little People zoo book. She's getting to be such a big girl!

We had a little confrontation with some Japanese beetles that decided to dine on our new Linden tree so I captured a few in this container and Ainsley was pretty intrigued by them!