Getting Into Things

I told Aaron that I have been taking fewer pictures of Zeke around the house lately, probably because he wasn't getting into funny situations as much as he did when he was younger. For the most part, he knows what he wants and goes after it, although I could take pictures because he is so darn cute most of the time.

And then Zeke decided to prove me wrong about getting into things:

It's tight, but he does just barely fit.

Can't wait for summer splashing.

Closet - which involved climbing a tower of boxes.

And of course he loves to get into the dirt. Nothing new there!

Zeke Smarts

Zeke has shown lately that he is starting to make connections based on his experiences. It's been really fun, and quite funny too!

Zeke has a set of 4 farm puzzles, and it's been so great to see him improve his puzzle skills as we have been putting them together regularly (at his request). Today I pulled out a puzzle that has twice as many pieces and different shapes and started putting it together. At first Zeke wanted to take it apart so he could do his puzzles, but I talked him into letting me finish. As I was looking for a particular piece, I realized Zeke was adding pieces to the other side of the puzzle. He liked it enought that we now have 5 puzzles in our rotation. And I think we put all 5 together 3 or 4 different times today.

Our butter lives in a 'garage' in our fridge. The door to the dairy compartment does operate like a garage door, although I'm not sure I would have realized that without Zeke's help.

We were out for a walk this week and saw some construction equipment, and Zeke proclaimed he wanted to 'ride the tractor'. We tried to explain to him that tractors don't carry passengers, even though trains, planes, jets, helicopters, cars, and trucks do. But he still wants to ride that tractor.

Living Happily Ever After

My little sister got married on Friday.

She was absolutely radiant. Both bride and groom were, actually, although I didn't get any great up-close shots at the temple. I did get these fun far-away pictures while they were under the umbrella to stay out of the light snow that was falling.

Because we were on time to the luncheon we didn't have seats (apparently everyone else had been waiting at their table while we were chillin' - literally and figuratively - on Temple Square). So we got to sit at the table marked 'Bridal Party', directly across from the couple of honor.

Aaron and I made the wedding video, which made it's debut at the luncheon. Big project but great results. And Heather was there to help us chase Zeke (thank you, thank you!) for the day, which was such a big help.

At the reception, Zeke spent all 2.5 hours running around the reception center. Every time we looked away (which is frequent when you have a room full of people you haven't seen in 5+ years) he disappeared into the crowd or up the stairs to the bride's room. We did get a few moments of stillness when we got him some reception treats

and while he was fixated on Dynna's carousel.

Here's the happy couple during the cake cutting; no smashing (wahoo!) despite encouragement from the crowd.

Congratulations to Dynna and Ryan! May the times ahead be as wonderful as your wedding day.

Pancakes

Saturday mornings mean pancakes and eggs for breakfast, unless we have to be somewhere early in the day. Pancakes and eggs are two of Zeke's very most favorite foods.

A while back, we had leftover pancakes in the fridge from a mid-week pancake lunch. Friday night Zeke pulled them out of the fridge and brought them to me. I told him to put them back and we would eat them the next day. He did, but it wasn't long before they were back out again. And this time he decided to take matters into his own hands.

A piece here, a bite there ....

When the short stack was half gone, I decided we may as well warm them up with butter and syrup and make it an offical pancake bedtime snack.

Pancakes make for one very happy Zeke.