Seven

7 years ago I got married. Sam and I got married in the gorgeous backyard of my parent's house. It was not formal. It was not luxurious. It was comfortable. It was us.

Sometimes I can't remember life without you, Sam. We grew up together. We learned to be adults together. In so many ways, it feels like I've always had you with me. I have been with you for 40.6% of my life.

And what do we have now? What have we done with that time?

We have made a family.

Our future is lovely.

Us.

Two girls. Daughters.

Lucky, lucky, lucky we are.

I'd do it again.

I'd choose you.

Farm Babies

Olive and I went to check out the spring farm babies at the MN Zoo a couple of weeks ago. The timing was right and we saw baby pigs, cows, goats, and chicks.

Here's O checking out a Mama cow:

Sitting on the Mama pig:

And a chicken:

Calf:

The goats were the big hit. There were tons of adorable babies and they all wanted Olive's attention. Look at these cuties:

The baby goats may have been cute, but this adult goat and Olive seemed to really enjoy one another. Olive just kept giggling and it kept coming back for more pats from her:

Hilarious goat:

Buddies:

I think we might need to get a goat for Olive. She liked this guy more than she likes dogs:

Video of Olive feeding a goat. She really liked this (surprisingly). I, however, was totally THAT mom that didn't have any quarters to buy the food, so i taught Olive how to find all the food pellets outside the fence and under the machines that people had dropped. Yup. We scrounged for goat food. And guess what? Olive didn't care, and neither did the goats.

Riding a pig:

Driving the tractor:

A unicorn (according to Olive):

And a tasty lunch outside before heading home.

Grocery helper

Olive has become quite the helper at the grocery store. The store nearest to our house has little carts for kiddos and she loves to push one by herself.

She is finally refining her steering skills so it's a little less stressful to let her take her own cart:

Cookie aisle? Yes, please:

Also, the check out clerks always give her a lollipop at the end of the shopping trip, that helps in the behavior department, too.

Swimming lessons

This weekend Olive had her first "big girl" swimming lesson. This means she goes by herself with a group of preschoolers and teachers. No Mom and Dad in the pool!

Heading into the pool, doing some self talk to get herself through it:

Checking out the pool:

Getting introduced to the other kids and teachers:

Practicing kicking:

Getting some practice in:

Learning some new skills with the teacher:

The parents all stood and watched, which was very difficult for all of us. I have no doubt the teachers know what they're doing but it was so nerve wracking to watch these tiny kiddos clinging to the edge of the pool. Some would let go and "walk" out a few feet and then realize they couldn't really stand very well and somehow make it back to the wall. Olive stayed close to the wall, and about 20 minutes into the class, Sam and I could see her saying, "I'm getting tired of holding on. My arms are tired." But of course no one could hear her in the noisy pool. She got through it! I can't decide if I can stand watching again next week or not! Either way, we were proud of Olive for doing it, even though she was nervous.

Easter Festivities

A few days before Easter, Olive and Irene got the eggs prepared:

They also tried on some hats appropriate for Easter while crafting:

On to Easter! We spent the morning at Nana and Papa's house hunting for eggs, jelly beans, and procuring many Easter baskets and goodies.

Looking for eggs on the porch:

Posing with cousins:

And on to the jellybean hunt inside (a Zabel family tradition):

Mmmmmm:

Olive has recently discovered the old tricycle that my parents have kept around since I was a kid. It is just her size and she loves riding it:

Enjoying a delicious brunch in Easter hats:

The girls try to corral Oscar:

And then we took a long walk around the neighborhood:

Olive and Irene chose to ride on shoulders:

Oscar caught a ride in the stroller:

Cuddling with Daddy on the way back home: