Poolside at the Archibalds'

Summer is here and so is the heat - at least for this weekend. So Lily got a new pool to cool off in. (Happy Father's Day, Dad - you get to put it together!) Lily thought the most exciting part was filling the pool with water.

Lily couldn't wait for Daddy to finish getting the pool set up, so she decided to climb in before Daddy was done. She wanted to play ... NOW!

Okay, the pool is assembled - it's time to fill `er up!

Once the pool was full, Lily was so disappointed that the hose was turned off, she just splashed with the hose in the water for another hour. As it turns out, she never actually got in the pool because the water was just TOO COLD. Maybe Sunday we'll fill it up earlier and let the sun warm the water so she can have some REAL fun.

Lily's First Camping Trip

It's official - Miss Lily is a camper! We took Lily on her first camping trip the weekend of May 29-31 with Grandma and Grandpa Lamolli, Great-Grandma Chapin and Uncle Ryan. We went to a campground just a few miles from our house - Bunker Hills Campground. I know it sounds crazy to go camping so close to home - and in the metro area - but it is actually a very nice campground with private sites, lots of trees and it's in the middle of a large regional park. Once we were there, you wouldn't know we were still in the city and so close to home. Being close to home was actually a nice convenience.

Lily had a great time - I think she enjoyed her first camping trip. The first night was a little rough as she adjusted to sleeping in the bunk in the camper, but she did better the second day. She liked being in the camper and exploring outside. We should have known - as much as she likes to go barefoot, of course she'd love the outdoors! We can't wait to take her camping again. The next adventure this summer will have to be a trip to the lake.

Here are some pictures from our little camping adventure. Why is it that Lily has a dirty face in EVERY picture? I guess that's part of camping!

Uncle Ry sleeping with Lily's teddy bear and blanket. Awwww, so cute! Actually, Ryan fell asleep in the camper and Lily put her teddy bear and blanket up there with him while he was sleeping. She loves her Uncle Ry!

Lily in Pigtails!

Lily's hair is officially long enough for pigtails! It's been growing like crazy lately, so today Mommy decided to try pigtails. They're a little crooked because of course she won't sit still long enough to get them just right, but they're oh so cute!! She's becoming such a little girl ... not a baby anymore.








And of course we had to include a picture of Miss Lily in her Dora chair. She loves to sit in her own little chair.

It's The Lily Shooooow!

Lily has discovered a new game...first she strategically places herself inside of the corner of our kitchen cabinate doors...

then, Daddy plays announcer and declares, "Ladies and Gentlemen, It's Theeee Lily Shoooooow!" at which point Lily bursts open the doors to show herself to the world....

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Lily Show...in the meantime, back in she goes to make yet another appearance. Ellen...watch out!

The Zoo!

On Saturday, April 11th, we took Miss Lily on her very first trip to the Minnesota Zoo. Joy's family went with us. We all had a great time! Lily loved seeing all the animals, but her favorite part was the "Family Farm" at the zoo where she got to feed the goats and see the farm animals and little farm babies up close.

I think we will be making several more trips to the zoo. It's a wonderful place for a fun family day out and Lily loves animals. We didn't even get to see everything so we're excited to go back. The Africa exhibit with giraffes, zebras, gazelles and other animals opens Memorial Weekend, so I'm sure we'll be headed back to see that! Plus the butterfly garden opens in June and I know Lily will love walking through the flowers with all the butterflies. Lots of opportunities for pictures, too! So here are some pictures of Lily's first trip to the zoo...

And Lily's favorite part - feeding the goats at the Family Farm. She liked the chickens and baby chicks, too. She tried to feed the baby chicks her yogurt treats! She just loves the little animals and likes feeding them (she even hand-feeds our dogs at home). Maybe we need to get a goat - ha!!

What a busy day! Lily was exhausted (as were all the adults) and fell asleep as soon as we left the farm, before we even got back to the car.