Family Fun Part II

Our little Poppen family was treated to a lovely vacation in Texas! We flew down in early January and spent a week enjoying the company of Zac's parents, aunts and uncles and cousins. Mommy and Daddy had an absolutely wonderful time taking a break from "normal life" and letting Didi and the Aunties play with Zoë. :) It was also so fun to watch her at this age interacting with everyone from little Rebecca (whom Zoë calls "Gaca!) to Gruncle Herm (whom Zoë calls "Bapa!").

Cousin besties - giving a sweet kiss to Rebecca

A picnic with Didi

(Special thanks to Didi for some of these pics ;)

Zoë LOVED playing with Papa's iPad.

 (And he seemed to enjoy it too!)

Showing off her new hat that Papa made to Didi and Gloria. 

She fits right in with the hipster crowd!

Reading with Gruncle

Snuggles with Cousin Brooke and Auntie Judy

 ("Ju-Ju", as Zoë likes to call her)

Cousin bath time! What a riot!

Gloria's big bear was the house favorite. All the kids wanted to play on him, 

and didn't really want to share (especially someone by the name of "Zoë")

We had to tell Zoë that there was no way we could fit Big Bear in our tiny apartment. :)

With Rebecca at 11 months and Zoë at 20, they made pretty good little playmates! 

A little rough on the sharing part, but that is to be expected ;)

Meal times with Rebecca were the best! Zoë actually ate her vegetables because 

she saw Rebecca eating them. Of course when I tried giving her the exact same thing 

at home (canned green beans), she refused. 

At the Chinese Lantern Exhibit. SO cool!

Some R&R time - this momma sure needed it!

Riding in the golf cart was another of Zoë's highlights. 

She was so proud that she got to sit on her own between mommy and daddy. :)

Family picture! Just missing Uncle Daniel

 Thank you Texan & Iowan family for such a wonderful time! Is was hard to come home. Fortunately, Zoë did AMAZINGLY well on the 4-hour flight and gave us hope for trips in the future. 

I give credit to Zoë's special Snack Attack Pack (check it out! Zac found a simple tackle box and we filled it to the brim with all sorts of goodies ;). And the iPad. And several trips to the bathroom to wash our hands. Oh the joys of having a toddler! 

20 months: Family Fun Part I

Twenty months feels awfully close to twenty-four; how is it possible Zozo is coming up on 2 years? Currently, Zoë is growing taller and leaner, stronger and faster. She loves running around with her arms out behind her (the "V" run as we call it), wants to climb on EVERYTHING, and wants to do everything on her own. She loves dancing to hiphop, washing her hands or washing dishes, loves saying "no," rearranging the fridge, loves saying "no,"and enjoys labeling to whom each item belongs. 

We have enjoyed a season of spending time with family - first my side of the family in Corbett, Oregon, for Christmas, and now with Zac's side of the family in Irving/Dallas, Texas. Here are some pictures of Zoë having fun with her Farner cousins, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, grandma and great grandparents.

Washing hands with Auntie Nancy

Game time

Chillaxing with Anna and Joshua

Playing with the big kids!

Helping Judah tune his guitar :)

All the grandkids and great-grandkids 

Dancing with Uncle Corby

Singing carols - upsidedown :)

Presents!

Zoë is at such a fun age and it is delightful to watch her play with cousins and interact with her relatives. Tune in next week for Family Fun Part II for more with our Iowan and Texan relatives!