Abby goes to the Brookfield Zoo

I love to travel with Mommy and Daddy and they took me to the zoo for the first time. I saw lots of neat things for the first time and I plan to remember them all...by the pictures. We met Geoff and Steph Clapp there, they were celebrating their 10th Anniversary!

Here's a look at our day and all the great animals we saw...

We took the tram so we didn't miss a thing.

I had fun getting to know Geoff and Steph...funny thing is, they called my Mommy Steph too!

Here's Grandma Estep's favorite...a kangaroo!

This game was stuck to the table or I would have got it for you gramma.
The hippo was out of the water, so now I have never seen one IN the water.

Mommy had a message for Aunt Angela...

I saw another baby like me, buy it was all furry with humps!

This horse had stripes! I never saw one like this before! I have NEVER seen animals so tall!
I saw your relative Uncle Matt. He said "Hi" to you! I can't wait for the Dolphin show to start even though I hadn't seen them yet.
They did neat tricks and had lots of people to help them.
They could jump high out of the water!
It was really nice outside and I had fun laughing at daddy and seeing myself in his sunglasses.
Steph, Geoff, and Mommy got to feel the stingrays...they said they were slimy. I'll take their word for it! We were really close to them!
The brown bears seemed tired and hot.
I was hot too, so I got some ICE CREAM (AKA...creamy)
The polar bears were having a great time with the ball and...
body slamming each other into the water!! This was scary!!!
These big fury baboons seemed to be eating the rocks. Yuck!
These are the prettiest birds I have ever seen.
These birds were weird...they waddled around. Maybe I will walk like them some day.
We saw a peacock there by the water. Mommy made some funny noises and it showed us it's tail feathers!!
Geoff and Steph posed in front of the fountain.


We had so much fun!!

My Day Off

This is our fun little day trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden...we love it there!!!

The Circle Garden

Evening Island

Tulips on the Esplanade

We love the many kinds of Bonsai

Lakeside Gardens

The Japanese Garden

Abby's dedication and first swim

Abigail's Baby Dedication, May 11th (and my 1st Mother's Day!)

We really appreciate the love and support of our church, Life on the Vine Christian Fellowship.


Abby had lots of family here to see her be dedicated... both parents, both grandma's, both grandpa's, two aunts, and two uncles!
This is her favorite toy at church...she loves to kick it and make the wheels spin.

Here is a short video of her first swim. She loved to be upright or on her tummy to see the shiny water and everything around her.


After such a LONG weekend, she was tired (weren't we all!!) and she is so cute sleeping in her car seat. :)

Hallelujah We Survived the MDiv!!!

Michael has made it through the very academically rigorous Master of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. If you could hear the Hallelujah chorus from a distance on May 10th...that was me.
It was so great to have our families come to celebrate with us! Thanks for makng the trip guys!


Abigail just couldn't wait to get her hands on the diploma.


Good times at the Graduation party and reception...
Dr. Perry Downs

Michael's sister Jenny (with Abby) and parents

Our great friends Misty and Andy

Michael's mom, our friend Tonja and Scotty boy
Scott showing off his new found Rubics cube skills to Matt and Bonnie

Michael had a tough time figuring out the "hood" thing for getting a Masters degree. Nah...he's just silly. :)