Nice day for a trip to the zoo!

70 degree weather a week after negative temps... couldn't help but get outside, and where else would we go?? The zoo of course! We love our zoo friend membership!




The elephant came to eat some lunch right in front of us!

Do you see that Dad?!?!?!




The zoo is so fun now that Chase can run around on his own and is starting to talk! Here he is pointing out the goat...


He was REALLY into the fish in the rainforest area..


I was taking the video when a guy walked up next to Chase, you can't really hear, but Chase tells him that there is a fish. He turns around and the look on his face cracks me up, it's like he is so proud of himself... ya you told him Chase...haha


We had to stop at the playground before we left. Definitely could not just walk on by the Choo choo in the park!

Birthday party at the bouncy barn!

Chase's friend Gracie turned 3 on Valentine's day! She had a fun party at the bouncy barn, and Chase had a blast playing with her and his buddy Nathan, and all the kids enjoyed playing with Daddy!

What a flirt!

Nathan and Chase getting ready to pounce on Daddy!

Look out Daddy!

Nathan

Gracie blowing out the candles!

Time to eat the cupcakes...yummy!


Are we eating, or playing?

Blizzard 2011

Snow Snow and RECORD BREAKING SNOW!!! Tulsa ended up with 14 inches, and the snow drifts could be measured in feet..forget about inches!!! Daddy went to work Monday night, the blizzard came Tuesday morning, and Daddy was trapped at work, not getting home until Wednesday night!!! We were glad Daddy made it home and could spend some time playing in the snow!!!






Hey!


This is some deep snow!


The Explorer won't be going anywhere for awhile!


Giant snow cones!


Huge snow drifts all around the house!


The 4Runner is surprisingly clean for having been driving around in this mess!


I went out front to take a few more pictures and someone snuck out behind me... he was pretty proud of himself as you can tell from his mischievous smile...


But I just wanted to point out how tall the snow is momma!


Then he spotted the cars on 21st... "Car! Car! Car!"


Ok little boy... back inside, it's tooooo cold to be outside without your coat and hat!

Choooo Choooo!!!!

When I was working on Friday, Daddy decided he would take Chase to see Grampy's train. It was a beautiful day to be outside!


All Aboard!!!


You think Chase is lucky just to sit on the train... well that's not all... Chase actually got to help Grampy DRIVE the train, blow the horn, and make a delivery!!!








I love the look on Chase's face here... it's like he was sneaking to blow the horn. (But I heard he was actually to afraid to blow the horn himself)


What a fun day! I am sure Chase was in heaven, seeing as how trains are just about the coolest thing ever to him. Thanks Grampy!!!

Stacking Blocks

The last pictures we had taken at Sears, the photographer gave Chase some blocks to play with. He really liked them so we got him some for Christmas. The photographer had commented that she was impressed he was stacking three blocks, and said that was really good for his age.... well if she could see him stacking now!!!

Yeah! I got three again!


and FOUR...


SIX...


Notice the concentration...


His tallest tower ended with TEN blocks. I was so proud of him!!! And he was pretty proud of himself!

Toddler Bed Tryout

We let Chase try out a toddler bed. He was having trouble sleeping, and I had the bright idea that it was because he wanted out of his crib. He wanted out of his crib alright, he just didn't want to EVER sleep, and the toddler bed made it oh so easy for that! I have come to the conclusion that for those short 3 or so hours that I let him sleep in bed with Danny and I on Christmas eve, he thought he would get to do that all the time if he cried enough. In any case, here are a few photos of his one and only night of the toddler bed. He is now back, HAPPILY, in his CRIB bed, not crying and sleeping through the whole night again.

Helping Daddy put the bed together...


What a big helper!


I think he likes it!


You see that crazed look in his eye? That is the look of someone too young to handle this new found freedom!

Here comes Santa Clause!!!!

After a fun day and a nice church service, we returned home to get ready for Santa's arrival. Christmas is getting to be SOOO much fun!!!!




Ta-daaa!!! Santa has made it to the Hartman's! Can't wait to see Chase's face when he sees all the new toys!


Chase slept good until about 1 in the morning, then he was up almost EVERY hour!!! I don't know if he was excited, or just exhausted. About the fourth wake up, I finally decided to let him sleep in bed with mom and dad (for the first time). He did pretty good and went right to sleep, although I don't think I ever did. Chase woke around 7:30, and the magic began!
He walked out into the living room and was so excited! He yells CHOO CHOO!!!!



Then he discovers the drums!


Back to the trains...



Hey look! I got some blocks too!!



Silly Daddy...


We went over to Gramma's for some dinner and dirty Santa. It was fun to see everyone, it had been a long time since we have all been together since we were snowed in last year!!!


My beautiful mama



Self portrait of me and dad