Playin' the blue cheese

Playing the blue cheese horn takes a lot of practice.

You have to work to get your fingers to move just right.

Luckily, my dad taught me everything I know.

MIZ!

After Lynn's wedding, we decided to head to Columbia for some pizza and reminiscing. 

Jina and Tim came along for some fun too.

We ate at Mom and Dad's favorite pizza place, Shakespears.  It was yummy.

After lunch, I took Jina for a walk.

There were lots of things to see.

Dad and Tim chatted it up.

Then,  Jina and I found a pinball machine.  COOL!

Mom said this felt like a Party Pic--whatever that is 

(something about the old days when they were roomies living in the sorority house).

After Shakespears, we walked to campus so Mom and Dad could show me around.

The Quad was huge!

I look pretty good here!

I showed Tim around a bit.

And climbed up on the columns.

There's an awful lot of Mizzou in my blood...

MIZ!

A Wedding in Mexico (Missouri)

Mom's sorority sister Lynn got married this weekend in her hometown of Mexico, Missouri.  So we took a roadtrip to join in the celebration.

It's important to look your best at the "widding," so Dad helped me with my button-up shirt.

I was really excited that we sort-of matched.

I did really well at the wedding, sitting very patiently through the songs and the readings.  I only chimed in occasionally with a "more-more" when the organ stopped and a "huh?" after one of the readings.  Mom and Dad and their friends thought it was pretty funny (the church was very quiet).

Then, it was off to the reception for my promised cake and dancing.

I got to meet some of Mom's old roommates.

Here's Debbie, Clay, and their daughter Teagan.

Lynn and Dad, the happy couple.

Then, finally, after lots of eating and toasts, they opened up the dance floor.

I was a little shy at first...

...but soon I was dragging Mom and Dad out to the dance floor.

Although, I did make them sit in a chair next to the dance floor a couple of times when they were cramping my style.

There were a lot of cell phones out, catching me in action.  Mom thinks I might be on YouTube somewhere.

All that dancing works up a sweat!

Mom and her roommates:  Jina, Lynn, and Debbie.

Mom said it was really great to catch up with everyone again.

I thought the dancing and cake were really great.

Win-win.

Sunset Safari

Once a month, the KC Zoo stays open late on a Friday night.  We decided to check it out.

We got to have hot dogs and chips for dinner.  

It also gave me the opportunity to learn some new words--"oo" (zoo), "amal" (animal).

I really liked riding the train ("choo-choo!")

Dad and I spotted all sorts of cool animals...

...like lions, giraffes, tigers, birds, rhinos...

...and hippos...

...and monkeys.  I really liked the monkeys ("oo-oo!")

Vortex?

This is a picture from when Mom and Dad and everyone went to Sedona for Molly's wedding.  They went out looking for vortexes, which are pockets of energy where you are suppose to meditate and such.  

They thought they might be getting close, because suddenly, everyone was being pulled over.  Or maybe they were just leaning for the picture...

A funny picture none the less.

My new ride

Apparently, no child should grow up without a Cozy Coupe.

I got mine this weekend.

There were lots of parts.  I helped Dad empty the box.

I also helped with the power tools.  I really liked the drill.

Did you know the car could double as a jungle gym...

...and a tunnel???

Pretty sweet, huh?

Molly's Garden Reception

Mom and Dad's friend Molly (the one with the wedding in Sedona) had a second reception here in Missouri for all the folks who couldn't make it out to Arizona...that includes me!

There was lots of food

and CAKE!

Both my Grandmas came

Grandpa took me to throw rocks (my favorite!)

The happy couple

Here's my friend, Zach, vying for Cutest Baby of the Year

And here's me, chillin' in this fun chair.

Good times.

Oh-so-tired...

'nuf said.

Block Party!

Since Mom had to work on Sunday, we came back from the cabin early.

Our neighborhood was having a block party, so we invited Grandma and Papa to come along.

There was lots of food and desserts, lots of fireworks, and even a bounce house (more about that in a minute...)

The Reed men, just hanging out.

I really liked the red, white, and blue cupcakes.

Mom and Dad thought I'd be too little, but everyone decided us little kids should get a chance in the bounce house.

It was waaaaay fun.

Then, we settled in to watch the fireworks.

Some of the neighborhood kids shot off some really loud ones in the street.  I didn't really like those at first (there was a lot of clinging to Mom, Dad, and Grandma), but I eventually got used to all the bangs.

Dad and me, a mixture of exhaustion and awe.

It was fun.

And once the Lee's Summit fireworks went off, I couldn't look away (even for this picture).

More with the rocks

At the cabin, Grandma and Grandpa have this great little wagon we filled up with rocks.

I really liked it (if you couldn't tell).

See, you take one out of here...

And throw it over the deck here.

I could do this for hours!

Fourth of July at the Cabin!

As soon as Mom got off work on Friday morning, we loaded up the truck and headed to the lake to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa.

It rained in the morning and early afternoon (so I took a nap), but when the clouds broke later in the day, we were ready.

What a great day for boating!

"Mon-ee" (Monti) was ready too!

Dad had to wander out with me at first...

...but soon I was braving it solo.

All the throwing into the air and dipping in the water was fun!

Monti swam and fetched sticks and swam some more.

After all that swimming, I took a break with Grandpa to eat some "gol-gols" (goldfish).

Then, it was back to the action.

Throwing rocks is always fun...

...especially when everyone claps for you when it splashes!

When it was time to go home, Grandpa let me drive the boat.

I really like to "tuern" (turn) so we went in circles for a while...

Did you know buckets make a good hat?

And when you beat on them with your shovel it makes a fun noise?

I thought it was pretty funny (so did Grandma and Mom).

Back at the cabin, it was time to break out the fireworks.

They bought me some Snap-pops to throw on the ground.

I liked it when cousin Jake threw them... 

...but I did not want to touch them myself!

Dad got me this great chair to sit in at the "Circle of Love" (the spot everyone sits around in at the cabin).  It was really cool.

I could find all sorts of things to keep me busy.

Like drinking beer... (don't worry, its empty)

...and throwing rocks.

Who you lookin' at?

After dinner (I was really hungry after all that activity!), Jake set off a couple of small fireworks for me--a fountain or two and a parachute.  I wasn't sure at first, but before long "more-more" was all I could say!

It was a really fun day.

And much to Grandpa's relief, I was so tired, I slept all the way until a late 7:30 the next morning!