Mark is feeling much better. We took him to the zoo today. Mark took a ride on the zoo carousel with Daddy. Before the ride began Mark held the pole and rocked back and forth in anticipation. He smiled during the ride. Then it was time to see some animals, we saw meerkats, flamingos, bears, zebras, and elephants. Mark also enjoyed touching the globe that rotates on water. He pointed to it so we took him out of his stroller and let him touch the globe a few times before we left.

Mark has had a rough couple of weeks. Last week, Mark got a stomach bug and he got sick on Thursday night, while Mike and I were in Bible study. The nursery called me on my cell phone. The nursery staff was great at handling the situation. Mark was cleaned up by the time we made it to the nursery. We are so blessed to have such wonderful staff in the children's department at our church. Mark started acting more like himself on Friday and Saturday, so we thought the stomach bug was over and went out to lunch with Jan and Shelby. Sunday morning Mark was crabby and congested so I kept him home and he got sick again Sunday night. Mark was acting fine again on Monday and Tuesday so I sent him to preschool this morning. I received a call that Mark was extremely fussy after waking up from his nap and he was pulling on his ear. So we went from preschool to the doctor's office. The doctor diagnosed Mark with an ear infection. I knew Mark would probably be getting more illnesses being around other kids and because of his age. I just didn't think they would be coming every week. Hopefully, Mark will heal up and stay healthy for awhile. We go back in two weeks for a recheck on his ears.

Here is a picture of Mark with Cooper and Everett. This was taken while we were in Colorado. It was great to get the boys together.

Mark is now 16 months old. Temper tantrums are present at times. Mark wants to do everything and when Mommy or Daddy stop him from achieving his goal, he lets us know his displeasure.

Mark is quite the explorer. We have a refrigerator lock, an oven lock, covers over the knobs for the stove, and cabinet locks. It is quite an adventure getting dinner ready. Mark has also figured out how to turn on the dishwasher. We have passwords on our computer since Mark has found out how the computer works. He is quite smart and looks at the screen when he pushes on the keys or moves the mouse. I think Mark has inherited some computer programming genes.

Mark is in the toddler class at the church two days a week. This gives Mark some interaction with other children and Mommy a chance to get some things done. Mark is adjusting, there are still tearful good-byes in the morning, but he is playing more and really enjoys the buggy ride and play room.

Colorado Fun!

Mark had a fun trip to Colorado. Mark traveled with Mommy and Daddy as well as Granny Jan and Grandpa Shelby. Mark was such a good little traveler. He received lots of entertainment from the other passengers in the van, especially Granny Jan. We arrived at Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Dean's house on August 30th, our wonderful home away from home for the next few days.

On August 31st, Mike and I took Mark to Rocky Mountain National Park. We took Trail Ridge Road up to the Alpine Visitor Center and then went up the trail. Mark was determined to walk some of the trail himself. He would cry when we would pick him up to carry him so we allowed him to walk some of the trail himself. He is a determined little guy.

On Sept. 1st, we had a family reunion at the zoo. We were quite a crew. There were the seven of us that traveled from Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Dean's house and then we met up with Mike's cousins Shelley and Stacie, their husbands James and Jeff, and Stacie's kids Cooper and Everett. We had a wonderful time at the zoo.

On Sept. 2nd, Stacie, Jeff, Cooper, and Everett traveled to Jeanie and Dean's house for the afternoon. It was fun to see Mark interact with Cooper. We had a great time visiting and playing with the kids.

On Sept. 3rd, it was time to head back home. We went on a scenic drive into the mountains and then started the drive home. I think we all had a wonderful vacation!