Butterflies at Olbrich Gardens

Once a year they have a special "Butterflies" exhibit at Olbrich Gardens. In the conservatory, they hatch and release hundreds of butterflies a day for the span of a week or two. You can walk around watching butterflies fluttering to and fro. With the backdrop of the tropical/rainforest theme it is a magical setting. Here are a few of the many pictures we took that day.

A beautiful flower, I have no idea what it is called.

The first butterfly we found, although it looks more like a moth to me. Maybe he is the black sheep of the family.

Yum, nectar.

Isn't it amazing what beauty nature can produce in the simplest of organisms.

I loved the intricate pattern on this butterfly.

A Monarch Butterfly. I used to see these all the time when I was a little kid. I see them rarely now, but they still remind me of my youth. I wish there were more butterflies in the world, the world would be a happier place if there was.

Koi fish

Mommy, Isaac, and Daddy taking a brake by the pool.

A family photo opportunity that couldn't be missed.

Isaac seeing in the benches in the garden are good for running trucks along.

Lily pads, the only thing missing in Kermit.

Look Daddy, I am riding an elephant.

These guy looks like he is hungry. I will just give him part of my cracker.

Ouch, he bit me.

I can't believe we got him to sit down. It was probably the only time that day.

I loved the reflection of the flower in the water.

Daisies, lots of daisies.

Pre Halloween Outfit

Heather's parents are avid garage sale shoppers. They found this Halloween costume for Isaac.

Cheese! Gotta practice looking cute in my Halloween costume so that I can rake in the candy during Trick or Treating.

What a little gentleman.

Just thought this was the quintessential picture of a little boy all dressed up but not allowed to go outside.

Epic Picnic

Isaac enjoying himself in a jump house.

Hey, whose out there?

Look at me Mom, Grandpa teaching me to ride a horse.

Wait, where is the horse?

Here it is!

Pool Dance Party

On a nice hot day in July we were invited over to our friends Cory and Julia's pool at their apartment complex. Isaac loves water, it was hot, and a chance to drink a beer or two with friends...we were there faster than Isaac can fill a diaper!

Isaac loves to be tossed into the air. It doesn't matter if it is a pool, but Heather is less nervous if I do it in a pool.

Isaac getting some serious air.

Safe landing. Followed by "More, Daddy, More". My arms get tired before Isaac ever gets tired of flying.

On a side note, we thought it a bit weird when we were all relaxing by the pool when a DJ with full equipment came in and started playing music like we were at a club. He even started taking requests. Strange. The DJ is in the above picture. Anyway, at some point Isaac decided that it was time to turn this pool into MTV's "The Grind". For those of you who need a refresher "The Grind" was MTV's show where everyone dance by a pool wearing skimpy clothing.

All by himself, he climbed up on a picnic table and started dancing. There was about 15 people around the pool and Isaac instantly became the center of attention. This lovely lady was the first one to approach our young stud.

Isaac making full use of his arms in his dancing style.

Shake that booty!

July 4th Parade in Columbus

Family Picture.
Free Tip: Never wear a kids hat in a picture unless you want to look like you have a massive head.

Isaac and Grace getting their July 4th groove on!

Gracie is a rockstar!

What a cute pair!

I see you!

Isaac looking like he is ready to discuss the works of Homer. Homer of the Greek times, not the Simpsons.

Sawyer's Birthday Bash!

Isaac loves watermelon. He is not picky either, he will eat both the flesh and the rhine.

Here he is eating and driving at the same time. Luckily, no cops stopped him.

All gone? Then we get to hear his favorite word of the summer "more!"

As you can see, he has a lot of watermelon juice on his stomach. Soon to be followed by grass, dirt, and anything else that bonds to sticky toddler tummies.

The birthday boy with a bit of sun in his eyes. He looks a bit like the "old man" you see in funny greeting cards.

Grace showing off her swimsuit.

Isaac getting some sandbox time. Sand and watermelon juice is a bit like superglue once it drys. You can guess how much Isaac enjoyed getting it cleaned off later in the day.

The inflatable water slide! Man, that looks high.

This is a good height for me. Lets try this mommy.

Here we go!

The water was a bit cold. We didn't capture it in the picture but Isaac's eyes shot open the second he hit the pool of water at the bottom.

Pinata Time! Sawyer takes the first crack at it.

Logan's turn. For the older children we made it a bit harder by making it a moving target.

Evan with a solid shot.

Gracie girl's turn.

Isaac taking a massive swing at it. Ok, massive is a bit of a stretch, but he did hit it.

Some down time with Daddy.

Grace finishing off the last of her ice cream cake. Which means she was spooning up the melted ice cream. Yummy!