A Golden Day!

Happy Birthday Grant!!!!

Today was Grant's birthday, which also happens to be his golden birthday- this being the first of the month and his first birthday. I know it's a cliche, but I have to say it: where does the time go?!? How did the tiny baby I was so carefully holding just yesterday turn into the rambunctious toddler who fearlessly took a nose-dive off my bed today? (Don't worry, he's fine- my nerves, however, are another story.)

To celebrate this golden event, I took the day off to be with Grant. Matt ended up taking a half day as well, and we all headed to the Minnesota Zoo. It was a perfect fall day, warm and sunny enough to enjoy being outside, but cool enough to justify putting Grant in the new sweater and hat I got him a couple of weeks ago. Here are a few of the pictures from today:

Matt took this one as we were leaving the zoo. Even after a couple of hours there Grant was still in a great mood! If you scroll down to the other pictures, you'll see how much he loved it all.

As you can see by the huge grin on his face, Grant loved the salmon. Well, that or he just really liked being allowed to hit the glass. Either way, he was one happy boy, as you can see:

You can see the brown bears in the upper part of the picture. This part of the new Russia's Grizzly Coast exhibit, which wasn't yet open when we went in May.

Another picture of Grant watching the bears. He seemed a little in awe of them.

This was Grant's expression as he watched the prairie dogs. When one disappeared back in its hole Grant chirped "Uh-oh!" and then giggled when it popped back up a second later.

Grant pointing out the prairie dogs to his daddy.

All in all, it was a great day (well, except for the swan dive off of the bed, but I'm trying to forget about that as Grant has already done so). The birthday party will be this Saturday, and I'm sure we'll have lots more fun pictures to post then.