Gymnastics Graduation

Thanks to Aunt Jill's expert instruction, Mallory was able to graduate from her gymnastics class with flying colors. Aside from the usual sticker, she also got a certificate and a sucker.

It looks like we will be washing this shirt immediately after class.

She really liked that sucker.

MN Zoo

On a wet April day, the family made the long trek out to the MN Zoo.

First stop, the barn and the petting zoo. Dad was a lot friendlier with the goats than Mallory was.

Then it was off to see the cows, we even watched a milking display.

"Is there an enormous leopard behind me?"

Mallory felt more comfortable with something a little smaller than her, like this bunny rabbit.

Tell me this isn't the cutest chicken you have even seen.

Target Field

Not too long after opening day, Mallory and the rest of the Held family made their first trip to Target Field. Everyone was in awe of the new digs. And Mallory was especially in awe when she saw TC Bear running all over the field. She couldn't get enough of him.

Mallory spent the first few innings with Mommy in the cheap seats before getting an upgrade.

Dad was sitting up on the Budweiser roof deck, so he snuck the gang up there to get some snacks. Mallory even got to ride in the elevator with Dan Gladden. Not too bad for the first time out.

Gymnastics with Jill

One Saturday Aunt Jill happened to be in town for work, so we invited her to come to Mallory's gymnastics class. Little did she know it was parent participation, and that Mallory was going to request that Jill act as parent that day.

First they went and bounced balls in the parachute.

Then it was on to the high beam.

Mallory was a little more comfortable on the low beam, so she took that one herself.

Then Mallory led the group in some stretches.

...before taking a brief rest to pose for a picture with Mommy.

Circus - 2010

Thanks again to Ron and Sue, we were able to get tickets to the Osman Shrine Circus. Mallory had a great time watching all the animals.

She posed with Mom and Dad in front of the elephants...

...and Bobo and Brian in front of, you guessed it, the elephants.

Bobo and Brian even used Mallory to get a picture with their favorite clown.

Easter 2010 - Part II

After all the eggs in Plymouth were accounted for, it was time to head down to Nama and Papa's house.
But first, the Easter Bunny made a surprise appearance. Yikes!

Papa held the basket while Mallory scoured the yard for eggs.

Then Papa joined in the fun in a race to see who could get the most eggs.

Mallory showing off the winning egg.

And then a photo in the winner's circle with Nama and Papa and countless eggs.

Easter 2010

Early April brought along some green grass and Easter, which meant lots of good egg hunting at the Held House. The whole gang of egg hunters (Mommy, Mallory and Samson) got ready to find some eggs.

"Where did they all go?"

With basket in hand, we were off to find more eggs.

Every square inch of the yard was covered.

Leave it to the accountant to take inventory of the eggs.

Coloring Easter Eggs

With Easter just around the corner, it was time to decorate eggs for the first time with Mallory.

Before we started Mom laid out the ground rules, focusing on the breakability of the eggs.

One last photo before the kitchen table becomes a different color.

It took a little while for Mallory to master the egg dipper, but eventually she got the hang of it.

Two down, seven more to go.

Mallory showing off one of her fantastic designs.

Cupcakes

When Mallory is an extra good listener, she gets special treats as a reward. This time it was...

Cupcakes!

The frosting was getting the majority of the attention.

But she managed to take time out for a quick picture and to show everyone how much she liked her cupcake.

Baseball Cap

In the Held house, April means two things: the Masters on CBS and the start of baseball season.


Mallory got in the mood for the latter by putting on her new Twins baseball cap. Believe it or not but she put in on backwards all by herself (starting a new trend of independence).

Here she is practicing her best Zoolander moves on the catwalk.

Dinner with Canniff's

Mom and Mallory headed down to Apple Valley to check out a Spanish Immersion class with our friends the Canniff's.

After class, it was time for some dinner with Mallory's friends Sami and Shayna.

As you can tell, the girls get along quite well.

Swim Class

Back in the spring, Mallory and Mommy took a parent-child swim class together through Plymouth Parks and Recreation.

Mallory graciously took time from her swimming lesson to smile for the camera.

She loved being in the water and playing with all the pool toys.

Here she is working on her kicks

Watch out Michael Phelps!

Adventures in Babysitting

Mallory is really close to her Auntie Bobo and Uncle Brian, so they volunteered to watch her for the evening so Mom and Dad could have a "date night."

The group went over to the Eden Prairie mall and checked out some of the rides.

Then it was back to the Murray house for some fun with Bobo and...

...whatever it is that Mallory and Brian are doing here.

Reading with Mom

On a cold winter's day, Mallory took the opporunity to snuggle up with Mom and her favorite blanket (Pooh Bear). Mom doesn't seem to be sharing the blanket too well here...

Story time!

Cheer up guys, only three more months until the snow is gone.