woodland park

Could there be a better way to spend the day?  Miss Cheri and the zoo?  Perfect.  Each time we go to the zoo with her the animals are amazing and entertaining.  Something cool always seems to happen!

This time the zebras were so close we could really see their stripes, the orangutans were outstanding and it was feeding time, the hippos were actually OUT of the water and eating, and the giraffe's were incredible.
Traditional tractor and lion photo...

adventures with caleb

We had a great zoo adventure today with our little buddy Caleb.  I will be completely honest, I prayed....hard....for today.  I prayed that Caleb would warm up to me faster than his usual hour or more.  I prayed that he would be excited to come on this adventure with us!  I prayed that he would have a wonderful time and return home well worn out and ready for a nap!  (I know I was!)

So...I arrive at his home, and the front door is open for us.  I see Caleb...hold my breath (with a big smile on my face)...and much to my delight he is giving me a full grin!  Yes!!!!  "Hi Caleb!"  Wait....it's starting to fade.  Uh oh, he's changing his mind.  The head is turning....oh dear.  I got the head turn.  The one that says "if I look away from you, perhaps when I look back you shall be gone from my presence."  Okay...regroup and try again.  "Caleb!  Are you excited to go to the zoo?  Would you like to come and see the animals with me?  I sure hope you do because I want to show you my favorite...the gorillas!"  Ahhhh, he's coming back around.  We are a go!  (but I did have a cookie in my purse...just for backup.  that's right.  I'm not above bribing another person's child).

Everyone loaded up in the car...here we go.  Side note, I realize on the drive to the zoo that the initial reaction (HUGE smile) was due to a case of mistaken identity.  I was wearing a hat and down vest, and in that brief moment of time before I actually spoke...Caleb thought I was his Grammy!  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I'll happily be mistaken for my Auntie Lorna any day.

It is at this time I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.  God is good.  His creation is good, He is good, and He blessed our socks off today.  No rain, amazing creatures, and three cheerful kiddos.  This was FUN!
Amazing. A zoo full of interesting, living, creatures and these three find the one tv.
The wolves den. Caleb was howling. Owoooooooooh!
These three. At the penguins there is a little den in the rocks. Noah went inside and starting roaring (cause that's what penguins do) anytime Caleb started his direction. A reprimand for scaring the little guy was on the tip of my tongue when...wait...Caleb is cracking up! Not only is he cracking up but he keeps going back for more. Loving these boys. Gideon has some good times ahead. Then they found the anchor. In an attempt to get them all to look at me, at the same time, I asked them all to say "anchors away!" Apparently that too was hilarious to Caleb. He repeated the phrase for the next 10 minutes. Gold.
I dare you to find a cuter turtle. He had to climb every rock in the zoo. "Caleb, show me how strong you are?!"
Finally...family farm. Let's go see a man about a tractor.

My favorite Caleb moment:  We are ready to leave the zoo, I ask Caleb if he'd like to ride in the stroller or walk out to the car.  He looked up at me, raised his arms and said (in that adorable little husky voice)..."shoulders".  Melt. My. Heart.  Shoulders it is little buddy.

Morgan, thank you for letting us take your little guy on an adventure with us. We had a really great time! Hopefully you got some much needed quiet time and work done.

a gwenna kind of day

Rather than spam Tori's phone each minute of our day I decided to put the pictures here...they are too good not to share.

Adventures with Gwenna!

We started our adventure at Woodland Park Zoo.  They saw zebra, hippos, monkeys (of course!), gorillas, orangutan, snakes, birds of prey, bears, wolves, jaguar, elephants, and more.
For us a trip to the zoo isn't complete without some play time at the mole hills and spider web.
Tractor time at the family farm. The one in the middle is my favorite. "What cow? I saw no cow."
Then it was back to our house for quiet time and, surprise, a nap from Gwenna! No surprise that she had to have ALL the babies in order to settle herself in for a snooze. I actually had to wake her up at 4:30 because I was afraid she'd be up all night for mommy and daddy. I just started putting things away in Ava's room, left the door open, and the girl slept right on through. Eventually, she did start to stir and thankfully she's been here enough that waking up in Ava's bed wasn't too foreign.
Dinner time!
Home for bath. She couldn't understand why it wasn't time to cook in her kitchen. Fortunately, she likes baths even more....AND a bath with Ava...well. The second one cracks me up...she had to have just one more squirt of soap, and what better time to grab for it then when she's giving me her best "cheeeeeeeeeese!"


My favorite G quotes from today:
"I need finish my nuffin."
"No, I fine."  (every time I asked her if she needed to go potty)
"Cheeeeeeeeeeeese."
"Na-no...I get you in trouble." (This one I had a hard time not laughing. And no, this was not a question out of concern for something she might have done...it was a statement. At least she was being honest!)

A lovely day with our favorite little Gwenna, a pity it had to come to an end. Until our next adventure!

zoo day

Auntie was home for a visit and we decided to spend the day at the zoo. Meet our new friend...

Ava was our guide...

The kids love the vegetable garden, especially the tractor.

Their FAVORITE is the mole hills and giant spider web.

Off to see the gorillas!

Ava the flamingo...

Carousel

The scary penguin cave!

Just glad to spend the day with Nana and Auntie!