Zoo Days - Monday 8/23

The other morning we walked outside and there it was...fall was in the air. Not too cold, just a mild chill to the breeze that was blowing. I love it! It's perfect zoo weather, so when we got the call to come to the zoo we couldn't say no.

We started out at the Petting Zoo where the girls were able to dress up and play the role of Doctor to this fine pretend or stuffed lizard.

After lunch the girls were excited to see the new tiger cubs; Bima and Mali. Bima (the male) means brave, and Mali (the female) means flower.

We made our 1st trip to the see the Budgies aka parakeet house where the girls were able to feed the birds some seeds on a stick.

The last time we were at the zoo I had promised McKenna for her birthday she could ride the camel. She was feeling quite brave and very excited to get on the camel with her friends Tanner and Kellie.

We usually leave after the carousel but with the weather so nice we decided to venture further and see some of the things we'd missed. We found the polar bears playing...which was different from their usual napping position.

We also found that there are a whole slew of animals that aren't on display, but come out with a trainer. Today we saw a couple of tortoises and a tree sloth. Who new?

Happy Birthday McKenna-6 years old

Our Wonderful McKenna turned 6-years old today. She's really blossomed over the past year. Over and over friends and family have commented on how much more confident and self-assured McKenna has become. Her smile still brightens up a room and her laugh is like-wise contagious. She's a girl who loves to have fun, Loves to Swing, loves to cuddle and read books or watch a movie and loves playing with her Sister and her toys (Littlest Pet Shop, Barbies, Dolls and newly acquired Tinker Bell dolls). She's overcome her fears: riding the bus to school by herself, attending Kindergarten. She's learning to ride a bike, writing her letters and numbers and recognizing several words when reading. She bravely goes to primary without crying, she's learning to make friends, and she love to make others laugh and smile, especially her little brother Tate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY McKenna: WE LOVE YOU!

She had a wonderful Tinkerbell/Slip n'Slide Birthday Party in Utah with family members in Utah. So it was a much quieter birthday but I believe still fun-

Pink Pancakes for breakfast!

Birthday package from Grandma & Grandad Payne

new clothes, a new TinkerBell Doll and jewelry

(Check out the budding Photographer)

A new bike

Birthday BBQ with new friends

What a great day and Looking forward to another Year!!!!

Oh How Our Garden Grows...Produce

I've loved watching our Garden grow. It hasn't been fast moving, but there's been growth and that was enough for me.

While we were gone John told me the Garden had blossomed, I didn't believe it until I saw it. It's beautiful and I'm so excited! This is our Largest garden thus far and the biggest and greenest.

New to our Garden this year are the beets, Broccoli, corn that actually produces, and spinach.

The girls love picking fresh produce and Tate loves eating the peas right off the vine!

July 30-31:2 Day Journey

So much happened over the 2-1/2 weeks we were gone to Utah, my head spins at starting this post and how to break it all up.

How it all began: I've been homesick for the past couple of months wanting to see my family and friends in Utah. It wasn't until we were planning our Race weekend and John's parents flight plans that being able to go all came together. Theywanted to go down to Steven & Silvia's little girl Leslie's baby blessing the 1st weekend of August. I wanted to go to Utah to visit my family and Friends and so we collaborated and they drove the van while I manned the children and we both were awarded with a trip to Utah.

We left Thursday morning by a 8:15- only 15 minutes later than planned, not too shabby for me and overall the kids did really well in the car. Going down it was pry a total of 15 hours in the car. There were snacks and movies, books on tape, dolls and writing activities to keep the girls entertained. For Tate...anything I could think of: food, movies, balls, games of Peek-a-boo and naps.

This is always my favorite time of traveling...naptime.

We stopped in Boise overnight for a quick visit to see Aunt Audrey & Uncle James and the kids.

We pulled into Ogden around 3ish on Friday and said a teary 'See you on Sunday' to Grandma & Grandpa Payne. I'm glad Grandma & Grandpa Harris were only 15 minutes away with the tears the girl shed.

Tate was quite the gentleman-helping me bring the luggage in. He did attempt the Larger luggage, but found this to be more his size.

=

Reward

That Night I had a Girls or I guess a Mom's Night Out With Shelly & Laura where we found a good spot on the lawn to watch Lady Antebellum and swoon & Dance to Tim McGraw. Good company, good music, good views. What's not to like? Ok maybe that was all an understatement to the screaming i did. It was a GREAT Concert!

The cherry on top was being able to see my long lost friend Kelly Davis who happened to be there as well.

More to come...

Home Renovation update

Ask and you shall receive-Mom this one's for you. ;)

While in Utah John was home busy finishing the kitchen. He put up crown molding, base molding, finished the island, the rest of the cupboard fronts, shelving, and the new kitchen light above the sink. He mentioned several times how much he loved being able to leave a project...tools and all and when he came back everything was just how he'd left it.

He not only finished the kitchen, he finished the molding in the bathrooms.

He also finished the door fronts for our carport entryway.

The list continues...he fixed the stairs (no more creaking), he fixed cracks in the walls and painted the upstairs stair and hallway, rehung all the doors so they easily open and latch closed.

This is the transfer into the bathroom-It's been a BIG Crack for 6 years.

Thanks Honey I love my newly almost completely finished house. :)

Daddy's Day Out

John Surprised the family by announcing he'd taken Tuesday off work...and he wanted to take the kids out, without me. I wasn't sure I'd heard right, it's something I've only dreamed of coming out of his mouth for the last 3 years.

Come Tuesday morning I'm not sure who was more excited, the kids or I? We made lunches, got them dressed and then Daddy and kids happily piled into the van and went....

Blueberry picking

At one point Tate pulled the branch to his mouth and started eating berries right off it.

They also went to Les Gove Park in Auburn for lunch and to play in the water.

The kids had a great day with Dad!

And what did Mom do? Spa? Shopping? Nothing? Nope I took a shower and worked on the computer and cleaned without child interruption. It was nothing short of a little piece of heaven.