Zoo Times

This last week I helped out our neighbor by watching her two boys. They had lots of fun playing with the Lego, GeoTrax Train, and PS2. The plan was for me to have them until Thursday, so Wednesday morning after taking care of things, I had the boys get their shoes on and off we went. Max was always wanting to know where we were going, and Braden said that we were going to the park. They were a little confused when we didn't turn into the park and kept driving. Instead we headed up to the zoo. They were pretty excited to be there.
Of course, when we got there Evan had fallen asleep.

Braden and Max thought that the black bear was funny as it tried to get it's itch.

When we were part way through, Evan decided it was time to wake up. About this time, Max was ready to head back home.


Because of some things, I ended up with Braden and Max on Friday also. I had already told our kids that we would go to the Zoo, so Mindy and I worked it out so that everyone was able to get to the Zoo and Back. Evan was excited, because this time around he got to see the alligator.

Elizabeth was mostly excited to be able to sit on the elephant.

They all liked learning about the Siberian Lynx and that the zoo has three of them.

We then got to go and watch as they did some enrichment activity with the snow leopard.

But the highlight of it all, was going on the Merry-go-Round and playing at Discovery Land. I think that most kids would agree, that those are the best parts of the zoo.

Not what I want to do on a Sunday Evening.

So, yesterday evening I was trying to relax by playing the piano. Evan loves the piano and was trying to get up to play also. I was just about to get him down, when gravity helped him out instead. He headed off the bench backwards and hit the leg of the piano just right. At first it didn't look like we needed to head to the doctors, but after cleaning up some of the blood, I decided that I would just go check it out to make sure. The nurse came out and said that it wouldn't hurt to put one stitch in, if only to keep it from getting infected. So, as we waited for the doctor to come and look at it, the nurses all came to see him. They all thought that he was so cute, because he was bending himself in half and putting his head between his feet. They dubbed him Yoga Boy. Wish I was that flexible. Well, when all was said and done, they ended up putting two little staples in the back of his head. After all the fuss, he fell asleep where he landed and we were tempted to leave him here, if only because he wouldn't be on the back of his head.

Back to School

Hard to believe that it's that time of year again. It just seems like the summer just got underway when it was already time to head back to school. The boys are on year round schedule. When we first started on it, we weren't sure if we would like it, but we have really enjoyed the fall and spring breaks.


Austin started 2nd Grade on Aug. 5th. His teacher is Ms. Quick and so far he likes school. There are quite a few students that were in 1st Grade with him last year. He is an avid reader that will read almost anything that he can get his hands on.

Geoffrey was so excited this morning. He got to go to Kindergarten! He has the same teacher that Austin had when he was in Kindergarten. We were really impressed with Ms. Carla when Austin had her. When I picked Geoffrey up from school, she said that he was speaking up and talking so that she could hear him. This is really good, because I was afraid that he wouldn't want to talk at all. He is a more reserved child that likes to feel comfortable before he really starts to engage with others. He is a lot like I was when I was little.

"Memory" (all alone in the moonlight)-from Cats or Jason Castro

This is a really fun post!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. I will revisit your blog and leave a memory as well!! Happy Memory making!!

Zion National Park - Family Vacation 2008

Our first stop of our trip was to Zion National Park. We left really early in the morning so that we could have some time at the park before moving on the next leg of the trip. It was a beautiful day to walk along the river and enjoy the sights and sounds. When we got to the end, there were tons of squirrels that weren't afraid of getting up close and personal.

Las Vegas, Day 1 - Family Vacation 2008

After a nice afternoon at Zion's we were on to our next stop. Las Vegas! Elizabeth was really excited to be staying at the Castle (Excalibur). The kids had a lot of fun seeing all that goes on in Vegas. They enjoyed going to the M&M's World and seeing the fountains at the Bellagio's.

Las Vegas, Day 2 - Family Vacation 2008

Our second day in Las Vegas, we went out to Hoover Dam and took a tour of the electric plant. It was interesting to learn more about the dam and to see the new bypass bridge that they are building to get traffic off of the dam. We then headed to the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens. We watched them finish up with the last batch of chocolates for the day. My were those chocolates yummy! We then explored the cactus gardens and saw all of the different plants that they have growing there. Watch where you sit down. They may look like cushions, but they sure pack a punch.

Sequoia National Park - Family Vacation 2008

My what big trees you have! The trees here are amazing with how large around they are able to get. It was a long drive from Vegas to here, but it was well worth the travel. We had fun walking down to the General Sherman Tree and also seeing the Sentinel Tree. What amazing trees they are.