Zoo Zoo We Love You!

After getting home from Vegas we had to spoil the kids a little. We kind of missed them a lot. So, we went to our favorite zoo just down the road. What was unusual about this visit? We let the kids ride on the merry-go-round. Don't let Eden's expression surprise you, she loved this just as much as Kael. I think we might have a couple of adventurous kids on our hands. I'm excited to take them to Disneyland some day because I know they are going to love it. And please ignore Eden's crazy outfit and size problems, I finally pulled out her 12 month clothes today, so hopefully something will fit her now.

The zoo was awesome because they set up dinosaurs all around the zoo that were huge. Kael loved hearing them roar and then he would roar back at them. One of the dinosaurs even spit water at you. This was just in time since Kael is loving dinosaurs right now.

Zoo Videos

I think one of Kael's favorite animals is the giraffe. He can point it out in a book and shows it to me and tells me "giraffe" over and over. He is getting so smart and I love that he likes certain things now. He is still always happy and excited about everything, but he does have favorites now.

Eden really liked the giraffe's too! Every day she shows more and more personality and spunk. It was fun to see her expressions at the zoo this time because she loved seeing and pointing to things.

Kael got down on the ground right up next to the turtle and kept following it. In the video he didn't want the turtle to walk away so he ran ahead of it and was saying no no over and over. It was hilarious. We had a turtle as a kid and it was Sammy the turtle, maybe I should get Kael a turtle... Ummm. No. Bad idea.

Kael has a hard time with sounds. It is quite hilarious when you know what he is trying to say, but really frustrating when he is trying to tell you something and you don't know what it is, and you are playing charades to try and find out. It makes me laugh hearing him say snake. It sounds like "nake nake". He cracks me up.

I LOVE THE ZOO. Once again I just need to shout out how much I love living where I do. When life gets hard I think I complain too much and I just need to remember my blessings because I have so many. Look at my children's happy faces. How could I not be blessed?! Thank you zoo for being .8 miles from my apartment. Thank you Derek for having spring break and spending it with me and the kids. I am blessed.

The Zoo

I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet. They sent me an...

(This is a pop up book Kael and Eden have and it is their favorite!)

What a good thing we have a zoo less than a mile away.

Kael has always loved spinning this big ball, but this time so did Eden! She loves being in the stroller and making Kael walk. Probably because that means she actually gets to interact and see things. It might be time for a double stroller.

Kael gets a little grumpy on the last stretch of the visit and walking back to the car can be tiring for a 2 year old. We decided to let him take a break on the big elephant. He didn't want to get off after he sat down. Good thing we brought some snacks to convince him.

What is Eden pointing and laughing at you ask? Well I'm pretty for certain she could see herself in the window and was pointing and laughing at herself... Ya. She's pretty funny.

Phoenix AZ

We were able to drive to Phoenix over Memorial Day weekend. The kids did pretty good in the car. We were able to visit with most of my family that lives down there. We haven't been to a get together this big down there since Derek and I were married, so it was so much fun for us, and it was so good to show off our amazing kids. :)
Friday morning we drove down really early. We left the house at 5 am. When we got there we dropped Kael off at my sister Shannon's house and went to lunch with my Grandma. Then, we were able to go to our hotel, and we took a nap. It was SO nice. Ya, we went on vacation and took a nap. What could be better? That night we went to my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Stan's house and they put together a pretty awesome party. We were able to see all of my cousins except one, but his wife and kids came, so it was all worth it.
Saturday we got up and headed to my sister Shannon's house and then we proceeded to the Phoenix zoo. It was so awesome. This zoo is a lot bigger than Hogle Zoo, and it had a splash pad for the kids. I was impressed. We went back to Shannon's and relaxed and made kabobs for dinner, then the kids and I went swimming. It was a fun filled day, and we were all exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel, but wouldn't have changed the day at all.
Sunday we packed up the hotel and then headed to my Grandma's for one last visit, so we could visit with my Grandad too. It was so much fun. Kael was on his best behavior. (I was a little shocked, but grateful) Then, we were on the road again. The kids were a little worn out, so I spent over half the ride home in the back seat squished behind 2 car seats, but we made it home safe and sound, and only had to stop once to feed the baby.

We had such a great time, and miss everyone already. Sharice, Kael, and Grandma at the party.
Derek and Grandma at the party.

Cousin Curt holding Eden at the party.

Cousin Christine holding Eden. She held her for most of the night. Eden loved it!

Uncle Roy and Uncle Stan

Phoenix Zoo. Kael and Dad. (Kael loves getting his picture taken lately.)

Sharice, Kael, and a squished, sweaty Eden.

Rafiqui(The monkey from Lion King), Kael, and Derek.

Kael on the splash pad.

If you look close you can see his eye on the right is SUPER swollen. He rubbed sun screen in his eye and couldn't stop, and then he was over heated, so the kid was ready to head home before this picture was taken, but the water was so much fun.

Niece Cassandra at the zoo. She did GREAT.

Kael being silly at the hotel.

Kael at the hotel.

Grandma Sapp and Eden.