Z-O-O

I told Nathan last night we were going to the "Z." I didn't want to say what it was because if something came up they would never know we were planning on going. Lucas said to Nathan "I love the Zoo, I want to go!" We both look at each other and say what? He said "you know Z-O-O" (gotta love those catchy commericals)

It wasn't a free day, but I wanted to go before Lucas turned 3 and I had to pay for him. I couldn't believe that it was $12.00 to go to the zoo! It must have gone up in price, because that seems like it is WAY more than it used to be. Any who, here we are. Having a fun time. The last time we went it was for our annual zoo lights trip and we didn't really get to see any animals. Lucas and Noah were very into checking the map and Bridget was so excited to see "man-ee-mals." We also made sure we checked off the map, and Lucas really wanted to bring his field journal (diego) Maybe I will make him one for Christmas!

Here is the Mandrill. It was so close to the glass Lucas looks like he is trying to kiss it!

Ah, yes the drums.


We can't go to the zoo and NOT ride the train. I almost stayed back and sat with Scarlett but, I am glad I didn't.



I almost ALWAYS seem to get great shots of everyone else's kids, but never my of my own. So, if you want nice pictures of your kids invite me somewhere! Haha. Here is a great one of Elijah. I think he liked the train the best.

Bridget was very happy to see her favorite Elephant and 'Raffs.

Scarlett was happy as a clam the ENTIRE time.

She didn't even need her binky!
The polar bears were out swimming again. It looked so nice in there!

It is so nice to have cousins so close together because we swapped seats in the stroller several times. It was nice to play in someone else's stroller I think.

While we were loading in the car I told Lucas we would see Noah again next Friday. He looked puzzled and said "how come?" I said your party is next Friday and he said, "really?"
"I am so happy to have a party" After we passed them on Colorado Blvd. Lucas says "you know those cool Sea Turtles mom?" Yes.

Lucas: "I think I need one of those for my birthday."
I said: Grandma Horn already got you one.
Lucas: "But I want one that swims in the sea."
I said: We can't fit one in the house.
Lucas: "When I am 15 I will move out of your house and get one for my house."
I said: Let's talk about it later.
Lucas: "Yea! When I am 15!"

*Note to self*
Do not mention Sea Turtles in 2021!

Fadders Day

We usually don't do anything spectacular for Father's Day. I make a special meal with a special dessert, the kids give Nathan a book, and we watch a movie. Last year we did something out that was special, but this year because the weather has been so wet and rainy we decided to stay in. When I mean in, I mean camping in the backyard! Nathan and Lucas couldn't go to the father's and son's outing because it was like 2.5 hours away and because he was in West Virginia, but we improvised and it worked out swimmingly!

So we ate BLT's for dinner and then straight outside to set up the tent...

After everyone was ready (8:30pm) I put Scarlett down for the night in her crib and brought everyone a special treat...

I opted not to do a campfire in my backyard on my baby grass and we did popcorn instead.

Nathan read them a few books and then it was lights out.
In the morning we decided to do cereal in the tent.

We love to camp. It is one of Nathan's favorite things to do actually. We have gone camping while I was pregnant several times and we took Lucas camping with the Youth when he was 4 weeks old. This is something that we just do, but Scarlett might have woken the kids up with the dumb neighborhood dogs or something, so we let her sleep inside...it wasn't a big deal since we have a monitor and she sleeps through the night in her own crib. We had fun hanging out in the tent and in the morning we brought her down and let her chill in the baby sleeping bag that Lucas and Bridget have both used in the past...

While Lucas was searching outside for bugs we just layed in the tent and relaxed.

We made funny faces with the flash light and then Bridget went outside to hunt with Lucas.

While Nathan and I were in the tent we observed Lucas and Bridget experience the best thing about camping...


"peeing in the nature" (as Lucas calls it)
I think it's funny Bridget thinks she is the same as Lucas...even when her diaper is still on!
So far we've had a great Fadders Day how about you?

We went swimming

The girls came over and had lunch at my house, then we went swimming for the entire afternoon! Lucas was so excited that they were coming that he passed out at 10:30!!!

It's a good thing we went swimming because it was 80 today! I would have hated going to the zoo or something outside, because it was H-O-T!

Lucas of course dove right in and had a great time splashing and swimming, and drowning...haha just joking. He did drink a ton but he had fun nonetheless.

Kylie and Emily liked pushing Bridget around, and Bridget liked the attention. Maddie was too busy playing with Laura (her mom)

Lucas playing and making all the girls laugh...Trista and Nathan, Laura and Maddie.

Emily had fun squealing with Lucas and just catching up on their lives. You know they have so much to talk about!

And...my Bridget...just chillin...

All in all it was fun and I can't wait to have them all over again tomorrow. I am so spoiled to get to hang out with them for most of their two week visit!

Yeah for Friends

I am so glad Trista and Laura (sisters) ditched their husbands during finals week and came to see me...and their parents I guess. We were going to have fun at my house but at the last minute their dad wanted to go to the zoo so we all went! It was a beautiful 75 degree day and no one was sunburned! :)

When I say no one I mean Lucas! Hahaha

I had to get him a hat because we forgot his Pinehurst hat at home, but the "phant" hat was cool too says Lucas! Here are a few pics of all of the kiddos...

Kylie(3.5) and Lucas(1.9) were together most of the time, Kylie was so sweet making sure he was okay!
Maddie (K's sister and 1.3), Emily (1.9---2 days younger than Lucas) they are cousins
Nathan (6.5 months and E's brother)
Lucas very into watching the "phants" this is his favorite animal right now...
Not really caring about the bears that were swimming right in front of him. He was waiting for his turn to talk to Papa who just happened to call while we were at the zoo! CRAZY!Bridget (5.5 months) loving the zoo!

Hahahaha she passed out after stealing some of Lucas's cheese!

I am so glad the girls are here so our babes can hang and we can chat! So exciting!

Playing Hookie

Spring Break, 4 kids, 75 degrees. These 3 factors alone would make some run away! Hahaha I asked Nathan to take the day off and he did. We went schwimming and flew a kite! Bridget liked the family hut tub the best, Lucas liked the wave pool. The other kids liked that I went down the slides with them and that I out swam them when we raced. I still got it! :)

Time for some serious swimming pictures...well, Bridget's first time in a pool pictures.

Isn't her suit cute? Here's the story...she is 4.5 months. I went to Target to get her suit and the smallest size they had was 9 months. So I got it. It was sooooo small, I had to return it for a 12 month suit! It is still a tad tight, but I mean seriously, she is 4.5 months! She is my Chunky Monkey for sure! :) Here is Lucas in his grown up suit that G'ma Joyce got for him last summer!

And then we had lunch and went to the park and went kite flying! It was an awesome day with Daddy!

It was windy in the afternoon, and a great day for a kite!

My babes in the sun...

A great day followed by a great dinner made by moi and I'd call it a practically perfect day.Wish me luck tomorrow...it's a shot day!