Zoo Day

We decided to get good use out of our zoo pass and made our way while Charlie was in school. We went around lunch time on a somewhat cold day and it was pretty much desserted/ Quite the contrast to Zoolights!

We like to start with the otters. We were hoping to see the new rescued baby named Lincoln but she wasn't out yet. This guy was still cute though. 

It just cracks me up when kids are completely entertained by things like this...or the Elevator at OMSI...or the drinking fountains....We came to see the animals KID!!

 Monkeying around

Entertained once again by something that isn't an animal...Notice he has his own (free) binoculars around his neck...do you think that stopped ihm from asking for some quarters...no, no it did not!

We arrived in teh elephnat land in time to see them up close and perform some tricks!

haha...rough life!

  And we ended with the giraffes before we needed to go pick up Charlie from school. They seemed to be synchronized in all their movements...walking everywhere together...I didn't take a video but maybe you can tell by this photo sequence.

And there is the beginning of our many zoo trips! Also, we can get guests in if anyone wants to go...

Fire Station Field Trip

I was in charge of arranging Miles' preschool field trip to the fire station. I picked a fire station that was next to a park and a library in case the fire fighters had a call. Little did I know it was pouring down rain and the library didn't open until noon. As soon as we were parking we saw the firefighters leave on a call. We went up and knocked on the door anyway and miraculously, Firefighter Eric had come in on his day off to do some work and was more than willing to give us a tour! We were so grateful!

 

 Our tour was somewhat condensed since the firefighters were gone with one of the trucks...but 3 cheers for Firefighter Eric for working on his day off...because the other guys never came back the whole time we were there!

11 months

Nearly two months ago, our baby was 11 months old and these are the photos from our backyard.

 Edwin is seriously an amazing baby. He's entertained by the world around him, and nearly always happy. Even when he's tired! He is so adaptable and just goes with the flow. (Our lives now revolve around my kids' school schedules instead of my baby's nap schedule)

 He's still a little guy but he has a fantastic baby gut!

And he puts pretty much everything in his mouth!

 He's definitely a little goof!

We love our little Edwin!

New Years

I love celebrating New Years. And I love the low key celebrations we've had since having kids. Our goal is to stay home watch movies, play games, eat chocolate covered strawberries, review our year and make plans and goals for the coming year. Charlie was especially looking forward to it! We got to attend church on New Year's Eve and since we hadn't been able to do the Christmas music program, we were able to do that this week. When we got home I made my family take a group photo....That should be a New New Years Eve tradition right?! Also we need to get Edwin a matching tie. My boys also got new matching white shirts for Christmas..so they both had one that fit! woo! Then it was freezing so we went in.

After some dinner and tidying up the house. We got cozy and watched a movie. Edwin went to bed which took awhile and I missed most of the movie. We then made chocolate covered Strawberries and danced...as you can tell from the pictures...just Max danced! Haha!

So we got super sugared out and reviewed some of our favorite memories. Our top memories were Edwin being born, The solar eclipse and camping and rafting trips! 

After about 10pm we showed our kids a fake countdown then put them in bed. Max and I stayed up reviewing our year, last year goals, and future goals...Some accomplishments from the last year include...

Edwin's Birth (natural birth)

Preschool with Miles

Sold 2 houses

Charlie started Kindergarten and learning to read

Strict budgeting

Max started new Employment he loves

Charlie learning to ride a 2 wheeler

Witnessed the Solar Eclipse

3rd place in Questival

Multiple Beach trips

Camping trip

Charlie/Daddy rafting trip/hike

Learning the pogo stick

Pumped breast milk for 6 months 

And SOME goals for 2018

 Weekly planning meetings

Weekly budgeting

Simplifying obligations

Home organization

Starlight Deck Party

Deck repairs/painting

Plant fruit trees

Miles at CHP (Charlie's old preschool) 

Dates with Kids

Rafting with Miles and Charlie (Miles first time!)

Utah Trip/Family photos

Swim/Soccer/Tumbling class for boys

Personal and Family Scripture Study

Questival 2018-1st place!

Quarterly temple attendance

Catch up on my blog

We enjoyed the last couple of hours of 2017. It was quiet and romantic, and here's to a new Year!