A new look

Can anyone remember the last time Quinn blogged? The one in January doesn't count because I made him do it. So since I am in charge I felt that I should also be the one in charge of our look. So get ready for some changes while I play around with this thing. I think it is about time.

Zoo Day

A zoo day during the week with Dad! We thought we would hit the zoo before the crowd of the summer and before the summer heat. We forgot one thing though - School field trips. The zoo was packed with school kids all morning but we still had fun. So this was how our day started with Emma happy and always climbing and James crying because he couldn't get out of the wagon as easily and when he did we always had a hold of his monkey tail. He was very unhappy about the leash but no one got lost this time. Yeah! (Last time it was Emma)

This guy was very nice to just sit in front of his window and let us all look at him. He did give Emma a scare though. At one point he walked away and when he came back he came right up to where she was standing. It scared her a little to see this big guy coming right at her but when she tried to back up she couldn't. There was a crowd of kids and one kid was standing right behind her with both of his arms on either side of her head leaning against the glass. Dad saved her and we quickly left the gorilla house with Emma in tears.

This was our favorite part - it only took coming here for 4 years in a row to finally see a tiger use their pool and do anything besides sleep. It was really neat. Emma enjoyed watching his tail move against the glass.

A trip to the zoo is not complete with out playing with the ball.

James is pouting because he is still wary about rides after we traumatized him at Lagoon. Once it got going he realized it was okay.

Love the playground.

There is a baby monkey getting a ride from Mom or Dad. Born this spring sometime.

James was also unsure about the carousel but I think he enjoyed it by the end. Emma is there in the background. She really wanted to ride an elephant but the outside elephant was taken.

Happy Easter

We had some crazy weather last week leading up to a beautiful Easter. On Friday we got 3 1/2 inches of snow. Guess who packed the snow away 2 weeks ago and had to get it back out because the kids begged to go out and play. Luckily I got out of playing because mine was really packed away and not readily available. So I watched from the window.

Later that day Emma and I colored eggs. She had been begging me all week.

Saturday we headed over the elementary school for the annual Easter Egg hunt.

James was very excited but not really aggressive to gather as many eggs as he could.

Emma knew just what to do.

Then we headed right inside to meet the Easter Bunny which Emma had been talking about doing but when it was our turn both kids were crying. Being the good parent I am I made them sit by that bunny that I stood in line for (even if it was only for a minute).

Then Emma got to do a craft and James and Daddy did the cake walk. They won a cupcake which James did not want. He wanted the smarty that everyone else got just for participating. Quinn was very happy to eat the cupcake.

Easter morning!

The kids got books, Bible story DVDs, swimming goggles and dive rings.

Oh and some candy.

They were allowed to eat their Cadbury egg before breakfast. James enjoyed his so much he got a chair and climbed up on the counter and ate Quinn's egg while I was upstairs getting ready for Church. I didn't discover this until after I tried to get him to eat his breakfast.

Hunting for eggs once Dad got home from his meetings.

Emma rushed around finding egg after egg. James almost stepped on some eggs and still didn't see them. He did enjoy himself by going down the slide and playing with the wagon. He would only pick up and egg if we pointed it out to him.

My cute kids and me in our new Easter outfits.

How come Dads never get/want anything new to wear on Easter?

Goodbye

Last Sunday we spent our last night with Uncle Taylor. He left for his mission on Wednesday. It was very hard to say goodbye even though we know that this is what he should be doing and he is going to make the best missionary. He is so ready and so prepared. Good Luck Taylor, we will miss are favorite Uncle.

Have fun in Alaska!

James' Birthday part 2

We were finally able to get together with the Lavenders to celebrate James, Christian and Nicole's birthdays. James knew just what to do.

More cars, he was so excited to play with them but we all ready had these ones so we took them back and got some legos which he also loves.

Emma and Max helping out. Trucks for outside and a golf set.
A new bath towel being modeled by Cousin Tanner and a wagon with sand toys. Yeah!
Cake for all!
But a special Mater cupcake just for James.
He loved it.

This is him saying "Cheese" but where's the smile?

Tracy Aviary

The last Wednesday in March we went to the Tracy Aviary to take advantage of the last free day of the season. It was fun and we had a very nice day, the clouds only rolled in as we were leaving. We went with our friends the Drommonds and two other kids from the neighborhood.

Feeding the ducks.

In the Owl Forest.

Some very cute birds named: Michael, Emma and James.
Looking at my favorite bird there, the Scarlet Ibis. It is a bright orange-pink color.

Another favorite.

The kids had fun even if they weren't that interested in most of the birds. The loved being outdoors and running around with each other.