MLK Day at the Zoo!

Great Aunt Susan called us on the Sunday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and said she and Zach usually try to do a special day out including breakfast and they invited us to join them!  Yay! 

 

It was decent weather with highs in the 50s which is pretty nice for January. 

 

We started out our morning at IHOP.  Tyler is a pancake fanatic so it was a great choice for him.  Nathan is not a huge breakfast eater but was intrigued with the different syrup flavors. 

 

Next it was off to the zoo!

 

I am pretty sure our boys crawl through this log EVERY TIME we go to the zoo. 

Nathan carries his basketball EVERYWHERE with him and often even sleeps with his ball. 

Notice his coat unzipped - he loves to "zip" too.

Checking out the snakes with GG.

Check out this 2012 zoo blog post here to see how much Tyler has grown compared to this similar photo next to the snake. 

The elephants (and their poop) are always a highlight.

Nathan was checking out some big lizard (I am sure that was what was on the sign: "big lizard") with Aunt Susan.

GG and Nathan took a break and got to roll the ball back and forth.  A boy and his ball.

We were starting to wear down and Grant finally woke up and wanted to eat (he went 5 hours in between feedings!) so we took a break, got a drink and snack, mommy nursed Grant and then we were ready for naps. 

This cat was sleepy too.  Nap time for all...except mom who had to drive home.  :)

 

Thanks for inviting us to the zoo, Susan and Zach!  And thanks for joining us, GG!



Friday Funday with Dad at Monkey Joe's

Dad had a Friday off in January to spend some extra time with us and we wanted to do something fun so off to Monkey Joe's it was.

Tyler is a pro at climbing up the obstacle course wall. 

Best part is still sliding down to the finish line!

Grant was not impressed with Monkey Joe's and slept right through all the noise and chaos. 

Dad even bought tokens for rides and games.  I usually just let the kids sit in them and spin the steering wheels.  I am pretty sure Jeff just ruined that concept for me now though. ;)

Basketball was a huge hit and I was excited to capture the ball going through the hoop on Tyler's shot.

 

 

It was a great Friday morning activity followed up by lunch out at Billy G's in Kirkwood. 



Tyler's basketball season

Tyler played basketball earlier this winter right after his soccer season.  Basketball was...tough for me to watch.  I understand Tyler is only 4, but let's just say we have lots of room for improvement.  Most of the other kids on his team were at the same skill level.  They worked on learning how to dribble, shoot properly and play defense.  It was a bit different from our games of Little Tikes hoops in the playroom or outside.  The YMCA had the kids use the same size basketballs I used playing girls basketball in high school.  A smaller size basketball might have helped.  Either way, it was a great experience for Tyler. 

 

A picture of his basketball picture from this season. 

Tyler looks pretty clueless in his team photo. 

 

Thanks to my mom for taking Tyler to practice and for photo day this week as we were in the hospital after Grant was born.  Yes, this photo is from Nov. 16.  #blogdelays

Christmas 2013: Part 5

My goal was to be finished with Christmas posts before the end of January...cutting it close!

 

Our final Christmas celebration was back to my mom and dad's house.  We arrived and everyone was ready to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

 

Tyler was given the job of blowing out the candles. 

Good job, Tyler!

This guy found some M&Ms on Grandma's coffee table.  He just looks guilty, doesn't he?

Tyler helped GG open some of her gifts. 

Hadley was pretty serious about her Cheerios.

Nathan constantly has a ball in his hands these days.  So much so that he sleeps with one most of the time.  More on that later.  

Julie was the baby hog of this event.  :)  She pretty much picked up Grant when we walked in the door.  Grant loved all the cuddle time. 

My lack of photos from Christmas #5 was exhaustion and my kiddos were pretty tired too and had started coming down with colds.  Boo. 

 

We had a very Merry Christmas!  We are blessed and are so thankful to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior together.



Grant Newborn Photos

We were so fortunate to have Jeanne come to the hospital just a few hours after Grant was born and snap a few photos of our newborn truly as a newborn!  I love them and already have several of them framed. 

 

I love his little nose and lips.

"Oh, man that is bright!"

Baby yawn!  It is tough work being born.

One of my favorites!

It looks like Grant is going to have my same squinty eyes that are on full display in this photo. 

 Poor guy.

Is there anything more perfect than snuggling with your newborn?

Nathan really wanted to check out the new baby. 

We love this sweet little guy and it is amazing how much he has changed in two very fast months!

 

Christmas 2013: Part 4

Our fourth Christmas celebration was at Jeff's parent's house.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal, Tyler took a nap and we exchanged gifts. 

This guy did NOT take a nap.  When I suggested it this was one of the faces I got.  "Yeah, right mom!  I am not going to miss a thing today!"

"I am ready to open some presents!"

Yep, Grant was still in his jammies.  I brought him the obligatory 1st Christmas shirt but I thought that if I could stay in my PJs all day on Christmas, I would so why shouldn't my newborn?  Your welcome, Grant. ;)

I love this photo of Nathan checking out Grandma and Popo's big tree and all the presents.  These kids are not spoiled at all (insert sarcasm here)!

Merry 1st Christmas, sweet baby!

Tyler finally woke up and the gifts started!  Nathan wanted help from Popo.

A new tractor!  Yes!

Nathan showing off some new toys to Aunt Jenny.

Matthew was into the gift opening this year too!

Love this little guy.

Matthew got a new car and Nathan was helping him out (once we got Nathan out of it).

Tyler's turn to push Matthew! 

 

I cannot believe I didn't get any photos of Greg and Abbey.

 

It was another amazing Christmas celebration together.  We are so blessed!