ZooLights tradition

We were able to make it to see the ZooLights once again. It was fun to go as a family and see all that they had set up.

Kids need their snacks. Cuties.

Belated zoo trip post

We enjoy using our membership to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. I was sad to learn last month that it's closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (November-December). Wednesdays are Emma's day off from preschool, and we've had Saturday plans fairly often lately, so we haven't been for several weeks. Back in October (the day after taking pictures with the fall leaves), we went and I forgot to post about it then so I'm going to do it here now.

So close! Tigers are BIG (bigger than it looks in these pictures).

Usually my kids aren't really fans of the spinning seat things pictured below but this trip they both couldn't get enough of it and were in it for several minutes. I love how Henry seems totally unfazed by Emma practically sitting on him. 

Henry is much more comfortable on the carousel than Emma, though she has gotten more comfortable in the past year or two. She is on a non-moving one in these pictures because I had to stand by Henry (who nearly slides right off) and she isn't comfortable on one moving up and down unless someone is next to her. They had a great time.

Stopped at the gorilla statue that's on the path that leads down to the zoo since no one was near it taking pictures as is usually the case. They're tired, clearly. Henry's face in that first one below represents how I feel after pushing him in the stroller up all the switchbacks leaving the zoo.

Loved the fall colors

Already I'm missing the colors of fall - it was a beautiful season. As Henry pronounces one fall color "or-yanj". I took some photos of the kids at the end of October, trying to find places with good fall colors but the trees I found didn't have low branches so the kids were way below. Ha. Oh well. And of course I had to pick areas with a playground so the kids wouldn't mind riding in the car for 20+ minutes since we'd be headed to a NEW playground (we actually went to two).

I'm in a picture with my kids! At least my shadow is. Ha.

Cute boy decided to pray while we walked around outside.

Climbing high. When did she get so big? 

Classic cheeser

Just look at his squishy face. I want to kiss those cheeks all day.

Shadows. Something I should have forseen.

I love these two cuties so much even though they drive me crazy on a regular basis.

I have a preschooler

I am happy to report she's still as happy to go each morning as she was the first - maybe not with the exact amount of enthusiasm but she still gets very excited and often skips up to the school building. I love that she gets excited when she realizes she gets to go to school the next day, and even like hearing when she says she's sad when she thinks of the days she doesn't have school ("I'm sad I don't go to school tomorrow"). She goes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

I think she's still shy in class and doesn't talk much, though I haven't seen her in class. She's "trying" to say "thank you" at snack time - trying to muster the courage to get the words out, I guess. I had asked last week or the week before if she said "thank you" when given a snack and she told me she doesn't so I talk to her about it most days and hopefully she'll get the words out one of these days. I wish she could carry her enthusiasm with her on her face into class. I'm not sure how animated she gets but at home she's very animated talking about school. She tells me bits and pieces randomly throughout the day as she recalls different things that happen.

Her backpack is yellow AND has rainbows AND says "love" on it, all of which are pretty much her favorite things. Thank you, Target. Emma likes to put it on and buckle it herself.

I sure love this sweet, amazing girl and I hope she keeps an enthusiasm for school for many years to come.

August Adventures in California

We got to spend a week and a half in California which was pretty amazing. My parents, Patrick, and Becca's family were all there too and we managed to squeeze our group of 13 into the cabin. Spent the first half of the trip in Tahoe - played miniature golf, went to the beach, walked Rainbow Trail, went to church, spent half a day on a boat with an inner tube, played Phase 10.

The second half of the trip we spent in Newark/area. We went to the Oakland Zoo and rode the amazing gondola. We visited with family. Becca took me out for an early birthday present to get pedicures. The kids were about ready to get back to regular life by the end of the trip (though Emma would never admit it, her behavior indicated otherwise), but we were all pretty sad when vacation was over. Thankfully mom and dad flew back with us, so we still got to party. ;)

Bright outside in the California sun.

It was her first time...