Boo at the Zoo surprise

We wanted to do something fun as a family and decided to go to the Zoo.  Daddy had not seen the new baby elephant yet. When we arrived we realized it was the annual Boo at the Zoo.  It was packed and all the kids were in their costumes.  Noah was very disappointed he did not have his Black Spiderman costume with him.    As we walked in one of our local radio stations was handing out bags.  They were playing Thriller and to the embarrassment of my husband I started doing the dance.  The DJ's started doing it with me.  It was pretty awesome.

They also have a new baby Columbus monkey that is pure white and her mother holds her close to her black fur.  It was really cute.  Noah and I witnessed two spider monkeys wrestling in the trees.  They were really pounding each other.  Noah talked about it the rest of the time there.

Daddy did get to see baby Zuri,  the cutest baby elephant ever.  I begged him for a pet baby elephant but he stood his ground.  He was duly impressed with the baby.  I think all three of us would have had conniptions if he did not love her as we do.

We saw the cougars which Noah got a huge kick out of.  The penguins which I love and all along the way we got to Trick or treat.  I was really super dooper fun as Noah says.

We ate lunch up by the tigers.  We had yummy ham and cheese sandwiches, grapes, carrots, juice and yummy cookies for dessert.  That is when it started to rain.

Noah said he was tired and Sofia was rubbing her eyes.  So we made our way back to the car.  When we arrived their was Santa Claus greeting us at the door.  It was a bit of a let down that he was gone now.  Noah said it was a good reminder of fun things to come.

We had a lovely time.  We spent the rest of the afternoon, cleaning, napping and just hangin out together.
I made Wassil and oatmeal cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies.  Which ended the day just splendidly.

The Great Baby Pumpkin 2009

We went on the search for the "Great Baby Pumpkin" tonight.  The kids excitement was palpable as we drove in the car to find him at the pumpkin patch.  This search has now become an October tradition.  We need to save a "baby pumpkin"  from the bad guys at the pumpkin patch.  The "baby" called us on the way there to tell us what pumpkin patch he was at.  Bad guys chased us to try to stop us from arriving.  Luckily Daddy and Noah had armed our car with some heavy artillary just in case of an event such as this.  I am glad I have these men to keep me safe.

A rainbow came up just after we arrived it was a sign showing us we had the right place to find the Greatest baby pumpkin ever.

 We found Sofia's first,  hers has a long stem that curls a bit.  And just the perfect size for her.

Noah checked in all the nooks and crannies of the patch looking and searching for the pumpkin that needed him the most.  He found it in just enough time.  That is before the bad guys found him.

We found the family pumpkin and an extra one that was just so pretty that mommy just could not leave it there.

There were so many beautiful fun things to do everywhere you turned around.  The kids were giddy with all the fall colors, pumpkins and smells.  It was wonderful walking in the cool air with a hint of water.

They had a maze that you got to walk through a castle first to go into to find your way out.  They had air blowing in the doorway.  Sofia and Noah did NOT like that and did not want to go through but we finally convinced them  it would be fun.

Once inside it was all laughter and smiles, chasing and fun.  Noah was on a mission or quest and he kept telling us where the blocks were and telling us on our pretend walkie talkies where to go.  It was quite delightful.

Out of the maze you arrived at a Pirate Ship.  Noah decided that him and Sofia were really pirates and they could go on the ship without walking the plank. I took tons of pictures but I don't want to post way to many.  This was  a pretty cool ship just for a halloween decoration.

Noah became the "Captain"  he steared the ship.  Sofia was his first mate.  He even discovered the dungeon and put two unsuspecting kids into it.   He fired the cannons and talked and yelled just like a pirate would.

For beauty I am posting this photo of the pansies can you believe the colors.  They delight the eyes and the senses.
That is what the evening was,  Just delightful and what a fun way to spend time with the family.  In a later post I will show you our "Family" of pumpkins.  I love this tradition.  Now should we paint or carve them.  Hmmm.  so much fun and so little time.

t

Grateful Sunday- October 18, 2009

Today I am grateful for......

October:  I think that my son has gained a love for the month of October.  He says it all the time.  "mom, it is october."  Not Wiz-tober like on tv.  Overheard in his prayer... "Thank you for October that it is not September.  Please have it be October for a bit more.  It is fun".  I love this month and I am glad to pass that love on to my son.

Fun Neighbors:  We had our neighbors over for lunch today.  We had Regional Conference so we got out a bit early.  The kids had a lot of fun together and the conversation was fun and geniune.  I love our neighborhood and feel so blessed to live here.

The Weather:  The last couple of days has been the most perfect weather.  We have spent a lot of time outside.  Trying to get the house prepared for winter.

Kersten:  He is experiencing his busiest time of year at work.  It has been really nice that he had the last 2 weeks off school.  He begins again tommrow.    He has really been helpful with projects in the house and even stayed calm when he discovered a doozy.  It really has been nice to be with him more even when he had to work late.  Thanks babe,  I love ya

Sofia:  She is so hiliarious and is always surprising me.  She is so full of life and is either really estatic or really upset about life.  She is extreme to the max,  my girl is all girl.  She says big words like "princess" , "Pretty",  and "Fairy".  She has started being really polite and has great manners.  She is my big helper with dishes and laundry.  My little shadow around the house.

Noah:  Lately he has been extremely helpful and he is old enough now that it really is helping.  He sweeps the floor,  helps with dinners,  (he even ate tomatoes because he cut them)  He is growing up so big.  His mind is like a sponge he is learning and growing so much.  I am really cherishing my time with him in the mornings before school,  it won't be that much longer.  Kids really do grow up to fast.

Forty

I saw this on Natalie's blog forever ago and it has been saved in my drafts for quite a while. I am a sucker for things like this I thought I would do it

my uncle once: ran over a Captain Kirk doll in mint condition with the lawn mower without ever knowing it.
never in my life:  Have I been out of the country.  But that will change someday
when i was five:  I thought that I would be a ballerina when I grew up.
high school was: life altering.... I met one of my truest dearest friends there and I also met the love of my life so I would say it was great overall.
i will never forget: holding my babies for the first time.
i once met: the prophet a couple of times actually.  The first time he came to my piano recital when I was 11,  he patted my head and told me I did a great job.  His granddaughter took from the same lady
there's this girl i know who:  can talk to your hair and know what it wants to do.  You will look fabulous.
once, at a bar: I ate lunch with all my coworkers and I was pregnant but did not know it yet.
by noon, i've usually: played with my kids for an hour, fed them two meals and am off to kindergarten
last night: I watched last week's Grey's Anatomy and talked with my cousin for a bit.
if only i had: more energy.  I could be wonder woman and do it all
next time i go to church: we will have stake conference.  The prophet is presiding, it is being broadcast via satelite to our stake center.  I am really excited.
i've changed my song and dance regarding: screaming children in the grocery store.  You do not get it, till you have them.
what worries me most: is whether I will prepare my kids well enough for what lies ahead of them.
when i turn my head left, i see: a autographed poster of The Living End
when i turn my head right, i see: my creative cabinet
you know i'm lying when:  I say I have it all together.
something I NEED to accomplish today:  emailing Noah's teacher about Halloween party
if i were a character in Shakespeare, i'd be: Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing
by this time next year: ! Noah will be in school all day.. (sniff, sniff) and hopefully Kerst will be done.
a better name for me would be: I love my name.... when I read that my thoughts turned to the name Cordelia just like Anne in Green Gables wanted to be called.  I just read that book again for the umpth time.
i have a hard time understanding: people who are judgmental and think they know it all
if i ever go back to school, i'll: get a masters in speech pathology.  It is quite fasinating.  I thank Noah for awakening this new found passion and spout of knowledge.
you know i like you if: I call you back in less than a week.
if i ever won an award, the first person i'd thank would be: Kersten
i'm disappointed in: honestly I cannot think of anything right now
take my advice. never: drink orange juice after you have brushed your teeth. If you don't already know.
my ideal breakfast is: warm french toast with fresh strawberries, bacon,  a scrambled egg with syrup, chocolae milk and cran raspberry juice that came from my grandma's house.
a song i love:  Fireflies by Owl City
if you visit my hometown, i suggest: lunch at Crown Burger, dinner at Cafe Rio, shopping at the Park City outlet, a a short hike up the canyons,
something i would love but cannot rationalize the expense is: a trip to Europe or a cruise to Alaska..
why won't people: be kind,  merging is not that difficult people
if you spend the night at my house: Kersten will be a gracious host and feed you and the conversation will be quite stimulating.
i'm looking forward to: Noah's classroom halloween party
i'm proud of: my son for working so hard and continuing to try and try.  And for being delightful through it all
the more i think about it:
my favorite famous blond is: my niece Kristin.  We have always been tight since the day she was born.  Love her
Oh they said famous,  I really like Scarlet Johansen.
my next project is: finishing Noah's 4 yr old book, painting the file cabinet red on the next nice day and then christmas cards.
if i do anything well, it's: playing and reading to my kids every day.

Perspective

There have been grumblings.

Not just in my tummy but all around me,  in the air,  the trees, the clouds.  Grumbling of weather changes. the seasons and of life.  I don't like grumblings.  They wash over me until I am left breathless on the ground. and I wish sometimes to see through the eyes of someone else, not for long, maybe a half hour at the longest.  Just to have a different perspective.  Or that someone could see through my heart and know they don't have it figured out.

Because really as the old saying goes,  you really don't know until you have walked in their shoes or feet or whatever it is suppose to be.

My feet are planted firmly on the ground walking along the sand, lapping up the water of my life and my existence.
By the very essence of being a physical, emotional and spiritual me there will be struggles.
Every moment stamped on my heart to call up later and remember.
I am doing all I can to be in the now with my children and my husband.
That is what really matters in the end.
I will be judged for how I loved, laughed, taught, cherished, and lived.
Not for what other perceive should be happening.
And that is how I know that I don't have to worry about it.

Ohana clothes

Does Sofia not look just absolutely adorable? I was taking out the warmer clothes and I discovered a gem. I bought these clothes over 6 plus years ago. I was pregnant once before Noah and we knew it was a girl and even though I was not far along I had to have these daisy clothes.  I just love love the pants. They are my favorite.  She looks so cute.  Right after lunch she promptly smeared jam all over her shirt and she was so willing and happy to help me put it in the washer.  Laundry is one of her favorite helping jobs.  Ohana is the alien name of our first baby.  It brings me lots of joy to see her wear these. I love that her pigtails are crooked form pulling on them. And she is always thirsty so you usually see her with a cup. I just love my kids. Noah was acting so silly while I tried to take pictures and as soon as I had the camera out. Sofia just sat right down on the grass. They totally crack me up. My favorite saying of Sofia's right now is "Thank You" she emphasizes the You and it is so cute. Noah loves to say "Totally awesome" and "Curse those bad guys". Our house is never dull

I Came to the Realization that.....

I NEED TO LIVE!!!

Okay, so that might seem quite obvious to many of you.  But for me it had quite a shocking impact.
See I thought I had been living.  I was living my life day to day doing what needed to be done.  Hugging, kissing and tickling my children whenever possible.  Trying to memorize their mannerisms and funny little quirks at this age.  Since they do change so fast.  Being especially diligent in looking at my husbands needs and trying to fullfill them to the best of my abilities.   I have consciously made an effort to be friendly and open with my new neighbors and talk to everyone I meet at church.  I dance almost every day,  I cry every other and I have hope and faith constantly, I felt like I was living.  My hope is by writing this down I will become more conscience and motivated to care for myself than I have been for way to long.  This thought came to me as I was making Chocolate Chip Cookies on Monday afternoon.  That first of all I need to start living in my neighborhood,  shopping here, going to the library and start searching out all the hot spots.  Since I go everyday to my old neighborhood for Noah's school,  I just do my fast errands over there.  I need to shop at the grocery accross the street and figure out the closest bank and post office.  I have been living in a sort of limbo for way to long and I need to be completely present.

In defense,  since that is one of my strongest emotions at the moment.  We have had an extreme amount of things going on but it is no excuse really.  I have started resenting even the phone since it is something demanding more of my attention and time.  I am terrible at calling people back lately.  The resentment goes also out to my body and it's demands.  Just thinking of that now is making me awfully tired.  I cannot seem to get my body stable.  It is all over the place which makes me easily irritable and not much fun to be around.  I know that I need to take care of myself physically every single day and it feels harder than ever before.  I feel as if I will live a bit longer but the quality of that life in my physical form is entirely up to me.  Self discipline has never been my strongest attribute.  This whole thing depresses me completely.  I just cannot stretch myself anymore than I have.  I have reached my snapping point and figuring out how to turn or bend it has proven quite difficult.  I need to LIVE, healthy, happy, content and in the present and I don't know how anymore.  But really people you don't have to worry to much give me a bit more time and I will figure it out.

 And yes my siblings this title was just for you