A Long Weekend

Friday we took the kids to their school PTA Carnival. 

Saturday morning I woke to the news that a very good man and friend, Randy Chavez passed away.
Here is his obituary so that friends and family can attend the Memorial and Funeral. 

Later Saturday another friend of mine (a woman I baby sat for) died, no funeral information for her has been past on, but my humble respects to Gina Smedly's family.

Sunday we went to the zoo - Hubby has been house bound for two weeks and wanted to get out and be in clean air.
We made it through the Asian Highlands and the Arctic Exhibit before we had to turn around and come home. It was too much to soon. Hubby is still in lots of pain and his energy is very low. Right now at the Hogle Zoo they have several large animal statues done in lego's, due to our short trip we only saw three but we will be heading back soon, the blessings of a membership.

Today (Monday) is my husbands two week weigh in after the surgery - so far he is down a whopping 41 pounds!
I am down 6 pounds!
 

9 kids, 4 moms and the Zoo!

First off ~ We the mom's ~ Survived!!!

The rest of the zoo and people present may be scared for life, but we did it! 

The kids chased chickens.

Sang inappropriate songs to peacocks.

Made hearts out of rocks.

Ran

Ran

and

Ran some more!

 

We lunched (snacked) 

in a secluded corner

It was an amazing

crisp

clear

fall day!

Bright blue sky.

Orange, red & yellow leaves

with the crisp Autumn air!

Our zoo's newest "big" baby.

Born sept 23rd.

We walked the whole of the zoo at least twice.

Yelled ourselves hoarse (okay just me) 

and road the carousel.

And for those that say 

I never appear on my 

blog...

Here I am.

Sort of

;)

Zoo BFF Day!

Our local Zoo, The Hogle Zoo, has made some amazing changes over the last 12 years. The fact that they are far from done is great news!
With in 20 years (of starting) our zoo will be completely new, renovated and amazing!

My BFF and I have a joint Zoo Booster Deluxe, membership. Allowing both of our families full access to the zoo, rides, discounts at the store and special parties and events throughout the year.

Several years ago they re-did the elephant encounter (which also includes the rhino's) in the hopes that our young female would be able to get pregnant. Two tries and now our little baby (the one in the large photo) is now two years old!
Her mama was doing a show for everyone and she was watching, mimicking and waiting for her mama to be done! She is such a cutie!

After the elephant show, we hit the Free Flight Bird show. This is where all the birds are trained and fly free - some inches from the top of your head!
Its only 25 minutes long, but its amazing! My best friends girl, beauty, had a ball!

The newest exhibit that opened in June is Rocky Shores. This has our newest polar bear (who is adorable) our seals and sea otters. As well as our 3 young grizzlies.
He played for a solid ten minutes, going from one side to another and repeatedly doing a back stroke. 

It was the perfect day! Nice, mild weather (high 80's), not to many people and the kids were happy!
My BFF's children & my children are the best of friends, something we are deeply grateful for!
All in all a day with my best friend and my children's best friends was golden!

Monday school starts and I (and patch) will be all alone. This year is the first year that both of my children will be gone for the whole day!
I can't wait!
I can finally clean without hearing, Mama! I need____, Mama! I'm hungry!, Mama can you_____ and my favorite, Oops! I'm sorry.... did you just clean that?

No more (during the day at least) will I have to say, SHARE! STOP HITTING! NO! LEAVE THE DOG ALONE!
Camping, zoo trips and fun days with friends are winding down, I am both happy and sad!


Also I am planning a Thanksgiving Purse Party, South of the Border for all my friends and family! Its going to be a great time of food, fun and friends!

Kids & Breakfast

So look who came to town its the friendly neighborhood spiderman! LOL got to love my kids they are just so cute. Wednesday we went to Zoo Lights with the grandparents and the kids had a great time. My Dad and Diane loved seeing our Amur Tiger and her triplets play and boy did they play!


So question If something makes a great man then what does a great man make?




Breakfast!!

Hahahah story is still coming along and I am still working on it everyday. Sorry I have not been on so much I will try to post more often.

Zoo Day

Our last day together we went to the zoo and of course we took our neighbors daughter since our kids just can not live with out spending at least one day a week together.
Saturday morning Mid sis went back home and this morning (Sunday) Big sis went home :( boo hoo.
We had a great time but I am exhausted so today is going to be very quite - nap & then shopping for a plant.
Wil is also buying me the Twilight series Big and Mid sis are both fans and after watching the movies I am very confused hence the books.
I feel bad that I am joining the crazy people craze - but since I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan why not another kid series?
Now all I need to do is finish shopping (kids presents) and then we will be ready for Christmas.
Hubby and I are mostly taken care of minus my Christmas Eve Chinese dinner :) and a ton of Christmas present wrapping.

See you tomorrow