Dream Night at the Zoo

On Friday night we went to our local zoo for "Dream Night." A night dedicated to special needs kids and their families. It was completely free and COMPLETELY fun! They had people all around the zoo with things for the kids to feel and see (pelts, skeletons, feathers...) then they handed out free water bottles, animal crackers, tattoos, ice cream, stuffed animals for the kids....

I was so happy that our community provided this service.

Cameron was thrilled that he could see his friends and the zoo at the same time.

Jake loved the painting, animals and playing the drums.

Steve was happy to spend time with our family and not be working.

It really was a great night. We topped the zoo by going to the drive in and seeing Kung Fu Panda 2 (good, very kid-friendly...) and Thor (good parent movie, and VERY good!) It was a happy night, one that we said celebrated the start of summer break. :)

Boys at the Zoo

We took advantage of a reduced price at the zoo and had QUITE the enjoyable time. Both boys were happy and enjoyed it all...then couldn't stop talking about it.

It's too bad the zoo isn't cheap EVERYDAY! ;)

Family Reunion Highlights

SO much fun packed into too few days. I love spending time with my aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents....EVERYONE! Now that it's over, and we're back to the "usual" I'm having a bit of a hang-over....I need a break from my fun break. We are a goofy bunch, but we know how to have a good time. Laughing, food, stories....

What a great family I have!

Happy Halloween!!

This year Cameron was a vampire, and Jake was a dragon. At our ward Halloween party Jake won in the baby boy category, he won a big box of M&Ms. Cameron got scared at the spook alley, and has vowed that he won't do that again.

Trick or Treating was fun. We tried to get out when it was fairly light, and all went well until we got around the corner, by then Jake was DONE! I took both boys back, and my FABULOUS cousins took Cameron out again for me. He got QUITE the haul, that I had to go through and pull out the sticky, gummy candies...but he's still got a lot. All in all, a VERY fun, nice weather, holiday!

Happy Halloween!!

End of Summer

This summer has been such a fun one for our little family. We didn't get to go camping as often as we would have liked, but we did spend QUITE a few nights huddled together under a blue canopy.

Cameron has LOVED his time at the Learning Center, and when he asked me when his last day was and I told him it was Friday, he almost cried. He loved working with those young, enthusiastic people. He's enjoyed his new friends and is sad to leave it behind. But I reminded him that he will get to go there again next summer and I could hear the tears leave in place of a happy boy.

Jake has fallen in love with being outside. Even though we don't play outside at home much (too scary) he's learned that he can play safely outside at Grandma's house, and often stands at her front windows jabbering that he's ready to go out. Any time any of us leave, whether it's Steve for work, or me running an errand, he knows and he will scurry over to the door pointing and TRYING to turn the knob. He loves being on the go and playing outside.

We spent many nights going to the drive-in and seeing fun movies. I'm so glad we live where we have the option of going to these places. They're so much fun, and will be very memorable for our boys as they get older. Those nights where the four of us are together are such cherished memories.

Most of these things will change.

School starts tomorrow. Cameron (and I) are VERY ready for this new school year. Cam is excited to get a new teacher and principal. We're anxious for his learning to continue. I'm excited because Jake will have free time to just play by himself and not worry that he's about to be taken from whatever fun he's got going on and can just play.

I will definitely miss the sleeping in. (I've trained Cameron from a VERY young age to take himself to the living room, help himself to breakfast and keep himself occupied while mommy sleeps...) I'm trying to train Jake to sleep in, but it's slow in coming.

Over all, I've got many fun summer memories, and I'm ready for the next school year. Let the 3rd grade begin!! :)

Splash Park and Pond Fun

We've had some fun times lately. I've had the pictures for a while, but I've been pretty lazy about posting.

Last Thursday we went to a local splash park. SO MUCH FUN!! Cam loved it, once he warmed up to it. Jake, however, did NOT like it. He loves baths, but he does NOT like cold water in his clothes. After the splash park we rode the carousel. Both boys loved it!

Today we went to a pond with some friends. Again, it was fun.