San Antonio Zoo

While on our Texas vacation we spend one day at the San Antonio Zoo.   We picked the right time to visit Texas 'cause the really hot weather wasn't around, yet (though it was hot we were able to walk around outside all day and still be somewhat comfortable). 

Once we arrived I realized that the last time we had been to the zoo was while we were still in Alaska and Neal was just over a year old.  This trip to the zoo was so fun, especially since Neal could recognize each animal.   He run form one animal to the next and was amazed by something at each spot.  

Some of his favorite animals to see where the fish, alligators  elephant, and monkeys.   When we saw the flamingo's Neal, who was plugging his nose, said "they are super smelly", which was true, so we didn't stay and watch them for too long.  

The Monkeys were so energetic while we were there.  Many of them were swinging all around on the ropes and walls in their cages and a couple of monkey were running around playing what looked like tag.  Neal and his cousins stayed and watch these monkeys for quite awhile, laughing and smiling the whole time.   

It was a great family outing with everyone and all the kids had a great time.  

 

Family Vacation

We just got back from a wonderful 2 week family vacation.  We loaded up the car and drove west to spend the 2 weeks with family and friends in Texas!  

We headed out on Wednesday night and it took us a bit longer then anticipated.  Neal did wonderful the whole time.  Between sleeping, watching movies, and singing songs we passed the long 24 hour drive with no big issues besides a little trafic and few wrong turns. :)

Our final destination was in Austin, TX to visit Nathaniel, Wendy and the kids.  They have a beautiful home with a great pool in their back yard.  We spent most of our afternoons hanging out in the pool.

Neal was a little unsure of the pool at first but after about an hour he relaxed a bit and started swimming all around.  His favorite spot however was to play in the hot tub 'cause it was warmer then the pool.  He called it his "huge tubby" with lots toys and friends.

We were able to do lots of different things while in Austin and even got to see around downtown a little.  I will post about some of our outing while there soon. Neal loved all the time he had with his cousins and loved story time with Aunt Wendy.

By far my favorite part of our time in Austin was the time at the house just visiting, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the sun.

The Baseball Game

"We're gonna watch baseball just like daddy watches on tv?"  This was the question you heard from Neal in the backseat the day before the Texas Rangers Baseball game we told him we were going to while in TX.  

He was beyond excited for the game.  He fell asleep in the car on the way to Rangers Stadium and as we drove through the pouring rain we were hoping the gome would not be canceled.  Once we parked Neal awoke and starting talking and laughing non-stop on the way into the stadium.  He was full of excitement and joy about getting to watch a real baseball game.   We found our seats next to our friends and waited for the field to be prepared for the game and the tarp to be removed.  Thus far the game was just on a delayed start.

After being there for about 40 minutes they announced that the game was going to be postponed to another date due to the bad weather and condition of the field.  Tyler turned Neal around on his lap and told him the game was canceled and instantly Neal burst into tears and started crying about not being able to watch Baseball.   There are very few times that I have seen Neal cry so hard and be so genuinely sad.  The whole walk back to the car he was in Tyler's arms and would every few minutes lift up his head and say "daddy I'm sad about the baseball game".

(This was his sad/disappointed face after his tears) 

It broke my heart to hear how disappointed he was about not getting to see the game.  We drove away and got some ice cream on the way home to help make the evening special.  This helped for the moment but the next day Neal still talked about how sad it was that we didn't get to see a baseball game.  He continues to talk about it even now (several days after the game).

I think a family trip to a game is in-store for us soon.  Oh how I wish North Carolina had a baseball team.  Next time we visit Grandma and Pappa in Washington I think a trip to a Mariners game is going to be on the agenda.  

Summer buzz

Today we decided to give Neal his summer hair cut.  His hair was getting so long and it was time to cut it and with the hot weather coming we decided a short buzz cut would be best.  Also, I tried to trim his long hair and didn't do such a great job so a buzz cut was needed.

I already miss his long, shaggy hair even though I think he still looks adorable with it short.   Maybe I need to learn how to trim his long hair so we can keep it a bit longer next summer :)

Biking all around

The "big-boy bike" has finally come out at our house!   Neal asks everyday if we can go out on a walk so he can ride his bike.  He loves to ride around and is so excited that he has learned to ride his "big bike".  

I think after this summer maybe he'll be ready for a real "big-boy bike" and we can try and take the training wheels off next spring.  I love that he is getting faster on his bike.  He can make it a lot farther on a walk with his bike then on foot and so we all get some nice exercise.

Mother's Day

My boys did a wonderful job this year making a very special Mother's Day for me.  First, I got to sleep in!  That in and of itself was the perfect Mother's Day gift.  When I came out Neal was sitting at the table eating breakfast and had a card and some flowers from the yard sitting for me at the table.

He was so excited about the card that he wanted to open it himself and once I read it he continued to carry the card around with him all day long.  He loved the fact that Garfield's hands pop out and can give you a hug with his arms.  So Garfield and Neal were giving me hugs all day.  

We had a great day just relaxing at home as a family.  We all got to take an afternoon nap and then I got to read my book out on the back porch while Neal played.  I also got to chat on the phone with my mom and feel baby girl move and kick around a lot (this always brings a smile to my face to feel her moving around and active).  

We finished our day by going out for frozen yogurt.  Since I have been craving ice cream lately this was the perfect end to a perfect day for me (I had some delicious Salted Carmel yogurt).  Neal was so excited to get to pick his own yogurt flavor and then loved that he got to pick any toppings he wanted to add to it.  There was one mishap as Neal fell off the bench and dropped all his ice cream on the floor while trying to sit down, however the employees there were quick to clean everything up and were able to put a smile back on Neal's face when they told him he could go and get a new ice cream since he dropped his.  

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family and a sweet little boy who made me a mom a little over 3 years ago.  I am so glad that I get to live life with Tyler and Neal everyday, what a blessing the Lord has given me.   

Strawberry Picking

The spring season has been off to a slow start with the cool weather we have been having but it is finally Strawberry season around here!

Me and a good friend of mine took our boys strawberry picking last week and he had tons of fun.  I think Neal ate one strawberry for almost everyone that made it into the bucket.  There were also several that I found in our bucket with a bite taken out of them, Neal must have been testing them to make sure they were good enough to bring home :).  

It was a great outing and just in time since this week has brought lots of rain.

Who doesn't like fresh, ripe strawberries right?  Especially this pregnant mamma, who has been craving fruit and ice cream lately.  We have already had them on french toast, on our cereal in the morning, over chocolate ice cream and I'm planning on making some fresh fruit salsa and cinnamon chips for later this week.  Yummmy!