Annual Zoo Visit

Great day to visit the zoo. It was nice and sunny out. Since we only had about 3 hours, a certain couple of young men not staying with us....leading to us trying to locate the 2 independent lads, mother wanting to take numerous pictures, etc., etc. not much of the zoo was viewed today. We may have to make a 2nd attempt soon.





The new exhibit this year is the polar bear. He was very entertaining.


Here are a few activities we did make it to:

A couple people rode the carousel.

Some animals were fed.

We saw the big cow statue,

some otters,

elephants,

and deer.

Tractors were ridden.

We all enjoyed being outside.

Dan and Daniella showed more interest in the animals this year.

The difference in Dan this year was huge. Last year he rode in the stroller for the entire time; except when I made him walk for a little bit at the end. He put up major resistance the entire time he was walking. ................ This year he walked the entire time we were at the zoo. This is HUGE for him!!!! It makes it soooooo much easier for mom. Yeah Dan!!!! We did have to walk at a little bit slower pace, but hey I'm just fine with that. He has changed a lot since last year. (talking, walking longer distances). It is so great to watch both of them change/develop.

By the end of the time, we were all a little bit tired.

Family

We love when family come to visit. This last weekend we got to see all 3 groups of the grandparents. Great time. Here are some photos from one of the visits. Their 1st time to meet Addie.











Here is a photo of Addie at 6 weeks and me at 10 weeks..........I think I see a little bit of resemblance. Yeah!!












Have a blessed day,
Vickie

Truman's solution

Here is a video of one of Jack's boxing rounds that he fought in last Saturday. He is in blue.

Also, our newest addition Addie is 6 weeks old now. While riding in the van to drop off her sibling at his activity, she begins crying. I ask Truman, one of our 5 year olds, to help Addie with her binky/pacifier. He says she doesn't want it. She cries for a few seconds; then stops crying. There is another episode of her crying for a few seconds; then she stops. Next I hear Truman say, "don't worry Mom; I can fix her". To which I reply, "she's taking her binky now, huh?" pause.........Truman "no mom, I think she likes my banana better." YIKES !!! Not a good thing.

Have a great day,

Vickie

She's here!!

Early Sunday morning our newest addition arrived. She had some fluid left in her lungs after delivery, so that had to be dealt with at the hospital. We are all so very thankful that Addie is well, and we are all home together again.

August

Well, I am a bit late for August. Let me sum up the month. It was hot!! Family swim nights were fun.

Matt and I each had a grandfather pass away. It was a sad time, but we are thankful we had all those years with them. Also, happy that our children were allowed to get to know them. Two great men who will be missed.

Dan turned 5. Yeah!! He is looking older these days. I look back at pictures from when he came home; and he looks like such a baby, in many ways he was. Not now, he is talking so much. It is great. Today he even came up to me and threw his arms around my neck giving me a big hug. That always makes a mom's day.

Baylie tried out for her first musical. We will find out tonight if she made it. I hope she did. There were a lot of really experienced children who tried out; makes me a bit nervous for her. We'll see.

Can't believe we are only two weeks away from the arrival of the new little baby girl Hannah. Is everything ready .........no. Does she have a name yet......no. Am I starting to stress a bit about everything getting done on my list of to do's.......yes. Could I be labeled .....difficult, grumpy, picky, grouchy.......probably. You get the idea.

O.K., there's August.
Talk to you next month,
Vickie

swimming, birthday, and storms

The summer seems to be flying by. Zarah turned 8. If you look real close you can see the horse inside the strawberries on her cake.

Then the storm came through and knocked down about 1000 trees in 2 of our neighborhoods. Thankfully we were only without power (air conditioning) for 2 days in the heat. This doesn't usually happen in the summer time; more likely in the winter. Luckily we only had 1 big tree fall on the trampoline. It didn't take too long for Matt to cut the tree and the rest of us to haul it to the road. (a plus to having several little helpers)

Speaking of helping, one of our "helpers" decided to dump some dog shampoo into the backyard pool/stock tank. I guess the swimmers got extra clean that week.

The local YMCA's are offering free facilities when the temperature or heat index is over 100 degrees. That means free swimming!! Yeah!!

'

As for the rest of the time, we are just relaxing .....

and playing around......

Take care until next time,

Vickie

the happenings of June

Well, I'm about to miss my post for June. The month is nearly over. Lots of firsts for this month.

1. Our oldest child went to church camp by herself this year, and loved it. We all missed her, and were glad to be reunited. Baylie comforted me with these words, " I didn't miss you nearly as much as I thought I was going to mom." Uugghh!

2. A few weeks later we sent our 2nd born off to boxing camp. He had a good time, but was faced with many difficult and mean situations from some of the other boys actions and conversations. Seems as though Jack stood up for what he believes in and tried to do the right thing each time. We are very proud of him for that. I think most of the trouble at camp could have been easily remedied if there was more coach/adult supervision and following through with consequences. Jack only suffered one injury though, thankfully---fish hook in the leg. We're glad he's home. Glad he got the opportunity to go, but he probably will not be going back next year.

3. Truman continues to keep us on our toes and laughing with his new antics. This month it involved him running through the parking lot of Jack's boxing center without anything on his bottom half . Yikes!! Not a proud parent moment, but quite humorous non the less. Of course, we did not let him know we thought it was funny. He only got scolded and told to stay in the van until mom got through sewing the large rip in his shorts.

4.Now, for the exciting part. We have 2 family members that are now talking. Charlie is quite dramatic with his statements and a bit bossy at times. Dan has the cutest, deep, raspy voice. It is great! We have been waiting for this moment with Dan and now it has arrived.
When we were in Serbia,there were a few things that really stood out to me. Many of the men and women were very tall (well over 6 feet). The other thing was how many of the men had extremely deep voices and very large hands. Kind of the hands we used to see with some of our old time farmers. Since then, I have said that if I could choose; I wanted Dan to be really tall with the big hands and deep voice. This may just come true. Of course, we will love him however he turns out. He has grown again this summer. He is probably a good 3 inches or so taller than Truman now. He has always had these bigger chunky hands, and now he is talking with this deep little man voice. Yeah!! It is so neat to watch them grow and change.
I guess that's it for June. Hope you all are having a great summer.
Vickie