Zoo Trip with Grandma and Grandpa

B's parents came to visit to celebrate birthdays and enjoy time with the boys. As part of their visit, we ventured to the zoo. Here are a few of my favorite memories/pics from the zoo trip:


N on the ostrich on the carousel:

The boys love this cool coin donation area in the reptile house. They convinced Grandma to donate some coins:

Another of the boys' current favorites: the underground tunnel and domes in the Underzone in the Children's Zoo:
This is one of the animals in the area around the domes. He's been very friendly to visitors our last two visits:

Cowboy N in the children's zoo:
Cowboy J in the children's zoo. Yee haw!:


The rhino because I think he's so cute:

The koalas were both asleep, but at least they were facing the glass:

Riding the monorail with Grandma and Grandpa:

Fun in the Snow

While we were in Ohio for a pre-Christmas visit with B's parents (Grandma and Grandpa), we were lucky enough to get a few inches of snow. Lots of fun ensued including lots of snowballs thrown by J and a "dinosaur snowman" built by B.

Thanksgiving Photos

Some highlights from Thanksgiving in Virginia!

J and his cousin Lizzie:
My parents' five grandsons playing Legos:
Mealtime! Table one:
Table two:

Table three:
Table four:
Overflow one, the island:

Overflow two, the porch:
Overflow three, in front of the TV :):
The dogs, Pepper, Payton and Rosebud:
Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. Ours was WONDERFUL! Loved seeing so many of my family members.

Thankful...

N had his Thanksgiving feast today at preschool. I am so thankful for the wonderful preschool that he attends. I am thankful for the loving and creative teachers. I am thankful for the community of parents and grandparents who came together for the feast today. I am thankful that B was able to take off work to be there with N and I. I am thankful for the fact that I was able to bring my grandmother's Pineapple Hotdish, a favorite family recipe that always reminds me of countless wonderful holidays spent with my grandmother and other extended family members. I am thankful that I am able to attend all of N and J's school events as I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom.


I am thankful for these two funny, beautiful, loving little boys. I am thankful that most of the time they seem to really like and enjoy each other. I have hope that they will be lifelong friends. I am thankful that they are healthy and generally happy. I am thankful that we are able to provide them with a secure home, a loving family and three meals each day.


I am thankful for B and the man that he is. I am thankful that he takes the time to be with his sons and works to help them be the men we want them to be. I am thankful that he loves me even with my lackluster housekeeping skills and haphazard cooking skills. I am thankful that he puts up with, and sometimes even encourages, my knitting and other crafty ventures. I am thankful that he's been in my life for the last 16 years and can't wait to have him for many more.



I am thankful for these sweet baby girls. I am thankful that they were in need of rescuing when we were ready to bring them into our homes. I am thankful that they are already such close friends. I am thankful for their sloppy kisses, their wagging tails and their unconditional love.

I am thankful for good friends. I have such great ones in my life. I am thankful for old friends who will always be there even when we go years without seeing each other. I am thankful for all my "mom" friends who are there with me as I travel along the challenging path of motherhood. I am thankful for my good Texas friends who are already like family.

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my sister who will always be my very best friend. I am thankful for my parents, my brother and all my wonderful nieces and nephews. I am thankful for the family I married into as well as the one I was born into. I am thankful to grow up with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. FAMILY is such a huge part of my life.

This post could keep going and going. I am thankful for all the wonderful blessings in my life. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me. I am thankful for you too. Thank you for giving me a place to voice my thoughts and opinions and stories. I really am thankful for the audience you are and the support and feedback you give.

Trip to Portland: Lots of photos

A week ago, we spent the weekend in Portland, Oregon visiting family. Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip.

My adorable niece Isla in the sweater I knit for her older brother when he was her age.


J, B, Isla, N, Oscar and Kristin (B's sister) at a fish hatchery.

At the pumpkin patch! Stripes!

Such lovely colors!

N and J posing. Luckily, J didn't realize his was a girl. :)

J found his pumpkin right away.

Love the gorgeous setting of this pumpkin patch. SO lovely!


Oscar and Isla.

Fun on wheels. N, Oscar and J.

Look at this tough looking group.

Silliness!

Heading home through the airport. Yes, N is in his pjs, but doesn't he look adorable pulling his own suitcase?

It was an exhausting weekend, but SO much fun. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Photo Highlights of a Fun Visit

Just got back from another fun visit back to Ohio. Got to spend quality time with B's parents and brother and I got to go out with my good "mom friends" there. Didn't get to see extended family or old neighbors or co-workers as this was a short visit. Hope to catch up with them next time. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip:

On the hammock with Grandpa.


At Memphis Kiddie Park, Grandma and N on the roller coaster.


J (with me) on the roller coaster.


A rainy day at the Cleveland Zoo.


Camel ride.


This koala was actually awake and moving around! Since they sleep 20 or more hours a day, this was pretty exciting to see.


Uncle Mike and J as meerkats.


Using our umbrellas at the zoo. The boys LOVED their new umbrellas.


At the Natural History museum. Dinosaurs!


The boys loved this "Little Builders" exhibit at the museum.



So much fun!

Then we came home and I got this:


From the best husband EVER! Yes, my husband made French Silk Pie--and didn't eat any until we got home.

Life is good.