Zoo Raincheck

This was our zoo raincheck date because when Bethany, Nathan and Samuel visited us over a year ago we were all sick all weekend! After 4 days in the house and no one throwing up for about 18 hours we decided to try to make it to the zoo. As we pulled into the parking lot, Samuel got sick so we did a u-turn and headed right back home. A year and a half later we were so thankful for a beautiful day and no sick babies!

It was our Dad's birthday the day of the zoo trip so we really tried to get a picture of all three kids that we could send to him for his birthday. It was easier said than done. We did call him and sing Happy Birthday, but I was sad our vision for a cousin picture didn't pan out.

JR wanted nothing to do with pictures. Cadie refused to take her alligator out of her shirt/baby bjorn.

I tried to jump in the picture to get JR to sit still, but it stil wasn't coming together. Oh well.

Sure! Now he is smiling!

We rode the carousel first thing upon arrival.

Then headed to the monorail where Samuel rode with Aunt Bethany

Cadence rode with Aunt Courtney.

And JR wanted to ride by himself, with his bus.

Then we headed to the wading river where the kids got soaked and had a great time.

Then since we hadn't gone down the slide enough at our own house, we did the slide at the zoo.

Gazing into the koy pond.

Jack Ranger attacked the goats.

And Cadence just wandered around holding her dress up because she was afraid the goats were going to eat it. Samuel played it chill.

We had about a million baths during the weekend.

And Samuel ran out of clean jammies so was looking mighty fine in a borrowed pair of Cadie's.

I am not sure how many animals we saw at the zoo, but we sure did have a good time.

Chapman Visit

What did we do when Aunt Bethany and cousin Samuel came to visit this past weekend from California? We played outside, and played outside and played outside some more!

Cadie and Samuel took turns laying down and bouncing each other.

Jack Ranger and Samuel took launching trucks down the slide very seriously.

After we played outside we had fun with some inside activities as well, such as...

Mushing as many kids and pillows as possible inside the peapod.

Jumping into pillow piles.

Reading books.

And making pancakes.

It was AWESOME to have both of my sisters and nephew in town. The weather was perfect and the kids played together beautifully. We already miss you!!

If you were a fly on the wall...

... here are some conversations you might have heard over the last month...

Erin: "One of our goals for this move should be to not get in a huge fight where we want to kill each other."
Grant: "That sounds too ambitious. Let's just agree to forgive each other quickly when the inevitable fight happens."
Erin: "Agreed"
Note: This fight did occur at about 3am on one of the final days of the move, we were over it by the next morning.
*****
Erin: "Grant!!!!!!!! The baby fell and his mouth is all bloody! Look in his mouth! Are all his teeth ok?"
Grant (looking in JRs mouth): "How many teeth does he have?"
Erin: "I don't know!!! Is he ok?!"
Grant: "If he is only supposed to have 4 top teeth then he is ok."
*****
After picking up the Prius from having an oil change and detail.
Cadie: "Mom, this isn't our car!"
Erin: "Yes, this is our car. Why don't you think it is our car?"
Cadie: "It is too clean"
*****
Erin and Nicki (Erin's Mom) chatting away in the car.
Erin: "My friend's kids are sick again. She keeps a super clean  house so I can't help wondering if maybe her kids aren't getting enough exposure to build up their immunity."
Nicki: "She should bring her kids over to your house."
Erin: "Excuse me!"

Cadie and Avery had fun in the photo booth. Mom and Jack Ranger were jealous so we got some pics too!

Cadie Bo Badie

Cadie hates it when Grant calls her Cadie Bo Badie so naturally her calls her that a lot. We are still flying by the seat of our pants in general, but just this week we have toilet paper holders, mirrors in 2 of our 3 bathrooms and new windows installed. Things are coming together... Cadie is hilarious and adorable as always...

She likes to make a "nest" on the top of the couch. It is against the wall at the new house so it makes a nice little perch.

Cadie loves her new friend Emory from our small group. Aren't they gloriously pink! Cadie asks frequently when we are going to "tiny place" and I remind her it is our church "small group" but I see how it seems like the same thing.

She wanted to make a tower taller than she is and she accomplished it so I agreed to take her pic with the tower. BTW, she is wearing her baby doll Daisy in a baby carrier on her back. During the building of the tower she kept turning around so Daisy could see her progress.

Worms

The kids spent the better part of Saturday afternoon digging in the mud and collecting worms. Cadie liked finding the worms and Jack Ranger just liked digging.

This one isn't of digging for worms, but I loved Cadie's sweet face so just decided to include it for fun.

JR's First Haircut

Jack Ranger was starting to look a unkempt so we headed to Snip Its on Saturday to get Cadie a bang-trim and Jack Ranger his first ever haircut. It was a rainy day and the kids had a great time playing with the train table while we waited. It was about a 30 min. and then time for the haircuts and neither one of them wanted to leave when it was time to go.

Cadie got her bangs trimmed first and she tried to tell Jack Ranger about it and show it him it was ok. Jack Ranger did NOT like getting into the chair and was upset for about 2 mins. and then once he got a sucker he was perfect the rest of the time.

He looks so handsome! Starting to look more like a little boy than a baby.

Cadie setting a great example.

I don't know what this is about but I don't like it one bit!

Hmm - still not sure about this.

Loving it now that I have a sucker!

I was handsome before, but now I am pretty much irresistible.

Barcelona

We moved out of Club Meadows on Tuesday and in with DD and Big John, on Wednesday Grant went to Austin for work and State Guard drills, he returned on Sunday to Dallas, on Monday I went to Barcelona for work, I got back from Barcelona on the next Sunday and then on Tuesday we moved into the new house on Mimosa Lane. Just in case you were wondering why I haven't been blogging, now you know.


Even with so much going on, I had a wonderful trip to Barcelona. Courtney joined me and was an awesome travel partner, the work meetings went well and we squeezed in quite of few sites. We stayed at the Torre Catalunya hotel and it was lovely and had the best chocolate croissants with the breakfast. Amazing food included a work dinner (CJ joined us as well) at Sagardi Restaurant, surprisingly delicious lunch at Alsur Cafe outside Palau de la Musica Catalana and hot chocolate at Granja La Pallaresa.

Liked this fun Barcelona sign.

Thankful that CJ mastered the subway!

Cider barrels at Sagardi Restaurant.

Picking up some sweets at La Boqueria.

Beautiful fountains dating back to  medieval  times were all over the city.

Gelato with my wonderful boss Dianne.

I loved the Gaudi architecture and we visited La Pedrera, Park  Guell and a few other landmarks. CJ liked my pink coat because she said it was easy to find me in the crowds.

We went to a club on the beach one night, but it was COLD. We still have a fun time having some drinks.

It was such a quick trip, but it went as smoothly as possible and I was glad to have a little mini-adventure in the middle of our move. Love you CJ!