Miller Park Zoo

We've really enjoyed the variety of Zoos around us. There are several within and 1-1 1/2 of us and we love them all! They all differ in what they offer and it is fun to see the different styles of exhibits. 

ANYWAYS :) 

We went down to Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington with our friends the Larson's. Somehow we came away with NO pictures of Elijah and Ilana...Sorry guys!!

We like this zoo because it is smaller with some close up exhibits and you can get through in and hour to and hour and a half without having to rush around. There is also a really big splash park and play ground for free outside of the park which makes it even better :) 

This is cash the Harbor Seal. We were there for feeding and training time which was really fun to see! 

Inside the Aviary. You are literally feet from the birds and some will walk right by you. This one was beautiful...sorry for the fuzz. 

Sadie kept walking up to this one and talking to it, Cole really wanted to touch it too!

The farm exhibit is open for the kids to go in and brush the animals. Which I thought was unique! 

Sadie loved it!

So did these two. This was the nice goat who didn't mind anyone touching it. But there was another that kept butting everyone with its horns!

We rarely ride the Carousel because when we do that is all the kids remember or focus on and we  are not at the Zoo to ride a merry-go-round...but it must be a thing because to our dismay EVERY. SINGLE. ZOO. has one. This time because we were with friends we let the kids ride. They were ECSTATIC!

Lucy was kind of nervous in the beginning because the horse jolted a little as it went up and down but by the end she wasn't clinging to the bar and was much more relaxed. 

Cole chose the Tiger and it didn't move so he was happy the whole time!

Cole was a little surprised his arms were so much shorter than the eagles wings :)

There were two eagles here and while we ate lunch we got to hear them 'talking' to each other. They sounded different than we expected. 

Hiking at Matthiessen Lake

This week we decided to go hiking at a local state park. It is a beautiful place and hadn't had a chance to hike there this year. Last year we went several times but I never brought the camera and I've been wanting to go back to get pictures of the beautiful scenery. 

Here is a a log cabin (fort) that we explored on our way in. 

They barely fit their heads in there!

It was really dark inside but the picture came out pretty bright.

Hiking through the Dells sometimes requires "all fours"

There are lots of little caves along the trail. Cole informed us that this is where the black jaguars go to have their cubs.

It was beautiful!!

Hiking up some of the sandy hills.

They made it to the top of the hill and sat there for a while watching some daddy long legs fight.."the one on the left won"(Lucy)

This is the main attraction of the Lower Dells.

There are caves with connecting tunnels! 

The kids all went through without a flashlight :) 

Cole was the first to go up to the waterfall with Devin.

Almost there!

Reaching out to feel the water

Next up, Lucy!

Cole really wanted me to get a picture of him in the water. It was FREEZING but they all played in it for a bit.

Lucy touching the water

"Hi MOM!"

Lucy's goal this time was to cross all the stepping stones without help :) Sometimes it was not so easy!

Cole crossed the river this way EVERY time. 

Lucy made her goal and Cole stayed dry....

We hiked the Upper Dells the week before. You can do it all at once but it would be long hike and we liked having the extra time to explore each trail.

This one runs along the stream and you have to criss-cross through the stream multiple times.

Here they are going as high up one of the trails as they could.

There they are at the top!

Inevitably someone ends up in the water when we cross. This time it was my fault :( Sadie's hands were wet and I didn't get a good enough hold before she tried to jump from step to step...She had a pretty scratched up chin and mouth for a few days.

The kids ask everyday if we can go hiking. I wish I could take them by myself but it is definitely a GREAT weekend activity to do as a whole family. 

We are happy to have this beautiful world to enjoy!!!

Rabbit Update

Curious and Po are still alive and kicking'. Everyday Lucy says, "Mom, I'm so happy we have rabbits!" 

I have to say I am too. They are fun to have and play with. 

 They are getting better at litter training. And some days I think they know their names but then others I think they just smell their treats :) 

 Lucy loving Curious. 

We were trying to train them to sit on our laps when we gave them treats but the kids laps aren't big enough for the rabbits to feel comfortable and the kids get nervous of their claws so now they just lie down with them and pet them a lot while they give them treats. 

 Cole and his Po. 

Po has shown he is the 'dominant' of the two brothers. We had a few tiffs but they are settling down for the most part. Whenever Po starts to chase Curious around Cole will ask, "What is my rabbit doing to Lucy's?" I'm happy they are feeling ownership of their pets  :)

Whenever they flop down Sadie will run over and either rub her face and head all over them or start to love on them. They are incredibly  patient with her and when they've had enough they get up and start running around again.  

Loving the Library

After all the vacations and moving we've finally been getting back into our Library routine of going once a week. This is something the kids have always enjoyed and it is a lot of fun to get new books and learn new stories. I enjoy learning about their interests and seeing their interests change and develop.  

This last time Cole had been walking up one of the aisles and disappeared for a while. A few minutes late he came out with an arm full of books! Every single Marvel Book on the shelf was in his arms. He sat down and looked through each one. We ended up bringing 5 of them home because I loved that he picked them himself and took the initiative to bring them over and read them. 

Sadie usually picks all sorts of books off the shelf but this was the first time she found a spot to 'read' on her own. This is the 'Chuckle Hut' :)

We got this book last week

It is such a cute book and had color mixing in it which we hadn't come across yet in our color books. It gave me the idea to let the kids mix colors on their own. 

 We used shaving cream and food dye. 

                   

 

 

 

Sadie didn't get into it too much, she mostly watched the other two. 

 We're all happy to be attending the library regularly again!

Bubbles, Babies, Bare Bums, and More! 7.7.14

Life between vacations and visits has been pretty full. Getting unpacked and situated in a new house always seems to take a month or two. We still have boxes around and pictures that need to be put up but I think for the most part we are in and its livable!

We have been swimming a lot in our backyard! I usually make them wear their swimsuits but I don't always have laundry done when I should soooo....

This is a more common sight than it probably should be :)

We had one of our good friends over to see the bunnies and swim a little while ago. They did this the whole time. 

The other day we did a bubble bath for fun. We rarely do those and it was fun for the kids to cover themselves in bubbles.

Cole looks hilarious and just wanted to be covered the whole time!

Lucy kept making faces with her bubble hair.

I made ROLLS!! Not just any rolls, but MOSS rolls. The rolls that I have struggled and failed to make for the last six years. Yes. Finally I did it!! I almost feel like this picture deserves its own post :) 

Don't they look so GOOD!?!

Little Baby got its pictures taken again :) 22 Weeks and kicking'!

This kid is following after its siblings. The technician almost couldn't get the heartbeat :) That is how much this baby moves. Constantly...So much that some days I feel sea sick. 

Sadie is my little helper. Well they all have been incredibly helpful lately, but Sadie LOVES to sweep. This day she was feeling particularly cool and sported some sunglasses.

"STUCK!"

We went to a Clifford Party with the Larson's. Their library holds story time during the summer and this was one of the fun activities they had!

I had to take a picture because I LOVED this idea. They had to put their hand in the sock in order to play with the stuff inside. 

Lucy and Elijah went right up to Clifford, but Cole took some time getting used to him. 

Everyone enjoying their snack and stories!

She finally weighs 20 lbs!! But she can still fit in a magazine box...I feel like she will never grow.