Here is a shot of what we are getting every couple of days ( usually more tomatoes, but we had a salad with quite a few of them). I think my family is getting zucchini and squashed out. I wish I had taken a picture of the yellow squash we had - it was about as big as this zucchini. The garden will absolutely be a yearly effort! I have to say...my Grandpa Dan would be proud - I think of him each time I go out there.
One could say I am passionate about alot of things, but I rarely take this kind of action. We just watched The Cove, and I will no longer take my children to aquariums where dolphins or whales are kept in captivity. After watching this movie, I can no longer, in good conscience allow my money to support such an industry.
McKaleigh in front of the elephant enclosure with the baby in the background.
We got to get really close to the real rhino - close enough to see its eyelashes! But we took a pic with this one.
We had so much fun looking at all of the monkeys and big apes. They are the most active of all of the the animals - quite a few were playing chase and Alex and the kids loved that!
Oh look, a rare family shot - boy, we look tired. This was near the end of our day!
Daddy treated the kids to a merry-go-round ride!
Could you ask for a happier face?
After the Zoo, we enjoyed (as Alex often says) a lovely family dinner at one of our favorite spots - the Training Table, and then dashed off to karate, and the library. We had such a GREAT time at the zoo, and for anyone who has a 3 year old, it is the perfect day trip! Next week we are off on a two day camping trip - now thats brave!
But eventually the tram ride up to the peak with a short hike and a ride down on one of the ski lifts won out as the first activity. It was so beautiful up at the top - there was even still snow. Some of the families had snow ball fights, and played. We just walked around and decided with all of the biking we do, we should take our bikes up and ride down - they have quite a few bike trails down from the peak.
The clouds were so close, it seems like they are just right there - oh, and I might mention that due to being up so high on the peak - you get a killer sunburn!
Here we are on our hike down the trail toward the tunnel and ski lift down.
Inside the tunnel it was REALLY cold - a really huge temp drop.
We were also able to ride the "alpine- like" slide down the hill and stood in line for an hour to ride the zip line down the mountain - my favorite activity! It was really great to have such a fun day just the two of us, but we always say..."next time, when we bring the kids..." We love our time alone, but we love our family time too!
Here is Colton all ready for a snorkel. After about 10 minutes he ditched the mouthpiece and just had the goggles. Then McKaleigh took over using the mouthpiece.
A shot of the family getting ready for a swim.
The kids chatting it up. They were trying to teach Alex how to put his face in the water with his goggles on.
After swimming, we then came home for a short rest, and then headed off to see Toy Story 3. I thought it was pretty intense, with that big baby, monkey and clown guy. We missed the showing we had planned on - it was sold out, so we killed some time playing in the arcade (daddy is the bomb at at Deal or No Deal), and got a giant popcorn and drink. Its pretty sick that my kids dinner tonite consists of that popcorn, drink and a candy bar.
After the movie, we decided to get a little family exercise and play hockey up at the school. McKaleigh was not feeling too great after all those snacks and stayed home to rest. here are the boys all ready to go. Alex just loves hockey. He gets up every morning and begs to play it out front.
Here is mom with the boys.
When it started getting dark, we headed home for a small fireworks display.
McKaleigh and our neighbor Hunter gathering some of the fireworks. Actually they were trying to organize them into one huge pile, but not all of the fuses could be reached at the same time.
Alex and our neighbor Emma. She was really great with him, and it was so funny because as soon as Brett would start to light the fireworks he would stand next to her with his hand on her shoulder - for protection against a rogue firework. He did not really want to get close, and once again, when we would ask him if he wanted a sparkler, he would very politely reply "no thanks."
The big kids watching the display they created with daddy.
My bestie Anne and I chatting and viewing the display. We actually solve quite a few of the worlds problems right here on my porch!
Dad and Alex trying to decide which one to light next.
I honestly cannot say, that in recent times, we have actually tried to pack a weekend so full! We are having a great time doing it though...on to tomorrow!
The kiddos ready for the big ride!
After the parade, McKaleigh and Colton could not wait to get their swimsuits on and take a turn in the dunk tank.
Down they go!
He was really afraid to go down the slide - he said it was too bumpy, but maybe with mom he would take the plunge.
Dad and Alex sharing some dessert - Oreos!
With all of the events going on, can you believe Elliot and Alex wanted to play with the rocks in the empty lot. Brett supervised the rock throwing.
Aunt Katie and McKaleigh manning the snowcone machine - a really big hit!
Alex and Elliot discussing their snocones - Elliot got red and Alex got blue.
Alex participating in the water balloon fight - Uncle Eric got some neighbor kids to fill up 2500 balloons! Alex was having alot of fun, but then came over to us with a quivering lip and said "somebody hit me with a balloon." We had to explain that in a balloon fight, if you were going to throw them, then you might get hit too!
Uncle Bri launched some balloons with his lacrosse stick and Alex gave it a try too!
Alex with has first and probably last Sparkler. After this one, I said "do you want to do that again? Mommy has lots of Sparklers." His response... " Um, no thanks."
Colton with a Sparkler. See Uncle Bri pulling that wagon in the background? It was filled with Uncle Bri's Fireworks...if you know what I mean!:)
Uncle Bri helping Colton with a big firework.
Then it got pretty dark and the kids settled in to watch the neighbors light off lots of different fountains, flowers, whistling petes, and lots of other fun stuff. Uncle Bri lit off a few of his really big fireworks, but then they got a little wild, so we stuck with the tame ones! We got home around 11pm - and Alex was still awake! It was an event that took all of us back to our youth. Thanks Uncle Eric and Aunt Katie - you provided an event that my kids will always remember!
