Day at the Zoo

Today we planned to make an outing to the zoo. Zack loves to play with his cousins so we decided to invite Britta and her kids, Abby & Landon. We have found that going earlier in the day is better because Zack is in a better mood and all of the animals have been kicked out of their habitats for cleaning. Because we try to make it so early we also try to go to breakfast too.

This was all planned thanks to Aaron watching Food Network. There is this show, Diners Drive-ins & Dives. It's not one of our favorite shows but it happened to be the only thing on at the time. Anyways, this show was doing a showcase on the places that they had visited in Utah. Ruth's dinner up Emigration canyon was shown. Aaron had also heard good things about this place and it is just up the canyon from the zoo. So, we figured we could try out a new place for breakfast and then hit the zoo. Aaron also thought that it would be a great idea to get a wagon for the kids to ride in. It would make it easier to keep them in one place and free up hands. Zack was very excited about this idea. We told Britta and she agreed to meet us there.

Unfortunatly that morning we were a little behind schedule. We were trying to call Britta to let her know that we were a bit behind as she was trying to call us to let us know that the diner was closed for remodeling. Darn cell phone dead zones. So, when we pulled up Britta had already been waiting there patiently with her kids. We tried to remember if there were any breakfast places up in that area but couldn't think of any too close. As we drove trying to find something we decided to go to the Original Pancake House in Sugarhouse. Unfortunatly so had a few other people. We had to wait for about 30 minutes. The kids were great! Plus the weather was nice too, so we could wait outside. Once the food came around everyone was very hungry and everyone ate very well.

Once we were done with breakfast we headed back up to the zoo. Being that it was the first warm day of the year several other people thought it would be a good time to go as well. The place was packed. This can be a good thing sometimes. When the zoo is busy it will open the South gate. This is just above the Asian Highlands. We have experimented and have found that as far as routes go, starting from the Asian Highlands and working our way towards the front enterance works pretty well. However when we entered the South gate they had not opened the rental shop for wagons yet. So, Aaron volunteered to run to the front gate and rent one and then bring it back.

Aaron was very tired running all the way to the front and a little put out. When he rented the wagon, the sales clerk asked it there was anything else that he could do, being the polite sales clerk. Aaron quickly retorted the they could open up the South gate rental shop if they were going to open the South gate. Then the clerk stated that they had just opened it. GRRRRR!

Aaron found Amanda, Britta and the kids by the giraffes. They kids were all very excited to see the wagon. They all piled in and we were off to check out the zoo. Aaron pulled the wagon for the most part. That is until Abby and Zack decied that they wanted to pull it. They both started to take turns pulling. This was great that Zack was willing to share and take turns. We have really been working on that. As Zack and Abby took turns Landon was quite content to just sit in the wagon and be chauffered around the zoo.
As we made out way to the front of the zoo, Amanda & Britta took the kids on the zoo train. We can't ever go to the zoo and not ride the train, it's the highlight of Zack's day. As everone moved off of the train, Abby asked to see the bats. So our next stop was the children's play area where you can see the bats as well as play near some of the animals. Here are some of the prairie dogs that we found. Aw, they are so cute.
By this point the kids were tired so we headed to the cars. Aaron told Amanda that if she would like to, she could ask Britta to go shopping and he would watch the kids. Both Amanda & Britta were very excited about this idea. So we all headed to our house and fed the kids. Then Amanda & Britta went out shopping and had a great time. Over all a very good day!

Our New House!!!

That's right everyone! After almost 5 years of being married and two children later we have finally purchased our first home! We are very excited. It was a very arduous process. Being that it was a short sale (I don't know why they call it that there is nothing short about it!), from offer to close it took about 2 1/2 months. But we finally signed our lives away (at least that's what it feels like after all that paperwork) on Feb. 27, 2009.

We have been in the position to purchase a home before but things fell through. We felt kind of stupid after telling everyone and showing off the house that we were looking at purchasing, just to have things not work out. So because we were warned that this home could take some time, we decided to keep things on the "down low" until we had worked things through. So sorry to those that are just now finding out.

We had a pretty good turn out for those that helped us move. Moving out seemed to take a lot longer then moving in. I guess 3 flights of stairs would have something to do with that. Between Aaron, Randy, Joel & Nun's trucks we made it all over. Nun also had his trailer as did Aaron. Thanks to all of those that helped out, and those of you that didn't (you know who you are) we hope that you had good excuses! J/K

Each of us has our own reasons to be excited about the new home. What made this move so great for Amanda is that she finally had her Christmas present delivered. She was a good girl last year and Santa had a refrigerator and freezer waiting at RC Willey to be delivered. They were delivered while we were still packing up the apartment and Aaron got this call saying that the fridge was too big for where is was going to be placed. Fortunately between Nun, Randy and Aaron they were able to make it fit. Well kind of, a giant hole in the wall and losing the pantry door later they made it fit. But hey, Amanda has a great big new refrigerator! She is also excited about the large new freezer that she has in Aaron's new garage. Amanda's sister, Britta, does a dinner exchange with freezer meals and Amanda has been wanting to get into it as well. It works out great when both parents work. Just pull it out in the morning before you go to work to let it thaw out during the day. When you get home all the prep work is done so you just pop it in the oven and serve. Makes things a lot easier.

Aaron was excited to finally have a "Honey-Do List". Sounds crazy but not if you know Aaron. The point behind a "Honey-Do List" is that Amanda gets to find all of these projects around the house that she would like to have done. So when she says "Honey, will you please make some storage shelves in the basement", she just puts it on the "Honey-Do List". Aaron loves to build things or even just fix things. He just loves to work with his hands. Plus the added benefit of doing things for his wife and family just makes his day. Amanda hasn't wasted any time getting started on that list either. Aaron is also excited to have a yard to work in of his very own. Weird huh?!

Zack has a great time with his "new house" too. For anyone that has come over to see us or for those who still haven't, plan on getting the grand tour from him. He loves to show off his new room. Mary Beth gave him a great area rug for his room that has train tracks and road ways on it. He is getting pretty good at building his own train tracks and can play for hours all by himself. Hope that he enjoys that while it lasts. Little sister will be wanting to play with his things here pretty soon.

Alexis is happy with the new home. Well as much as one little girl can. She definitely could tell how stressed out we were about getting this home. The last week before closing on the house, she had this astounding sense of the stress and didn't like it one little bit. Now that we are moved in and things have moved into the normal routine, she is much happier.

Over all we are very happy with our new home and the great new area that we have moved into. The ward has been very welcoming as have our neighbors. It's located near everything and the new Day Break temple is just down the street too. We think that we have made a great move and are happy to have been able to make it our home!

Super Hero!

Zack is entering the age of super heroes. What fun! Aaron bought him a t-shirt that says "My Dad is My Hero". Zack insists that it says "Zack is My Hero". The other day Aaron and I were watching Lord of the Rings. Zack came in the room and saw that there were people in trouble on the TV. He quickly informed us that we needed to rescue these people. He was Batman, daddy was Superman and I was Spider-man. He always gets to be Batman in these situations. Today I got a phone call from Zack while he and Aaron were getting ready to go. He had something he needed to tell me:

Zack: "Once upon a time there was scary monster eating all the people."
Me: "Oh no! What are we going to do about it?"
Zack: "We need to rescue the people! I am a super hero and I will rescue the people!"

What an awesome phone call! It absolutely made my day. I love getting little glimpses into his imagination.

Bonding

I love this picture because it shows how much Zack likes to dote on his sister. She sure is starting to respond well to him too. At least 10 times a day Zack insists on giving Lexi kisses. He loves to talk to her and look at her. He even shares his toys! We'll see how long that lasts when she actually wants the toys :). I can't wait to see them interact when he can make her laugh and smile by showing her how silly he is. He loves to be silly, show off and make people laugh. This kind of reminds me of the days when I was little. I remember when I was in kindergarten Ranna was very jealous that Christina and I left or school and she was left at home. Christina and I used to act extremely silly just to make her laugh before we left, hoping this would make it easier for her. I have a feeling things like that will be a common occurance with my children in the future.

"Brother's been picking on me in my sleep!"

Blessing

We blessed our new bundle on Sunday. It was so much fun to see everyone who came! We have been looking forward to doing this for months. Aaron has always wanted to show my family what real barbecue tastes like and the timing has always been off. We asked his dad if he would be willing to smoke some brisket and pork shoulder for the occasion months ago. He said that he couldn't do it in the winter because it would be too difficult for him to maintain the heat of the fire in the cold weather. So we bought the meat while it was still warm out, smoked it, then froze it until this weekend. It tasted wonderful!!!! (If I hadn't just told you it was frozen you would have thought it was smoked the day before, guess I just spilled the beans!) Aaron's parents were also wonderful enough to let us use their house to host the party after the blessing. Our apartment is just not big enough for this kind of function. Aaron helped out at their house a lot last week to help them get ready. They decided they wanted to re-do the kitchen cabinets before the blessing and it turned out so beautiful! Thank you so much for letting us use your beautiful home!

I am also so thankful for a wonderful sister in our ward. When we blessed Zack we were surprised when she caught up to us after sacrament meeting with a notes of the blessing for us. What a wonderful gift! It is now in his baby book and is a great reminder of that wonderful day. I was very grateful to see her after sacrament meeting this time with the same thing for Alexis. I am so excited to have these wonderful blessings in writing. Aaron can never remember what he says when he gives a blessing, side effect of following the Spirit I guess, and he has enjoyed being able to read what he said. He is so eloquent when he gives blessings, I love it!

Mostly I am thankful to be married to such a wonderfully spiritual man. So many blessings have come to our family because Aaron is close to the Lord and knows how to listen to the Spirit. Having the Priesthood and a worthy Priesthood holder in my home is such a comfort in trying times and good times. I am grateful that the Lord has blessed us with the power and authority of His Priesthood on this earth. I am thankful that I was raised in a home with the Priesthood and it's blessings. My appreciation and testimony of its power grows with each use. Thank you to all who joined Aaron in the circle for the blessings of both our beautiful children!

Happy 3rd Birthday Zack

It's hard to believe that it has been three years since we have been blesed with having Zack added to our family. We have always had a great time celebrating his birthday, however we were a little concerned with this year due to Alexis coming so close to his birthday. We were afraid that Amanda wouldn't have the energy to entertain in our apartment. So this year we thought that we would forgo all the hassle and have his birthday at Jungle Jim's Playland. It just so happened that Alexis came 2 weeks early. So Amanda made a tough decision to stay home with our little girl and miss his party. That means that Aaron had the pleasure of being in charge of a wild and crazy birthday party. She was very much missed by Aaron and the family, but we also appreciate her sacrifice.
So on the day of Zack's birthday, Zack woke up and he was very excited because we had told him that he was going to go and play with his friends and cousins at a birthday party. He didn't care that it was his birthday he just loves the concept of a birthday party. We had already ordered the cake, which Zack picked out. Any guesses... Yup, Thomas the Tank Engine! So we first stopped off and picked that up from Sam's Club. Then we made our way over to the Playland. Everyone showed up and everyone was having a great time riding the rides until Zack found the play house. He had a great time. So much so I'm sure we could've had his birthday party at McDonalds. Either way he had a great time as did everyone else and so it was a success.


Even the older kids (Joel, Ruthann, Dan, Ranna & Seth) had a great time playing the token games. They were very good at getting the tickets. They won over 650 tickets. So after prying him away from the playhouse, literally, we went to open presents. He had a great time opening all of his presents but he probably just wanted to get back to the playing. He enjoyed his cake and ice cream, as did everyone else. The cake was really good this year.
As everyone started to leave Ruthann and Charlene took Zack to cash in all of the tickes that the older kids had won. That was the deal Aaron made with them when he gave them over 100 tokens. So when Zack was asked what he wanted to get he asked for the Cat in the Hat hat. To Zack, it was the best!

Panicked!!

With bringing Alexis home, we aren't even close to getting set on a schedule. This is difficult for Zack because he is very much regulated by a schedule. We are very grateful for that. So last night we had put Zack to bed and Amanda stayed up with Aaron to feed Alexis. After the feeding, Amanda and Alexis went off to bed. A few hours later Aaron started to come to bed too. He locked the front door and went to check on Zack. One of the cool things that you get to do as a parent is to peek in on your little angels while they sleep. Only when Aaron went to do so Zack wasn't in bed. So Aaron thought that with Alexis being home that perhaps Zack may have climbed into bed with Mom. So Aaron went to check on the baby and Amanda. Still, no Zack was to be found. Aaron started to freak out!
See, Aaron ran away from home when his parent brought his little sister home and has always been teased that Zack might do the same thing. But Aaron was sure he would've seen or heard Zack go out the front door. So he went back to Zack's room to see if he was under the blankets. Still nothing! Aaron stood there in Zack's room dumbfounded as to where the little guy could've gone. Then he heard a sound and found Zack here:

UNDER THE BED

Zack had never done this before due to the fact that the crib mattress was under the bed. Best we can figure is that he must've dropped some toy under his bed and had gone after it. Aaron then woke Zack up and asked him to get into his bed. Wow what a fright!