Pic(s) of the Week: Summer

Ah, summer. Hot, sticky summer.
And there is nothing better to relieve the summer sweats than with a nifty new pool...

Day At The Zoo

For the first time in the years since Gabe and I have been together, we did not have big plans for Memorial Weekend. We are usually always either traveling or having a big party.

This year we decided to stick to the homestead and work our fannies to the bone catching up on yard work that has been neglected due to weather, travel, other priorities and just plain laziness. Since we have 5 acres of land to tend to and non-stop rain this spring, we were buried in weeds, grass, and more weeds. There is so much to be done, that Gabe and I have to tag team just to get it done.

In the midst of all this work, however, we decided to give ourselves a break and take Mia to the KC Zoo. Her first zoo experience. And we all had a blast.

The best time to go to the zoo is in the morning right as they open. Not only do you get rock star parking, all the animals are active.

The first exhibit we came upon was the polar bears. And let me tell you, he was in a great mood.

Mia was fascinated...
Here is what she was looking at on Daddy's shoulders...
The polar bear was my favorite of the day. :)

Mia went nuts over the tigers...
There was a lot of this going on...

Then she found a playground. Her favorite thing in the whole wide world...

She even got excited when she saw the carousel...
...but wasn't too happy once she realized the zebra goes up and down...
...and was happy when it came to a stop...
...and of course wanted to do it all over again. :)

We stopped for lunch, but she didn't eat a bite. She was too excited to keep going. After all, there was still so much to see!

Like the incredibly LOUD mackaws...
and the elephants...
There was much more after this. But with the 90 degree humid weather, mommy was suffering from heat exhaustion and forgot all about taking pictures. We went for what-seemed-like-a hundred-mile walk though the African exhibit where we saw hippos, giraffes, zebras and alligators. Mia went nuts over that stupid alligator.

Finally, after 3.5 hours of zoo-filled fun, we headed for the exit. It was a terrific family day. Mia was a champ through it all. Surprising us with her stamina. She didn't use the stroller until the very end. Running full force all morning.

Then finally...

Crash.

It was a good day.

Pic of the Week: Middle America

On our floating trip last week we came across this...

Gotta love middle America!

For Those Who Like Big Announcements

Here is one for ya...


Yep, we are preggers again! Due some time in mid November. We are elated, scared, nervous, excited and all those other emotions that come with it. But most of all we are so happy to be blessed with another gift of life and the chance to give Mia a sibling!

Now if we can only hurry up and find out the sex! :)

The Mighty Sak

The Sak River, that is. And okay, it isn't all that mighty, but it made for a funny title.

Last Friday, we left Mia with Grandma B and enjoyed an adult day out to go floating on the Sak River with our friend, Tof.

The day was perfect for floating. 75 degrees and no wind.

Normally, a canoe is made for 2 people, but I squeezed in the middle. Sitting on top of the cooler. This was my view...
As I am sure you have seen in the news, we recently had a ton of rain so the river was up pretty high. Which made for a fast, smooth ride with few obstacles like this...
The landscape was gorgeous.
We stopped for a break mid-way for some fishing and fun.

In all, we floated 8 miles down river. When the river is running at normal height, it should take about 5-6 hours. It took us only three. But it was a great time and exactly what we needed. I had just come off a busy week of work and finals and Gabe was ready for a brain break too. It was so nice to relax, take in nature and enjoy good company.

Next up, big news!