"IT'S A ZOO IN THERE!"

A group of us headed to the Turtle Back Zoo on Good Friday.

Well, I was not prepared for the masses.

I guess everyone had the same idea. 

No school + reasonably nice day = zoo.

There was a line to turn into the parking lot..that ended up being full to the brim.

We were directed into the parking garage..the FULL parking garage..

I asked the attendant if there was anything special going on..being that we had been there several times over the past couple of years and had NEVER seen it like this before..

Yes, he actually said it.

"It's a zoo in there."

Mike took off the day to spend with us.

We actually had about 6 other families/friends/moms & kids that came along with us

but it was so crowded that it was impossible to stay together.

This year Travis was really able to enjoy the animals and a bit more independence.

The zoo had a new exhibit since we were there last..the Big Cats.

And of course, the train ride.

What is a trip to the zoo without the train ride?

A picture in passing..

they got on the train as we got off.

If I remember correctly, the train ride was a highlight for Zack and Luke!

Hope everyone else had a nice day too!

SPRINKLE

I guess you've noticed that I haven't been blogging much lately.

I've been BUSY!!

I will try to do better, but honestly, priorities...right?

So, a couple of weeks ago, we threw a surprise Sprinkle for my sister and the soon to arrive little bundle of blue.

Now, please don't tell me that you don't know what a sprinkle is!

Seriously, I was AH-MAAZED at how many people had no idea..and here I thought it was common knowledge.  Ya know, its not a full-blown baby SHOWER like with a first baby, no registering or anything like that..most parents have all the BIG stuff already from baby #1..a Sprinkle is just a little party to welcome the second baby--IF that baby is of the opposite sex. 

 Sherilyn and Joe have already been blessed with a girl..three years ago..now they hope to welcome baby boy into the family.  And they don't have any boy things..namely clothes.  Got it?

We kept it small...I think we have 12 people invited and 9 came.  

Moms, Grandma's, Sisters (in-laws) and a couple of friends..

Oh and a couple of nieces to play with.  :)

My sister-in-law's birthday was actually that day and months ago she had asked if she could have the party at Sherilyn and Joe's house for various reasons that all made sense.

So, she was expecting a party that night..just not a Sprinkle!!

It worked out well.

It was decorated for a birthday party..the baby stuff was put up after we arrived.

 

Notice all the SPRINKLES on the cake  ;)

 

Snacks..

A toast..(with blue wine!  good job, Jamie!)

And being that it was Jamie and Sherilyn's mother-in-law's actual birthday..

we had birthday cake and sang for them.

Thanks for "giving up" your birthday evening for the festivities.

Birthday girls!

Rian filling out a sheet for her cousin's baby book..

Presents.

Victoria modelling her Grandma's glasses..

Brave, Mrs. Trimble!!  

lol

Happy Sprinkle!

Can't wait to meet little 'Chicken Joe!'

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Here are some shots from Michael's first T-ball game.

FYI, they don't play outs in T-ball..nor do they keep score..everyone has a chance to bat.

It is all about LEARNING the game.

And its fun.

Its fun watching the kids learn.

Unfortunately, Michael's allergies have hit..

so, here you can see him rubbing his eyes.  :(

I forgot the eye drops that day..but rest assured, they now stay in my purse!

The teams are fairly small this year, so the kids get moved around from position to position often.

Michael at first base.

Mid-swing!

 

One of the girls had to go to the bathroom...so we got a shot from the other side!

Now he is near the pitcher's mound.

Tonight they are going to start pitching to the kids rather than just using the tee.

Made it to first!

Second!

 

A faithful fan.

He has only tried to run onto the field three or four times!  ;)

 

Third!

Next stop home!

Nothing like having a bunch of kids in the baseline....

Gotta love all the antics in the background..

Made it home!

 

Shaking hands with the other team

Woo hoo!  

Go Sharks!!

THREE

Yesterday, we celebrated Rian's third birthday!

Is it time to open presents yet??

(This being first thing in the morning)

Three years old!

She had been sooooo excited for her birthday.

Practically everyday telling me what kind of cake she wanted and so forth.

Daddy was home, so we went ahead and opened gifts when he got home from the dump.

She had an interesting birthday list.

She wanted a surf board and a pig.

Well, not quite a surf board, but it is her size and she loved it.

Later on, after our second T-ball game, 

we had the family over to help celebrate.

Its tough on a weeknight..but since we don't have any free weekends...guess it has to do!

Hard to see here, but she is holding her own jar of pickles!

She loves pickles.

She also got a pig, by the way.

I must have missed that in the pictures.

Her Tinkerbell cake.

I guess you can sorta see the resemblance..??

It saved me the trouble anyway of having to buy a special pan and/or put to use my meager decorating skills.

Cake, candles...

 

SING!

 

Happy Birthday, Missy!

We love you!