Our First Family Trip to the Jax Zoo

This is the first of three posts.

The weather here in Florida was beautiful yesterday so we decided to take the kids to the zoo. This was the first time we have been to the zoo since Stephen left his job at the zoo. Grant is just at the right age to really enjoy the exhibits. We got to the zoo right as it opened and we were able to cover a lot of ground before the crowds got there. This was nice because Erin did not want to ride in the stroller. I figured Grant would want to get in and out in order to see the animals, but little miss thought she was just as big as him. We really enjoyed the trip and hope that it is a first of many to our zoo. I really didn't take many photos of the animals at the zoo. I was concentrating on my on two animals.

Why did I even bring our huge double stroller?

Checking out the Bonobos

Grant and Erin listening to the Lemur's

(Erin must of been communicating back to them!)

Grant loved the fountain

Grant's Zoo Trip

Climbing the rock wall at the playground

Grant checking out the Giant Pacu in the Range of the Jaguar

I think Grant's favorite part of the zoo was the water!

Erin's Zoo Trip

I'm a big girl. I don't need a baby stroller!
Pretty blue eyes

Erin!

Erin rode the carousel.

(Grant was afraid of it! I guess little sister is going to have to teach big brother a thing or two!)

Christmas Day 2008

We had a great Christmas this year! Grant was very excited about Santa and opening presents which made it so much fun for us. Christmas morning I (and Erin) woke up early and made some yummy Gorilla Bread . Erin always helps me cook whether I want the help or not! This was what Santa left for Grant this year. Stephen and my grandfather built Grant a train table. Santa added the Thomas the Train set.



Here is Grant coming into the living room Christmas morning. Got to love the bed head, pacifier, two burp cloths and Mickey's!

Erin emptying her stocking

Grant's reaction when he saw his train table for the first time.

He absolutely loves it and plays with it constantly. I could hardly pry him away long enough to open his other presents.

Grant opening his Thomas the Train ornament

Erin's Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer

Erin with her doll stroller

Grant and Erin's new kitchen from Uncle Tim and Aunt Karen

Last Minute Shopping

We had to run to Home Depot yesterday on our way to my parents' house. Grant and Erin were worn out! This is how they rolled through the store. Grant never woke up.

It's Christmas Eve!

It's the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring...well it's almost that quiet around here. Erin is asleep, but Grant is watching Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas for the hundredth time this year. He's being very quiet though! Stephen is finishing up in Santa's workshop (aka: the barn), and I am in the office blogging.

We have already had a great Christmas. We began our celebration last night with dinner at my parent's house. We went ahead and exchanged gifts with my side of the family last night. We have already received way too much for Christmas! The kids really enjoyed it and it made me remember how exciting Christmas was for us when we were kids.

The kids waiting patiently for the go ahead to open their presents.

Who put the bow on the baby?

This morning we had breakfast with the family here at our house. Oh, how I love breakfast! It's my favorite meal of the day! We had a delicious spread of food on the table and nobody left hungry. We enjoyed visiting with Brian and Liz before they had to head home.

Grant sporting his Santa hat.
Naughty or nice?

I can't keep her away from me!

Definitely naughty!

Anna LOVES babies! She is such a nurturing girl!

Luke and James building a tower

Christmas is not over yet. I can't wait for Santa to come tonight! Stay tuned for more photos.

A Holiday Favorite

Seasoned Oyster Crackers

1 package oyster crackers

1 cup oil

1 envelope of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix

1-2 teaspoons of dill

1/2 -1 teaspoon of garlic powder

(I eyeball it on the seasonings so use your best judgement)

I use a 9 X 13 baking pan to mix all the ingredients together. Then I bake them in the oven at 225 degrees for 10 minutes. Take out the pan and toss the crackers again to coat with oil. Put them back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and toss them again. Let cool and enjoy!

Christmas Is Coming

Yesterday, I dressed the kids in their Christmas finery for worship service. I had visions of getting sweet, little pictures of the two of them sitting in front of the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, Stephen's company decided that this past weekend would be a great time to move the entire corporate office to a new building downtown. This means the IT Department got to work all weekend long. So, Stephen was not there Sunday morning and these are the best I could get all by myself.

Grant with his pal Mickey Mouse
"Get a little closer Grant!"
(Notice the missing shoe. For some reason the child can't seem to keep one on this foot!)


Erin examinig Grant's tie.

These pictures are from Sunday night. Grant refused to have his picture taken.

Santa's elves are putting the finishing touches on the gifts in the workshop this week. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Santa 1983

Here's the only picture I have of me with Santa. I was two the same age as Grant. I can't tell what I was thinking in the photo.

Grant's Christmas Party

Our church had a Christmas party for the cradle roll and pre-school aged children yesterday after morning services. I was in Montgomery with Erin visiting my brother. (We went to see him graduate with his Master's degree. Way to go Brian!) The boy's stayed home this weekend. I wish I could have seen Grant with Santa. We have never had his picture taken with Santa before. I didn't attempt a picture this year because I know Erin would protest and I thought Grant would too. It looks like he was OK with it. (Maybe it's because he has watched the Mickey Mouse Christmas movie about 100 times.)

Grant having a chat with Santa. I wonder what he said?

Opening his gift from Santa. It's a matchbox Fire station. It folds up into it's own little carrying case. He loves it ans hasn't stopped playing with it!

I have been very busy today. I am trying to clean out and organize toys in order to prepare for Christmas. I am boxing up "baby" toys. I am conflicted about what to do about them. Should I keep them all? We plan on having another baby, but not in the next couple years! I also have to put away the swing, walker, exersaucer and jumperoo. It doesn't take long for the stuff to take over your house! I am running out of room!

Christmas Ornament Injury

We have already lost several Christmas ornaments this year. Both Grant and Erin have broken some of the red and green balls I have on the tree. This afternoon, as I was trying to pack and clean up the house (Erin and I are going to Montgomery while the boys stay here) Grant did this:


He took a bite out of the gingerbread man. Which isn't "gingerbread" at all! He kept saying "cookie! cookie!" and pointing to the tree. I quickly ran through the ornaments in my head when I realized he had found this one. I made it several years ago. I can't remember what all I put in it, but I know it has a lot of cinnamon and maybe some glue? I didn't think there is anything toxic in this "cookie". Poor gingerbread man!

Christmas Past

How much he has grown in just one year! I miss my "baby" Grant!

Watercolors

Grant enjoys coloring so much that I decided to let him paint this morning. Boy does he like it!I enjoyed watching him as well. I need to come up with craft ideas for my little guy. He seems to enjoy them. Here are some pictures of this mornings art session.