Hogle Zoo

I know it's been a while... I don't know when blogging became such a chore. Spent some time down in Preston last week to go to my nephew Ethan's birthday party and the next day we went down to Hogle Zoo. Todd actually had a couple consecutive days off in a row so we decided to make the most of it. It was also the week of my birthday and it was a request of mine (not Reese) to go down to Hogle Zoo. We usually manage to make it there once a year. I was excited to take Reese though since she is really into animals and can make about every animal sound. I was especially excited for her to see an elephant in real life (rather than just cartoon elephants tromping through the jungle in Jungle Book). We also stopped in Logan to pick up my nephew Mason on the way down. Reese had a blast with Mason in the car they each took turns seeing who could scream the highest and who could motor boat the longest -- not as much fun for Todd and I but they were entertained. The elephants were one of the first on our route around the zoo. Reese and Mason were both soooo excited. We stood and looked at this one elephant probably longer than any other animal. Reese was actually upset when we moved on but calmed down when she realized we were moving on to see more animals.

The animals at the zoo were all up close and out and about --- which is amazing... usually you can see some feet or tail fluttering somewhere in the grass but really all the big animals were out walking around and up really close. The rhinos were right at the window -- I don't know what Reese thought of them - they really are quite strange looking.

My personal favorite the giraffes.

There were lot's of babies at the zoo that day too... a baby giraffe, snow leopard, meerkats, some other kind of wild cat, orangutan, and some others I know I'm forgetting but they were all so dang cute. The baby snow leopard was playing right by the window, the 6 little baby meerkats were only a month old and they were so funny to watch and the baby orangutan was playing peek-a-boo under a canvas blanket.

We also rode the little train.

It was a really fun day... it was really hot so we moved on to each exhibit pretty quickly but we were able to see the whole park before anybody got tired and cranky. We stopped and got a sandwich at Wendy's and ventured home.

The rest of the week not much else happened... Friday we met up with some friends at Texas Roadhouse for birthday dinner, Saturday we went down to Pocatello for a wedding reception (a high school friend of Todd's) and Sunday was my birthday. Todd made me breakfast in bed: french toast, bacon, eggs, juice and a bowl of fresh fruit-- so yummy! He also spent all day getting dinner ready too: Ham, twice baked potatoes, fresh baked rolls and of course a Rainbow chip birthday cake. All my presents were really great too. A few favorites: new shoes (some slip on kind so when I'm big and fat I don't have to worry about trying to tie them), a new book, 10th anniversary Les Miserables CD, yummy candy and much much more. Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes/goods it's nice to know people are thinking about you.

This week: tomorrow I have a Dr.'s appt and I should probably be setting up when I get my next ultrasound so we can find out what we are having finally. For those of you wondering I really don't care what it is... a keep thinking it's another girl (which would be nice financially since we already own everything in pink), but really either is fine. I need to go get a new drivers license which stinks - I actually like my current picture and I'm worried what this one is going to turn out like. I think that is pretty much it for this week. Later next week we are heading to Denver to see some family for a few days -- yay another vaca!

Mini-vaca

So this past week Todd, Reese and I were out of town. Yes all of us together, finally! Todd was finally able to take some time off work so we could have some-what-of a vacation. We started off Wednesday stopping in Downey the first day to spend some time with Todd's family. The next night was the first day of Preston's Famous Night Rodeo Weekend. Everyday there is a parade, carnival, rodeo and sidewalk sales. Thursday we spent the afternoon in Logan meeting up with old friends for lunch and later we did go to the parade. Reese spent most of the time on one of our laps - since she was a little too scared to run around and pick up the candy. She loved all the horses and waved at the pretty girls riding on the floats. Later that night after putting Reese to bed Todd and I made our way to Logan again to go out to a movie. It's usually 6 months between each movie we get to see at the theatre. We of course saw Harry Potter. My mom's house was a little crowded this weekend so she brought down my grandma's trailer for us to sleep in, the closest thing to camping we will probably do all year. Sittin with Grandma waiting for the parade to start.

Reese and Ethan.

Ethan (who constantly wanted me to take pictures of every silly face he could think of).

Dylan wearing Reese's pink cowboy hat and drinking a coke. This is what his father gets for dropping him off in grandma's care (no worries the can really was empty, but he liked wearing the PINK hat)

Our little cowgirl decked out in full garb. Hat, button up, wranglers, and boots.

Friday we spent a good part of the morning helping my brother and his family move into their new house. Later that afternoon we hit the sidewalk sales (which were very unexciting - unless you are looking for jewelry or girls hair bows - because that's all there was at every other booth). We watched the parade again, had yummy dinner at grandma Nan's house and then Todd and I went to the Rodeo (which we do every year). We decided to leave Reese at home with Grandma and not take her to the rodeo - since lately she hasn't behaved too well at public functions - she is one independent lady.

Saturday was another lazy day. We had a nice BBQ with my old high school chum Ashley and we were able to catch up. We did go to the third and final night of the parade and made a lap around the carnival to snag at least a bag of cotton candy. Sunday morning we headed back to Downey and went to church with Todd's family, had dinner, stopped in Pocatello on our way home to visit Amanda and Shawn and finally made it home last night. It all went by too fast! Now were back in Rexburg and Todd is back to work. I don't know if I've mentioned that Todd doesn't have school this semester so I will at least see him in the mornings everyday for the next 5 months! Woo Hoo!!

Also I did have as Dr.'s appt a few weeks ago and everything is looking good so far. We had an ultrasound but just to tell how far along I was for sure. Due date set for February 4th. I do have pics and a video from the ultrasound but haven't got around to scanning anything yet, but I promise there is a baby growing in me. So after the appointment it's feeling a little more real and I don't feel like poo for nothing.