loving summer

It's been insanely hot here in K.C. Almost everyday since the first of July it's been over 100 degrees, add some lovely humidity to that and you got some pretty not enjoyable weather to hang out in. But we aren't letting that stop us from having a pretty fun summer.

We make sure to visit the pool. It's become our favorite summer activity and we just love going with friends. I love watching the kids play in the water. They just love it! 

And we pretty much just live in our swimsuits all day. 

Typical Chase face. 

He is looking so big and grown up to me now! 

And of course we also love the days were we stay inside, keeping cool and just having a lazy day. Sometimes those are the best days! 

Hope you're having a fun summer!!

omaha zoo

Last weekend we decided on a last minute whim to drive up to Omaha and check out their zoo. If you really know me you know that I studied Landscape Architecture in college and through that course fell in love with Zoo design. Ever since then I have become obsessed with Zoos and want to visit and see as many as I possibly can. So when Wayne said lets go, I was already packed and in the car waiting before I could say yes!

I am just going to put this right out there... I LOVE the Omaha Zoo! We have heard so many wonderful things about this zoo and this place was definitely worth the three hour drive to visit it. 

The zoo is massive and has the most amazing enclosures for it's animals. They are living pretty nice with waterfalls and giant trees everywhere. Plus the zoo also has a huge aquarium with penguins and sharks and two I Max theaters. Since we already had a zoo pass with the Kansas City Zoo we got 50% off tickets and since kids three and under are free it only cost $18 to go! Love it!

This zoo definitely had the most gorillas then any other zoo I have been to before. The kids loved watching them and seeing all the other monkeys too! 

The zoo also had a really fun children's place. Here you could dig for fossils, walk through an extinct garden and pet the animals in the petting zoo. 

The kids really enjoyed digging in the fossil area the best! 

After we walked around a bit and looked at a lot of the animals, Wayne took Chase to go on the sky ride and see all the animals from above. 

Sabrina fell asleep and Fisher did not want to go on the ride so I took him to the play area so he could play while we waited for the boys to get done with the ride.

  We really, really liked this zoo. The only draw back was walking through the aqaurium. It was packed with so many people that it was hard just to walk through it, let alone admire the animals. Other than that, I would go back! again and again! It was such a fun place and we spent the entire day there and still didn't get to see every animal or cool enclosure.

I am hoping we can go back and visit again soon when I am not so pregnant and it isn't so hot out!!

fisher

Last Thursday, Fisher had his last day of summer school. He is officially on summer break and we are just so happy and excited to have him home during the day. I know I say this many many times, and yes it does get repetitive, but I just can't believe how much he has grown in such a short little time. 

I am so proud of the many things Fisher has accomplished and how quickly he picked up on new tasks. In the six short weeks he was at summer school he has begun talking in the non third person. He now says, mine or I instead of Fisher every time. And he makes complete sentences too. He can tell analog time and will follow one step directions, so we are asking him over and over to do something. 

Fisher has also become such a big helper with both me and his siblings. He loves following Chase around and they have become really good buddies playing ball or jumping on the trampoline. He also makes sure that Sabrina has her toys or snacks just like everybody else does and he gets really excited when older kids come over to play. He just loves being around people. Fisher is really growing and maturing and it makes me so happy and proud to watch him grow.

And even though we still have our bad days, with tantrums and frustrations, I am really, really proud of what Fisher is becoming. He teaches me everyday to enjoy the little things of life, to just laugh and love and make the most of the day. To watch him grow and learn and just blossom into this amazing little boy gives me so much joy.

He has one more year with his amazing teacher and then he will be in kindergarten! I can hardly believe it! My little boy is growing up so fast and I am excited to see  what the future holds for him!

these two

I can't get enough of these two and the wonderful friendship they have created. And yes, it's not always perfect and there are fights and tantrums, but when you come down the stairs and see the two just giggling and smiling away, it just makes my heart so full! 

celebrating wayne... and america of course!

We celebrated the fourth by waking up early and having a fun breakfast with friends, followed by an exciting morning of game and prizes. We then spent most of the afternoon shopping and sleeping(Wayne and Sabrina did) and then had a few good friends over for a yummy bbq and fun in the water. I slacked once again in taking pictures of all of our fourth festivities, but I was able to get some pics of Wayne and his birthday cake!

  Wayne's another year older and of course we had his favorite of brownies and coconut milk ice cream made by our friend Kerry. It was delicious! 

Someone sneaked a brownie before anyone else did. 

All of the kiddos enjoying the yummy treats! 

Once it started getting dark, we quickly packed up and headed out to watch the big fire works. We found the perfect spot to watch them and the kids just squealed with excitement. Too bad I left my camera on the deep freeze in the garage and missed capturing their expressions. But needless to say, it was priceless to see their faces light up!! 

Hope you all had a very fun and wonderful fourth!!

lake pomme de terre

Last weekend the kids and I decided to join Wayne on his fishing trip to Lake Pomme de Terre. Little did we know that it is located in an extremely small town and the weather would be in the high 90's. 

So, naturally we spent our time at the lake and played in the water and sand all day while Wayne spent his time on the boat fishing.

Fisher loved spending time at the lake and even got completely in the water the day before. without a swimsuit on! My kids just love being in the water. They could spend all day at the lake or playing in a pool. They are water babies for sure. Playing in the sand is just as fun as the water. Give her an empty water bottle and some sand and she is entertained for hours! Even though the trip didn't turn out exactly how we planned. Our days spent at the lake and cheering daddy on were well worth it! We a had a wonderful time and great memories shared with the kiddos.

 

colorado

A couple weekends ago I got to take a nice personal vacation back home to Denver to spend some relaxing time with my family and catching up with old friends. This trip was much needed and so wonderful, but I did miss those three cute kids of mine. 

One of my best friends moved to London three years ago and it worked out perfectly that she was back in town, because two of our closest friends from college happened to be in town that same weekend and it quickly became a mini reunion! I haven't seen Steve and Stephanie in over five years and in that time they have gotten married and had this cute little girl, Mckenna! It was so nice and so fun to catch up and see these lovely people again! 

  Saturday I got to tag along with my best friend, Jess, and her cute family at the BBQ challenge in Frisco. You can't beat the good company of the Carters and add super yummy food and you have the perfect day! 

Who wouldn't want to try an Atomic Turd? 

Love hanging out with this girl. 

  And it was so nice to just hang out and relax with family. I can't believe how big my niece and nephew are getting!!
I definitely enjoyed my mini vacation. You can't beat the wonderful company of Colorado!