Welcome home Shannon!

We are so thankful that he made it home safely last night after a few days delay. I even got to talk to him. He sounded great and was definitely happy to be home and we are happy to have him home!

The children and I had a wonderful time visiting Coco and Poppa Jack in Centralia. the day we arrived the weather was beautiful and Parker and Bennett headed straight out to the make-shift sand pit. I was certain after seeing how much fun they were having that the pictures from out trip would consist of Day 1 in the sand, Day 2 in the sand and so forth but that proved wrong as you will see.

After the sand, we headed over to Coco's garden to dig for worms and help spread mulch. Coco had already captured Parker and Bennett a tub of worms before we arrived but soon we had to dig for more....don't ask what happened to the first tub.

On Wednesday, the weather was beautiful and we headed out early to the on of the top 10 zoos in the nation (source: www.americasbestonline.net). We had a wonderful time and Parker and Bennett still wanted to see more at the end of the day...amazing! Below is a before picture as we were having a snack before heading into the zoo.

Parker and Bennett taking a photo op before heading into the Children's interactive play area where they both got to pet the guinea pigs.

Below they are patiently waiting for the Zooline train to take us across the park
Coco and Bennett waiting for the train

Bennett enjoying the train ride

This might be the ugliest animal I've ever seen! He stood at the front while all the other camels where lying in the back. He would look to the right and then scan the spectators and then do it over again. Everyone kept their distance because they were worried that he might spit! Parker is still talking about the ugly camel because Mrs. Lynne asked me about it.

Coco, Bennett and Parker looking at the zebras

When Parker and Bennett first walked up to the window they didn't even notice the huge chimpanzee sitting in the corner. Every once in a while he would turn and look at us behind him and yawn. I had no idea that a chimpanzee had all those sharp teeth!

Parker and Bennett waiting to see the sea lion's feeding

Bennett was so tired from the zoo visit they we didn't even make it out of the parking lot before he fell asleep! But they both got their rest on the way home and headed directly for the sand when we go back to Coco and Poppa's house.
On Thursday, our 70 + degree weather was gone but the sun was still shining and we found other activities to keep us busy. Randy Winkler, a family friend, helped us put together an enormous play structure that dad salvaged from the neighbor. This was the distraction from the sand that kept us on out toes (literally) the rest of the week. Parker mastered the rope ladder and Bennett the real ladder. Don't worry, as soon as I snapped the picture I was on the ladder with Bennett!

You would be amazed at how fast he climbed this thing!

It took several runs but we finally convinced Bennett (with Parker's help) that the best way to go down the slide was not face first! She made sure that his feet were first before he slid down.
We also added one more swing to the Woods Lane Playground so that Parker could enjoy swinging alongside Bennett.
After all that fun, they were exhausted as you can see. This was taken the night before we left as they were winding down and watching a little Sprout before bedtime in their new playroom (some of you might know it as the study).We got home and daddy was excited to have a little noise back in the house! We all missed each other as you can see!
We miss you Coco and Poppa and can't wait to come back in the summer!

We are off to Centralia today so we will have lots of pictures to come in the next few days! Also, I think I felt the baby kick last night as I laid down for bed!

No caption necessary!

It snowed on Saturday night and we woke up to about an inch on the ground Sunday morning. Bennett woke up first and couldn't wait to get outside to play.

He waited patiently at the window for Parker to wake up. Go figure she sleeps on Sunday and he slept in the on Saturday. I'm sure they never will sleep in on the same day!

After Parker woke up they rushed out to play. They had no idea that the snow would melt by lunch time! Parker is making a snow angel below.

Here she is showing us her snow angel.Bennett is wearing Parker's old rain boots so in the video he is walking funny.
Parker trying to make a snow ball.

After they got their hands cold and wet it was time to come in and warm up by the fire which was not very big as you can see but it did the trick.

I took this video of the children playing in the snow so that you can see Bennett walking around in Parker's old rain boots.