The Zoo

On Friday we braved the zoo with 5 kids. I thought it was a great idea until I tried to load 5 kids, a double stroller and single stroller in the acadia...but we did it!

--tight fit, but we barely made it!--

The girls were very good and patient as we fed and changed babies, and tried to keep Zachey occupied with multiple treat stops. The weather was amazing around 75 degrees and hardly any humidity!! The girls got to go inside the parakeet exhibit and feed them with nectar sticks. Some of the birds climbed on them and their arms and shirts. The giggles were priceless :)

After divvying out some snacks we went to see the dinosaurs and spotted some monkeys along the way.

 

 We moved on to see the giraffe (Zachey's favorite) and I sprung to have the kids feed them some lettuce. Their tongues are sooo long!

Then we saw the new Australian exhibit where they have many animals just wandering around near the trail that the kids walk on. It was pretty cool!

We also saw the big cats and Zachey LOVED this little jeep they could "drive."

 Fun day at the zoo! Kenna and Megan did a good job of helping. We were definitely ready for lunch and nap when we got home though! Not sure how parents of this many kids handle it!!

Kanon and April Visit

April and Kanon got her Sunday. It was Kanon's first experience on an airplane, and from what April says, it went really well! They were exhausted after their trip, so both took naps and we had a low key evening. So far we have gone Union Park where Kanon got to play in the splashpark and watched Megan and Kenna on the carousel. We also have gone on walks, went on the search for a replacement travel stroller for April, and have been entertained by the dance stylings of Ms. McKenna and Megan :)

--he is sooo tall! My kids could barely see over the top of the high chair at 6 months--

--Kenna and Megan have been doing dance recitals for us all week--

--I love this little costume that was Megan's--

--Kenna and Megan doing an interpretive "waking up" dance routine--

--Kanon at the splash park...he got soaked!--

--loved it! poor April's back from leaning over :) --

--Kenna and Megan playing in the little pool--

--and riding the carousel--

--after their slumbe rparty, they served us breakfast--

--Kanon bouncing--

We really haven't done a ton of activities. Trying to coordinate two baby's schedules with eating and sleeping has been somewhat impossible..most days we don't really get going until 10-11...but fun to sit around and do nothing!

Carousel

Sunday the Heritage Carousel had a family fun night. There were clowns, free food, bouncy castles, and free rides on the carousel! I thought it would be a great event to welcome April and Kanon to Des Moines. Once I picked them up I found out they were exhausted. So they took a nap and we headed to the park with the Gentrys.

 --the clowns were sorta scary..--

--we didn't bring suits, but the kids still played in the splashpark--

--kenna got soaked!--

--bouncy houses--

It was definitely a unique experience, as Union Park is in a sort of sketchy neighborhood. We saw all walks of life and parenting styles...from cutting in line, to screaming at kids...made us appreciate what we have and how we were raised...thanks parents!

2 Month Pictures and Gryte Ice Cream Party

A few weekends ago we were invited to an ice cream party hosted by the Grytes. We got there and were surprised by a Tangled chalk drawing that Cyndi and her dad did for the girls. Then we went searching for fairies on the secret trails behind their house. Cyndi had written a little note that the girls thought were left just for them by the fairies. It was about 1000 degrees and humid, but they got a kick out of it. We finished the evening with ice cream and toppings.

--Grayson at 2 months...playing to exhaustion :) --

--aren't they talented?--

--I think it was a hit!--

Balloon Festival

Before Chelsey left we ventured to the Indianola Balloon Festival. It goes on all week, but we decided to go Saturday with Auntie Em and her family. We thought that leaving an hour before it started would leave plenty of time to travel the 30 miles to get there....well, apparently so did all of Des Moines. We hit the beginning of the town and came to a dead stop. It took us about 30 minutes to go 5 miles because of all the traffic! We made it just in time to park in an alfalfa field, unload the stroller and kiddos, and make a mad dash for the area where they were launching the balloons.

We ended up getting there at the perfect time. They were just starting to fill the first balloons, and we got a great spot up front. It was a fair like atmosphere with tons of people, food, music, and we had a good time! We didn't stay for the fireworks and after dark festivities because the kids were exhausted! And, because they were so good, I braved the wendy's drive through for a few junior frosties that I felt were well earned because they were on their best behavior! Even Zachey did pretty good about not getting it everywhere (maybe because I made a giant napkin bib :)

 

--starting to fill up balloons--

--the meadow was full of crickets and it was about 95 degrees....but still fun!--

--we counted over 60 total!--

--my favorite--

I think if we do this again we will definitely go on a weeknight, or get there a lot earlier to avoid the choas! Maybe bring a picnic dinner and play frisbee on the grass! It was the closest I have ever been to hot air balloons, and it really was quite magical with a blue sky full of them!

Pure Bliss

This was taken by Gona at her house when it was raining. We didn't bring any rain gear but a t-shirt and hat worked just fine! We are going on a few weeks straight of 85+ degree temps and sure are wishing for rain right about now!!

Biggest Slide Ever

I must say, I had some reservations when Josh said he wanted to make a giant adult sized slip and slide down our hill....but what fun it was! On Sunday we had Gentrys, Gona, Baca, Kade and Tali over for dinner and water fun. Daddy built a huge 100 foot water slide in the backyard!!

--chels getting her slide on--

 --zachey getting into it--

On Monday we went to Gryte's for some home made ice cream and to go on a hike looking for fairies in their massive acreage full of trails, bridges and surprises! Cyndi is very princess like and the girls really believe she is a princess. She carries sparkly perfume in her purse, sings angelically and is always dressed up....of course she's a princess! She hid a little note from the fairies in the playhouse and the girls thought that was awesome!

--a repunzal chalk drawing they did to welcome us--

--home made ice cream with toppings...yum!!--

Here are some fun videos from our water fun...I think Denny holds the distance record!!

Chatty Baby

Willy Wonka

Today driving to the library, Kenna says:

"Mom, if Willy Wonka said I could have his whole chocolate factory, I would still choose you. I love my family even more than chocolate"

Such a sweet sentiment little one :)

Some Pictures from Josh's Mexico Trip