Family fun

Last Saturday was a great day. Weekends are always the best because daddy's home which makes the kids happier, which in turn makes me a much happier person as well. We took the kids to the zoo. They have been asking for quite some time when we can take dad to the zoo and we finally made  it happen.

I love how Maeley becomes our tour guide.

Chase's favorite animal, the giraffe.

This rhino I think looks weird.

This was the best shot we got. Sadly Derek was taking all the pictures so there's not a single one with him.

Maeley's favorite animal, the polar bear.

There were lots of cool birds.

We loved watching how excited Zoe was when she saw each animal.

I love Maeley's pose.

Zoe did a lot of pointing.

Still can't get them to look at the camera at the same time.

I love doing fun activites together as a family.

What a big girl!

Zoe is growing up way too fast.  Two weeks ago she went to nursey for the first time and didn't cry at all.  She seemed to really enjoy it. We knew she wouldn't have any problems since Chase is in there too. Isn't that crazy we have 2 kids in nursery?

She is wearing a little backpack. I don't know why but she wears it a lot. She brings it to me and in her way asks me to put it on, and wears it for hours at a time. Silly girl.

Zoe is a very happy goofy sweet little girl. There is no baby left. She's become a little girl. Zoe is very girly and loves shoes, necklaces, and carries purses. I love her smile and she gives the best hugs.

Maeley and Chase were playing outside but Zoe only wanted to sit at the table and color.

So cute

I love my husband and my kids.

This is what they were doing while I was making dinner Saturday.

Daddy's silly songs

Derek loves getting out his guitar and making up funny songs to the 4 or 5 chords that he knows. There is this phrase that Chase says that cracks me up everytime. He says, "What? What'd you say?" But its more than the words but its the way he says it and his facial expression that cracks me up. I love it. So Derek played his guitar singing that phrase and Chase thought it was hilarious and was laughing/screaming so hard. Then that got Maeley and Zoe going too. It was a great night of family fun.

This picture Chase looks more scared than laughing/screaming.

Zoe had a great time!

The kids love to dance around while Daddy sings.

Great entertainment

Last week there were a few really warm days. The kids needed something new to do as they are getting bored with the same ol' stuff. There's were the hose comes in. I knew the plants needed to be watered so might as well water the kids too. They had a great time. Chase looks like he's freezing but he did enjoy himself. Zoe got only close enough to feel a mist. And Maeley had the most fun she was running around wild.

I like this picture. Zoe looks like she's enjoying herself, while Maeley is about to karate chop a bug flying around and Chase is freezing.

Camping at Lynx Lake

This past weekend we went camping for the first time with our kids. It actually went fairly well. Maeley and Chase loved every minute of it, Zoe did too she just did not sleep well. By 4:30am all 5 of us were snuggled up tightly on our air mattress with all the blankets and sleeping bags on top of us. Derek and I were fine but Chase and Maeley got cold and Zoe was already sleeping with us because she was waking up screaming at least once an hour.

This was our campsite. I think we got the best campsite they have.

Zoe became Maley's shadow and everything Maeley did so did Zoe.

My dad and mom

Tyler, Jacob and Devan also came with us.

Zoe loved walking around everywhere and sitting in her own chair.

Tyler was freezing and so was Maeley so they snuggled up by the fire.

I like this picture Derek took.

Chase and Grandpa

We learned on this campout that Zoe is totally a Daddy's girl.

Devan and Jacob

I love this kid!

Enjoying a walk together. Another thing we learned on this campout is Maeley and Chase want to go on walk after walk. They love being outdoors. Oh and they have to go to the bathroom more often camping than at home. 

Easter

This year Easter was more fun than ever. The kids were totally into it. 

The kids got new Easter baskets this year because their other ones are packed in my parents garage two hours away. Opps. I forgot to get them the last time we were in Gilbert. That's okay these were a huge hit.

We told Zoe to stand by the tree with Maeley and Chase and she apparently didn't want to.

This was the first time we have dyed Easter eggs. We all had a great time.

He is so silly.

Zoe loves her daddy.

Chase and Maeley sporting their new sunglasses. They love them. Zoe has a pair too but I didn't get a picture with her in them. But trust me she looks way cute!

 In the afternoon we went to my aunt and uncles house for a nice dinner and another Easter egg hunt. We had a wonderful Easter. Maeley has repeatedly told us that she had a great Easter.

Cute Zoe

I'm posting these pictures simply because I think she's so darn cute and she's growing up way too fast.

Happy Birthday

Derek's birthday was last week. He worked long hours that day. He got home from work with just enough time to change his shirt and go to a Court of Honor as he was presenting some merit badges. The kids and I came too. Poor Chase fell asleep on his dad's lap. The next day we had cake and then finally Friday we were able to take him to lunch. For his birthday I was going to buy him a tool of some sort but then we decided that buying camping gear we needed was a better idea. We have a camping trip planned and we can't wait!

Yesterday afternoon we set our tent up to make sure we had everything. I'm sad to say we've used this tent only once in the 5 years we've had it. I realized as we were setting up the tent how much I like the smell. I'm weird I know.

We can't wait to go camping. Chase was sad we had to take the tent down