Phoenix Zoo

Cassie's sister has the ultimate zoo pass and they invited us all along to use it. I can never go back to the zoo without this pass. We got to ride the camels for free, pet the stingrays for free and ride the carousal for free. Jack and Kate (Jay was at a birthday party) were spoiled and will expect that from now on.  

Jack had fun teasing the orangutan. It was just laying around until Jack pulled out an orange then he came right up to the window and watched the orange where ever Jack moved it. Jack thought is was so cool.

I rode the camel after making Jack come with me. Jack said it was embarrassing to ride with only his mom so we had Hadlie and Carver join us.


Kendall, Keelie and Kate riding the camel. They think it's so neat. Which it kind of is.

Jack and Kate by the zebra. The animals were pretty active and easy to see.

 Jack petting the stingray. He says if you put your hand out it will suck on it. I took his word for it.

Jay's Faith

I love when my children teach me things which is everyday really. But Jay just reminded me how I need to be more faithful and believe in prayers. The other night he was talking to Ryan and was telling him how he has been having bad dreams. Ryan asked him what he thought Jay should do. Jay answered I should stop watching "Mysteries of the Museum" and "Finding Bigfoot." Ryan said that would be a good idea. Jay then took it a step further and said "maybe I can say a prayer to help me sleep." So Jay said a prayer then Ryan put him to bed. Ryan went to check on him about five minutes later and Jay was sound asleep, such faith and innocence. Then a few days later Jay woke me up in the middle of the night after having a bad dream. I just told him to come and lay down and go to sleep. After he had crawled in bed with me and Ryan he then said, "mom, should I say a prayer." Of course I said yes and he said the sweetest prayer to help him sleep. I love that he has the faith in prayer and that he knows he will be comforted by asking our Heavenly Father for help. Jay really is a great boy and reminds me what is important often.

Snow Fun

During Christmas break we made a trip up to Prescott Valley to visit the Platts and to play in the snow. Just as we were loading up the car Karrie called and said there was no snow in Prescott Valley so we will have to drive to the snow. Which was fine by us. We got to Prescott Valley and Jeremy was working hard to find us a good snow place. He came through and we ended up in Williams. It did not disappoint us. This year the kids all had snow boots and pants for Jay and Kate and loved playing in the snow. I'm pretty sure the boots and pants made all of the difference in the world. We stayed and played in the snow for 3-4 hours and had so much fun. Jack even tried snowboarding a little bit. I think it is time to get Jack and Jay on skis or snowboards before they get too scared to try. We had a great time hanging out with the Platts and the Goodmans and I actually want to go back to the snow sometime. Boots make all the difference.

Hannah, Claire, Jay, Abby, Hadlie, Annie, Jacob, Jack, Keelie, and Kate. Kate really did have a good time even though she has a scowl on her face.  

 

Kate, Dyan, Claire, Keelie, and Annie.

 

The kids hanging out and having a great time. Kate and Annie found a snowman that needed a face so they put the face on it. Jack loved sledding and snowboarding and Jay loved throwing the snowballs and hanging out with Abby.

New Year's Eve

New Year Eve was great!!! The day started off just hanging out with the kids. Then Ryan and I went to dinner with our friends, Ryan and Laurel Driggs and Craig and Aubrey Halls. We had a blast eating a talking and laughing. Once we picked up the kids and went home we sat on the couch and watched Sports Center Best of the Year. The best not top ten plays, the best top ten plays, the best pictures in sports, and so on. I love the best of on Sports Center. We kept getting texts to go and hang out at the Driggs' fire pit and we did end up there but we had to watch the best of first. So at around 10pm we went to the Driggs' house and hang out around the fire pit, ate smores and laughed. The kids all had fun and even went inside to play just dance. Around midnight we went out front and shot off fireworks. It was a great way to start off 2013. I'm excited to see what 2013 brings and hope it's as good of a year as 2012.