What Do You Do at the Zoo?

We decided to attend the Boise Zoo this Memorial Weekend, because they had a new exhibit: The Wallaby Walkabout. It opened today, and Elle and I were excited to see some Australian Wallabies. Elle and I both enjoyed the exhibit (when doesn’t Elle enjoy something to do with animals?), and we were glad that we decided to attend today.

We also wanted to attend the zoo today, because they had their new Zoo Farm exhibit. In this exhibit, children (or anyone really) can feed the goats and sheep. Elle, of course, found this exhibit especially fun—she always wants to feed the animals. I think she could have stayed there for the majority of our duration at the zoo. She loved feeding the eager and surprisingly hungry (people were feeding them left and right) farm animals. I thought it was funny, because Johnny and I didn’t know we needed quarters to get the food to feed the animals, so we had no way of getting anything for Elle to feed them. But this did not deter Elle at all; she just picked up all the pieces of food people dropped on the ground and fed those to the eager sheep and goats. I think in the end she was able to feed them just as much as she would have if we had remembered quarters. Even still, we will be bringing our own quarters for next time—she doesn’t need to be picking the food up off the ground anymore.

I think Elle left the zoo today completely satisfied with her animal encounters. She loves animals so much, and the new exhibits at the zoo helped her to express that love. I am grateful for my crazy, animal loving girl.

A Box

Oh the fun one can have with a box—no matter how small.

Summer Fun

We attended the Ann Morrison Park today, and we couldn’t have had more fun. Elle got to play in the Boise River, Hudson got to play in the grass, and they both got a bout of fun on the playground. We love summer!

Eight-Month-Old

Today Hudson is eight-months-old, and he has a rash-stash. What is a rash stash you wonder? It is a rash that looks like a mustache. It is red; it is ugly; and it is sad. Each time I look at his sweet face, my heart breaks to see the rash-stash. I feel so bad for him. It itches and hurts him all at the same time. It has come out in the past two days, and it is not getting better, and it is not getting worse. It is in rash limbo, and cannot decide what to do. Hopefully it will get out of its midpoint, and decide to disappear altogether. I will not be sad at all to see it go. I am not a real big fan of mustaches—actually I am not a fan at all—but the rash-stash takes the cake. It is the worst mustache I have ever seen. I feel sorry for my sweet little boy, and I cannot wait until his baby face is back.

Aside from the rash, Hudson is doing exceptionally well. He is growing and learning at an accelerating rate. He crawls everywhere; and he takes great pride in getting into situations and items that he shouldn’t. I am amazed daily at the predicaments he gets into. And the funny thing is, when I remove him from the situation, it doesn’t faze him. He simply shrugs it off and crawls to a new spot or place that he shouldn’t. I have to watch him like a hawk—he is faster than you think. But thankfully he is such a good natured and happy boy. He never complains, and he is tough. I am always amazed at what does not bother him. It takes a whole lot to ruffle Hudson’s feathers. And when he does cry, I usually know something is REALLY wrong. But thankfully, that rarely happens, and Hudson just continues being a sweet, fun, happy, and energetic boy.

Hudson also has good news to share: he has his first tooth. It broke through a week and a half ago, and I was completely surprised—I didn’t know he was teething. I was making him laugh one day, and I saw something on his gum. Seeing as how I did not think he was teething, I was sure it was food or some other thing he had gotten a hold of. But when I put my finger in his mouth to wipe it away, I was amazed to find that it was a tooth. I was very happy to not only see his first tooth, but to also find that teething is not all that bothersome to him. Hopefully he keeps that up.

Hudson has also started to climb the stairs all by himself. It is cute and scary at the same time. The first time he climbed the stairs, I congratulated him and then went right out and bought a gate. I know with him, I cannot be too careful. He is already into too many things; a fall down the stairs is not something I would like to add to the list. So, gate it is.

I am so happy with my sweet little boy—rash-stash and all—and I am ever pleased that he is a part of our family. He makes me smile everyday, and I cannot imagine a moment without him. I truly do love my little Hudders.

Cousins at the Zoo

My cousins, Dallas and Afton, along with their children, came to Boise to visit their dad—my uncle—in the hospital. And lucky for us, they decided to take a detour to the zoo before going on to their destination. We are always up for a day at the zoo; and we couldn’t be more glad that they invited us along for their day of fun.

Love

What's not to love?

One Year Down, and One to Go

We love any excuse to celebrate and eat cake (who doesn’t?). But this time we really have something to celebrate—Johnny finished his first year of graduate school. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. He is at the halfway mark, and we couldn't be more excited. One year down, and one to go.

Mother's Day

Being a mother is a very special calling in life. I often marvel at my two children and the fact that I get to raise and nurture them. Though not everyday is blissful and perfect—if ever—I cannot imagine a moment without my children. They bring meaning and purpose; joy and laughter; fun and excitement; zest and exuberance; but most of all, they bring love. Being a mother has brought me more than I could have ever imagined. I am truly grateful to fill the calling of a mother.

That being said, today was a very special Mother’s Day indeed—Elle sang two songs with the Primary, and she bore her testimony for the first time (we had Stake Conference last week). Having Elle bear her testimony was a very special event. She watched two girls from Primary go to the front and bear their own testimonies, and from that moment she wanted to bear her own. She kept asking/pleading with me to bear her testimony. I told her that she could, and she got excited and told me that she was going to bear it all by herself—no help from me. I then asked her what she was going to say, and she replied, “I’ll tell you in the microphone.” My mind immediately started to imagine her rambling nonsensical sentences, and I asked/pleaded to be allowed to help. She, of course, declined, and repeated again that I would find out about her testimony in the microphone. So, with a wary smile on my face, we walked to the pulpit, and I lifted Elle up. However, she did not right away say anything, so I whispered the things to say in her ear. She spoke loud and clear, and bore the sweetest testimony. I was very proud of her, and was glad to have understandable sentences.

All in all it was a wonderful Mother’s Day, and I could not be happier to have my two sweet, crazy, hyper, energetic, happy, and loving children.