A day at the circus...

One of the best perks about Derrick's job are the tickets to some fun events that we wouldn't otherwise get to go to.  On the 22nd we went to the circus.  Madi was thrilled to go again and this year we brought Easton.  One of my favorite parts of any event is when they bring out our flag and sing our anthem.  Madi has been learning it and I could hear her singing along.  What a sweet moment for a proud mama! 

This year was about the spirit of the dragon.  They had to display courage, bravery, and two other things I can't remember to call the dragon out.    

The cats and the elephants are my favorite parts of the circus!  They are such amazing animals.  This year they had lions too.  I don't remember them having lions last year.  The females were pretty feisty! 

 

The female lions kept going after the tamer.  After a couple times the tamer said that it was all part of the show, but I'm not so sure.  Can you see him cornered?  Does that look planned? 

Kisses with the star lion... 

These ladies were crazy!  They are hanging from their hair.  OUCH!!! 

The hair danglers again.  There are some CRAZY people in the circus.  It is amazing to watch! 

I love the elephants.  They looks so fun!  They seem to smile.  It makes me sad when I hear about the abuse they go through and breaking their spirits.  

It is amazing the things animals can be trained to do.   We had a great time!  My favorite part was when Easton reached behind us and grabbed a handful of popcorn from the people behind us.  It was so funny.  He just didn't understand why it wasn't for him too.  That's when we got a bucket of our own.  Madi was a little distraught about there not being zebras this year.  She really wanted to see them.  Maybe next year...

Congrats Rochelle & Justin...

We had a great opportunity on September 20th, for Easton to see his biological great grandpa Charles.  Easton's great aunt, Lani, is how we met Mindy.  Her daughter, Rochelle, got married and we got a picture of them at her reception.  Their reception was beautiful & Rochelle was stunning!

Rochelle was Madi's nursery leader.  Madi LOVES her and was excited to go to her "wedding".  Rochelle was so sweet and broke a rose off her bouquet and gave it to Madi and told her that she had been saving it just for her.  It was so sweet! 

Easton's hug picture was blurry so here is the end of the hug.  Still cute.  Rochelle and Justin are so cute together.  Thanks for letting us share your moments! 

Goodbye to summer...

Although the weather has just gotten cooler this week, there has been a breeze that is too cold if you are wet.  Knowing that was coming, we played in the water first the last time a couple weeks ago.  We filled water balloons and bounced on the trampoline with them.  We played in the hose and sprayed each other and had a great time.  My kids both love water!  Madi still asks to jump with the sprinklers on.  It is one of the things they will really miss about the fall/winter/spring seasons. 

Madi and Easton would play peek-a-boo behind the post of our deck.  They were so cute and were cracking each other up.  It was pretty funny! 

 

 

Goodbye summer, hello fall!

Another trip to the zoo...

These are a little old.  On Sept. 14th, I went with two of my friends, Rebecca and Chantel, and their kids to the zoo.  I love going with friends.  The kids enjoy being together and I enjoy adult conversation (though oddly enough it is usually about kids :D).  I had to try out my new macro lens and get some close ups.  This is Nash...

My E Baby... 

This is Ella.  She is one of Madi's new friends.  She is such a sweet little girl and minds so well.  I watch her a few times each week and Madi LOVES having her over. 

This my friends is Madi's future hubby, Guire!  If you ask him, he agrees.  :D 

Madi trying to find the otters.  I am told that there are three, but we have not seen them any of the times we have been.

 

Look at these cute kids... 

We tried to get a picture of all of them looking. Six kids three and under, what were we thinking?   Back row l to r: Guire, Madi, Ella  Front row l to r: Kaitlyn, Easton, Nash 

Easton's favorite part was playing in the water.  He loved the ball at the entrance. 

Lagoon Day 2012...

On Sept. 15 Derrick's work had their company Lagoon Day. It was fun to bring both kids this year and to have Grandpa come with us for part of the day.  We wanted to get there right when it opened but ended up not getting there until about 10:30.  I am so glad that we went early.  The weather was a little cooler in the morning and there were no lines!  The first ride we hit was the Odysea.  I thought Easton would love the rides and I think he was pretty OK with them until the lap bar went down.  He tried to push it off his lap.

When he couldn't, he was MAD! 

He pushed on it and cried for most of the ride! 

Madi was big enough to go on some of the bigger rides this year which was fun for us.  I was really surprised at how brave she was.  I thought she would cry or not go on some, but she went on any that we got in line for, even the roller coasters that she was big enough for.  If she was too short, she would cry and be sad she wasn't big enough.  She would give us her verdict after every ride, some were scary, some fast and some fun! 

Easton was happy with this one until Derrick put the seat belt on him.  I think he doesn't like being restrained.  I can't say I blame him.  He did warm up to the rides after a few and started to really enjoy the day. 

Madi LOVED this ride.  It was one of her favorite last year too. 

Miss Madi waiting in line right before she pottied all over! 

Madi and Grandpa getting on one of the few rides Grandpa could stand... the log flume!

Here they are coming off.  We all rode in one car.  Grandpa got SOAKED!!!!  He rode in the back thinking he would stay dry but nope!  It went right over our heads and got him good!  Madi was thrilled that Grandpa went on a ride with her. 

Derrick and Easton coming of the log flume.  After that it was off to Rattle Snake Rapids! 

Derrick and Madi getting ready for our raft ride... 

Madi and I at the end of the raft ride...  We got SOAKED!!!

We went to Pioneer Village for some pretzels and to get Madi into some dry clothes.  Then off to the kiddy rides.  By this point Easton was really enjoying them.  Grandpa's back was hurting and he enjoyed watching them laugh and giggle from the bench. 

It was on this ride that we decided Madi and Easton needed to ride separate.  They kept hitting and screaming at each other waiting for the ride to start.  It was  kind of funny to watch.

Grandpa joined us on the train.  The kids liked seeing the animals.  They need to make them a better home and give them space to move around.  It is kind of sad to see such beautiful animals lying on concrete in a 15x20ish space with nothing to play with or stimulate them in any way.   

We had a great lunch and enjoyed chatting a bit with the employees and their families.  Derrick won a Rockstar blanket in the drawing and we all love it!  It is so soft and comfy.  After lunch we did the nice, calm ferris wheel.  I'm pretty sure Easton would've climbed over the side if we didn't keep grabbing him and pulling him back to sit down. 

The whole ride there, Madi insisted she was not going on the ferris wheel, that it was scary.  She actually really liked it.  She loved the water slides next to it too! 

Flying the airplane...

Of course they enjoyed the carousel. 

Derrick took Madi on the Tidal Wave and Puff the Magic Dragon.  Easton went on this ride and the cars.  As soon as he got off he would sign "more" and want to go back on.  He rode this one four or five times.  At about 8:30 I was done.  The rides closed at 9:00 so we decided to call it a night.  We had a great day and look forward to doing it again next year!  Thanks M&M Distributing for a great day!