A walk on the wild side...

Yesterday we made the trek down to Winston for a quick visit to Wildlife Safari. The last time we were there, Claire was six months old - the same age that Isaac is now - so we thought the timing would be good. The kids - well, the older two at least - really enjoyed themselves. There were lots of animals out and active, and the whole experience if just fun. There were a few times that they all seemed more interested in driving the car or crawling around in the trunk, but in general they paid attention and did really well... especially considering that we were in the car for about 10 hours when all was said and done.

There are a bunch of pictures - none that really need explaining - just documenting our day. 

We didn't end up leaving the park until just before six. We stopped in Eugene on the way home for a quick dinner with the Diefs before parting ways and heading north once again. I think we pulled in to our garage just before 11 pm... just about 14 hours after leaving. It was a long day, but well worth it.

Snapshots {week 13}...

This week's pictures are totally out of order - and though I'm sure I am the only person who would know that - it still drives me crazy. (Can you say OCD?)

Anyway, here's this week's compilation of randomness...

Claire's picture of a gumball machine. She has drawn about 40 of these this week. 

Carpool is very serious business.

Playing with one of his sister's breakfast plates on the way to school.

This is the naughty face Isaac makes after biting while nursing. He thinks that is a funny game.

Angie stayed with the kiddos on Friday night so Merrick and I could go out for a few hours. Nothing fancy, just down right good Mexican food.

Brother and sister. Playing.

My master puzzler.

Post-breakfast messy smiles.

Sometimes she looks so grown up.

Playing takes lots of concentration.

Squeezes before bed time.

Livin' large - riding in the front seat of the car. This guy loved Wildlife Safari (well, he loved sitting on our laps for four straight hours at least).

Claire is really in to drawing and writing these days. I found this "journal entry" in her art book this week. "Mi FRND iS LYDIA SHE iS SO GOOD SHE LIX TOO PLA WIS ME" (My Friend is Lydia. She is so good. She likes to play with me.)

Post camel ride. Claire was so excited about this!

Swimming lessons started this week for both girls. They both have AJ as their teacher - and he has been great with them so far.

A little Waldo hunting in the sunlight.

I'm often jealous of the naps Isaac gets to enjoy throughout his day.

Man, even as I scroll through this post it bugs me that they are out of order... I might have to revisit this page and put them in chronological order someday.

Silly girl...

I've gotten a few more great "Claire-isms" again recently and thought I'd share...

Claire said to me "Let's play guess what animal I am, okay mommy."She then proceeds to snort and oink (obviously acting like a pig). I decided to play with her a bit, so I first I guessed that she was a beaver. Still snorting and oinking, she said "nope, try again!" So, I guessed weasel. She stopped, looked at me like I was nuts, and said, "NO WAY. Weasels say 'Wooo-Hoooo!'"

When we were out picking up dinner the other night Grace said, "If I had just one wish, I would wish that Jesus would come back and live on the earth again." I was feeling pretty proud of my wise-beyond-her-years girl when Claire quickly responded, "If I had just one wish, I want my pizza to come alive!"

TBT {week 6}...

Grace. 

22 months old.

Washington Park with our friends.

Sophia's shoe was her shovel of choice.

This picture was taken by Shannon... and I love it!

Sister Act...

I love Broadway shows. I love the lights and the voices and the music and the dancing. I'm pretty sure my love of the stage has been ingrained in me by my grandparents - who have taken me to many, many shows throughout my life. I have vivid memories of sitting in the front row and watching the orchestra warm up before the first act. I remember seeing the Wizard of Oz and being on the aisle seat when Dorothy and her crew came marching down "the yellow brick road." I remember seeing 42nd Street and being amazed that the actors were smoking real cigarettes in the theater (they could do that back then). I remember seeing My Fair Lady and quoting lines with grandpa on the way home ("The rain in Spain falls..."). I remember seeing Annie Get Your Gun and practically jumping out of my seat when the first shot was fired. I've seen so many great shows... Pirates of Penzance, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, South Pacific, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, The King and I, The Man of La Mancha, Grease, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Bye-Bye Birdie, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. You can't even begin to pick a favorite. In high school I went to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland - I loved it. In college my grandparents introduced me to the opera - I still remember sitting in the front row of Keller Auditorium and being amazed as an elephant walked out onto the stage.

A few years ago for Christmas I took my mom to see Jersey Boys. We both really enjoyed the music (Frankie Valley classics!) and wished that dad and Merrick had been with us. This year for Christmas the tickets were for Sister Act. The show was tonight, and it was spectacular. Dancing mobsters. Glittering nuns. Tthe Pope himself even made an appearance. It did not disappoint. It was a fun night out with my mom and dad... and we left making plans for what to see this next year. 

And speaking of next year... if you haven't seen the Broadway line up coming to Portland, you really should check it out. I'm already making plans to take the girls to Cinderella (a new one for me!) and I'm hoping that for my birthday Merrick will take me to Wicked (another new one!)... Good thing he reads this blog and might pick up on my subtle hinting. 

First teeth...

Isaac got six teeth today, but I'm a little worried about how they came in. We may need to see his dentist sooner rather than later.