Hogle Zoo

Nicole & I took Ara & Nicholas to the zoo on Friday. It wasn't too hot so we thought it would be a good day to go. Apparently, everyone else thought it would be a good day to go too! We got there at 2:00 and it was slammed. I have never seen our zoo that crowded! It was hard to let Nicholas get down and walk with people everywhere. I really wanted to see "The Ghost of the Bayou" (a white alligator) that is only here for a short time. You could not take strollers in the exhibit. Nick did not enjoy waiting in line and not being able to run around. So, we got a short glimpse at the alligator. I didn't even get to get any pictures (in fact, I didn't get to take too many pictures at all!). We'll have to go back when it is less crowded (so, on a Sunday) so we can really enjoy "The Ghost of the Bayou".

Nick's First Guitar Lesson

Nicholas really loves everything about music. He loves to listen to it and dance. He also loves to play his many instruments. So, John has been playing his guitar for him. Last night Nick decided that he wanted to play too. If you look closely you can see the green pick in Nick's hand. Before I started taking the pictures, Nicholas was strumming by himself! It was a very cute Father/Son moment :0)

BBQ Time!

We had a BBQ with our friends Jeanne & Scott, Steve (Nicole was working), Melissa & Troy, and Robynn & Derek today. Gray, Ara, Abigail, & Gabe came to play with Nick. It was so nice to get together and have some adult conversation while the kids played. We had out all the water toys. All the kids got pretty cold after a while. Nicholas does not like to admit that he is cold even though he is blue and has goose bumps. All of the kids got along great...it was so nice! Jackson had a fun time playing with the kids too. I didn't get too may pictures (shocking, I know!)because I was running around the whole time. We had a fun time...great food, great friends :0)

This is the Fruit Pizza that Nicole made. I almost felt that it really deserved its own entry! She really put the one I make at my Pampered Chef shows to shame. I will study the pictures and try to learn her art of Fruit Pizza making ;0)

Abigail & Gray in the pool

The Dads got to have a taste of what a photo shoot is like with 5 kids!

Typical 2nd shot

And, they're done!

We're going to...

DISNEYLAND!!!!

John's company has condos in Anaheim that employees can use for free. How could we pass that up!? We are going with our friends Ara, Nicole, & Steve for a week in June. We will also be visiting my other friend Nicole at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. I'd love to get to Sea World, but we might have to save that for another trip. We are all very excited for our upcoming vacation! Here are some pictures we took of the kids tonight. We were getting them ready for their many upcoming character photo shoots. As you can tell, it is extremely hard to get a picture with both children looking or sitting still. But, they are still very cute :0)

Waterpark Fun

Ara, Nicole, & Steve came over tonight. We took the kids outside to play with the waterpark. I was curious how Nicholas was going to do sharing his favorite toy with Ara. He did great. We didn't have any problems with them at all. I think it is cute how they played in the same area most of the time. They also sat and squatted the same way. We let them play in the water for about 20 minutes. The water was pretty cold and the sprinklers came on when we were outside. I think they had a blast playing with each other in the water. It was very cute to watch them :0) I am sure they will get a lot of use out of the waterpark over the next few years!

Best Buds

Here are some pictures of Nicholas and his best buddy, Ara. These are from this week. They are getting doing really well sharing (most of the time) toys with each other. It is so easy for Nicole & I when we get together. Nick & Ara play so nicely with each other :0)

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there :0) We had a nice Mother's Day here. The boys gave me some nice cards, a speaker for my iPod, and a Spa gift certificate. We went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe (with what seemed like the rest of Salt Lake City!). Nick's teeth have been bugging him a lot, so he was not very well-behaved! I know some of you must be shocked to hear that ;0) We knew it was bad when he rejected his "pizzadillas". He never turns down pizza of any kind! But, he was better than the 10 year old boys at the table behind us. After luch (and Nick's nap), we all went for a nice walk. It was a fun 2nd Mother's Day :0) We have Music class and are going to Wheeler Farm with some friends some friends tomorrow, so check back for some pictures.

Nicholas & Mommy on Mother's Day

Nice hair

Showing off for the camera

Calling Grandpa Beckman

Waiting patiently for the water

John the Landscaper

I know you have all be anxiously waiting for the pictures of our new landscaping ;0) So, here they are. If you have been to our house over the last year, you must be shocked to not see giant weeds in the front! John did a nice job. Everything looks great, doesn't it!?

Look...no weeds :0)

Yes, these are the trees that are supposed to be 12' in 3 years

Down on the Farm

We went to Morgan’s 1st Birthday party on Sunday. We know Morgan from gymnastics. Her party was at Wheeler Farm. It was Nick’s first trip to a farm. He had a blast! He was outside AND there were animals! Those are two of his favorite things. He had fun feeding the ducks and geese. We saw quite a few ducklings and goslings. They were very cute. Nicholas was fascinated with how the ducks walked. After the duck pond, we headed in for the party. Nick enjoyed a nice chicken finger lunch. He was pretty good about not actually opening any of Morgan’s presents. But, he did like to help her play with her new things. His favorite toy of hers was her doll baby stroller. All of the little boys seemed to be drawn to it. After cake & ice cream, we explored the farm. Nicholas loved all of the animals. He also liked the tractors and barns. I think we are going to go back to the farm again next week. I am sure I will take more pictures ;0)

Checking out Wheeler Farm

Hmmm...what is that thing?

Grandpa Jack...I need one of these ;0)

Daddy won't let me get one of these!!!

C'mon...I dare you to bite me!

Moooooooooo

Baaaaaaaaa

Nicholas, Morgan (the Birthday Girl), & William

Nick's River Run Waterpark

We got Nicholas the "River Run Waterpark" this past weekend. We were looking for a water toy for the backyard, and we thought this one was the coolest. I took him outside to play with it today. He had a blast!! Jackson also likes to play in it and drink the water. Nicholas thinks it is hilarious when Jax drinks from it. It was quite the ordeal to get Nick inside when it was time to go in. He kicked, screamed, and threw himself on the ground for a good half hour. He also went to the window and cried at his new waterpark. He did not have a nap this afternoon, so I hope that is why he was so dramatic about it. We'll see how it goes tomorrow!