Walks and Snuggles

When we haven't been running in all the directions, we've been enjoying a lot of walks in perfect, sunny weather, and snuggling up with piles of blankets as the weather turns colder.

Laney loves to park herself on the newest and most recently laundered piece of fabric she can find on any given day. This woolen blanket came from Bolivia, and she loves it!  Jason said she could have it. 

Walking buddies!

Not a walk, but a lovely day outside with treats from Grandma!  This delicious meal turned into a catastrophe when I flung garlic butter dipping sauce (which I have never bought once in my entire life) straight onto Leah's pants. Chaos and pandelerium ensued, and, eventually, a replacement pair of pants were purchased. 

I'm pretty sure we live in a postcard. 

This is the biggest leaf Noah had ever seen! The size of his face!

And one day we definitely found Sylvester and tried to activate his magic pebble.

Poor Emma took a GREAT fall on one fall walk- she bailed off a speeding scooter and went flying!  I'm amazing and so grateful she wasn't hurt any more than the general ache she felt for days afterward. 

One day I couldn't find Laney anywhere.  She was hiding!

Another non-walk happy moment- these girls love creating together and they come up with the funnest activities!

Someone is not ready for the cold. 

My favorite portal to peace. 

City walks!

Same spot, just separated by one week and daylight savings time. Both magical. 

Colorful views out every window are slowly giving way to stick season. 

Some days aren't colorful at all, but are still perfectly beautiful. 

I am soaking up the sun every day I can!

Laney is clearly also worried about the long nights and cold days ahead.

And she hates wearing a sweater.

Let! me! in!!!

Dat moose ate my pumpkin. 

Give me all the sunshine.

Puppy time out. 

Angelica and Eliza are back!  But where is Pecky?!

Snuggling up in the fall is fun!

The Temple and The Zoo

 This perfect fall weather has gone on and on in the best way possible, and I've been loving the extra chances to be outside in the warm-ish and sunshine! One Saturday in November we went to Omaha!  Just one more trip to the temple in December before Noah and I can join the kids inside! We've had some great times on the temple grounds together, just the two of us. 

After the temple we waited for the rain to stop and grabbed some lunch at Panera- if I recall correctly Leah's hard-boiled egg looked like a butt. 

And Emma's excitement over the bacon mac and cheese caused her to forget that she actually doesn't like Panera mac and cheese. Oops! This was during Adam's play weekend so he wasn't with us, but if he had been he would have scarfed it down for her!

Then we were off to the zoo, which was decorated for Christmas! 

I insisted that we do the outside loop because the weather was so nice- surely the next time we are there we will just scurry from building to building- but this day was perfect for being outside.  

Like most things, the loop down to the biggest animals at the zoo was not nearly as massive as it once seemed. The elephants were pure entertainment with their eating and pooping and peeing and chasing each other around. 

The helicopter and safari Jeep adventures continue! 

At this point in the day I was alone- the kids ran off ahead of me and I had zero concerns about catching up with them.  Honestly, they could have been there without me and I still wouldn't have been concerned (but I'm glad we were together!). Yet another moment of pause for the change from how things used to be to how they are now. 

I found them all grossed out about the koi pond.  There were ducks upon fish upon fish upon fish.  Ick!

The Asian Highlands is one of our favorite exhibits! Noah's still just young enough that I could stress him out about all of the warning and danger signs. 

Hmmm.... don't fit quite like they used to. 

The tiger was the winning animal performance for the day! 

Smolder!

I just love the details of this exhibit- it feels like Animal Kingdom!

Most of the gorillas weren't out, but look at moody Emma and happy Noah! 

We had just enough time to zip through the Kingdom of the Night (in reverse!) before our IMAX movie started, and we witnessed the most horrifying display of territory defense we've ever seen these little naked mole rats exhibit - they are vicious! 

The movie this time around was about blue whales, and it was fascinating!

And Noah discovered a mood ring- a must-have for every happy childhood. 

As is trips to the zoo- it's such a happy place that is filled with memories and always fun to explore, no matter how old we get.  I'm glad we got to spend a day there this fall!