Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!!

Saturday we decided to head up to the National Zoo in DC. It was the PERFECT day to go, high 50s, cloudy, dry, and not crowded! Also, admission is free! I packed us all lunches and drinks and I (being the awesome driver and parker that I am) found a spot on the road RIGHT in front of the zoo so we didn't have to pay for parking either! Nevermind that it took me three tries to parallel park the van. =) So it was a fun and FREE day, the best kind.

The giant Panda, it was so cute just sitting there licking something...Daddy, Jack, and the giant Panda...Of course they had to play on every rock we saw...

Gotta love our double stroller, with Josh sitting on top it fits all three of our kids!
We loved watching the elephants because they were really interacting with eachother, it was cute to watch.

The boys could've watched the monkeys swing from tree to tree for hours...Taking a break for lunch...
Josh ate his turkey sandwhich faster than he has ever eaten anything in his entire life, I guess the zoo works up his appetite!The gorillas were SO fun to watch! There was a brand new baby one that was absolutely adorable. It kinda creeps me out how humanlike their mannerisms are though...Jack liked riding on daddy's shoulders so he could see things better...This tiger was more exciting for the boys than the real one, haha...Standing above the Tiger pond, the boys wanted to take a swim but decided "it was too dirty." Ya, THAT'S the reason not to jump into a tiger's pond, haha...

Probably their favorite thing was petting this cow, haha...Gotta ride the stone bear...Where was Tyce you ask? He slept for five hours in his car seat like an angel...He woke up just in time for a quick family photo, don't mind my nasty hair, we had just hiked up a HUGE LONG hill pushing the stroller and carrying Tyce...

It was a fun day but it sure wore us all out! Parker is at church right now and I'm home with all the sick kids. Tyce is much better, just the remainder of a stuffy nose and cough. Jackson is probably just at the beginning of it all. Joshy is pretty sick and his poor little voice is so hoarse it's hilarious. Luckily they felt good enough yesterday to have some fun.

MY PARENTS WILL BE HERE IN ONE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on the Batman Jammies...

For those who are DYING to know what happened with Jackson's batman pajamas...I cut the feet off and he still loves them. He thinks it's hilarious and doesn't realize what a nerd he looks like...

But a cute nerd =)

Tyce had a rough day yesterday, very tired and congested. He just wanted to cuddle on mommy all day (not that I minded). Today he actually seems MUCH happier and has much more energy. He still sounds horribly congested but is acting pretty much normal. Jack and Josh are both congested and coughing but are also happy as can be. Josh also sprained his ankle last night so he's been limping around. =( Lucky for me, all three of my kids are SO good when they're sick!

Goodbye Batman Jammies...

It's a sad day for Jackson, he has officially outgrown his batman pajamas. Parker's mom bought them for him a little over a year ago and he wears them almost every night (lucky for him I do laundry almost every day because of Tyce spitting up so much). There's a cape on back and he loves to sing the Batman song and fly around the house. But he's a growing boy and his little toes are starting to poke out...

Last night this was Josh's prayer: "Heavenly Father, please bless the holes in Jack's jammies to get better so nothing can crawl into his toes and hurt him. I will put my shoes on and run and scare them away so they don't hurt Jack's toes." Hahahahaha, Parker and I had to try so hard to not laugh because it was so cute and thoughtful of Josh. I am considering cutting the feet off so he can still wear them, but those of you that know Jackson know that he could very well go to pieces if that is not what he wanted. I don't know if it's worth the risk. We'll see.

Things around here are fine. All three boys woke up with runny noses (poor Tyce is so congested he literally cannot eat). It's been SO long since the twins have been sick I guess I thought they were invincible! =) But they're still happy as can be so hopefully this is as bad as it gets. On a happy note, MY PARENTS WILL BE HERE IN 10 DAYS!!! I can't wait to spend Thanksgiving with them. =)

Small Blessings...

I've been having a hard time maintaining a positive attitude out here in Virginia. At most times I feel very alone and being thoroughly exhausted from Tyce's night feedings isn't helping matters. But one thing that has been a small blessing in my life are the girls across the street, Jada and Lexi. When we first moved in they came by to tell us about their dog walking business and we had them take care of Brody when we were out of town. Then they came by asking if the twins would like to walk the dogs with them, needless to say the boys were THRILLED. The walks started out about 10 minutes and now last about an hour. When the weather is bad the girls take the twins to their house or they play with them here at our house. It is so nice to have some help and to get a break. The boys just adore them and I really am grateful for their friendship.

Here they are...

I think the boys have been sensing my depression lately (which makes me feel awful) so they've really been stepping up the charm. Jackson about 10 times a day will say, "Guess what Mommy? I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!" Then he'll give me the biggest longest hug ever. It makes me feel so good. Last night Parker was, of course, working late so I was having a hard time getting dinner ready with all the kids needing something and I just broke down and started crying. Josh goes, "Mommy it's too dark right now but tomorrow when the sun comes up I will go outside and get you something pretty to make you happy." So this morning he went out and picked me a flower, it was precious. Also, last night the twins were helping me unload their clothes from the dryer and everything they pulled out they'd say, "Thank you Mommy for washing this! I love this shirt!" or "Thanks Mommy for washing my favorite jammies!" It was a small thing that mean a lot to a stay at home mom. I love my boys so much!

Halloween Fun

Halloween this year was so fun! The boys are at the perfect age for it and my dear friend Becky and her family came from Pitsburg to visit for the weekend! It was so fun having them here.

Friday night we went to the ward Trunk or Treat, which the boys just loved. It got them warmed up for going trick or treating the next day.

They had a costume parade where the kids walked across the stage, the boys LOVED it and waved so big, haha...The cutest cowboy and batman ever...Daddy and his boys...Cheeseballs...Mommy and her boys...Josh LOVED his costume...Jackson's wanted to be batman forever...At the door trick or treating...Checking out all their candy...