First Zoo Trip of the Year

The weather today was so nice in comparison to what we've been having.  A look at the forecast for next week told me this was our one and only shot at getting to the zoo over Spring Break so we waited until it warmed up a bit and headed out after an early lunch. 

Riella had to wear her monkey outfit with matching knit slouchie beanie from Nonna.

These two were wild while I was trying to get ready.  Camden thinks it is wrestling time all the time so this sweet moment had to be captured.

He loves climbing on the rocks.

The tiger was super close and very vocal today.

Ryker brought a notebook and pencil so he could draw pictures of the animals.  He had so much fun with it. 

We got to see feeding time with the bears.  Very entertaining.

Fun jumping on the bouncy bridge by the rhinos.

The lioness was super close too and very vocal as well.

One group shot before we headed home.

They were all out before we got home.  Such a fun afternoon!

Dentist Appointments for All!

Since Ryker is on Spring Break this week and next we are trying to get some appointments in.  The dentist was on the top of the list.  This was Camden's first visit and Ryker and I both had cleanings and checkups as well.

Getting xrays.  He continued his cavity free streak.  Yay!

He did a great job and rather enjoyed the time in the chair watching tv. 

Camden wasn't such a big fan during the doctor's check, but did fine for the cleaning portion.  He sat on my lap the entire time and that seemed to help.  He checked out good too. 

Afterwards, we headed to Fazoli's for some late lunch.

They love spaghetti!

Vet

Tucker was due for his annual vet check soon, but we decided to move it up a bit.  We've been worried about him lately.  He was throwing up daily for about 2 weeks straight.  Cancer is very common in older Golden Retrievers and I was petrified of what the vet may find.  Thankfully, after scheduling the appointment, his episodes became less frequent and when she examined him everything checked out fine.  We are praying it stays that way and we can enjoy our sweet Tucker boy for several more years!  We sure do love him!

Cousins Weekend

Kate was in a wedding this weekend so the family came up for an extended visit.  She and the boys came to play Thursday and I watched the boys in the afternoon while she attended the rehearsal and dinner.  Mom picked them up after work and kept them overnight at her house.

She brought them over Friday morning again and they spent the day with us.  It was so much fun and we had such a great time having them here.  We miss them so very much!

This was Ryker's outfit choice Sunday before heading over to Mom and Dad's for brunch.  He cracks me up!

Love this sister of mine!

Nana let Ryker create some beautiful necklaces out of her spare buttons and thread.

It was time to say goodbye much too soon.  Camden was heartbroken.  :-( 

We so enjoyed their visit and are looking forward to going down there in just a few weeks for a weekend visit again.

Cara's Shower

Today was Cara's baby shower.  We are all so excited to add another baby to the family.  Jaxson will be here the beginning of May.

All dressed up and ready to go.  :-)

Can't believe we'll be adding another little cousin to this group so soon.  What a wonderful time for babies!

Brown Family Chili Cookoff

Today was the Brown Family Chili Cookoff.  We did a similar thing a while back and my father-in-law asked about doing it again.  Robert and I decided to host one this weekend since their anniversary and my mother-in-law's birthdays were this week.  It was a great excuse to get everybody together.  All in all we had 5 different types of chili to sample.  

Little Miss all ready for everyone to come over.

Cuddling with Uncle David and Ashton

Robert and Tony enjoying some chili

Robert, Queen, and Pepaw

Edie and Cara

Junior and Nathan

The voting booth.  Ryker came down with a fever after church Sunday so we banished him to our room upstairs.  He joined us in spirit though and we used his Valentine box as our ballot box.

My totally awesome homemade trophy.  About an hour before everyone came I decided to make a trophy.  I took an old spoon, spray painted it, and used glitter glue for the #1.  I covered a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix with aluminum foil and stuck the spoon in.  Ghetto fabulous!

Nonno and his girl

Nathan and Cam wanted babies of their own.

Robert and Michelle counting up the votes.

Edie was our big winner!

The littlest members of our crew

Nonna and her thumbsucking granddaughter

Nonna and both the littles

Cam, Nathan, and I headed outside to play for a while.  We practiced some baseball, played with sidewalk chalk, and wrote the scooter.

Cam and Pepaw

Cara (and Jaxson), Michelle and Ashton, Riella and I

We had a great night and are already planning to do it again in the fall. :-)

Playing Outside!

The weather was actually really nice today and we were able to get outside and play.  Cam and I were already out when Ryker got off the bus.

There was still some snow left on the ground so the boys were shoveling it and moving with their equipment.  They crack me up.

There were tons of planes flying over for some reason today.  Cam loved finding them in the sky every time he heard one.

Then it was time for Nana to pick up Ryker.  They had a special evening and a sleepover planned.  They got dinner and then went to a movie with Papaw.

After we got Camden and Riella down for the night, Robert and I started painting the dining room.  

This was after the first coat.  I'm so glad we did it.  I always hesitate to paint since it's such a mess, but it doesn't really take that long.  I just like to know I have a set amount of time to get it done in so I can get the room back together and have it be functional again.  Now, to decide which room to paint next.  We have a lot left!