Austin Zoo

We finally went to the Austin Zoo...I can't believe it was out first time to visit! It was so much fun. It is a different, smaller zoo but that makes it very accessible and pretty easy with little ones. Plus they have a train.

The animals are all rescued animals. Some were rescued from the circus and many were animals that people tried to have as pets and couldn't care for, etc. We will definitely be back for more visits. We spent a couple of hours out there; checking out the animals, riding the train and having a picnic lunch that we brought with us.

Peter and Miles. They just. will. not. smile. for. pictures.

Mommy and Jake.

Austin Zoo train.

A huge turkey.

When you pay admission you get some food to feed the deer, goats and sheep. The boys thought this was awesome. Some of the goats got pretty aggressive and we had to cut it off after a while. Jake almost lost an arm.

Feeding time.

Peacocks wandering the grounds

A giant pig. Really...you can't tell how huge he is in this picture.

These lions (formerly circus lions in poor conditions) were VERY hungry and rammed the fence when we walked up.

Jake and Miles watching the female lions (formerly house pets!?).

County Line BBQ

The boys have a newfound love for barbeque. We went to the County Line with friends and it is usually one of those places where I feel pretty confident that they won't eat anything but they enjoyed it and had a great time partying with Beckett.

Artistic side

I finally found a way to display the masterpieces that Jake and Miles keep bringing home from school. I got these clips from the Land of Nod and put some of their art up to show off. They were more excited about it than I thought they would be - they really seem to love seeing their work up there.

Hoppin' House

The boys love to jump. They are clearly not the only ones because bounce house places are opening up all over the place. They went to the Hoppin' House for the first time on Thursday for a birthday party and had a blast. It was lots of fun and I tried to snap a picture of each of them jumping...I promise they were smiling, squealing and giggling the whole time...until I picked up the camera and sucked the fun out of it!

We're back!

We're back! It's been so long and I really don't have a good excuse. I decided that I miss sharing with everyone so we will be back at it from now on. Plus, Melissa and some other people got going on their blogs again and that inspired me. I need to check in on everyone else as well. The biggest news here is that they have started school (or Mother's Day Out - two mornings a week) and LOVE it!! Here are some hi-lights from the last few months...(in reverse order because I messed up and don't want to start over!)...

The boys had their first dentist appointment this morning and they were total rock starts! They got them cleaned, polished and counted...all while wearing the super cool special dentist glasses. Here is Miles...

And Jake...

Jake and Beckett catching a ride while trick-or-treating

Beckett, Jake and Miles checking out their loot

Walking up to the haunted house. All alone. It's amazing how brave the promise of candy can make them. That is James, Miles, Katie and Jake.

Hanging out at the neighborhood Halloween party

My sweet train conductor (Miles) and "fire fighter man" (Jake)

Riding the Zilker Train with Harlan

MDUMC Pumpkin Patch in Houston

Jake and Miles...marathon runners. We were in Houston for the weekend and there was a Halloween party at Lucy's school that we were invited to join. We hadn't planned on it so we had no costumes with us. Peter and I ran a half marathon that weekend (yay for us!!) so we dressed the boys in our shirts and medals. They loved it!

Jake and his pig-friend at the Elgin Pumpkin Patch

Miles checking out the horses

At our church they held a "Blessing of the Animals" ceremony. We took pictures of Cassidy and Charlie and had them blessed by the Pastor. The boys were a little confused and still call him God. He played a few songs and the boys loved his version of Old MacDonald turned into Old Man Noah about the arc, etc. They were super impressed that God played the guitar.

All dressed up in their Thomas gear

Riding the dino at the Rollingwood playground

We finally stopped to check out all of the flamingos at the plant store near our house.

We went to Burnet to ride on Thomas the Train...an old steam engine. Jake was very serious about it.

Miles with Thomas

My most helpful kitchen assistants...scooping and measuring oats. This is before things got messy and really fun.

First day of school!!