A day at the zoo with Grandma

Monday we went to the zoo with Grandma. Josh took the day, well, actually he has the whole week off, so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to the zoo (plus, we have a year long pass, so it was free). It was a FABULOUS day to go, the kids were GREAT and the weather was perfect. There was hardly anyone there, so it made it so nice to not have to worry so much about where the kids were all the time.

The kids decide where to go first.

Keira is just happy she isn't in the stroller and she loves to run!

Family picture...like the cast?

Okay, so I have been to the zoo several times, but we have never ventured over to this side where there are....penguins....who'd a thought there would be penguins here. This was my favorite, the kids loved it too, the penguins came right up to the glass where we were standing...very cool

We then went on a "safari"...well, when we were done, I was slightly disappointed....after all, the first ever safari I went on was in Africa....this one was a bit disappointing...no lions, giraffes, or elephants, just variations of zebras, deer, and cats....don't get me wrong, it was nice to sit and let the monorail take us through the zoo, but the animal selection wasn't what I was expecting. The kids thought it was pretty cool, so I was glad that we went.

After the "safari", we went to the kid's area. This is their favorite place for several reasons, there is a little stream that they love to play in (not today though, it was too cold), a slide, and a big spider web. Here are some great pics of the kids from the kids area....

A rare picture of Caleb and Keira.

Don't we do great work?

Eating lunch

Heading to see the monkeys, giraffes, elephants and any other animal on this side of the zoo.

Keira imitating the monkeys

Chloe helping Keira see the elephants

Of course, we can't leave the zoo without stopping at the gift shop. Apparently, things are a lot cheaper in the fall and winter....Chloe got the mask, Caleb got a "yoo hoo".... and Keira got a stuffed frog...she didn't want to be in the picture.

Can't tell you how much fun we had today. I am sure the kids had fun too. Thanks Grandma for coming with us and getting the kids their souvenirs to commemorate their trip to the zoo with Grandma Lunn.

It's Christmas time in the Lunn house...

Okay, so we put our Christmas decorations up last night. I know, it is early, but we leave on Christmas day to go to Michigan, so we don't get to enjoy our decorations after Christmas, so we put them up early... We actually had a great family night together. I had put a pork loin roast in the crock pot and we had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. Then we pulled the Christmas decorations out. "mom, this is soooo cute", "our house is getting all Christmassy", "I can't wait for Christmas", were some of the things the kids kept saying all night as we would pull stuff out. They got to decorate their tree and help with the big tree. Keira got to help some this year too. She did a little more mess making than helping, but she still felt like she was a part of the process....we took a break about halfway through and went to Dairy Queen for some ice cream...yum yum! When we got back, we decorated the trees (everything before that was getting stuff out and organizing where it was going to go).

Finally, it was Chloe's turn to put the star on the tree, Caleb did it last year....so now we are ready for Christmas....

Hopefully I will get some cute pictures of the kids in front of the tree instead of in their pajamas.

Caleb's Thanksgiving feast.

Caleb had his Thanksgiving feast at school on Thursday. It was so cute. I don't know what is wrong with me, but every time I go see him at school performing or getting and award, I am choking back the tears. Is that weird? I have gotten so much more emotional since being a mom.... Here is my sweet boy...

They brought us into the gym to sing some songs, that is his teacher there directing her class. Can you find Caleb? He is the blonde next to a pilgrim and he is wearing bright blue pants.

Caleb and his Indian friends....

Here is his class...

After the program, we got to go and have a "feast" in the cafeteria. Grandma Lunn came to enjoy this special time with us. Caleb had Joe sit with him since his mom and dad couldn't come. It was a great time...and the cafeteria food wasn't too bad...

Caleb's last baseball game....ever....

Caleb had his last baseball game on Monday night. It was probably the coldest night of the year so far this year. The season was supposed to end at the middle of October, but we had so much rain in October that our season got extended into November. Anyway, here he is up to bat.....

After crossing home plate...

After the game, the kids were presented with their trophies....which Caleb was so excited about.

Here is the team...they were pretty crazy and not the easiest to handle....kudos to the coaches, they had their hands full.

All in all, he had fun, but I think his baseball career is over...he was interested in playing football, however, on our way into his game he saw some kids practicing football and tackling each other and quickly said, "I don't think I want to get tackled...." So who knows what will come up next...

One crazy week.

Okay, so the 2nd week of November was a very interesting week. To start with, Josh was sick Monday thru Wednesday. Monday I went for a run and decided to go ahead and get my heel checked out. I have had this nagging pain in my heel since about August and just thought it would go away, but it never has. So, instead of living with it, I went to get it checked out. Well, now I find myself in a air cast ($200 later) not able to run or bike (my two favorites right now) and only able to swim (my least favorite). Tuesday, the girls and i went to the store and once we arrived home (the driveway to be precise), Chloe unbuckled herself and climbed in the front seat. Now, before you think I am a bad mom (which I probably am), I have told my kids that they can get out of their seat once we get in the driveway. So, as I backed into the garage, Chloe's head hits the windshield and the windshield cracks. I was super surprised to see that it cracked because she didn't hit it that hard, and she actually laughed at first. Once I showed her the window, she started to cry, mostly because I think she thought it should have hurt. Wednesday....stick with me here....all seemed to be going well until I was making dinner and the kids were playing in the kitchen. Keira decides to stand up in her chair and lean over trying to reach something and in turn the chair topples over and she hits her head on the corner of the island. I know, when it rains it pours, but man, by this time I am feeling like a pretty bad mom. Well, the rest of the week was pretty good. Actually, on Monday night Caleb got the game ball at his baseball game and he was completely thrilled with that. His teacher came too, so that was really a great thing.

On Friday, we went to playgroup at a park, the girls had a great time. We had to leave early because Caleb had a half day.

does she look homeless or what??? I thought it was cute...

The girls on the trampoline

2nd attempt at a family picture....at least this one is better than the first one...maybe the third one will be the best...third time is a charm, right?

Halloween

Here are my trick or treaters.....

We had a great time trick or treating, going to our church's festival, and trick or treating in Grandma's neighborhood. The candy fairy came and left little presents in place of most of the candy (the kids got to keep some). I had the kids by myself most of the night, so I didn't get a lot of pictures, but you have a good idea of what they looked like, don't you?