Zilker Park

Yesterday the kids and I spent the whole morning at Zilker Park in downtown Austin. I had promised the kids a trip back to the "dino pit" and it was raining when my parents were here...so I got to take them all myself. We had a great time!

First we played at the park there, which has 3 large playscapes next to eachother. This one is like an island with "water" around it. They thought it was so cool to run in the "water". It had a seal to "ride" and cool carvings of ocean life all around inside of it.

One of the playscapes is attached to this really old fire truck...again, very cool for little boys.

We rode the Zilker Zephyr train that goes for 25 minutes along the river and town lake. This was by far Savannah's favorite part of the day.

Jacob and Zach liked how the train goes underneath one of the playscapes...so kids were right above us.

Right after I took this picture is when my camera's battery died. It was probably a good thing because I take way too many pictures as it is. Connor fell asleep on the train ride and then we headed over to the "dino pit" and had a picnic lunch. The kids dug up fossils until they were good and worn out. As we were leaving we discovered an aviary that has "birds of prey" like owls, hawks, vultures, etc. Jacob said "Wow, the vulture droids on Stars Wars sort of DO look like the real vultures." Only Jacob could connect Star Wars with an aviary. It was a fun, fun day.

And oh yes...notice how we're all bundled up because it was overcast and pretty chilly? Well today it was humid and almost 90 degrees. That's Texas weather for you.

I've been tagged...

...by Holly Strong!

A- Attached or single: Attached to my husband Dallin and 4 great kids
B- Best Friends: My mom, Alisha Shumway, great sister-in-laws, lots of friends here in Texas and those I miss in Tucson!
C- Cake or Pie: I'd have to say pie, unless it's cheesecake
D- Day of choice: Thursday during naptime usually
E- Essential item: bed
F- Favorite color: Yellow and lately red
G- Gummy bears or worms: worms...the sour kind
H- Hometown: Mesa, AZ
I- Indulgences: Brownies and Girl's Night Outs (including Book Club)
J- January or July: January (Arizona & Texas are not known for their Julys)
K- Kids: Jacob (almost 7), Zach (5), Savannah (almost 3), Connor (1)
L- Life is not complete without: Dallin & the above-mentioned kids
M-Marriage Date: December 18, 1999
N- Number of Siblings: 2 brothers (6 brother-in-laws & 7 sister-in-laws)
O- Oranges or apples: Gala apples
P- Phobias or fears: my kids being kidnapped or lost
Q- Quotes: "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"
R- Reason to smile: At the moment...Connor's cute little face poking around the corner playing peek-a-boo with me
S- Season: Spring
T- Tag three friends: Jody Corbett, Stephanie Montague, Christa Johnson
U- Unknown fact about me: I actually like to do the dishes (the only chore I can say that about)
V-Very favorite store: Super Walmart...it has everything, so I don't have to drag my kids to tons of stores
W- Worst habit: Saying dumb things without thinking
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasounds
Y- Your favorite food: Italian
Z- Zodiac: Gemini (I think)

Ready, Set, Play...

On Monday we were going to go to the Nature & Science Center with Grandma & Grandpa, but it was raining...so instead we went to Ready, Set, Play! It is a huge building full of jumping castles and blown up things. There are probably more than 30 couches for the adults (although we never got to sit down). They also had 2 toddler areas that were great for Connor. It was so much fun! Connor loving the ball pit (and Savannah teaching Connor to throw the balls out).

Savannah loved the giant slide and probably spent an hour going up and down.

Connor even went in this "bouncy house" with the boys but could only stand up when they weren't jumping. Jacob and Zach were all over the place, so this is one of the few pictures I got of them.

Zach requested that I go on the slide with him...great fun for a Mommy!

Connor in one of the toddler areas. He is such a sweet, fun kid. He's got funny taste in food though. This is a kid who won't eat fresh fruit, hot dogs, etc. But he loves homeade spaghetti and had lasagna and ravioli for lunch at Fazoli's.

Grandma & Grandpa's visit!!!

Grandpa & Grandma LeSueur came for a visit on Saturday afternoon. They had been in Dallas visiting my Uncle Craig and came down in a rental car. The kids worked very hard on this cool poster for them. It was a masterpiece. We went to Chuy's for dinner, where Connor spilled a whole glass of ice water all over Grandma's jeans (30 minutes before we were even seated). So we went and sat in the car to dry off and made quite the spectacle holding Connor's clothes out the windows to dry off in the wind. By the time we actually ate the kids were so tired and full of chips that they hardly ate anything...a testament to why we rarely take our kids out for dinner.

Connor can say "Ah-ma" really good now, and was just working on "Ah-pa" when they left this morning. Grandma & Grandpa watched the kids last night (Monday) so that we could go on a date!!! We also went to Ready, Set, Play...but I'll do that as a different post.

All the kids playing "roll the ball" with Grandma.

Playing "pillow monster" with Grandpa (improvising with stuffed animals).

Zach loved wearing Grandpa's glasses...we thought he looked pretty cute.
Savannah loves to have people at our house...and also likes to monopolize 100% of their attention. This is what happens when she doesn't get her way. It was Jacob's turn to pick the book that Grandma was reading, so Savannah went and pouted behind the couch.

Cousin Joshua!

Joshua Matos LeSueur was born yesterday, March 6, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They did a C-Section because he was right around 10 lbs.!!! (They weigh in kilos so I don't the exact weight.) And that was even a week early. Congratulations Justin and Ana Paula! Justin is my little brother and this is their first baby. Justin is living and working in the U.S. right now and hopes to go back soon to be able to sign the paperwork for Joshua. After that is done and Ana Paula's visa goes through then they will both come live in the U.S. We're excited to meet them in person someday!
UPDATE: Justin sent in a bunch of notarized paperwork and may not have to go to Brazil after all to sign for Joshua. I saw Joshua on the webcam last night and he is so, so cute!

Oh the traumatic life of a 1-year-old...

Lately Connor gets highly offended any time someone shuts a door to keep him out. He stands outside the door screaming and eventually goes to the next door that's forbidden and cries outside of that one.

The kids try to build "walls" to keep Connor out of the playroom when they don't want him messing stuff up. Do the walls help? Never.

Bippity-Boppity-Boo...Star Wars Style

Savannah used to play Star Wars with the boys with Daddy's lightsaber. Well recently she decided that magic is more effective. She uses her magic wand and yells "Bippy-Boppy-Boo!" Apparently it works because the boys go running. When it doesn't work then the wand turns into a lightsaber for hands-on combat.

Bowling!

We've had a busy weekend. In the morning I took Savannah with me to a baby shower. But yesterday afternoon the boys went to a birthday party for their friend E (on the right). It was at a very cool bowling alley and the boys had a blast. They thought the bowling shoes were neat because they could slide around on the floor.

Zach tried every throw possible...from throwing over his shoulder to rolling it at 0.1 miles per hour.

Jacob did a victory dance after every turn...and not just his own. He did a dance for everyone...every time they bowled.

The Transformers cake and party favors were exciting. It was a fun time!