To the Zoo!

We took a family trip to Oxbow, which is this zoo/park place about 15 minutes away. It was pouring rain on the way there, so we were worried, but it slowed to a drizzle and then nothing once we arrived. Thank goodness!

Aidan loved petting the miniature horse.

I had to take a picture of him next to this replica of a bald eagle's nest because I didn't realize just how huge those things are! Whoa!

This bobcat was so funny. You can see Mike's umbrella in the top right corner of the shot. Mike shook it once kind of accidentally, and the cat went CRAZY, so then Mike started shaking it and moving it up and down, and the bobcat went nuts climbing up and down the side of the cage trying to get that umbrella! Even funnier was when the couple next to us decided to try it too - but the bobcat was faster than they were, and he grabbed grandma's umbrella and managed to tear about 5 holes in it before they could grab it back!

Aidan was just fascinated by the coyotes.

It's a great place - we'll have to head back there sometime soon!

Mike the Handy Man

Mike has been working like CRAZY on our deck. The previous owners painted it baby blue... with non-waterproof paint. So after only one winter, half of the paint is peeling off in sheets like a gigantic sunburn. Mike has been superman about going out every night to pressure wash or sand or scrape or strip. (Strip the paint, folks. C'mon.)

Anyway, I have been taking "Before" and "During" shots, and I will give you a whole nice update once we finally have the "After" shots, too, but in the meantime, Aidan sure loves to copy his dad! Here they are sanding...

and hammering!

Also, we had three trees removed from our backyard. It was pouring rain the day they came, so I just got a partial "Before" shot through the window (pardon the glare), but the "After" shot shows how much space it opened up!

And of course, Mike went out to put grass seed on the bare spots...with a little help from Aidan!

I love my two handy men!

Easter

Mike's parents came and stayed with us over Easter weekend. It was their first time to visit our new house, so we enjoyed showing them the town, going out to eat, visiting Trader Joe's, etc.

Aidan sure loves his grandparents! (Although somehow I didn't get any pictures with Grandpa... next visit!)

We also took Aidan to a community Easter egg hunt. Or rather, "hunt." It was geared to very little kids, so (as you can see in the picture), it was just a bunch of eggs inside a square. No searching involved, and over in 2 minutes! Aidan tried for about 20 seconds...
until he saw the Easter bunny. And then? Forget those eggs, Mom - I want to chase the bunny! Literally, he followed the bunny around (stepping past, on, or over the eggs) until we finally got the following shot. Gotta love little kids!

Family Fun Day

WAY back in March, we went to a family fun day thing sponsored by the realty company we used. I know, it's June. But it was a fun event with some great shots, and I figured it was better late than never!

We all enjoyed the food. But especially Mike. Cuz check out his face!

Chilling with Little Man!

Aidan was scared the first time, so I had to go with him. But after that? He couldn't get enough of the slides!

I Looked Out the Window...

And what did I see?

That's right! For a split second, I thought it was snow, but it was really all the gorgeous-smelling blossoms from our tree! Mmmmm.... I love spring!

And, I have been chastised. Mike got after me because it's been a LONG time since I updated my blog. And Sheila mentioned that she hasn't seen a picture of Aidan since Christmas, which is shockingly sad, but true. So, here are a bunch of random pictures that defy categorization. (Don't worry, lots of categorized posts to come, too! I'm trying to clean off my camera so I have memory for pictures on our upcoming vacation!)

Aidan loves to wear jewelry! The first shot shows him showing off the stuff he borrowed from one of my piano student's mom. (There's even a watch on his ankle!) The next picture is him showing off his Silly Bandz.

Aidan loves to climb, and is quite proficient at it. He also enjoys helping me cook.

Dad and Aidan had a picnic during General Conference. This was a great way to keep Aidan entertained while still allowing us to hear the prophets!

Elmo is one of Aidan's favorite toys. Except for possibly the dog he got for his birthday.

This is such an old picture, but I've been meaning to post if for Uncle Spencer forever. With all 3 ducks, he could fit right in your bathroom!

This was my breakfast toast one morning... after Aidan doctored it for me. Yes, that is salt and pepper. Yuck!

And finally, how could you not love this face?!

Cleanup in Aisle 4

Yesterday, Aidan woke up with vomit all over his crib. Sad day, so we took it easy all day, did lots of snuggling and reading stories, had some chicken soup and crackers for lunch, etc.

He seemed to be feeling better, plus we hadn't gone to the store for 2 weeks (and it was getting desperate - we were down to the last 5 diapers in the house), so I loaded him up and we went to Sam's Club.

I know, you're already guessing how this story ends.

And you're right.

We got everything loaded in our cart. We passed by a sample stand on the way out, but Aidan didn't want any brownie. I figured that made sense since he had been a little sick. We got to the checkout line. And then? He threw up. ALL. OVER.

It got on the groceries. It got on the floor. And it got all over his clothes. I mean, every layer was soaked. The store people of course have their powder to clean up what was on the floor, but they can't use that on Aidan! I ended up just having to strip him down and put his barfy jacket, pants, socks, and shoes in a spare box. He went home in his diaper.

The best part? As soon as he was done barfing, THEN he wanted the brownie! (No, he didn't get it.)

Note to Self

If your son comes and asks to sit on your lap and there is even the SLIGHTEST hint of a funny smell, say no and go change his diaper immediately.

Because otherwise he might wiggle around and you might end up with a lap full of poo and an extra load of laundry.

I'm just sayin'.