zoo atlanta

On our break between Gainesville and Enterprise, we took a day just for ourselves. Though we did go to a zoo in Lousiana this summer we wanted to take Micah back and Connor for the first time to Zoo Atlanta to see some of the bigger animals.

We left after Connor's doctor appointment that morning (he'd been running a fever all week) to go to the zoo. The only minor problem was the fact that we had forgotten to put shoes on Micah before we left which he reminded us of as were zooming down the interstate. After a quick stop at the Target off Moreland avenue we were back on the road.

Zach packed us a lunch (yes Zach!) so we picnicked there and then strolled around to see all the animals (some a few times) for the whole afternoon. The weather was cool and the crowds were small so it turned out to be a pretty relaxing afternoon.

I had never been in the parakeet house before. When Micah and I went in we saw quite a few love birds. Two of them were quite...how should I put this...CLOSE. I didn't take a picture of them!

Close encounter during feeding time

Sitting on a dragon

Micah's absolutely favorite!

First trip to zoo in August 2008

Second trip October 2010

interesting overbite!?

team work

Excited about getting to go

Anxiously awaiting the ride

I love when we make a conscience effort to do things with just the four of us. Too often we, and I'm sure you as well, are so wrapped up in the every day or the activities you do with friends and family that your own little family doesn't get as much specialized attention. Then again if we didn't have so many people who loved us that we spent our time with than I probably wouldn't appreciate nearly enough the time I have with just my boys. Crazy how it all works out huh?

pumpkin patch

This post is out of order :( which I'm not a fan of but I'm a big fan of it's content so here we go :)

Last weekend, before the week o' zach, we went to Southern Belle Farms with our best friends the Cardozas and the Moons! This was the first year that William, Connor and Silas have been old enough to do anything at the pumpkin patch and the first year Silas even got to go (the other two got dragged with their older siblings last year and had to watch the fun from their strollers!)

It was a FULL day! We were there for almost 5 hours, exhausted by the end, but all agreed that it was chock full of memories we hope the kids can carry with them.

First stop was the Pig Race...soooiiiiieeeeee!! Pigs are fast by the way :)

After the last race was run we moseyed over to the livestock where Micah tried to feed the goats by shoving straw through the fence that he'd found on the floor. It actually worked though, well at least once anyway. All the kids enjoyed petting the goats and climbing the fences.

I just love my two little farm hands :)

Next up was the tunnel slide. This was the year of firsts for Micah too. He had no fear when it came to going down this. It just amazes me how much braver he has gotten in the last few months. The first time Zach went down with them both, but every time after Micah would fly down alone with Connor not too far after.

The one thing Micah talks about the most is playing in the corn. They have a play house filled to the brim with corn kernels. This was his favorite thing last year and one of his favorites again this year. He loves to be 'buried' and helped Zach bury Isabella as well.

We relaxed in the kid's play area for a big where Connor destroyed his clothing with sand, William confiscated a bike and was not planning on giving it up any time soon, and Silas ran back and forth between the play house and then hid out in the tunnel for awhile.

I just love looking at them in this picture. It seems like they're having their own little conversation :)

Hayride time! Again a first for Micah. Last year he REFUSED to get on this. So weird!

We took a break and ate a dinner of free hotdogs (thanks to Steph who printed out quite a few coupons!) but before all their clothes were ketchup spotted we got the traditional picture :)

and Micah drove the tractor with some supervision from William and Connor.

Before it got too dark we walked through the patch to pick out our pumpkin. They had the pretties flat light colored ones that Leslie and I loved. Thankfully Micah liked those better too so there was no convincing needed.

Our pretty pumpkin :)

and my lil' pumpkin :)

Last stop (and thankfully last because if we'd started here we would have never left!) They had a HUGE pillow jumping thing. It was brand new this year and was so much fun. Micah, Bella, William and Silas LOVED it. Connor either hated it or was too tired to enjoy it because he didn't last long on the ol' pillow!

After one last ride on the tractor (and a 5 minute meltdown by Micah because we were leaving) we headed home!

ehs wildcats

We are were in Enterprise for Friday-Sunday for my nieces dedication in church. Enterprise High School, my alma mater, had a home game Friday night. We went with my parents, younger brother, and 3 of our 4 nieces. I had not been to an EHS game since college and was to go, see the new stadium, and share some of my teenage years with Zach, Micah and Connor.

This also happened to be the first football game either of the boys have ever been to. We ate boiled peanuts and popcorn and tried our best to keep Connor from nose diving off the bleachers. He is quite the squiggle worm! Not surprising at all, their favorite part was watching/listening to the bands (or vans as Micah would say). We stayed at the game long enough to see the half time shows. Micah drummed on his leg the whole time and in rhythm which made his daddy very proud. Micah and Haley got a chance to hang out outside of my parents house and really enjoyed each others company. All in all it was a pretty perfect Friday evening :)

5 out of 6

Micah is too busy following along with the drums to look at the camera :)

Take 2. Not much better but very realistic!

Haley and the nut

again...watching the drumline

my daddy and Kayden

Mr. Wildcat

Micah actually wanted to go see him AND he gave him a five!

Walking back to the car

Dance break 1

Dance break 2