Love Letters

 You know how sometimes you go do things just so you can say you did them?  The Zoo is one of those for us.  If we make it once a year I feel good. My kids like it, but I think they worry more about the train and merry-go-round than the animals.  And half of the time it's just too bloody hot....so I'm a bad mom I guess. Oh well.

I will say though, that the new bear area is pretty dang cool.  The kids loved how the polar bear can swim right up to the glass and stare you down.  I love Marley's face:)

 Jordan's sister Krystal had a baby girl last week and I am so excited!!  Marley finally has a girl cousin on the Love side, and there's a new tiny baby around to love and hold...then give her back;)
Once they got home and settled we let the kids go see their new cousin for a bit.  Tate was so enthralled by her and couldn't stop staring at her.  He did ask me "When are we going to get one of these?"  So I might run to Costco this week and buy one.

 We did our yearly Ranch trip with my family last week, and like always it was awesome!  Each year gets better because with the kids getting older, they go do their own thing and explore more.  So it leaves me to swing out on the porch for hours on end:)

4-wheelin'

Brooke was so cute and did all these fun Olympic crafts and games for the kids since the opening ceremonies started while we were up there. (them with all their "torches" they made)

Of course a little hot tubbing

we took the kids to the fish hatchery nearby--I think it's gross because there's just millions of stinky fish everywhere, but the kids loved it!

My little cowgirl going on a hike

Tate found a horny toad while there and named him Utah (?)

Utah came home with us and now lives in his own cage on my counter....we'll see how long that lasts!