My Hero's

Superman & Buzzlight Year to the resuce!  These two little guys are my little sidekicks.  On Friday's we go to music makers and this week we got all dressed up for our "Halloween" music makers.

We had "superhero" dancing... 

We listened to "spooky" stories... 

We collected candy... 

We played with friends... 

And we ATE candy!  

Handsome Boy

My sweet handsome little man.

(his first tie)

San Diego Wild Animal Park & Shopping

It was our last Saturday in San Diego and we wanted to do something outside and fun.  We headed down the hill and took full advantage of my moms zoo membership.  

The first thing we did was go ride the tram (or the "train" because that made Spencer happy).  We got to see all the animals doing their normal thing....eating & laying around.  My favorite is still seeing the giraffes.  They are just plain cool!

We ate lunch overlooking the "African Savannah" and then walked around to more of the exhibits.

 (Not a bad shot by Natali...besides the fact that I think I look like a bug with my white glasses)

The Animal Park was kinda short lived.  The kids were clearly not appreciating the outing and I was getting more and more frustrated by ALL the WHINING.  I was on the verge a HUGE mommy meltdown.  Not even a diet coke was helping.  (yes it was THAT bad people)

So my genius mother decided we should go hit up the mall.  And you might be thinking, the mall, on a Saturday, with 3 kids.  Crazy I know...but it WORKED!  My mom took the kids over to the inside Mc Donalds, bribed them with ice cream and let them play a little while I browsed the racks in H&M.  It was bliss....PURE SHOPPING BLISS.  Kids played with grandma, I got alone time...I was rejuvenated.

Eventually Spencer zonked out and I took full advantage of hitting up a the vast majority of stores that we do not have here in Temple.   I loved it.  It was just the retail therapy that I needed.  

It was a great Saturday, zoo, shopping, being with my mom.  I was one happy momma by the end!

Rain

You may or may not know but we are in a SEVER drought.  Notice that lush green grass in our backyard! Oh, wait you can't see it....that's cause it's ALL D-E-A-D!  It's gross.  It feels like you are walking on hay. We haven't seen rain in what feels like FOREVER.  

This morning however we woke up to the blissful sounds of pitter patter against our windows.  The skies were over cast and gray, and it was windy outside.  It was nice.  It made me feel all cozy inside.  I never thought I'd get so sick and tired of having clear blue sunny skies.  I liked the change.  It made me want to bake all things pumpkin and fill my crock pot with homemade soup.    

The kids begged and pleaded to play out side in the rain.  There was NO WAY I was going to deny them of such a simple pleasure.  It was a happy moment.  They played long enough that Ben was able to make it back home from rounding at the hospital.  We ate pancakes and enjoyed some chocolate milk courtesy of daddy & the cafeteria.  

 The girl couldn't resist dancing in the rain!

 I hope there are a few more rainy days in our near future, please!!!

Mormon Battalion

I haven't been to the Mormon Battalion visitors center since they remodeled it.  I remember going as a kid.  It was...okay.  A big list of lots of names and a few artifacts on display, paired with some different LDS videos.  I have only heard GREAT things about the new and improved visitors center and I have to agree...it was WONDERFUL.  I took the kids down one morning and we had the whole thing all to ourselves.

First off it's centered in down in Old Town, which is just a fun place.  The atmosphere there is great, and so pretty with all the old historic buildings.  The visitors center is very hands on and my kids had a hay day talking the Sister Missionaries ear off.

 In front of the visitors center.

(I love the adobe tiled floor)

 Playing inside the covered wagon.

(Mom...you mean they had to sleep in here?)

 Natali all preped for the Mormon Battalion hike

 Panning for gold.  This was probably their favorite activity, especially Spencer.

 Each kid could keep two pieces of gold...they thought that was AWESOME.

 My cute little boys.

 Isaac pumping water from the well, and Natali getting ready to do the wash in the background.

After a full morning of learning about the battalion and becoming unofficial soldiers, we were starving.  Lucky for us there was an In & Out Burger near by (let's be honest...I know where pretty much every In & Out is in the San Diego area).  My mom even came and met us from work.  PERFECT!

I had to take a picture and send it to Ben...rub it in...he didn't see the humor :) 

The kids loved it!  

Mormon Battalion and In & Out with Grandma.  It was a great day!