Columbia Zoo

We've been wanting to check out the Columbia zoo for awhile. So, yesterday, after the kids waited patiently while Chris and I took turns going to the temple, we headed off to zoo. The air smelled of elephant poop and funnel cakes. Maybe I was the only one affected by the smell. Anyway, the kids loved seeing the animals at a different zoo. We saw some bears, zebras, an ostrich, and walked through a kangaroo stomping ground. All of which are not at our local zoo. We were bummed the tigers were unavailable but Calvin was satisfied when he saw all the giraffes. Both Lila and Calvin loved seeing the different animals. Their day got even better when Lila rode on a real-life pony and Calvin took a train ride. Emmett enjoyed it all too. He's still easy to please as long as he's got food. It was a great day!

Here's pics from the zoo:

As Of Late

I've kind of been on a blogging break. Unintentionally, of course. This is my attempt at catching up.

Here's Lila and Calvin playing under a chair together. 

 I love overhearing them talk to each other and having fun together.

We went peach picking with some friends. It was a fun family outing and the peaches are delicious. Yet, another reason we love SC. Here's some pictures from that.

Lila asked me to do her hair this way then requested I take a picture. 

I love the sequence of the next 2 pictures. 

 She grabs and hugs Emmett all the time as if he's one of her stuffed animals. He doesn't seem to mind it, most of the time:)

Emmett is standing and cruising along the couch. 

Here's a video of Lila "reading".

And Just Like That...

Emmett is almost 11 months old and changing quickly. His most recent stats are from his 9 month appointment. He's definitely gotten heavier since then and may even weigh the same as Lila. It certainly feels like it. He's outgrown the infant car seat and is now in a bigger car seat, which I'm sure is more comfortable.

His 9 month stats are:
Weight: 21 lb 13 oz (83rd percentile)
Height: 30 inches (96th percentile)
Head Circumference: 46 1/4 cm

He is soooo big, and squishy, and a cuddle bug, and always smiling! We just love him and love being around him. It's been awhile since my last post and there's been numerous changes with his growth and development. A little before six months he was starting to pull himself around. He pretty much used his arms and his legs would drag behind. Occasionally he would use his legs to push. He started doing the traditional crawl and sitting up around 7 or 8 months. Then at 9 months he was pulling himself up to standing position. Around 10 months he started walking along furniture and will walk with me while I hold his hands. He has let go and stood on his own a few times as well. It's all happened quickly. We anticipate he will walk soon because of how quickly he's done everything else, but who knows. He is a fast crawler. Lila and Calvin are constantly running around and Emmett just smiles and tries to keep up. He gets very excited when Chris comes home each day. He laughs and squeals then crawls to where Chris is and waits to be picked up. It is a fun sight to see.

I'm having technical difficulties and I can't post pictures, which is a bummer because Emmett keeps getting cuter.

Strawberries Galore

We went on our annual strawberry picking outing. This time we picked 3 baskets so we could make strawberry jam.

We had a lot of fun going with friends again. Calvin was hilarious and loved the freedom to run around and put stuff in his basket. In the beginning he was picking green strawberries, mashed strawberries and weeds. Luckily, he dropped his basket a few times and we were able to clear out all the stuff we didn't want. Lila and Calvin had a lot of fun being with their friends and eating the delicious berries. It was chilly, so Emmett probably didn't love it as much. All in all we had a successful day.

While trying to take pictures of all the kids, Chris was behind me getting their attention and making them laugh. Calvin decided to imitate instead and was making us laugh. I love him in these pictures.

 I guess we'll have to come up with a new strategy:)

Our little family is getting so big!

Garden Fresh

We did it. We finally planted a garden.

Before:

After:

 I can't wait to taste the fruits (well, we actually planted vegetables and herbs, but you know what I mean) of our labor.

Compliments To The Chef

Chris made these awesome hamburger buns! Don't they look delicious?

Yeah, they totally were!

Chris is a great cook and baker. He only makes delicious food, I'm telling ya. Even when he tries a new recipe he's never had before, it turns out amazing. He has a gift and we are lucky to have him and his delicious food:) 

The 2nd Year

Our Cal-boy is 2. He's 2 years old. Can you believe it? Me neither. 

Two years is a short span of time but my Calvin has changed my perception of time. It feels like forever ago when I woke up having contractions 10-15 minutes apart. Then casually getting ready to go to the hospital, fully expecting to be sent home. I was shocked when the nurse said I was dilated to a 7 and that I wasn't going anywhere. Calvin was in my arms a few hours after that. My pregnancy with Calvin was just as easy. I'm positive Heavenly Father planned it that way. The easy pregnancy with an even easier labor and delivery. I needed the rest before all the running around I've done with Calvin. He has a love for life and is teaching me everyday to feel the same.

Calvin has changed so much in just the last 5 months. He talks to us and asks for things using words instead of grunts. He can count a little and is willing to repeat anything we say. He loves animals and is constantly talking about elephants, lions, monkeys, and giraffes. If he's not talking about animals, he's talking about Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and the other characters from Toy Story. Music is also a favorite of Calvin's. I've noticed him singing along to music at church or when the radio is on. Dancing is also a must when he hears music. Calvin is full of energy and is always running. He is very spirited and lives up to his nickname, good-time Calvin. He is quick to smile and say hi to anyone we come in contact with. His voice is so sweet and he has a contagious laugh. He is also a good little helper. I love our cuddle time before bedtime. It's the only time he will let me hold him more than a second.

His 2 year stats:

Height 35.5 in. (86th percentile)

Weight 28.8 lb (61st percentile)

We love our Cal-boy, Cal-gy, Calvin!

Here's pics from his birthday celebration. 

First pic of the day. 

All tuckered out after going to the zoo. 

He loves licking the batter off the beater. 

Excited for his gifts. 

My first cake decorating venture. Not bad eh?