The Zoo + Friends = Fun

We got together with our good friends, The Kein's, last week.  We let the kids decide what we should all do that day and believe it or not, they chose the Woodland Park Zoo!  We had a great day together.  We celebrated Luke's upcoming birthday and Darlene and I relived our memories of zoo trips from when the kids were babies!  Our kids were definitely the oldest at the zoo that day... time flies by too quickly!

Can't pass up a photo op at this amazing tree in the children's play area.

Maxi in a fox hole.

My baby is getting tall!

Can't believe they still fit in this tiny little den.

We stopped in to feed the birds.  This was so fun!

Dippin' Dots!

Eatin' Our Way Across Texas

Just got back from visiting my sister, Chris, in Texas.  I needed to get the heck out of Seattle and head down to sunshine and warmth!  My girlfriend, Gina, went with me and we had the best time.  Lots of good food, laughing, fun events, food, historic locations, and food... did I mention food?  We truly did eat our way across the state!  So fun!

Texas Longhorn

Tropical Sno was our first stop off the plane.  I always have to at least one everytime I visit!  My nieces Jillian, Madison, and Sadie came along for the ride as well. 

Chicken Fried Steak, Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn at Babe's Chicken in the middle of nowhere!  Portions weren't nearly big enough!

Everything's better fried, right?!  I have to admit, we were tempted to stop for some of these Fried Pies, but we stayed focus... we were headed for the nearest Cracker Barrel! 

Chris, Gina, and I made the 5 hr. trek from Dallas to San Antonio to see Rock of Ages.  Beautiful, historic theatre and a great show with awesome 80's music!

This was the other reason that we wanted to head to San Antonio:  The Riverwalk.

Chris and Gina posing alongside the Riverwalk.

The Riverwalk seemed like it went on for at least a mile.  Each side was loaded with tons of restaurants and a few shops.

Last stop before heading back to Dallas was the Alamo.  Loved it! 

The Oregon Coast February 2011

 I've once again been away from the blogging world for too long... It's not that I haven't been up to anything lately.  It's just that I can't seem to find the time to sit down and write an entry.  So many other things have been taking priority and honestly I'm feeling overwhelmed... maybe I need to start saying no every once in awhile... hmmmmm...

Anyway, had to blog a bit about our 'Neighbor' weekend in Seaside, Oregon.  Gosh, I think we went about three and a half weeks ago!!  Time flies doesn't it?!  As you can see from the photos below we had amazingly beautiful weather.  Gorgeous blue skies and just about no rain for the weekend, but it was definitely chilly!  We've been making the annual trek down to Seaside/Cannon Beach for the past three years with our old neighbors (we missed the Bates' family this time around though!).  It's such an awesome time to reconnect with everyone (and craft with the ladies)!  A big thank you to Ed and Megan for hosting us once again! 

The Des Moines Neighbors



Me & Wes



Mr. & Mrs. Potter



Mr. & Mrs. Kelsey



Paisley & Hayley



Paisley, Luke, Zach, Travis, & Hayley before the War Games.  This has been a tradition with the kids from the start.  They can run around for hours in the sand dunes with those huge Nerf guns!



We rented the 'car' this time around.  How fun this was!  Major pedal power though!



OMG.... Hayley driving!  She was having a blast being in control!  Makes the real thing seem not too far off!



Hayley took this pretty shot...



... and this pretty shot in the dunes.

 


 

How Cute are These?!!

My friend Krista has been on a Cake Pop kick lately... well, mostly because I've been asking her to make them for events that we've been putting on for school & cub scouts !  Have you heard of Cake Pops?  They're are actually a couple of books out that I know about.  Check out this link: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8831/path,1/title,Cake-Pops-by-Bakerella/.

Anyway, take a look at her latest creation which she made for her son's second grade teacher who is in LOVE with panda bears!



How cute are these faces?!



What comes along with snow...