Soggy Saturday Soccer & The Zoo...Yes, Again

It's been said that if you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute and it will change.  That's been true of this week.  This morning, Payton's soccer game was cancelled due to the rain.  Since Evan plays in an older age division, his game was still on.  As the game got under way, it got really dark.  Just look at those rain clouds!  There was a big flash of lightning, which led to a rain delay.

Shortly after the lightning flashed, it started raining pretty hard.  Everyone took off running. 

We only had to wait in our mini van for a few minutes for the storm to pass.  Here was our view. 

The sun came out and the game was back on.  Evan got to throw the ball in a few times and he made sure that he didn't bring his back foot up. =)  Even so, our boys got beat 10-0!  I think the rain delay threw our boys off.

Evan

After the game, we had lunch with Papa and Grandma and then went to the zoo....yes, again.  The kiddos and I went last week with our friends.  We thought it would be fun to go this week with Papa,Grandma, and Daddy.  There is so much to do at the zoo, so we were able to do quite a few new things this time.  All of the kiddos were really excited to ride the carousel.  Here's Grandma and Payton.

Grandma & Payton

Addi was so excited when she saw that she could ride a seahorse.  They are her most favorite animals.  She smiled this big the whole time!

Addi & Papa

Last week, when we went to the zoo, we somehow skipped over the Chimps.  We made sure to see them this time.  Evan was sizing himself up.

Evan

Evan

Evan and Payton really wanted to try the Artic Blast this time.  Daddy and Papa tried it out with them. They got to experience wind at around 80 mph.

Jason, Payton, Papa, & Evan

Here's Payton and Addi checking out the seahorse exhibit.  Addi could have stayed there all day.  Umm...have I mentioned that she loves seahorses????

Payton & Addisyn

This time, when we made it to the petting zoo, Karsyn was awake.  I couldn't wait to see what she thought about the goats.  She really enjoyed brushing them - just like her big sisters.  Evan didn't even go in the goat pin this time.

Karsyn

Payton gave Karsyn a few pointers.  =)

Karsyn & Payton

We checked out the Pink Flamingos on our trip this time too.  There were a few a little out of sorts today.  They got their feather ruffled and didn't seem to happy.  It was interesting to watch.

Pink Flamingo

We ended our trip to the zoo by taking a ride on the train.  It was a lot of fun! 

The Joy of Playing With Our Kids

Today, I'm linking up with a few other bloggers for a series called "Build 'Em Up."  The focus for today is - The Joy of Playing with our kids.  To read other great posts on this subject, click here.

Evan, Addisyn, Payton, & Karsyn

Every day, I feel so grateful that God gave Jason and I these four children.  Evan, Payton, Addisyn, and Karsyn are such a blessing.  Playing with our kids is such a joy.  Since I'm a stay at home mommy, there is always time to play with Addi and Karsyn during the day, when Evan and Payton are at school.  Right now, my little girls love to play with their kitchen set and with their Lego's.  They also love to put together puzzles.  I try to work in two play times during the day where they have my undivided attention. It's usually after we get our morning chores started and after they take a nap.

When Evan and Payton are home from school in the evenings, we try to have game time every night.  It's been a little harder since Evan and Payton have soccer practice and Payton started art lessons.  Our week nights seem so busy these days.  But, I think it's very important that we have time playing with our kids without any distractions - like TV.  All four kiddos love to play "Hungry, Hungry Hippo" and "Don't Break the Ice."  It's so much fun to play games as a family and there have been so many times that we laugh until our tummys hurt. 

When the weather is warm, we love to play in backyard, at the park, or at the Splash Pad together.  It's so much  fun!  Really, it doesn't matter what we do or what we play, when I see all four of my kids with big smiles on their faces, it brings me so much joy!

My 200th Post - Movie Fun & More - and Emily is 12!!!

This is my 200th post - Wahoo! I love blogging about our little family of 6!  I am so glad that I've chosen to record our lives in this way.  I love being able to look back and reflect.  It always brings a smile to my face.  I really appreciate all of you who read my blog.  It's such a great compliment to me when someone mentions that they've read it. Through the process of blogging, I've made some bloggy friends and I just want to say, that I really enjoy reading about your lives!  Thank you all so much!!!!

Movie Fun & More - My kiddos have been on Spring Break this week.  To try to make this week a lot of fun, we've had a staycation. Monday, was pajama day at home.  Tuesday, we went to the zoo.  On Wednesday, Payton and I had a Mommy/Daughter Day.  On Thursday, Jason and Evan had a Father/Son Day.  Their plans were to go to Incredible Pizza to eat, play video games, and ride go carts, but they weren't the only people who thought that would be fun.  People were lined up outside of the building.  The boys decided to eat a foot long at Subway and then, go to the dollar movies and watch Rise of the Guardians.  They both really enjoyed the movie.  On Friday, all of our little family of 6 went to the dollar movies to watch Wreck-It-Ralph.  (Yes, we love the dollar movies.  You know, I love good deals.)  Evan and Payton thought the movie was great.  Karsyn and Addi made it about half way through the movie and got a little bored.  The three of us went out to the lobby and "played" video games.  Even though we didn't use a single quarter, the girl had a ton of fun. =)

Karsyn

Addisyn

The movie theater that I went to the most when I was younger, is now the dollar movies.  I don't think one thing has changed in the building in the past 20 years.  I remember looking up the neons when I was a little girl and thinking they were the coolest thing ever.  Now, my kiddos can see the exact same lights!!!!

Movies 8

Here's Evan and Payton right after the movie.  And yes, that poster has been hanging on the wall for quite some time.  Check out the Mickey of today. =) 

Evan & Payton

After the movies, and after taking Payton to get her hair cut, we went to Mardel's.  The kids love playing with the train table. 

Evan, Payton, Karsyn, & Addisyn

While we were there, Jason and I took turns looking for new devotionals.  I got the Unglued Devotional by Lysa Terkeurst.  Jason picked up The Resolution for Men.  It's by the same ministry that did the movies Fireproof and Courageous.  We love those movies!

We also picked up devotionals for Evan and Payton.  We picked these, because they will do a little daily activity along with their devotions.  It might be a cross word puzzle, a word search, or filling out a chart.  I'm excited for them to start their morning off with their minds on the Lord.

Emily is 12! My, my, my, time goes by way too fast.  My niece, Emily, turned 12 today!  I can't tell you how much I love this little girl.  She is so smart and witty, not to mention very pretty!  Payton and I went skating with Billy, Kary, Natalie, Emily and Stephen to celebrate her birthday.  Since Evan doesn't like to skate and Addi and Karsyn were taking a nap, they stayed home with Jason.  Payton LOVES spending time with her big girl cousins!

Emily, Payton, & Natalie

Stephen is so funny....you'll see in a minute who he gets it from.  I love giving this little guy a hard time.  He's so silly.  Oh, and that is a lighted pacifier in his mouth.  The rink sells them for black out skating.

Stephen

Payton wasn't too happy when the skating rink had rented out all of the Little Helpers.  But, she loved being helped by Emily.

Payton & Emily

She also loved it when Uncle Billy helped her skate. 

Stephen, Billy, & Payton

Yes, this is my brother.  Yes, he is crazy.  He kept everyone cracking up the whole time.  He and I even made the DJ crack up when we decided to do the Fast Skate.  Let's just say, neither of us could skate as fast as we thought we could and I've never been so embarrassed in my life. =)

Billy

I think Payton looks much cuter in the light up glasses than Billy. LOL! 

Payton

After our skating fun, our little family of 6 had dinner with the birthday girl and her family, along with Nana and Papa.  We had a lot of fun celebrating Emily's birthday.  It's been a good day!  I hope that it has been for you too!

Faves on Pinterest

Today on Kelly's Korner Blog, Show Us Your Life is all about your favorite Pinterest ideas.  I'm really looking forward to making Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan.  It looks easy enough to make and I'll be Evan's favorite person when I do.  He loves Chicken Parmesan. =)

Another recipe that I'm really looking forward to trying out is Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing.  I think this will be a perfect week night recipe.  As always, when I try out a new crock pot recipe, I'll do a blog post.

When my friend pinned this Chocolate Cake Recipe, I knew for sure that we'd have to try it out....it's low fat cake!  The link includes several other low fat cake recipes.  I've tried the pumpkin recipe before and it was pretty good.

Don't you think these Easter S'mores look yummy?  I think these will be so much fun to make with the kids.

The last recipe that I'm sharing is Crock Pot Chicken Tacos.  I was a little surprised when I saw a recipe that I had posted on my blog had made it to Pinterest, but I have to tell you this one is super yummy and worth trying.  Let me know if you do.

As you know, Pinterest is more than just recipes.  I've recently been looking for fun Science Fair Projects for Evan and Payton.  Evan is interested in doing this project over the Solar System.  Payton and I are still pinning some of her favorite ideas.

With all 4 kiddos birthdays coming up, I love looking for party ideas on Pinterest.  Evan's going to have a bowling party.  Payton is going to have a painting party.  Addi and Karsyn are going to share a Minnie Mouse pool party.  I love these Minnie Party Ideas.

These are some of my favorite Pinterest Ideas.  I can't wait to read about yours!

Mommy/Daughter Date

For Day 3 of Spring Break, Kim and I planned a Mommy/Daughter Date.  Recently, both Payton and Katelyn have been asking for a spa day.  Kim and I weren't really sure what would be age appropriate for our girls - they are 7 and 9.  Kim did some calling around and found a place that does mini mani's and pedi's.  We though that would be perfect!  She made an appointment for the girls and for us to get pedi's.  Before our appointment, we went out to lunch at one of Kim's favorite Mexican restaurants - Ricardo's.  It was super yummy!

Payton & Katelyn

Kim & me

It was my first time for a pedi.  It for sure won't be my last time, because it was amazing!  We got a little laugh from the relaxation music.  At first, it was soothing, but then it started to sound like music you would hear in a space movie. LOL!

Kim & Me

Payton and Katelyn were so excited.  It was their first time to do anything of the sort. They were giggling and talking the whole time.  Their nail techs had a lot of fun with them.  They were both super sweet ladies.  Before we left the pedicure room, Payton's nail tech gave me some extra salt scrub and lotion.

Katelyn & Payton

Payton & Katelyn

After our nails were painted, we moved over to the dryers.  The girls were having so much fun! The nail techs gave the girls their business cards, so that they can request them when we come back.  =)

Katelyn & Payton

And here's the finished product....

Our pedis

When Payton and I got home, we decided to rub down Karsyn and Addi's feet with the extra salt scrub and lotion.  We also let them walk around in our new flip flops. They thought that was great!  Payton said she can't wait until they are old enough to have a spa day with us.  I can't either! 

A Trip to the Zoo

Evan, Payton, and Addi are all on Spring Break this week. Yay!!!!  We have a lot of fun things planned.  Today, we took a trip to the zoo with our friends - Kim, Katelyn, Jesse, Levi, Emily and their GiGi.  Yesterday, Kim and I both bought family memberships to the zoo.  We were so glad that we did, because that meant we didn't have to wait in long lines to buy tickets this morning. It also meant that we saved 15%, because the zoo is having a Spring Break Special - you know this mama loves a good deal. =)   Our first stop was the elephant exhibit.  The kiddos all really liked this statue.

Evan, Payton, Katelyn, Jesse, and Levi

Here's my best friend Kim and myself.  I am so blessed to have a best friend that also has a little family of 6.  Our kiddos are all within a few months of each other and they get along very good!  We always have a lot of fun together.

Me & Kim

Addi loved pretending to ride this turtle.  At dinner the night before, we asked all the kids what animal they would like to see.  Evan said an elephant, because they are the biggest.  Payton said a cheetah, because they are the fastest.  Addi said she wanted to see dinosaurs, 4 scary monsters, and an owl.  Karsyn said a cow. =)

Addi

Here's a few more turtle riding girls! They were so funny!

Payton, Addi, & Katelyn

We checked out the giraffe exhibit next.  These animals are so pretty!

Giraffes

We paused for a short bathroom break.  Katelyn and Jesse brought their Nintendo DS's, so that they could take pictures.  They couldn't wait to see how their shots turned out!

Katelyn, Payton, Evan, & Jesse

After the bathroom break, we decided to eat lunch.  The lines at the concession areas were not too long yet, but we knew they would be soon.  We had pizza, grapes, and Cheetos.  By far, grapes are Karsyn's favorite.

Karsyn

After lunch, we checked out the Meerkat's.  Karsyn was sure that they were dogs.  It makes my heart happy to see all 4 of my kiddos so excited about seeing animals together.

Evan, Payton, Addisyn, & Karsyn

Then, we saw the Rhinos.

Rhino

Karsyn really didn't know what to think about those big guys.  She just pointed at them and looked at me like "Mom, do you see those?"

Karsyn

We also saw tigers sleeping in what the kids thought were bunk beds. LOL!

Tigers

There is a new sea lion exhibit at the zoo.  You can walk into a tunnel and watch the sea lions swim.  It was a lot of fun to see the kids reactions!


Katelyn, Payton, & Evan

Every since I was a little girl, my favorite animals to see at the zoo have been the Pink Flamingos.  I just love their beautiful color!

Pink Flamingos

Payton and Katelyn walked around the zoo arm in arm.  It was so sweet to watch!  I love that they share such a sweet friendship.

Katelyn & Payton

Our next stop was the petting zoo.  Katelyn thought it was hilarious when a baby goat crawled into the feeder.  Evan didn't know quite what to think about the goats.  Instead of being real hands on, he opted to help everyone out by getting brushes and making sure everyone was okay.  When I was his age, there would have been no way I would have have even went inside the pin.  I would have been freaking out!  So, I'm super proud of him for giving it a try.

Katelyn & Evan

Payton loved the goats!  She was so excited to grab a brush and get to work.  She was so gentle with the animals.

Payton

Payton made this little goat get very relaxed.


Payton's Goat Friend

Addi jumped right in and brushed the goats too.  She kept a little distance between herself and the goat, but she still got the job done.

Addi

I think her goat thought she was funny, because it sure looks like it's smiling. =)

Addi's Goat Friend

By this time, Karsyn was so tired.  She took a little nap.  We used rolled up jackets to keep her little head from bobbling.

Karsyn

We decided it was cotton candy time!  Evan couldn't decide which flavor he wanted.  It's a tough choice.

Evan

It was both Addi and Karsyn's first time to try cotton candy.  Addi wouldn't eat it at first.  After she took her first bite, her eyes lit up and she said, "I LOVE cotton candy!"  She then quickly gobbled all hers down. When Karsyn woke up from her nap, she wasn't quite sure what to think about it.  She played with it, took a few bites, poked it, then threw it on the ground.

Karsyn

The last large animal we saw was the Grizzly Bear.  They are so big...and scary!!!!

Grizzly Bear

All 8 of the kiddos were so good during our visit.  I was really proud (and equally surprised) that Addi would check out an exhibit and then get right back in the stroller - no fussing about it at all. =)  I'm so proud of all of them!


Addi & Karsyn

Sweet Emily really enjoyed the zoo too!

Emily

Right before we left, the kids got to chat with someone from the zoo.  They all got an animal card.

Throughout the day, the zoo got busier and busier.  As we were leaving, I couldn't believe all of the people waiting in line to buy tickets.  This isn't even half of the line!!!  Seeing this line, really made me glad that we purchased the family membership - we shouldn't ever have to wait in lines like these.  For the cost of 2 trips to the zoo, I think it was worth it. =)  We had such a fun day and I'm really looking forward to more Spring Break fun!  Hope you had a blessed day too!