Outings Galore

So...it's time for a little late July-Early August update of our outings the past couple of weeks. A couple of Saturday's ago...Brett and I took Jack to Thanksgiving Point Farm Country. His favorite parts....the turkeys (?), feeding a goat, feeding the ducks, and playing in jail.

Bunnies....rock on!

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... The weekend of the 24th, Brett and I organized a little Wankier to-do up AF canyon.

We all met up for s'mores and roasted Mambas.

We also brought along some bars of Ivory soap and plastic knives for everyone to do some (safe) carving. It was a total flashback to my childhood days up the canyon.

Thankfully, the scout master just happen to have a hammock in the back of the car.

He never ceases to amaze me with his randomness.

Brett's pirate ship has since been sent to the Smithsonian.

Jack was nothing short of a clump of dirt when we left.

(Max was really happy for this picture.) ...

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Just this week, Annie and I had the genius idea of taking the boys to the zoo.

We headed out early to beat the heat... and to beat Annie going into pre-mature labor!

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The boys were so good and had such a great time. And...we were able to keep Crusher from falling out of Annie's loins...so overall, it was a success!

(proof that in all of our outings...I did exist) ...

... Jack's favorite part #1: Water Statue

Jack's Favorite Part #2: The Carousel

Jack's Favorite Part #3: The Tiny Sleeping Sand Cat (almost exactly the same of the stray cats in our neighborhood)

He's working hard here to get a little closer.

We all left pretty wiped out after our nearly 4 hour outing.

Jack stripped down into a sleevless onsesie and slept passed 6:00.

Then...he woke up making all sorts of animal noises...and ready to go!

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Summer, please stick around.

We'd like to kick it with you a little longer.

When Brett's Away...The Kids Play

While the jolly scout master (Brett) was gone the entire week to Scout Camp- Jack and I had ourselves some serious cousin time!

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Monday, we started the week with some tramp time and lunch with the boys and Annie at the Griffin abode. Jack was thrilled with their new bunk beds.

Later that night Jack and I went on a date with my dad to see Cars 2.

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Tuesday, Lucy and Isabel were over bright and early to babysit during my tutoring session, and then the planning began for what was to be the Sleepover of '11. I had told the kids a while back that while Brett was gone...they could come stay the night with me. So...we headed off to the store to pick up some essential treats.

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Jack was thrilled to finally have someone to share the car cart with!

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Annie and the boys came over for lunch, and then- we separated for a brief while...until the troops re-arrived!

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The stars of the sleepover...

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And in supporting, but important roles...

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(Max went home about 11 to sleep in his own bed...and Jack gave in to the crib about 10:00)

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We all got comfy and watched Gnomeo and Juliet.

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The kids were very sweet and patient while they waited for me to fill 5 very careful treat orders. It was Hank's first time sleeping away from Annie/Randy post-diabetes...so I was on careful watch...and practically had a carb calculator fastened to my belt!

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After Annie picked up Max, and Jack was off in dreamland...us BIG kids started the real paaartay up in the bonus room!

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We had an awesome combo of handstand contests, dance partying, jumping on the air mattress, and laughing at me doing somersaults!

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(can't help but love Izzy's limbs flying in the background)

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There was plenty of stachetastic enjoyed as well...

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After dissolving some witch fears, and passing the midnight mark, the kids were good for bed.

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It might sound nuts having all these rats at my house for the night...but honestly... I loved every single second of it. They are all my best little pals and I got such a kick out of hanging with them and having them all to myself. They couldn't have been sweeter to me and each other. My sisters are definitely doing something right!

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The next morning, Annie and Max rolled in about 8:30 and I made breakfast for everyone. The kids were still jumping around like maniacs even though I'm pretty sure they were running off of about 5 hours of sleep.

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Jack particularly loved waking up to all of his cousin's still here...and cuddling with Annie and Crusher.

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Thursday, we got in some more time with the Ross girls, and my mom and I took them with us to the Lindon Pool. They are the best little babysitters. They played with Jack on the slides and splashed with him to his little heart's content.

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Needless to say...Jack was a bit pooped after it all!

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Thank goodness for all of these little sweethearts+ their parents+ my parents who were such great company while Brett was away! We had a blast!