We're Going to the Zoo Zoo Zoo

We visited Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo for the first time on Silas' 3rd birthday. Since the zoo is rated as one of the best in the US, we had high expectations - and we weren't disappointed! 

Everyone enjoyed the aquarium, especially the tunnel with sharks and sting rays and turtles swimming overhead

The Skyfari was definitely the best way to see the zoo. We rode it a couple of times to see the giraffes, ostriches, cheetahs, monkeys, rhinos and more!

Lydia skipped the skyfari - Mommy was a bit nervous to have her unrestrained that high above the ground!

We ate lunch overlooking the jungle with monkeys swinging from trees right outside the window. Perfect lunch for our monkey-loving 3-year-old

Jonah's favorite was the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit

After over 8 hours in the zoo these guys still had smiles on their faces...guess that means the day was a success! 

Caught in the Rain

Little girl and I went out to the garden on this hot, sticky afternoon to pick some green beans for supper.  When I was about halfway through picking, rain started to fall. Not too heavy, but not too light either. I love being out in the rain but wasn't sure what this little girl would think of it. Turns out she likes being in the rain, too!

Even the camera thought it was a little too humid out

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Our sweet Silas turned 3 years old on the 3rd. We can't believe that this little guy is already 3! We had such a fun time celebrating his life. Grandma and Grandpa were down for the week to help us celebrate. On Sunday, I asked Sy what he would like on his cake. His response in a whispered voice was "sprinkles." I asked him if he wanted anything else on his cake. He thought for quite some time and again in a whispered voice said, "more sprinkles." We made sure there were sprinkles on his cake! We first celebrated his birthday on Tuesday night. Since I worked on Tuesday, Grandma and the boys worked together to make Silas a zoo cake. Apparently, when Silas first saw the cake after waking up from his nap, he exclaimed "Wow! That's COOL!" 

Of course, Silas' favorite part of the cake was the monkeys in the jungle.

Most of Silas' birthday gifts from grandparents and us were pieces for the Toy Story 3 Imaginext set 

Wednesday (his actual birthday) we went to the Omaha zoo and left fairly early in the morning to make the most of our day. But, we started the morning with Silas' favorite applesauce cake donuts from the Wahoo Bakery.

Here's a little about our new 3-year-old:

- He LOVES his big brother. He and Jonah are truly best friends. 

- He LOVES his little sister. No one can make Lydia smile and laugh like Silas can. 

- His goal in life right now is to be happy and to make other people happy. He frequently asks or comments about people being happy or not being happy. 

- He loves his monkeys. There is Monkey, Cap-Cap, and his newest monkey, Henry, 

from the Omaha Zoo.

- Monkey's tail seems to be a comfort to him. When he is tired or upset, he likes to hold Monkey's tail to his nose.

- Silas is all BOY. He still loves balls, trucks, and tractors.

- He loves to wrestle and roughhouse. And, he is usually the one who initiates it.

- Recently, he has been singing Go Fish's Kickin It Old School as well as That's Why We Praise Him quite a bit. He also really likes the Doxology and Praise to the Lord, the Almighty sung to him before naps/bed. 

- Silas has a major sweet tooth.

- He also loves cheese. Not too long ago, it seemed like we were going through cheese slices really fast. I figured it out when I found 4 cheese wrappers in a pair of Silas' shorts while doing laundry.

- He still likes to be held and cuddled.

Silas, you are such a wonderful blessing to us! We LOVE you SOOO much!

Last Day of Vacation

On our last day of vacation (June 21st), we packed up at The Lodge and drove to Breezy Point to see everyone once more before our drive home. We went to a beach on Pelican Lake and played in the sand for a little while. Although the boys both tested out the water, it was too chilly to be in for long.

This was Lydia's first experience with sand...

Guess we need to put her in the sandbox at home!

Building Sandcastles

Jonah liked chasing the birds

Overlooking the "lake" that had formed behind the cabin on the golf course...that is one big water hazard!

We left Breezy Point after lunch and arrived home around 11:30pm Friday night. 

We had a WONDERFUL vacation! The boys are already talking about next year! :)