Friday Train Park

Last Friday I had the day off so I met my sister and brother-in-law at the train park in Scottsdale after we took Everly to school. The weather was great because obviously this time of year in AZ is the best. We started with the playground so the kids could burn some energy. The slide was a big hit for Aspen and Ted was in his own world making all sorts of new friends. Mae loved the sand and Nora loved the swing. After the playground we took a ride on the train followed by a visit to the model train building. Aspen had been watching Minions on the ipad in the car and then saw Minions on one of the model trains and was immediately excited. She also loved the trains on the tracks above us. We hit up the carousel before we left and once again, Ted met a new friend. That kid! Aspen was acting like she hated it at first but then I got her to calm down and she loved waving to Kim ever time we circled. It was a really fun morning and Aspen definitely took a great nap after all of that running around! Here are a couple of pictures and a little video:

she was very adventurous

 

The cape was a great help finding today throughout the morning!

 

the many faces of Mae

Weekend in Review: Columbus Day Weekend

Justin and I both had 3 day weekends for Columbus Day weekend. His was Fri-Sun and mine was Sat-Mon. It was a nice way to ease back into work after vacation by having a 3-day weekend. I also have one this weekend too and we have lots planned! Last Saturday Everly had another soccer game. It was pretty hot again unfortunately and we did not get the shady field. She did okay but was obviously worn out and took a two hour nap later that day. On Sunday we decided to take the girls to the zoo. No one else was able to meet us there but we still had a lot of fun. We took the girls down to the Children's Trail to go on the playground and see the petting zoo area. We also got to see the new jaguar exhibit that we didn't even know existed. It was pretty cool and they were actually feeding one of the jaguars a rabbit at the time. The weather was pretty nice in the morning, although it got much warmer later in the day when I had my soccer game. On Monday, Everly had school so I had some along time with Aspen after we dropped her off. I decided to take her to the train park in Scottsdale. It was busy because I think a lot of students had it off but we still had a lot of fun. Aspen did great and the hardest part of the day was getting her to leave. I even got her to ride on the carousel without crying for the first time. It is kind of a fast carousel, too, so I was surprised at how well she did. I love my girl dates with Everly but it is also so nice to get this one on one time with Aspen.

Lego butterfly and up close with a cow

Playground and the new jaguar exhibit

 

Live animal show!

 

not cold enough for a jacket but she insisted.

Here is a little video of Aspen and I at the train park!

Weekend in Review

We had a fun and busy weekend. It started with a home depot workshop on Saturday morning (1st Saturday of every month). This workshop was making a cute little wagon. We like to get there right when they start because it can get busy. Everly did really good hammering and the end product is really cute. I am pretty sure she napped with it on Sunday (or not napped with it). After that we headed straight out to the Train Park in Scottsdale for the Exclusively Little event. I feel like it was wayyyyy busier than last year. Probably not going to go to this event again next year but the kids had fun so it wasn't a total loss. Sunday morning Justin was out on a trail run so the girls and I met my mom, sister and the boys for bagels. Everly sure loves her boys. I took the girls with me grocery shopping afterwards. Everly does great in the kids playzone and Aspen was a bit high maintenance but nothing a few nilla wafers couldn't fix. Seriously, I really lucked out with those girls. Sunday night we met my Aunt & Uncle for dinner as they were in town from New York. I don't have any aunts/uncles/cousins in-state so it is really nice to get to see them every once in a while. Luckily, I will get to see everyone again soon as we have a big (50-ish people) family reunion in New York in just a few months. Here is the book I made from our last reunion 3 years ago! Can't wait to go back.

Aspen has to join in.

Lots of people but great spring weather.

Aspen loves her independence and Cam loves his bounce house.

Love that face

These two are so dang cute.

These two aren't too bad either.

not a bad group shot!

My little sour patch.

 

Train ride fun! (Justin is in the caboose with Everly, haha).

Einstein's shenanigans. Also, loved that overcast weather!

Two cookies in each hand.

So hard to get a good group shot but love seeing family. Also, that Mae is too dang cute.

Weekend in Review

We had a busy and productive weekend. It started early Saturday morning (shocker) with a long run for marathon training. This was my longest and farthest run yet, 14 miles. Thankfully I have an awesome training partner, otherwise I just don't know how I would continue to get up to do this! Saturday afternoon we celebrated my nephew Teddy's birthday at the train park. We love the train park and it was a beautiful winter day. Lots of people came out despite his birthday being so close to Christmas and we had lots of fun. Saturday night we went to my sister's for pizza after church and the kids made little gingerbread houses. In reality, the adults made gingerbread houses, because, let's be honest. Sunday morning we got up early and went to the Zoo. We got there for the early hour for members and it was awesome. We got to see the some really cool stuff before anyone was there including the new tiger exhibit. My sisters met us there and the kids had fun. After we got home we did some cleaning and gift wrapping before I met my sister for hot yoga. She needs to de stress and I thought it would be good for my muscles during marathon training so I am glad she agreed to go for a couple weeks with me. We had a nice Sunday night dinner that ended with a Cardinals win, so Justin was happy! Can't wait for Christmas!


We had a beautiful sunrise and even saw lots of little headlamps from the hikers on Camelback Mountain.

First piñata for us!

not feeling well but sooooo cute!

Here is a quick little video from our zoo morning and more pictures below:

 

Leave it to me to be early to the zoo but late for EVERYTHING else. Also, these girls love each other!

early sunrise with the giraffes!

Finally getting to see the new tiger exhibit!

silly Everly

 

two monkeys: baby Jiwa who is 3 days older than Aspen and Uncle Tony stealing Santa's presents.

The zoo added gators recently and also reopened the elephant viewing area.

two crazies and one tired/sick baby

tractor rides

auntie love

 

presents wrapped that I can't wait for the girls to open in 3 more days!