Hogle Zoo

We have been very busy this July, as we are every year.  We recently went to the zoo with the Neilson's.  It was just the moms, the kids and of course Grandma.  She is always a good sport and wants to come along so she can spend time with all of us.  I'm not so sure if I was Grandma that I would want to go to the zoo in the middle of July!  It was a very hot day but the kids didn't seem to mind.  The zoo was having a Jurassic theme and they had dinosaurs all around the zoo.  Dexton loved this!  He knew about all the dinosaurs and when I called them the wrong name he would correct me and tell me the differences between the one I thought it was and what it actually was.  Ocianne kept asking me if they were real because they looked and moved as if they were alive.  She walked all around the zoo and didn't complain much at all.  She is getting so grown up!  Gabrielle did great.  She loves being outside and was very pleasant she even took a short nap!

Dexton and Ocianne with the elephants (notice the baby)

Dexton and his favorite dinosaur T-Rex

Ocianne riding a wood horse

Gabby in her stroller            

Ashlyn holding Mckinly and Dexton holding Gabby

Fourth of July Weekend

 

Lake Powell July 04, 2011

We headed down to Lake Powell for the Fourth of July weekend.  This year went a lot better than the previous year.  We were able to find a pretty nice beach thanks to the high water level.  We were tucked back in a nice little cove and the kids were able to put on their life jackets and swim across the bay.  A large rock was poking up out of the bay and Oci and Dex claimed it as their island.  They spent hours over there with Grandma Shauna.  Kevin and Dexton decided to spice it up a bit by jumping off the front of Grandpas big boat.  They did it several times and then decided to persuade Ocianne to do the same.  She wouldn't have any part of it so Kevin decided to involve me.  He asked Oci, "If Mom jumps off, will you do it?" I tried not to have any part of it by saying I didn't want to get my hair wet, but the fact that Oci was willing to do it if I did got to me.  I finally gave in after a while.  Dex jumped, then I jumped.  Kevin then lowered Oci over the rails of the boat and dropped her down to me.  She didn't love it but she also didn't seem to mind it.  She jumped off three more times that afternoon.  Gabby did pretty good.  I brought a small blow up pool for her and filled it up with warm lake water and put it on the back of the boat.  She would sit and play in it for an hour at a time.  Gabby also decided that she wanted to start to learn to crawl on Grandpa's boat.  She pushed herself up on all fours and started rocking during our trip.  Grandpa's boat isn't the greatest place for crawling.  Since we have been home she has continued to try to crawl but she isn't in any hurry.  She takes a few crawls forward and then rolls or scoots the rest of the way to get to where she wants to go.  All in due time, which is fine with me!  My kids have a love for Lake Powell as I do.  I am so glad that I have been able to share this with them. 

Gabrielle and Dexton

                                                Gabrielle

Ocianne my dancing queen!