Omaha Zoo

Last month Jake and I took Isaac to the zoo in Omaha. We went with his sisters and their kids and had a great time. The weather was perfect-cloudy and about 75°!! It was very busy, but worth the trip. Isaac loved the animals-especially the goats in the petting zoo. Our only disappointment was the food. We bought burgers there and they were not that great-just like the kind you'd get in an elementary school cafeteria. Ick! We've been to the zoo in Des Moines a few times, but this one is WAY bigger! Isaac was tuckered out by the end of the day and slept the whole way home (I enjoyed a few Zzz's myself while Jake drove!).

There was actually milk coming out of this cow! It was really a cool exhibit.

A few of the animals we saw-this monkey was hanging by its toes!

Picture on top left-end of the day (Isaac is getting a bit sleepy...)

Picture on top right-Isaac feeding his hand to the goat. This boy LOVES real animals!

Picture on bottom middle-Jake's attempt at getting Isaac to ride the goat...boys will boys I suppose.

No TV

On Monday our DishNetwork stopped working-it wasn't during a storm and it worked earlier in the day and when we got home-nothing. So Jake called and we were told someone would be out to look at it later in the week. (Jake even got the $30 call fee waived and they agreed to not charge us for our local channels for a year-$5 a month. Really that's only fair since we're not getting ABC right now anyways). Well, then they called and said it wouldn't be until the middle of September that someone could come out to fix it-not acceptable. Jake just cancelled our service (without penalty because we're on a month-to-month contract) and then called DirectTV. Supposedly we will have someone coming out (I think) on Monday to get us hooked up. We shall see what happens. It's been interesting not having TV all week-really a blessing in many ways.

Catching up...

I have been quite the slacker with this whole blogging business. I seem to go through phases like most people I guess. So here are a few things to catch up on.

A while ago Isaac was really wanting some riding toys (he told me so himself...). Well, being the frugal mama that I am I turned to trusty craigslist. I've never bought anything off of there before, but figured as long as I Cloroxed anything I bought it'd be fine. Well, I found a lady selling THREE riding toys for $8-TOTAL! Jake met her one day and just like that Isaac had what he'd been wanting (not that he'll always get what he wants this easily). Over the past month or so they've all gotten quite a bit of use. I also bought him a walker for $5!!! Though he never really figured out he can walk in it. Plus he's too close to walking to use that thing-he pushes his little shopping cart all over the house and is totally content making laps until he's tired. Lastly, I am in the process of buying him a Halloween costume (only 2 months aways, people!!!) for $4!!!! The identity of his costume will remain secret until closer to the holiday. So, over all, I'd recommend craigslist for whatever you're selling or buying. I certainly found some great bargains!!!

Olympics vs. Sleep

I know I'm not the only Olympics addict out there so I figured I'd confess my addiction. But with two Iowans there (Shawn Johnson in gymnastics and Lolo Jones running the 100m hurdles) I can't resist. I was a gymnast and a 100m hurdle runner myself-I'll take that as a sign that it's alright to neglect my much-loved sleep for the Olympics...Plus the swimming is so fun to watch. I was looking at the schedule online and there is a trampoline event!!! When is that going to be on? Let me just say that I was not overly excited that the Olympics were coming on-just curious about when the SUMMER Olympics were going to start-it's almost Fall for goodness sake! I told Jake one night that if the Olympics were ever held within 10 hours driving time we would go. He wondered where that would be-I told him they could hold the summer Olympics in Chicago or the winter ones in Denver. Not two minutes after this discussion a commercial came on advertising a candidate city for 2016-CHICAGO!!! Hooray!!! Now, I realize there are other candidate cities and Chicago is actually third on the list of four right now (Tokoyo is first right now-isn't that a little too close to go back to when they're in China right now!??!). The other two cities are Madrid, Spain and Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Personally, I think Chicago would be a great choice-I'll probably 10 or 11 kids by then to take with me (just kidding-probably closer to 5 or 6 and we'd be done!). The decision will be made in October in Copenhagen-I'll keep everyone updated!!

Nauvoo

Jake's family always takes a trip to Nauvoo each summer to see the pageant. While Isaac was there last year he got a whole lot more out of it this time around. Not to mention I have pictures from this trip (I accidently deleted them from last year-along with the picture of Mitt Romney holding Isaac the day we left for Nauvoo. Luckily that one wound up on the front page of a local newspaper.).

Anyways...the first night we went to Adventure Zone-a mini-version of Chuck-E-Cheese (and much, much cleaner-not so many stinky, runny-nosed kids (guess how I feel aobut Chuck-E-Cheese...). There was a little section for the babies with a slide-it was WAY fast and Isaac seemed to enjoy it though it would have been nice if I could have sit up all the way. There was also a car that Isaac wanted to sit in all night-it had a steering wheel so of course it was love at first sight. He wasn't scared at all when we put the quarter in and it started to "drive." It was pretty funny.

I was surprised he kept this little hat on long enough for a picture-he is NOT a hat kind of kid-I think he's too proud of all that white hair.

The day we left we were able to get our picture taken in front of the temple-sad to say it's better than our wedding pictures (we hired a not-so-great photographer).

We also saw the pageant and Jake and I were able to go to a session at the temple (thanks Mom and Dad for watching Isaac!). It was a fun trip and we are looking forward to next year when Isaac will be able to do even more (and when we will have TWO kiddos with us!).

Lake Panorama

Jake's parents have a boat and jet ski that we take out to Lake Panorama every summer. Because it was such a busy schedule, we didn't get out there for the first time until the beginning of August! We bought Isaac his own little life jacket, which he hated, but it did it's job and actually put him to sleep with the rocking of the boat. While the others went out on the boat for the second time we stayed on the beach. Isaac loved playing in the sand and eventually realized the water was there. He would walk up to his neck (holding my hands of course-he's not walking quite yet) and then turn around. He loved the waves made by passing boats as well. It was a fun day and we hoping to get out a few more times before the weather turns cold. Maybe next year he can try out the tube...

Picture Tag #2

Rheanna had this on her blog and I couldn't resist it..
Warning: takes a little bit of time. (It's now several days since I started this post...)
This is how it works: for each question look up the answer on google image search. Choose your favorite picture from the first page only.

My Age

My Favorite Color

My Favorite Vacation Spot

Where I Live

Where I Grew Up

Where I'd Like to Travel

My Favorite Food

My Favorite Treat

My Favorite Animal

A Past Love

My First Name

My Middle Name

My Last Name

My First Job

My College Degree

What I am Doing Right Now