Toledo Zoo with Nana & Gigi

Recently I took the kids with Nana and Gigi to the Toledo Zoo. I try to take the kids a few times each summer and my mom and my grandma LOVE the zoo. I like going with Nick too, but he doesn't care for it that much, so he was off the hook this time. My grandma is so cute and just loves being included and of course we love having her company. She gets a kick out of the kids, but I'm sure after seeing them two days in a row last week, she knows we have our hands full with Hunter. It poured rain the drive down and back, but it was mostly fine while we were there. It was rather cool at times which actually was nice b/c the animals were out and active. I was mad at myself for not taking more pictures and most of these are with my cell phone. It was just too much to handle with the kids, wagon, my grandma in the wheelchair, etc. The cell phone was just easier, but I wish I would have taken more with my good camera :(

There were two polar bears out...at one point they were wrestling, jumping in the water, playing with balls, etc. It rained for a few minutes when we first got to the zoo, so lots of people were hanging out down watching the polar bears.

This is the newest addition to the Toledo Zoo. This baby elephant was born June 3rd (I think) and weighed 300 pounds at birth. He will gain 2-3 pounds per day for the next ten years! He was so cute following his mama around...he was a big attraction at the zoo. They had "IT'S A BOY!!" signs all over :)So cute!

Hunter always likes these things...we did this and it distracted him from the playground fortunately. We wanted to get home for naps, so no time for the playplace when there are so many animals to see.
Jack got his turn...although all you can see are his chubby legs hanging down.

I really likes these guys...they were all being lazy today...There were three or four just sprawled out on the ground resting.

We went on the carousal of course! Gigi rode with us...I stood next to Jack and my mom next to Hunter. The train was closed b/c of the weather and that was disappointing b/c that's the best to see the giraffe and zebra.
I climbed on with Jack, but the old man worker told me I was not allowed to do that.
Nana & Jack being silly. He kept trying to stick his finger in her mouth. I like how they are laughing at each other here.

Hunter, Jack, and Nana watching the seal...he got super close to the window and you could count his whiskers b/c he was so close!

Jellyfish...they had lights that changed color every few seconds and made the jellyfish look really neat.

I know I have a picture of this fish from every time we go to this zoo. It's just so ugly that I have to take a picture! The eyes bulging out, the huge lips, those teeth, these things hanging down off its stomach...yuck!

Jack loved standing on the ledge at each display to see the fish up close.

Jack loved sitting in Gigi's lap and going on her wheelchair. I didn't think he'd last riding with her, but he enjoyed it.

I think Gigi liked having him on her lap too :)
The Sloth Bear was nose to nose with Hunter. He was lazy, but we got to see him right at the window.

Is Hunter having fun or what?

Friday night we went to this Summer Extravaganza at this club we joined and besides it being pretty chilly, we had fun. They had lots of food, games for kids, carnival rides, etc. Nick wanted Hunter to stay for fireworks, so Jack and I went home around 9pm. The fireworks didn't start until 10:45 (WAY past Hunter's bedtime). After two fireworks Hunter was scared and wanted to home. Poor Nick...waiting so long to see them and then having to leave! OK, these might be some of my new favorite pictures of Hunter and I. It was one of those dizzy rides and we had so much fun. I love those rides and as you can see, Hunter does too. I just love his facial expressions. He is a brave boy! He went on that huge pirate ship too that swings back and forth...he didn't like that as much as the others, but he didn't cry or anything.
Pure joy!

They also had face painting, so Hunter got a soccer ball...

Jack had a smiley face painted...he was playing peek-a-boo with the girl behind her chair...he was totally flirting and she loved it!

They had fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, police officers on horses, etc too for the kids.

A helicopter landed on the golf course and the kids could check it out and sit in it too!

That was Friday night...Saturday we went on a date--PF Changs and to see a movie. Nick really wanted to see Super 8. Not my thing, but I was being a good sport. I'm still not sure if he really liked it or is just saying that b/c I make fun of him for picking out bad movies all the time. Sunday we went to the pool. It was a nice weekend, but went by way too fast as usual.

Father's Day, Nick's Birthday, Funfest, and more!

This is a "catch-up" post before another weekend goes by! It's a long one...

Nick's birthday was Tuesday. We met for lunch in Ann Arbor at the Gandy Dancer. We rarely go out to nice restaurants alone these days, so it was nice to enjoy a quiet lunch together. I had a yummy crab cake sandwich. Nick had a blackened salmon burger...it was fun! I had to take Nick's picture b/c he just looked so cute.

Later that evening we had my parents, Emily, and Gigi over to celebrate. Gigi made Nick his favorite Hello Dolly Cake. Hunter was wild and being naughty, so it was a little stressful--otherwise I would have taken more pictures :(

Gigi did some puzzles with Hunter to keep him busy while we got dinner ready. Nick got a new briefcase, golf clubs, shorts, Qdoba gift card, money from Gigi, and more. His parents both gave him gifts last weekend too.

Father's Day...

My parents went to their boat in Grand Haven, so we didn't see my dad this year :( They love their boat more than they love spending time with their daughters and grandkids on the weekends...boo-hoo. We drove to East Lansing after nap time to see Hoppy & Mimi. We went out on the boat and had a bbq.

Being on the boat was a little much. The kids don't like to be still, Mimi worries things will get broken, and it makes this mommy too stressed out. I had to start drinking so I could relax!

Hunter was driving the boat...Hoppy showed him the horn and then when he wanted to keep doing it (what do you expect from a three year old boy), Mimi was not happy. Yikes!

Hamburg Fun Fest...I think I like going to see the people more than anything...enough said. We went on Saturday evening for a little while.

I took the boys on the carousal. It was a total rip off. You could buy tickets (20 for $20). Then I had to ride with Jack b/c of his age, so it would be like $9 to ride the stupid carousal for the three of us. Not fair. I mean the zoo only charges $4 for the three of us.

Although the kids loved it and I'm not going to make them feel badly.

I believe the was both of their first snow cones (for sure Jack's first). We shared one and it was so cute. Hunter was really sweet about sharing with Jack.

I love how Jack has his mouth open like "Give me more"...

We also paid $9 to go down the slide one time. The lady working this had a full beard...I was very nervous Hunter was going to ask me if she was a boy or girl b/c it was rather questionable.

Jack and I rode together and Hunter next to us. Jack and I won :)

Hunter and I rode this "dizzy ride" together...it was fun. We were almost out of money, so Jack sat this one out with daddy.

Hunter begged to go on the ferris wheel, so Jack and I watched from the ground. That was the only ride Nick went on with Hunter--I was the good sport for the most part. Plus I like being able to see them smile and have fun!

I took a lot of pictures of "people" there. There were a lot of wife beater shirts, smokers, and overweight ladies in black clothing. I'm not knocking Hamburg b/c I grew up in the area, but it does seem to attract a certain crowd. I am immature...I know. Nick and I have fun giggling at all the people and pointing out the weird "carnies".

Check out the tattoos on this girl.

This was funny....so last weekend Jacquelyn and I met at our house to drive to Brandie's bridal shower. Hunter put a ball in his belly later (Jacquelyn is very prego right now) and said "I have a baby in my belly. His name is Hunter."

Hunter and Jack in the car...Hunter thought it was so funny to teach Jack how to pick his nose...see below. The joy of having two boys!!!
See how funny I am mommy???

On another note, Hunter and I were talking yesterday and he told me he wants to marry Jack. I can't remember how we started talking about it, but I told him hopefully one day he'll meet someone like mommy and get married. He was like "I don't like girls. I like boys. I want to marry Jack b/c he's my best friend." I tried to explain a little bit that's not really how it works, but he doesn't get it. I guess he can think that for a while longer. He's just getting to a phase of "I don't like girls" and I've been trying to tell him that is not nice. I don't think he considers me or the nanny, Julie, girls though b/c he still likes us. Thank goodness for now!