Zoo Trips

The zoo in Boise is tiny! I think we saw everything in a little under two hours, going at negative two miles an hour! They had lots of animals and you can get much, much closer up to them than in the Portland Zoo. The only thing that wasn't there--elephants! They are Kyle's favorite animal and all we could find was a little misting fountain thing by the giraffes. We knew we were going to the Portland Zoo the next week, so we were able to calm him down.

They did not disappoint there! We went into the feeding area and watched one adult elephant in there blow air on the hay near the window so it would come toward her. Then she could reach it to eat it. The kids thought that was the greatest thing, and I must admit I was impressed as well. We were a week or two early for the big dinosaur exhibit, so we were bummed about that. And they don't do the Birds of Prey show anymore! What has the world come to?!

We have a zoo here, but it's about a two hour drive. Maybe a little less. I'm comfortable driving around Fort Bragg and all over Fayetteville, but I'm not brave enough to go farther than that yet! Too many dumb drivers out there. Of course I'm a great driver....

Trip to Idaho

We were able to make a trip to Idaho, while visiting in Oregon, last May. We stayed about a week and spent a couple of those evenings with the great grandparents. I don't think the kids have every been around a dog that small. Kyle loved the shop out back and got to watch part of a project while there. Katelyn wanted to pet every cat she saw at grandma and grandpa's house, no easy task! It took quite a bit of bribing to get the kids away from all those adorable kittens roaming around. There was a large park about a block away that we all played at (yes, even I did the swings). Next to that was a train yard. I thought Kyle's eyes were going to pop out of his head! We were able to walk right up to them and get some information on the different uses of the different cars. It was like Christmas morning times 5 for my little boy! I didn't think he could get any more excited. Until we went to the zoo later in the week. I'll get those pictures up tomorrow.

Family Photos

In May, the entire Campbell family was finally together after a couple years, in fact. We were able to get family pictures done with everyone and as individual families. They all came out lovely and the ones of the grand kids are especially cute. The woman that came and took them was a true professional! The last time we had a family picture, it was out-of-date in a little less then six weeks, when Katelyn was born. These ones will have been good for a whole year, exactly, until Julie and Tim add to their family! (When I saw these, I started to cry! My family is so beautiful, and then there is me! I know what I'm working on before the next family gathering!)

Water Wars

This is us "helping" Daddy to wash the car. Can't you see what a great job we're doing--on the car? Kyle looks like the car, well, he's got cars on his feet. Does that count?

The kids had a great time squirting each other and Brad did hose them down before we were all done. I think only one water gun survived the afternoon. What can you expect for a buck?

Easy Way

This has been the fastest and simplest way to get all those stains out! Just kidding. We found the kids shutting each other in the dryer and it was just too funny to pass up. We then told them it was very dangerous and not to ever do it again. Kyle even got stuck trying to get out! Daddy had to pull him free. Life's little moments seem really few and far between sometimes. This was a good one.

Back To School

Kyle and Katelyn were super excited to go back to school for the few weeks before it started. They were still excited for the first two or three days. Now, not so much. These pictures are of the first two days of school. Katelyn actually started the day after everyone else, being that she is in Kindergarten. She still HAD to dress up and get her backpack on, just like Kyle, that fist day we took him. She threw quite a fit about it! The picture of her in the blue shirt is her first day, officially. Kyle knew almost every kid in his class, which helped a lot. He has a hard time starting new things. Once he's there--look out! He is doing an awesome job now. Katelyn has learned everyone's name this year, which is great. Last year she just called everybody her "friend" or "the chocolate girl/boy." We had a good laugh over that one, after all the embarrassment. They are both getting much better about how culturally diverse their school is. I wish more children had this opportunity.

Yee Haw!

The kids were so excited to get hats and boots just like Daddy! We found this great western apparel and supply store (I love the smell!) that the kids call the "yee-haw" store. They're pretty funny. Kyle wouldn't take his boots off for days after we got them, it didn't matter what he was wearing that day! Katelyn wanted the pink, rhinestone covered boots, but we just couldn't say yes. I was really, really tempted when she found a matching outfit for them. She tried everything on together and everyone in the store clapped at how pretty she was. Maybe for Christmas.

Bein' Silly

My kids are such camera-hams!

Fishy, Fishy

We've started our first sport as big kids this past summer--swimming! Kyle absolutely loves it. Katelyn is getting more and more comfortable with it every time we go. She won't put her head under the water all at once, only in sections. First one ear at a time, then the chin and mouth to blow bubbles, lastly, her hair goes under by tilting her head back. She's pretty proud of herself. I think she just likes to get to go and play in the pool every week. Meanwhile, Kyle will jump off the diving board alone with no one to spot him if the instructor or I are not paying attention! He would stay under the water for the full 45 minutes if he could. The Lifeguards all know him by name, too. I'm sure that's a good thing, right? Our newest activity keeps all of us busy and out of trouble, the kids worn out, and makes bedtime go much smoother.

Today's Activity

It was such a beautiful day out that we took our project to the back yard this afternoon. I'm not brave enough to carve pumpkins alone with the kids this year so we painted them instead. Kyle "helped" by starting mine for me to finish later. We had a great time making up stories of where our pumpkins came from and why they look the way they do. My kids are so creative! I wonder where they get that from...