Just one more minute

Life is crazy busy, maybe more crazy than busy. Crazy to the point of being overwhelming enough to feel much too busy to me! We have way too many things up in the air at the moment, and this state of limbo has lasted much too long and is wearing on us. But life marches on and our girls are growing and bring us some trouble and much joy! I am up way too late and should totally go to bed, but just wanted to post a couple recent pictures of my cute growing girls for my grandma and theirs to see! I'm sorry I haven't been blogging more often. Will try to do more soon - in the meantime - love from CA!

Showing off their new & beloved animals (stuffed parrot & meerkat) at the Zoo

They love to match - we'll see how long that lasts!

Trying out ponytails

'Safari Park'

It's going to take some time for me to get used to that name. Not sure why they felt they needed that change... 'Wild Animal Park' sounds more fun to me! Anyway, it's still a sweet place to go. Here's some fun pictures from our most recent visit:

Mike's favorite way to spend 25 cents...actually I take that back - he probably loves to feed the ducks even more :)

It's always fun to remember how little Lily was 'the last time we were at this spot', or see what things she's willing to do now that she wouldn't before. She was quite brave this time at the petting zoo. She was so excited to feed the animals she kept doing this cute little hop. Tried to get it on video - will post it later..

Monkeying Around

So yesterday since Mike had no job lined up we decided to make a day of it at the zoo. We got there in the afternoon and just took it easy - the major perk to having an annual pass. We had such a good time. First we rode the Skyfari - Lily's first time and one of my favorite things about the zoo!

Then we spent some time in the Children's Zoo and climbed all over everything Lily wanted to climb on. Mike even went up in the playground equipment with her so she could slide down the slide because she would never have gotten through that mob of kids on her own!

It was such a nice day not too hot with the loveliest breezes. I love San Diego weather!

The main thing we came to see was the monkeys! Lily wanted to see the monkeys -- and they are Mike's favorite too. This orangutan was so fun to watch. When we first got there he was drinking water from a leaf he kept dipping into a pool in a rock, but later he came out and came right along the glass wall saying hi to everyone. He was a real crowd pleaser. He even threw a twig out of the enclosure to us which a little boy quickly grabbed and tossed back over the high wall.

Mike thinks the monkeys are smarter than we give them credit for and was pondering how nice it would be to just live out in nature swinging in trees rather than trying to build houses and always be striving to 'get ahead.' Maybe, but I still think I'd rather be me than a monkey.

Love My Family

Our valentine's celebration this year was a family affair. We felt like getting out and doing something Lily would enjoy too. So what if our evening included a leaky diaper episode. After all, we love our little girl, too - a ton! Went to the Zoo and then had dinner at the Corvette Diner. Lily was so cute boppin' along with the 'Corvette dancers' - the waiters and waitresses all dance along when they play a particular song - and you could tell Lily wanted to join in by her rapt gaze and occasional bursts of highchair dancing. While we waited to be seated we checked out the arcade. Love that she's at the age where it's still a blast just pretending to play the games. Very fun place - very packed! Food was great.

We didn't spend a lot of time at the Zoo, because Mike had to work that day too. We only got there an hour before close, but that's what an annual pass is good for. I, for one, can only spend so much time on my feet looking at stuff anyway - be it animals or art. We definitely go at different paces on our own. Mike is a total art examiner at museums, at least art he likes, and loves animals more than me too - I mean, more than I do! Ha! Almost didn't catch that grammatical slip - I know Mike loves me more :) Anyway, as I was saying... The best part of the Zoo experience for me is watching Lily. She loves animals...at least the cartoons and photos of them in books, and the turtles, rabbits and puppies at the pet store in the mall. She loves going to the Zoo too. It's fun to see her get excited and watch her reactions to what the real life-size animals are like. I think we saw more animals in that hour than we did at our last trip to the Wild Animal Park. I definitely enjoy the Zoo more - free parking, free ride for Zoo members on the skyfari (or whatever they call that - my favorite!) and more animals to see with less walking. Each place has it's high points, but the Zoo wins for me - especially to entertain small children. 

We mostly weren't thinking about taking pictures, and the ones we got aren't stunning, but here are a few anyway!

 

(Thanks to the nice Zoo guy who took this for us before kindly, but firmly kicking us out!)

 

  

(A little love for Lamby, too. Lily was so happy to have him join her for the drive home.)

Hope everyone else had a lovely Valentine's!!! 

Saturday

Saturday found us at the Wild Animal Park. We almost didn't make it, what with errands and a little girl in desperate need of a nap. Instead of getting there early (as originally planned) Lily fell asleep in the car after our run around town, so we headed home and all rested and then went in the afternoon. My sister and her family met up with us there and we enjoyed the lovely San Diego winter. It was too seriously too hot for long sleeves.

Lily and I...both smiling...not blurry...miracle.

Miss grumpy face with her Dad.

 

Love this little prim pose. Maybe holding her own hand gave her comfort? She was definitely nervous in the petting zoo.

 

  

 

Can't believe how big she is getting. Almost 18 months old. Lily had a blast just running around, especially when we met up with her cousin Isaac. She could care less about wild animals, unless you mean her cousins and other little kids - they're way more interesting. Honestly, I have to agree.

The good life. Riding in style with my buddy by my side.

 

Gotta include adorable miss Audrey. Lily's littlest cousin, can't believe only a year ago Lily was this age!

 

Gorgeous sunset.

 

Pretending to sleep on the way home. Fun times.