A Day at the Zoo

My friend Alisa asked if we wanted to go to the zoo for the final day of Spring Break.  The weather the day before was so beautiful that I just couldn't pass up another chance to get out in it!  It turned out to be a gorgeous 80 degrees!  This was Hudson's first time at the zoo and he loved it!  It is so nice having Ed and Alisa here from Utah.  It's like having family around and makes holidays and school breaks seem less lonely.

We're happy to report the polar bear is still swimming her laps over and over again.

The gorilla/ape creature thing was right up against the window looking at everyone.  So cool!

The Bradley boys and Moellmer girls!

This little guy was such a champ despite only having napped for 5 minutes in the car.  He just took it all in.

I was giving him Ritz crackers and when I looked down he was fascinated by smashing them on his tray and into his cup holder.  Little stinker!

The camels were kissing and when that top one started lowering himself down...it was time to leave ASAP!

Like walking around for 4 hours wasn't enough exercise!

My little hatchling

I think my boys had more fun climbing in, on, around, under things than they did seeing the animals.  And I'm perfectly all right with that!

I had to call loudly to our little friend Jane (4) from upstairs before she bolted out the door downstairs.  These macaws started in right after me and it got really loud!  Everyone in the building knew it was me, I was so embarrassed! Haha

Loves of my LIFE!!!

He's started posing all thug like lately. Cracks me up!

And this one with his ninja moves.

Centennial Celebration

As the wolf den leader, I had the privilege of attending an all day scout camp to celebrate 100 years of scouting in the church.  The forecast for the day was rainy and cold not to mention the snow had been melting and there would be mud! The week leading up to it, I became hyper-focused on finding the right pair of boots to keep me warm and dry.  I found a pair of snowboots on clearance for Marshall and had them overnighted.  I finally ended up with a pair of rain boots from Target for me that did the trick.  They weren't the most comfortable, but I was happy not to ruin a pair of tennis shoes and get my pant legs wet!!  Ah, the things I stress about!

While I was having anxiety over footwear, Marshall was most concerned about the BB Guns he knew would be there.

He calmed down when he learned it wouldn't be a free for all.

He actually quite enjoyed it!

Trying to hit pie tins with dog food in the sling shots.

Listening to some bit about recycling.  I think they were all happy to sit down for a minute.

These things were really fun. I'm going to have to find some for my boys.

Poor Jeremy, I think the weight distribution was a little unfair.  Marshall is probably the tallest of the pack and Jeremy the smallest.  :/

Jeremy held his own!  I think in the strength department they matched well.  HA!

Here they practiced raising, lowering, and folding the flag.  It was pretty much the quietest time that day.

And the craziest.  The boys were determined to kick as much of the remaining snow at each other as possible.

Trying to gather the troops for a picture

At the crafts center they made silly putty at the direction of our very own Brother Grady.  Tiffany would be so proud of her husband volunteering for crafts!

 It rained off and on all day.  By about 2:30 the boys leaders were getting tired and started talking about heading out.  The Heavens heard us and let down a torrential down pour complete with thunder and supposedly lightening.  We booked it back to the pavilion where we waited for the buses to take us back to the cars.  It was a long, fun day.  For the most part we all stayed dry and not too muddy.  I was glad I got to share in Marshall's first day camp type experience.

When we got home John let me take a nap (did I mention I had to get up at 5:30?) and then took us out to dinner.  Bless him!!

Blue and Gold

Marshall's first award ceremony was the Blue & Gold Party.  It was a fun night.  The den leaders (and their wives) and the primary planned the activities and the kids had so much fun.

Marshall got to post the colors for the flag ceremony.

He earned his first patch, the Bobcat.  It's tradition to put it on upside down, while Dad holds him upside down.  He then has to do a good turn (from the Cub Scout's "Do a Good Turn Daily") before he can turn the patch right side up.

Um, I love that moms get recognized too!  Marshall pinned my bobcat pin on.

I was in charge of the craft.  The cubs made a scout out of pipe cleaners and pony beads while the siblings made their own person.

One of the games was having to knock over a row of water bottles with a ball at the end of panty hose on your head.  Coen did really well!

Getting instructions for the next game.

They had to pop each others balloons while trying not to let theirs get popped.

Coen was the only male sibling that night.  It was so fun watching him get chased by all the girls during the balloon pop.   

A couple of them are friends of his from his CTR 4 class like this little girl, Kate.  She is the cutest!  I used to have her in nursery.

A classic stacking cup contest.

Marshall's turn at knocking over the water bottles.