Utah's Hogle Zoo

Last week Shelley and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. We grabbed Abby and had her took her with us too. At first I was thinking we were crazy taking 5 kids to the zoo, with just the 2 of us. It was so much fun though, and the kids were so good. We pulled Landon and Carter in the wagon, and attached their monkey leashes to them so they could get in and out of the wagon and I could still keep track of them. Ethan rode in the umbrella stroller, Livvy walked with Abby (who we also put a little leash on) and it was great!

All the kids loved seeing all the animals, and watching them walk around. They loved looking in the smaller exhibits to see if there was really something in there. Their surprised faces were so cute when they saw the animals. I loved it! They especially loved the giraffes. There was a baby one there, and the mama of it came right up close to us on the second floor of their exhibit. It was sweet! Landon and Carter thought it was hilarious standing in front of the gorilla to see how you measure up. It was so funny watching them holding out their arms.

We took all the kids on the new carousel, which Carter wasn't particularly fond of at first, he cried, but then warmed up towards the end of our ride. The last thing we did was ride the train. I couldn't believe how short it was, but it turned out to be perfect. By the time we got off all the kids were ready to go and so were we. It wasn't until that time that anyone had a melt down. We no more than pulled out of the parking lot and Carter was asleep. He was completely exhausted. Poor Carter! I stopped at Wendy's and got lunch for all of us and just after pulling out of there Landon was asleep too.

I realized through all this, that I should have a little more faith in myself and in my kids. I am always so afraid to take them anywhere for fear of them running off or having fits, and this just proved to me that it's possible.

Thanks Shelley for pushing me to do this with you. We had a great time.

Our Pictures

Breaking Dawn. . . I LOVED IT!

So last weekend, I was completely no help to my family. Luckily my darling husband realized that I would be this way and prepared himself for it... for the most part. All because I had my nose and mind completely stuck in BREAKING DAWN!!



**Spoiler Alert**

I have to admit, it was nothing that I expected. A baby??? WHAT??? I never saw that coming. I guess I should admit, I had thought about her missing out on such an amazing experience in life, but I never could have dreamed that Bella could have a baby with Edward. I am however happy that she did. What an amazing experience for them both!

I at first wasn't so thrilled about reading from Jacob's POV and really wanted to skip over it, but I am so glad that I didn't. For me, not having been a fan of Jacob in the other books, reading his thoughts and feelings gave me a whole new feeling about him. I am so glad that Stephanie did that. I feel like I have a better understanding of him and I actually am ok with him now. Though... I still have a hard time with him imprinting on Renesme. That was a little much to take in, but I can see how it made things in the long run easier for Bella.

In the end, I was really wanting an epic battle, and was a little disappointed about that. Stephanie took a lot of time explaining a lot of the other details, that I feel like she ran out of pages and couldn't give us the big dramatic ending I was hoping for. Though, I am SO HAPPY that no one (important) had to die defending their family. I sobbed when Alice left and I sobbed when she came back, and I cried the hardest when Bella gave Renesme to Jacob and said her goodbyes. I couldn't even see the pages, and even now just writing this has me in tears again thinking about it.

I am so impressed with and loved this book. I overall am so happy with the outcome, and I can not wait to read it again. I know there are so many details that I missed reading it through the first time, and I'm sure that I'll enjoy it even more the 2nd and 3rd, and 4th... times too. Thank you Stephenie Meyers for such an amazing series. I love these books and it has me reading again, which I never thought would happen. These books are my fairytale world that give me a break from reality and keep me sane.