Lions and Chettah's...oh my!

We finally made it today to see the new "Predators of the Serengeti" at the zoo. They opened this new exhibit almost a month ago so we were able to avoid the rush by waiting. Both the cheetahs and one of the lions walked right up to the glass, it was so cool. Close to the end of the zoo Ethan decided he wanted to have a tantrum because Mommy said "no" to having more snacks...he had been eating most of the time we were there, but all in all it was a good morning at the zoo and he fell asleep 5 minutes after we started our drive home.


All three boys really liked the ducks.




Ethan really likes the Orangutans. They are always so entertaining every time we are there. He was playing peek-a-boo in the shirt.

Nicole and Peyton.

Cheetah
Lion

Amy & Hunter


Our attempt to get a pictures of all three boys...never happens.

Duck, Duck, Goose...

Yesterday Daddy had to go to work so Mommy and Ethan were watching movies and wasting the day away. Mommy went to change the laundry and came back in her office to find Ethan covered in black pen, face, both arms, both hands and one leg...HA, I did get a picture before trying to scrub off the markings. Note to self...make sure to put all pens back in the child-proof drawer as Ethan can climb anything to get what he wants.


Today we met Amy, Hunter & Vivian (aka Hunter's Grandma Seifert) at Bauman Farms just outside of Woodburn. They have several activities for everyone's enjoyment along with a big market to buy fruit, veggies, fresh pressed apple cider and apple donuts...mmm good! Both Ethan and Hunter had a great time, especially in the petting zoo. They had two new calves, just over a month old, pigs, chickens, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, bunnies and a turkey. Ethan especially liked the pigs and giggled while they were eating and kept saying "nacks yum."








(Thanks for the great hat Aunt Kristina...I was glad to have it today as it was barely 50 degrees)

Afterwards, since we were only a few miles from Salem, Ethan and I went to feed the ducks/geese down the street from Daddy's work. Jeff was really busy trying to get as many things taken care of as possible since he leaves on a business trip tomorrow morning for 3 days, so we didn't get to see him, but we waved HI to his building as we were driving past. I have seen the ducks/geese several times before and have wanted to take Ethan to feed them for quite a while. He had a great time throwing bread for them. After all our bread was gone they all started their walk across the street, a very busy street. It was amazing to see them walk across the steet, all 20+ of them, and all the traffic stop...so cute!

My confession...

Tonight while reading my cousin Stephanie's blog (Thanks Steph) I decided, like her, that if I talked about my issue than I might be able to work on it rather than continue down my current path. I am not going to make any excuses, I got here all by myself. When I was younger I could literally eat anything I wanted without gaining any weight and I never had to exercise, I was always really thin. Now sure, I did activities in school that kept me active, but I have never liked exercising so I never worried too much about it.

First...I am really tired of being overweight. I told my mom as a kid that I was never going to be overweight, and I wasn't for a long time, but WOW have I eaten those words in the last several years.

Second...I have an addiction to TV, and I really like the show "Biggest Loser", however, for the last 8 seasons I have sat my butt on the couch while eating junk food and saying "I really should be working out while watching this". I also really like the new Dr. Oz show and he is a great motivator.

Third...I want to be a better, healthier role model for Ethan. He has already picked up some habits that Jeff and I have had and I want to curb them before they get out of hand.

So tonight I started...I put on my new pair of running shoes and I watched biggest loser while doing my first Couch to 5k workout. From here on out I will be working on changing my Coca-cola habit back into a water habit, exercising regularly and eating healthy foods so that I can be a much happier person with myself and pass those habits onto Ethan.

Wish me luck, it will be a bumpy ride.

This week has been pretty laid back and we are getting ready for fall to begin. This weekend was probably our last warm weekend, with today's top temperature of 85, which will be dropping 20 degrees later this week with rain...so sad to see summer go. Our realtor had an open house today so we spent yesterday cleaning up the yard and house. Ethan had a fun time helping and he was very excited to help carry the weeds to the wheelbarrow. He has learned how to say "fhanks" (thanks) recently and when daddy would give him a weed to put on the pile he would say "fhanks" and then clap afterwards. He has also learned how to do knuckles, which actually is more like fisting the top of your hand, but he gets the idea and claps after he does it as well...quite funny.



Copper has found another soft place for a nap...if only he would sleep with Ethan at night and then Jeff and I could have a good night sleep.

Race for the Cure

Jeff, Ethan and I, along with 40,000+ others walked in the Race for the Cure today. It was definitely the slowest 5k (3.5 miles) we have ever walked, but for a great cause. I had planned to walk with a few friends, however, it didn't work out so I asked Jeff to go with me. He was really not interested but went along anyways and when we went to sign him and Ethan up and pick up their t-shirts yesterday he asked me "what have you gotten me into?"

Oaks Park

This morning Ethan and I met our friends at Oak Amusement Park, a small amusement park in Portland, where kids 6 and under can ride the kid rides at a slower pace on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings during the summer. This was my first time there as well. Ethan and Peyton had a great time and rode all the rides but Hunter was not interested. They really liked the airplane, motorcycle and car rides. Ethan has no fear of the rides but he was scared by the guy dressed up in a squirrel outfit.

Our attempt to get all three boys to look at the camera at the same time, always a failure.


Hunter waited patiently while Ethan and Peyton rode the carousel.

all about I.

I am frustrated with my lack of motivation to work out.

I think life is what you make of it.

I have an addiction to sweets.

I wish i had more patience.

I hate being late.

I miss deep sleep.

I fear being alone.

I hear the fan, Ethan playing and my ipod playing Lady Antebellum.

I smell my pound cake baking for Ben's b-day party.

I crave a thinner, healthier body.

I search for additional work.

I wonder if I will get a second call back.

I regret very little, as it is what helps me grow as a person.

I love my family.

I ache for the families that lost loved ones on 9/11 and in the war that followed.

I am not the best at communicating.

I believe in God.

I dance whenever I hear a beat.

I sing along with every song.

I cry when I am really frustrated.

I fight for the things I cherish.

I win on occasion.

I lose sleep when I can't get my brain to turn off.

I never should say never.

I always mistype receive wrong.

I confuse many things.

I listen to music or the TV constantly during the day.

I can organize well.

I am scared spiders and mice...I know it is completely stupid.

I need to get my butt in gear, literally.

I am happy that we get to go home for Christmas.

I imagine having our house sell soon and moving somewhere closer to Jeff's work so that we have more time together.

I tag everyone.

Playdoh with Daddy

With a great rainy start to our three day weekend, we decided to playdoh with Ethan. He finally figured out what to do after only trying to eat it once, and liked making cutouts with Daddy. Copper also thought it was food and waited so patiently hoping Ethan would drop some for him to eat.

Hand-me-downs

We have been very fortunate and are so very thankful for Kit, Melinda and Thomas and all the hand-me-downs that they have given us for Ethan over the past 2+ years. Once again Kit brought us over 4 bags of 3T clothes, 4 pair of shoes and 2 bags full of pull-ups so Ethan will have a new wardrobe just in time for fall/winter.


Ethan was very excited and wanted to try on his new shoes.