Zoo in the Winter

We went to the zoo the other day and were pleasantly surprised at how active and happy the animals seemed to see us. We had a great time visiting the orangutans - there was one named Bella that was especially interested in Brian. When we walked in she looked at Brian and grabbed her chin and stroked it like grabbing a beard. Then later Brian showed her his iphone and some special app and she then proceeded to try and kiss him through the window. Oh my.

Unfortunately, Bella had no interest in me.

Bella falling for Brian's iphone.

Awwwwww.....

I think she is trying to reach for Eli's digger here. That tricky window.

Okay, then this bird jumped down and started doing this dance in front of Brian..... Brian said it was his blue shirt. Hummmm.

Eli Finds a Spider

Arrrrrr!

Eli and Otto recently got a big surprise in the mail from Grandma Kay and Grandpa Dave. It has led to lots of pirate fighting and merry singing fun! Here is Eli sharing a song.... arrrrrr!!

Balloons!

Eli has had a fascination with balloons these days, so I decided to figure out how to make some balloon animals. It has been fun, but we have been flying through the balloons because Eli likes to pop them as much if not more than seeing them blown up and made into things.

Brian made this balloon hat and Eli put it on him.

Eli with his fancy balloon hat.

It is a giraffe... can you tell?

Otto Learning Words

Recently I have started working more with Otto helping him with saying/pronouncing words. He is starting to show more interest in learning them lately. Today he said his name for the first time clearly! This video is from a couple days ago, we were going over a picture book together. I am pretty sure that his favorite part is growling and making noises... which is super cute! even for this mama who really wants him to start saying more words.

Otto says his name!

Snowman!

We had Eli's friend, Dorothy, over the other day to build a snowman!!! It was a bit chilly, so we built it fast and then went in for some chocolate milk and Curious George.

Ocean Creatures

We have had some chilly snowy days here lately, so Eli and I have been busy with a few art projects indoors. This one here is of ocean creatures. I drew the creatures and Eli painted them with watercolors. Then he put glue and glitter on each of them.

Eli Sharing His Thoughts

We have had sooo much snow here in Louisville these past couple weeks. Eli is not that happy about it, he loves to dig for worms and centipedes and this cold weather drives them deep into the dirt.

I am not sure why, but my videos have been processing strangely lately, but I am pretty sure it still works.

Valentines....

Valentines weekend was super lovely.... it started with a double date for me and Brian with our friends Eric and Danielle- such a rare treat!!! - I do wonder though if a double date on Valentines weekend means that we are now an old married couple..... well, it was super fun and we are so thankful for the ability to get out with friends and for kind friends who will watch our children.

Thank you too to everyone for all the Valentine cards and treats for the kids! It is always super special for them to get surprises in the mail from loved ones!

Brian got me an orchid for my orchid collection... beautiful!

"art food" as Brian calls it....

since we had a baby sitter we couldn't go home right away! so we went out for drinks...

Brian made Eli a special treat at the coffee shop... hummm wonder what it is?

Otto with his first soft carmel chocolate candy... it ended up everywhere but in his mouth. I spared you and me that picture.

We went out shopping on Valentines day and the kids fell asleep in the car.... had to capture these cute resting sweeties...

A few more favorites...

I had a lot of pictures to choose from the trip to Cozumel, so here are a few of my favorites.... in no particular order.

Eli the warrior....

We found so many interesting bugs.

The pirate boat that showed up every evening outside our condo, Eli loved it.

Yum...

We did a lot of relaxing and enjoying morning coffee.

I could stare and stand in the the ocean all day.

The crocs live in the brackish waters- here a man is feeding the croc chicken.

The brackish waters and the ocean

I just love this cute pic of little Otto.

Otto with his finger in his belly button, one of his favorite things to do....

Eli was sick the last couple days, but he got lots of cuddles! and we kept going.

Poor Eli.

Treasure Hunting!

We enjoyed hunting for all sorts of treasure on the beach- shells, coral skeletons, beach glass, crabs..... Brian of course spent every moment he could snorkeling. Cozumel is surrounded by a large coral reef, so just about anywhere you go in the water you will find some coral and fish!