Hogle Zoo

I sure do love the unexpected and serendipitous things that break up the routine. And that is why I was able to keep up a good attitude all morning on Wednesday through several "hiccups" in our morning, because it was free zoo day. I was so excited.

I tried to do a "quick" activity time with Charlotte in the morning and we worked for about fifteen minutes on a tiny bead project that was ready to iron right as it was time to get ready to go. I carefully carried it upstairs, laid it down on the ironing board, and then right as I went to plug in the iron, I bumped it and knocked all of those tiny beads onto the floor. I was devastated. Charlotte was so patient and started to pick them up, one by one, and place them back on her template. As I got dressed, I helped her put most of them back and once it was almost done, for the second time, Edison crawled into the room and knocked it off the ironing board again. That's when we let it go. But it was all okay, because David was taking off work and we were going to the zoo. On a Wednesday, which was even cooler.

 

On the drive, I accidentally spilled my chocolate protein shake all over my jeans. And I mean ALL OVER. I was in shock. But it was zoo day. We stopped at a gas station and I rinsed and rinsed, trying to smile at other women, reassuring them quickly, "It's just protein shake." 

When we arrived at the zoo, I realized that someone else was having a rougher morning that me...this poor mother of three had a flat tire in the parking lot so my handsome husband changed it for her.

And then we enjoyed the zoo!

My favorite part was seeing Eloise's face since she was just a baby last time we came. She loved it all, especially the seals.

This sweet little Hazel Jayne. She was so excited to be there that she'd almost burst into tears when she was afraid we were going to miss seeing one of the animals. We had to tell her a few times that we'd get to see them all.

Ellie's first time seeing a giraffe. One of my favorite parts of the zoo. They are so peaceful.

And stinky.

The only hat I could find on our way out the door was his turkey leg hat from Halloween.

What a good day.

My Funny Valentine

These are Edison's 11 month pictures, a little late. 

He turned eleven months on Feb 14th, so I had him hold a big red heart for me.

Almost one year old. I love this sweet boy.

Phippsite Nite and Farewell to Lizzy

Phippsite night has become a hit in our household. Tonight the girls were the daughters of the Lamanites dancing near the waters (our trampoline) and David was the wicked priest(s), who carried them away.

Eloise now poses for pictures. And this is what it looks like.

That's better.

And farewell to Lizzy, our little lizard that was the best (and easiest) pet ever. Hazel caught her at my mom's cabin down in Cedar, we lost her in our van for a few minutes, but recovered her and she became part of our family for almost two years. We buried her in our backyard and Hazel puts flowers on her grave whenever she goes outside.
RIP Lizzy Lizard.

A trip to Dallas

This little baby boy and I got to take off for Dallas to spend the weekend with my best friend, Janelle Willis and her cute family. She just had her third baby and turned 30, so for her birthday gift her husband flew me out for a girls' weekend.

I must say it was so nice to only be in charge of one child! I tried to earn my keep by cleaning and helping out as much as possible, but is sure was wonderful to sleep in while Edison played in his pack-n-play and take time to do my hair, slowly. I enjoyed every day of this trip!

It's amazing how you can pick up where you left off with your dearest friends. Even though we are both now thirty, and have SEVEN kids between the two of us, some things are just the same...

This new toothbrush was Edison's favorite toy the entire trip.

 We also had the chance to meet up with Angela who was one of our sophomore roommates. It was so nice to be together again and catch up. AND we got manicures and pedicures.

I enjoyed Janelle's littles while I was there--Jack, Lily, and this brand new one, Elle.

I must say that after four days away, I was excited to come home. This lovely note was waiting for me from my sweet Hazel.

Thanks to Janelle and Keith for a fantastic trip!

My Sweet Valentines

 

For our SEVENTH anniversary, we spent a fun weekend with some of our very best friends, the DeGraff's at the Zermott in Midway.  This was our first time without Edison and we got to sleep in! What a luxury. We enjoyed the hot tub outside until literally twenty 16 year old boys jumped in with us. Then we played games and sipped on four-years expired sparkling cider that had the most negative effect on poor Lisa. My favorite quote from her that night:

"You know, it smells really bad but it actually tastes really good."

 The next day David and I went to the shops along Main St. in Park City and just enjoyed being together, kid-free. Didn't spend a dime except on some fabulous fudge and a caramel apple at this yummy sweet shoppe. It was a wonderful (and cold) day.

 We've started teaching about family history since our goal is to have a family name ready for the temple by mid-March. This is a matching game that Vicki made for us for Christmas that has short stories about members of the Phipps' family.

 This sweet baby wasn't put to bed on time obviously and crashed right here on the kitchen floor while holding on to a toothbrush (his favorite thing).

 Lottie brought butterfly Valentines to Joy School. Cutie Tootie. Hazel said that her classmates loved her stellar constellation tubes.

 We love celebrating holidays in our home. We had some simple decorations, heart-shaped french toast and a small surprise for everyone. 

 We have this great tradition of surprising Gram on Valentine's Day. Because Charlotte had thrown up the night before and we were getting on the road that afternoon, Vicki came to us this year. We surprised her with all three girls under a sheet saying, "Booooo!" with a sign that said, "Life would be SCARY without Gram."

  And then we abandoned David, who had just broken his foot on Tuesday night at church basketball, to head down to my mom's for a nice little getaway.

 Got our hair cut....

 Went swimming at a nice indoor pool.

 Oh my goodness, we are so blessed.

 Fed the cows...

 Summer and Daniel came down from Provo and visited with us.

 

 This girl. She found a pink cowboy hat, a prairie dog that Bradley had bought for target practice and an empty jelly belly jar, and she was good to go.

Happy Valentines!