Blogging Mama

 I'm grateful to be among the many blogging mamas out there who have series of photos just like this where a photo op was apparent like two cute cousins holding hands on their own...  

 ...and then another child jumped on the line...

...so then we just HAVE to encourage that fourth child to join them, too, because we're blogging mamas, and we know pics like this will be added to the blog, right? ;) Come on, don't tell me, I'm the only one guilty of trying to pose my kids! haha

What are YOU grateful for?

Hogle Zoo

I'm grateful for the Hogle Zoo. I know I'm going to miss living so close to it when we move to Davis County in a few weeks.  One year we had an annual family pass and went at least once a week, and others years, we went the 3 or 4 times it was free that winter. 

 This trip was especially fun because it was the baby's first real experience where she got genuinely excited about the animals.  We all loved watching her reactions.

What are YOU grateful for?

Playground at the Zoo

I'm grateful for the playground at the zoo.  It keeps the kids happy and busy while we're waiting for friends to arrive to see the animals or sometimes after we've seen the animals. There are some unique playground pieces at the zoo. I mean, where else can you find a huge, hideous spider THIS big? :)

 What are YOU grateful for?

Monkeys at the Zoo

I'm grateful for the monkeys at the zoo, especially the kind they let you take home like these two funny monkeys. :)  We always look forward to the last Wednesday of the month in the winter months where we can all attend for FREE. This time, our cousin, Gina, joined us again with some of her friends. It was fun to watch Gina's little boy chase my son around and copy his every move. Monkey see, monkey do, right?

What are YOU grateful for?

Visit from Miss Elizabeth

I'm grateful for our visit from Elizabeth Munson, or as the kids call her, Miss Elizabeth. We hadn't seen her in years since she's moved to the East coast, so it was an extra special reunion when she came to town a few weeks ago.  Forever ago, she and Stephanie LeVeque lived in our downstairs apartment for over a year, and they both became dear friends to our children and to me. When Wade would work late, I often hung out with them like I was one of their roommates. Good times. I love these girls. When Liz moved back East to nanny for some families, I gave her high recommendations since she was always so good to my children, as our regular babysitter. The kids often ask about her and Stephanie, who I'll have to do another post about when she returns from Spain soon. Yay!

What are YOU grateful for?

Our Own Playground

 I'm grateful for our own playground. It's such a blessing to have a fun and simple playground in our backyard that the kids can play on any time of day when we don't have time for a trip to the park.  Our little girl is loving this warm springtime weather because we spend HOURS everyday playing in the backyard.  The big kids aren't in these pics because they've been spending more time riding bikes constantly in our backyard, which I'll save for another post. :)

What are YOU grateful for?

Barefoot in the Grass

I'm grateful whenever I get the chance to walk barefoot in the grass.  Our little one was giddy with the feeling of taking her shoes off at the park and running around barefoot. So I followed suit. Doing so reminded me of when I was a child spending hours everyday playing in the backyard, hardly EVER wearing shoes.  With the hot Southern Utah sun, it felt especially refreshing to walk, run, and let's be honest since I was a kid, SKIP, through that cool grass, all those years ago.

What are YOU grateful for?