The Wild, Wild West

Kyle had a four day weekend this past weekend, so after Tanner and Haylee's appointments with the doctor on Thursday, we headed to the west side. We'd promised the boys that we'd take them to the beach and the zoo and we finally had time. It was a wildly busy weekend, but it was also a wildly good time.

On Friday we trekked out to Wesport. The weather was less than delightful, but what else is new on Washington's coast? We let the boys drive on the beach. That was a hit......almost as big of a hit as honking the horn. Whatever. Anyway, the boys were only out for a little while because it was so windy/rainy and cold. Tanner hated it. He seemed horrified, so he just sat in the driver's seat while Hunter walked around with Daddy. Hunter found a sand dollar with Daddy's help and then Kyle found one for Tanner too. This seemed to be just as exciting as when Hunter finds new rocks, so that's good. Anyway, not the delightful time playing in the sand that I'd imagined, but we had fun anyway. Haylee seemed content to sit in her car seat in the car, so luckily she was too young to know the difference.

Hunter driving the Durango. He's actually pretty good. Tanner tried to kill us by driving us into the ocean.

Tanner as the passenger.....away from the horn.:)How cute is he?Tanner crying hysterically and running for his life back to the car.Tanner and Mommy.Hunter and Daddy looking for shells.Proud Hunter with his sand dollar.Haylee.....out of her car seat to eat. And yes, she's wearing camo pants.....don't say anything.

Saturday morning we headed up to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. We spent the entire day there with my little brother Joey, his wife Sarah, and their little girl, Kennady. My older brother, Matt, showed up about halfway through the day after he got off work. The boys were in heaven. They love their Uncles. Side note: Tanner is convinced that Matt is Joey and Joey is Matt. He seriously gives us this look of confusion any time we call them by their correct names. Not sure how that happened, but it's funny.

Anyway, we covered the entire zoo.....I think in about 7 1/2 hours. I know, we're die hards. All of the kids passed out on the way home (thank goodness cause they were getting whiny). It was totally fun though. Our kids are big animal fans, so they loved every second of it. Hunter swears that the zebras were his favorite (even though he seemed obsessive over the elk) and Tanner says he loved the elephants (even though he was horrified they were going to eat him). Haylee was just happy to be outside all day in her stroller or carrier. The little angel did poop 5 times at the zoo, so maybe all that fresh air is good for her digestive tract. Kyle probably loved the zoo 100 times more than the kids. He was wearing his binoculars and staring at everything in a sick sort of delight. He said he could spend days there. What is this, Disneyland? That's one thing Kyle and I don't share......a love for animals. We only own a dog in the spirit of compromise and I'm horrified of anything that moves, except people. That's why I like the zoo. Everything's contained and can't touch me. Anyway, on a positive note, they sell cotton candy there, so who can't have fun in a place like that?

Hunter and Tanner peeking at the hippos.Hunter, Tanner, & Kennady by the lion. Tanner thought this guy was going to eat him.Happy Haylee.My monkeys.Haylee and Mommy.The boys and their Uncle Matt.By the bears and the fish. Down by the elk.The gorillas are so cool.....probably my favorite.Kennady and Tanner looking at the fish. I love this one cause Tanner's peeking over the water line at the bear that was sleeping back there.Hunter and Uncle Joey.Oh my! Is it a picture of Kyle and I?! And yes, I AM always wearing a hat, thank you for asking. You would too if you were as bald as me.

We stayed at my parents' house and for two of the nights Kyle and the boys stayed out in our tent in the backyard. I thought the first night's hysterics would put an end to our camping career, but by the second night they loved it. It rained, of course, so a big thanks to Columbia and their extra stellar rain flies.:) Haylee and I slept in the house.....where it was warm and soft.....and I can truthfully say that I have no regrets there. Bwa ha ha. It was great to see my parents and my siblings. Well, three of the seven anyway. I love my family.

Hunter, Kennady, and Tanner playing in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Grandma w four of her five grandkids (Hunter, Kennady, Tanner, & Haylee.....we miss you, Evan!)

Anyway, it was a busy weekend, but a much needed mini-vacation. It was great to get away and have some fun with the kids.