Friday, May 24, 2013

First time at the Zoo

My parents were here 5 nights and 4 full days. With Bentlee's party in the middle of their trip, we didn't have time to do anything extravagant, so at the top of my "to do" list was the the zoo. Since we live so far from Nana and Papa, I thought it would be fun for them to experience one of Bentlee's "firsts". And since she loves animals, I knew Bentlee would have a blast. Luckily Kyle was able to get out of work early on Friday, which was the nicest day while they were here. Sunny and perfect!

Some of our favorite cousins joined us!

This video doesn't at all show her enthusiasm, but as expected, every animal we saw was "Di".




My favorite animal is the monkey, but I'm still not sure how I feel about these creatures. They are so human-like it freaks me out.
I'm pretty sure we were boring them.
Or they just hated us...

She also got her first taste (+10) of a sucker at the zoo

Brynlee and Bentlee



Bentlee and my parents were having a moment and I'm so glad I captured it!
Love these pictures of them!




Brynlee fell asleep eating her sucker and it was just about the cutest thing ever

My mom and I are both fascinated by giraffes. Around the time that I painted her nursery, I decided Bentlee has to love them too!


Are they not the coolest creatures? I'm going to look back someday and roll my eyes at all these pictures, but I couldn't resist.
My handsome hubby
My two favorite pictures...






After about 20 minutes of us gawking at them, they all got together as if they were posing. I'm pretty sure they were making fun and laughing at us. Like, "Here ya go, here's a family portrait for ya." Or, "Here, take a picture, it lasts longer. Or take 2,000. Maybe if we get together and pose you all will go away."
My mom loves taking her granddaughters on the carousel. This was Bentlee's first time and she didn't hate it, but let's just say she would not have been game for a second round. :) 
The giraffe was kinda big so they switched to the cheetah....err....leopard? 



I have a hunch that my parent's favorite part of the zoo was walking out with this cuddly, sleeping baby


Who needs a blankie when you have Nana's arm?

I finally figured out collages (thanks Meg!) but some pictures just need their own space, ya know? :)


Easter with the Wardell's and Wiggins

Our Haskell get-together was on Saturday this year which meant we were able to spend Easter Sunday with the Wiggins and Wardell's, which was fun as always. Kyle usually gets whisked away by the boys to play ping pong or something boy-y while the girls chat it up.....and chase babies.


Once we took her outside, she couldn't let it go.

Her "Sunday crawl" will never get old. I'll be sad once she starts walking.
Even with lots of kids and babies around, they are all sure to be doted on.
Bentlee and Jamie










Easter with the Haskell's

Yep. I'm that behind.

I never got around to taking Bentlee outside in her Easter dress, so these pictures are the best I have. Still cute, yes??





Her knees always get caught on her dresses, but that doesn't stop her from crawling around




Easter was super fun at the Haskell house, as always. Grandma Max went above and beyond and had an awesome Easter Egg hunt for the kids. For the babies, she spread a blanket on the ground and filled it with toys and yummy baby treats. Bentlee even found a $2 bill in one of the eggs, and wouldn't let it go. She knows. 









I've been feeling so blessed lately with all that I have, and my amazing in-laws (all 23 of them) are one of the many reasons why.