Zoo Babies

Last week Aaron was gone all week. We were getting a little stir crazy, so to get out of the house I took my kids to see all the new arrivals at the Hogle Zoo.

Lindsey loves, loves loves Giraffe's so we just had to go see the new baby giraffe.

The baby elephant was adorable!The baby is hidden a little by the pole in the picture.This is the baby alligator. I haven't been into the reptile house for years. It was actually pretty cool inside. I loved the giant tortoises. We've been missing out by skipping it every time.There were also baby tigers, baby monkeys and more that I didn't take pictures of. This was a good year to get a zoo membership. So much fun to see all the little baby animals.

Lake Tahoe / Taylor Creek

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places. I love it there. I only wish we were there when it was warmer so that we could play in it. We will have to go back again sometime soon.Whitney took this picture of Aaron and me. Pretty good for an 8 year old.

At Lake Tahoe we went to the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. There are two weeks out of every year that is Salmon spawning season. We just happen to be there during those two weeks. Hundreds of these Salmon turn bright red, then swim up this creek from the Lake. They lay their eggs and then die. There will probably never be an opportunity when we can see something like this again. It was way cool. There are two hikes that you can take from the Visitor's Center, one goes along the creek and then ends up in this observatory where you can see under the river. The Salmon don't come up stream this far, but there were a lot of other fish to see there. The other hike takes you out to the Lake.

San Francisco

The kids loved the sea lions. They were all barking like sea lions the rest of the day.

We went down Lombard Street - the crookedest street in the world. I didn't get good pictures of this street because my camera would not cooperate. First I was out of batteries, then it was on movie mode, then my memory card was full. I guess I was not supposed to be taking pictures on this street! Golden Gate Bridge - we went across just so that we could say that we did. :)

Fairytale Town

This is a great little place in Sacramento. It is basically a giant playground. The kids love it because they can climb on everything. There were live animals there as well. (Peter Cottontail, three billy goats, three little pigs, Mary's sheep etc). King Arther's Castle

Mother GooseFarmer Brown's Barn and the Little Red Hen House Owl's HouseJake and Jill's HillCinderella's Pumpkin Carriage Old Lady who lived in a shoeThe cheese stands aloneThe Tortoise and the Hare

Sacramento Temple

On Sunday after we got rid of Katie and Ben, we drove over to the Sacramento Temple and walked around. The temple and the grounds are beautiful. If it wasn't for the fact that it was flamin hot outside, we could have stayed for hours. It is hard to believe that a week ago we were melting in 102 degree temps and today it snowed at my house. Gotta love fall.

We saw tons of these birds. We are guessing that they are wild turkeys.

Look at the size of that flower. It was huge!

Playing in the fountain was a popular choice among the kids.

Baby Boston

We recently drove to California to visit Aaron's sister Katie and Ben and Kiara. A few weeks before we decided to go out there, they were chosen by a birthmom to adopt her baby. The baby was due Oct. 4th. We were going to be there the week before that. We were hoping that the timing would work out right so that we could be of help to Katie to watch Kiara. The timing couldn't have worked out better. We got there Saturday night. Katie got a text message Sunday morning that the birthmom was in labor. After a frantic morning of trying to get Ben home from a business trip in Seattle, they took off and we stayed with Kiara. (More posts to come about all the fun stuff we did while we were there.) They got back Tuesday night and we left on Wednesday morning. Even though we didn't get to spend time with Katie and Ben - I did get to see my new nephew Boston. I just have to rub it in a little since we are the only members of the family that have seen him and held him! What a cutie. We are so excited for you guys, Congrats!

Whitney's Baptism

Whitney had a wonderful day on Saturday. We are so proud of her and the decision that she made to be baptized. She is always striving to do the right thing. She really prepared herself to be ready to be baptized. We have spent the last several months during our Family Home Evenings focused on this goal. She has asked a lot of questions and really wants to understand. She is such a great example to all of us. She has such a pure heart. I am so grateful that I am blessed to be her mother and be able to learn and grow from her.

Whitney & Aaron

Whitney, Aaron & Heather
Aaron & WhitneyGrandma & Grandpa & WhitneyGrandma & Grandpa & WhitneyBCFF (Best Cousin Friend Forever) Makayla & Whitney

Aunt Kiki & Whitney

Thanks for coming all the way from California to be here!

Thanks to all our family and friends that came and supported Whitney. It really means a lot to us to have such great people in our lives that help us as we raise our children. You are all great examples to our children. Thank you.