Having Fun at the Nature Trail

We were informed of a nature trail pretty close to our home, so as outdoors people we had to check it out. It became a favorite right away. Exotic animals to see, including a tarantula (the lady said I could touch the exoskeleton, as it wasn't live, well I don't even like to touch plastic spiders, so no thank you!) , a fun pond with many big fish and turtles, really nice walking and hiking trails with many rocks, a pciknick area, and a fun natural slide area with a some kind of waterfall. Finally at the other end there was a little natural pool next to a small waterfall, favorite of all. We took my parents there to show what we had discovered. I don't know if they shared the enthusiasm, but we sure ahad a great time!

My Beautiful children!

Eating Out: Playtime Still! :)

Opa and Oma love burritos: a vere fresh Mexican fast food place, with the best icecream. My dad loves to eat there with his favorite: a cheeseburger with fries and mayonaise! :) He also loves to go there for the icecream, preferrably 3x/day. In fact, when I pick my parents up from the airpot, we stop there for the icecream on the way home, and we do the same on the way to the airport when they leave! My dad is very funny. I'd have to say that my parents love to take us out or be taken out for dinner, I wonder if that has anything to do with my cooking skills, or lack thereof. :) Anyway, this is what we do at the dinner table when eating out:

Fun Time with the Kids

We love playtime with the kids, and the boys sure love their train table. The girls' favorite thing to do after long days of school, tennis/swimming/outside playtime, ..... etc is watching tv. It really doesn't matter to them what it is although they have their favorite shows of course. tehy are just as happy watching baby Einstein, as they love their brothers enjoying it. Talking about good big sisters! I am so proud of them for loving Jasper and Espen so much and for always being willing to play with them.

 

 

 

 

When opa and oma are here, we also love to take them to the Avenue, a little shopping center. The kids love to run around at the shopping area, and they love to be silly or play games.

Date Night with Josh at the Zoo!

Josh and I went on a Date!!!!!! with his work in May 2012, while my parents watched the children. As we were supposed to really dressed up, my mom demanded to take a picture of me, as I never dress up that much unless required. I actually felt pretty special, so I let her :) I can't say that I was very comfortable in it, and the shoes.... they were killing me, the first things to throw off under the dinner table! :) We had a really fun night though, with very nice company, so definitely worth dressing up for!

Time with Opa and Oma at the Tennis Court

The girls have been taking tennis lessons from an actual pro this year (Thanks Michael Otero!), and had their first competition. Man, did I gain a lot of respect for my parents for watching my sister and me play tennis for many many many competitions for about 10+ years. Trying to watch the girls make mistakes in rules, calling balls, having their opponent mis call balls, watching them doing their best, .... and not, running fast, ..... and not. I can tell you that their first match, I should have been tied to the fence with a rope, because it was so tempting to walk onto the court and tell them what to do. Or to interfere an any other way. I did interfere, and fortunately realized it fairly quickly. So i changed my mind and only commented when they were doing well (in terms of sportsmanship, or trying). It ended up being fun to watch them, but it was a true testimony of being able to choose to have a good time or to make it into a negative drama. Let's hope I can do that more often! :)

WHile the girls played tennis, opa and oma got to watch and play with the boys. Here soem fun pictures of their time together!

The girls did seem to really enjoy it as well, and in the end that is the most important: that they enjoy tennis, so someday that playing tennis together as a family can become a favorite tradition.