“grandmom’s zoo”, the orangutans

This little guy was SO cute and reminded me so much of my boys! He was smaller than Travis too! CUTE!

Yes, Enoch is riding a deer. :D

“grandmom’s zoo”, the naked mole rats

I know he doesn’t look that big but this moose was huge.

Grandmom and Enoch going to see the Grizzlies.

There is a porcupine inside that stump…

Not sure why this guy had an O ring on his back…

Yes, Travis is asleep and sucking on a tootsie pop.

The hippos. I’ve never seen a cleaner Hippo exhibit! It was cool.

Enoch was impressed with the Hippo skull.

Enoch had been looking forward to the naked mole rat the entire trip. In fact, this was all he could talk about after the first time he visited.

He even came home with a naked mole rat toy that is, believe it or not, uglier than the naked mole rats in the pictures. EW.

“grandmom’s zoo”, the wallabies

Enoch was able to pet a baby albino wallaby. It was the coolest thing.

These Wallabies just rome free in this area. It was really neat.

Enoch swinging from the Grizzly and Travis checking out the otters.

Grandmom & Grandpa with the boys.

“grandmom’s zoo”, the elephants

Travis really enjoyed hanging out with his Grandpa.

It was neat to see the size difference between the African Elephant (shown here) and the Asian Elephants at the Denver Zoo.

Grandmom was worried the kids would fall in the little pond.

Where to next?

“grandmom’s zoo”, the giraffes

Giraffes are my ultimate favorite animal at the zoo so this experience was just awesome.

to school, or not to school

This entire year I have been debating on whether or not to put Enoch into Pre-K. Some of you will know this because I’ve asked you questions. Well, the start of the new school year has come and Joe & I have discussed this matter of schooling. We have decided that we will not enroll him into any program until January. That way he will get 6 months of Pre-K and then start KINDERGARTEN in the fall.

I’m just not sure how I feel about this, I think a child can be too young for school and you might scar their excitement if they are pushed/rushed/forced to go. Comments are welcome on this, I want to hear from experienced people. I was homeschooled K-12 so I have absolutely no knowledge about any of this.

I found a Brain Quest workbook at Costco last night and I’m pretty excited about it. We are starting that today and Enoch is really excited. I just want to start him out with stuff at home and see where he’s at. Maybe he won’t need Pre-K in January. We’ll see. He knows his ABCs and his numbers. He even notices letters and numbers around the house and when we go out.

Anywho – tips and advice are welcome. Just wanted to put some feelers out there on the topic.

sweet, tender, sleeping moments

I love these moments. And it truly is not because of the quiet or the calm or not having to do something for someone every two seconds.

I love them so much because they are so sweet. I can’t not take a picture when they are just sleeping so soundly and so cute. :D

G’night

August 1, 2010…

…Will forever be engraved in my mind.

 

August 1, 2010 was the day Joe became the Bishop of our ward. What a life changing calling. I was scared, worried this would completely change my Joe and I wouldn’t even know him anymore. I was concerned about the amount of stress and weight such a calling entails and the toll it would take on Joe. I was also a little excited; with such a calling, blessings are sure to follow if its held responsibly and humbly. These were all my concerns and fears, I can only imagine what Joe was and still is experiencing!

We’re three weeks in and life has already changed dramatically. The kids and I hardly see Joe now but when we do, whatever we do is filled with happiness, laughter and quality family time. We were concerned about losing some friends but it seems to have only made the bond stronger. Even with the lack of sleep on Joe’s part, he somehow always finds that burst of energy to pull through to the end of whatever he’s doing. Once he makes it through though, he crashes, and crashes hard. You will often find him sleeping when he has a still moment. The relationship with his Dad has definitely gotten stronger. They have so much in common now and Joe has so much he can learn from Lawry.

The blessings are coming in full force as well. Debt is somehow getting paid off, Joe and I communicate better, Enoch has been extremely successful in potty training! Its been two weeks since he’s had a major accident. You can’t know the extreme bliss and excitement and just how proud we are of him for doing this! In our excitement we bought him a PET! (that post to come soon!) Life is just moving forward and at the speed of light it seems.

I know the road ahead is not going to be easy all of the time, and this will take a toll on Joe but I definitely know and feel that this will help us all grow. There is much to be learned and much to take in. I am so grateful for Joe and his amazing spirit, strength and knowledge of the gospel. I’m grateful for my parents and his parents. Without them, we wouldn’t be the people we are today. I’m grateful for my two beautiful little boys and they’re sweet spirits. I am so grateful for this gospel and the blessings I’ve received in this life. I know this church is true, I know President Monson is a true living Prophet of God on this earth today. I know Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and my Savior. I could not be who I am today without this Gospel and I hope to continue to follow in His footsteps.

-Natalie

 

Thanks to Todd R.(Joe's cousin) for taking photos on his AWESOME phone and also for cutting Joe’s hair and doing an awesome job. I was a dink and totally spaced bringing the camera. The thought never crossed my mind. So enjoy the photos!

Joe’s “Uuuh” face.

 

Chatting with Brother Stevens

Chatting with Brother Stevens and President Dourny

 

Yes, I’m a cheese ball. I’ll admit it. I was shaking with nerves the whole time.

Enoch was sleeping so he missed the family shot ( sad panda, as Amber would say), but I’m glad we got

a family (sort of) shot. :D