Celebrating 30 at the zoo.

This past Friday, I turned 30.

As is my birthday tradition, Evan made me a pumpkin pie instead of a birthday cake. I like pie.

I had lots of people ask me how I felt about turning 30. Exactly the same way I feel every birthday--excited it's the day of my birth!!!! Can you believe some people don't care when it's their birthday? I think that's insane. I love my birthday. And, I've never been all worked up about turning 30. Maybe I'll feel different about different birthday milestones, but the idea of turning 3o just didn't freak me out.

For this birthday, I couldn't think of anything I really needed or wanted. And, since last year at Christmas I told our friends and family that I'd rather have them gift the girls chances and opportunities to make memories and experience things, I decided to take my own advice and told Evan that all I wanted for my birthday was to go to the San Antonio Zoo. So, Saturday we went and Evan bought us a membership! Best birthday gift EVER!!!!!
The high on Saturday was 95 degrees (stupid Texas heat), so we got there in the morning when it was still nice and balmy. There are lots of flowers at the San Antonio zoo. I may have taken a ton of pictures of them. I'll just share a couple with you today.
We really enjoyed the zoo. It is HUGE and a small aquarium in it that Julia loved. She even wore her fish dress to show the fish at the zoo. There was this weird, ugly, tired turtle that I kind of couldn't stop staring at:
And there was this spotted sting ray that looked like a cow that I loved:


More flowers...
The girls liked it. There was so much to do that there was no way we could do it all in one day. I kept telling them we'd be back a million times and we'd totally do it all.
Have you ever seen an alligator like this before? Or is it a crocodile? Crap, I can't remember.

By 1:30, we were done. It's was creeping up into the 90s and Julia gets just as cranky as I do when she's hot and sweaty. We made one last trip to see the elephants and got to watch them being fed...and happened to stumble upon the hippos who were comically cuddling underwater.


I told the girls that this zoo will rock during cooler weather because we'll get to see the animals move around more. Plus, it never gets too cold, so it's a zoo we can visit all year long!!! It was a great birthday weekend.

Virtual Coffee

Hello there! I know it's been forever, but would you like to have a Virtual Coffee with me today? Cause I could totally use a good friend chat this morning and we haven't caught up in forever.

If you were really here this morning...I'd probably show you around a little and remind you that the house is still a work in progress. I totally plan on giving a "virtual tour" of the house once we're done, but these last couple of days I haven't been in the mood to organize. I've been in the mood to veg.

Thankfully, the kitchen is fully done (except that one counter that is a catch-all because we're still trying to find homes for some things). It's always the first room in the house that I need to have completely organized when we move in. It's what makes me feel "at home" in a new house. Right now, I totally have everything where I want it and I'm ready to start cooking and baking to my hearts content again. Oh, and did I mention this place has a gas oven? Cause it does. It's fabulous.

If you were really here for coffee today...I'd tell you how the weather has been pleasant lately. Highs in the low 90s and cool enough in the morning to not feel stupid for drinking a hot cup of coffee. We even were able to go venture to the park after dinner the other night.

The park is just down the street and definitely geared more for big kids and not toddlers.
But, there are swings, so that makes my Juju happy.

If you were really here for coffee today...I'd tell you that, right now, I'm not feeling trapped and lonely. Yet. Part of it is that I'm still so busy getting the house together that I haven't really had a chance to think about my lack of friends here. However, unlike when I moved to Colorado and had a "I'm the loneliest person on the planet" meltdown, I am taking some preventative steps. I am starting a new book club in October, which I am kind of excited about. Well, I guess the part I'm most excited about is that the restaurant they hold the meetings looks delicious!!!! I have been really craving baked goods this pregnancy and the restaurant has a fabulous delicatessen selection. Mmm....

There is also a breastfeeding group at the hospital on base that meets weekly that Julia and I will be visiting soon. Nothing like a bunch of nursing moms to develop some friendships.

Well, I have laundry calling my name and, even though I don't feel like it, I have some rooms and some unpacked boxes that need my attention. It was so nice of you to stop by for coffee. I have missed our chats. No worries, I will be here next week with a nice hot cup waiting for you.

Our Illinois Trip

I must warn you, this post is picture heavy. We spent 8 days roaming around Illinois, visiting friends and our favorite places, and I'm just sharing a smidge of the pictures that I actually took.

I heart taking pictures.

Thankfully, I have a digital camera, because could you imagine how much money I'd be spending on film and development?!?! It'd be billions, I tell you.

As you might remember, we started off our trip in Chicago to celebrate my dear friend Melissa's wedding. While we were there, we took advantage of exploring the city. Poor Julia hadn't been to Chicago since she was 6 months old, so it was all new for her.

The girls were most excited to have their Nina and Papa with us.
Melissa had booked an architectural boat tour of Chicago as part of her wedding weekend. It was so interesting and we got to see a part of Chicago we'd never seen before. They also served lemonade and cookies, so the girls were content.


After the boat tour, we walked over to Navy Pier for some lunch and rides. Julia saw the ferris wheel and fell in love instantly. She could not wait to ride it.


After the ferris wheel, Jana and Ebeth rode on the swings...
and Julia took a ride on the carousel.

The view from our hotel rooms was gorgeous. I just love Chicago. I need to make sure I don't go so long without visiting.


Why is she so big?
After Chicago, we headed to DeKalb to visit some of our favorite places and friends. Julia was so excited to get to play on a playground. The poor thing hasn't been able to play at a park because of the super hot Texas weather.

Elisabeth went to visit her dearest friend, Avery. It's so fun to see them reunite.
And then, we finally made it to Pekin where this little red head was waiting for us. (Look at those curls!!!!)
Owen is 15 months old now, and though he is protesting the walking (he is a night time walker only), he made sure to be involved in all the big kid playing.


And then there was my Ethan, who is sooooo tall and still moves too fast to get a ton of pictures (although, he does stop and smile for pictures now if you can catch him fast enough!).

Owen loved Evan. He would seek him out for nap time snuggles or reach for Evan if he saw him. It was super cute.
Julia got to take Ethan to preschool one day. Ethan showed her off to everyone. :)

We got to see my grandparents, which I always am excited about.


We went to the Marigold Festival for the first time in years and Julia got to watch her first parade.
We had a great trip. It's hard to only see family once a year (as Elisabeth declared on the car ride back to Texas), but it does make the time you do see them more special.