Derek's Class Zoo Trip

In October Derek had a school field trip to the zoo.  I was assigned 2 kids and three of us adults joined together to form a larger group.  It was a hot day and after an hour the kids and the adults were sick of walking around (probably the adults more).  So we spent the rest of the trip sitting in the shade while the kids played on the playground.  So I can now say I have done a school field trip...what an adventure:)

Hiking Trip October 2011

Another Trip to our lovely desert.  It was a nice October day and the kids brought home tons more special rocks.  No pictures of me, but I was there:)  I had the camera:) 

I absolutely love this picture of Sarah and her Daddy:)

Rock hound Darrell

Derek is obviously thrilled about something...I can't remember what...I think it had something to do with a rock.

One of Emily's many many many "special" rocks.

And of course Sarah's special rock.

Shapes

A conversation from today.
Sarah: mom I drawing a circle
Mom: a circle?
S: no, a triangle
M: oh, a triangle
S: no, a hexagon
... It was so funny to me because I didn't even know she knew the word hexagon.

The Zoo October 2011

In October the kids and I took a trip to the Phoenix Zoo.  We have been waiting for the whether to cool enough to enjoy it and there was a day in October that finally did cool down.  We bought a membership back in March and haven't gone much because of the heat.  This first set of pictures is taken at one of the playgrounds.  The kids love climbing all over the "spider's web."

Here are my two little joeys.  I would have three but the third one didn't want to cooperate.

I don't remember seeing this part of the zoo last time we visited, but there were tons of stone animals, and the kids loved posing on them.

I love this one of Derek chillin' in the clam.

The zoo of course is an educational place as well as fun...but this was a little too much education for one day.  They thought it was funny the turtles were giving piggy back rides:)

We took a train ride also.  When I bought our membership in march it came with a few free tickets for the train.  So we used them to see parts of the park we were to tired to visit.  Derek wouldn't look at the camera because he was mad at me for some reason.  I believe it was because I wouldn't let him buy anything from the over priced snack bar and I hadn't brought any snacks with me.

I LOVE this picture.  Near the end of our trip Sarah decided she needed to walk with her hands in her pockets.  It was so cute because she also hung her head with it.  Oh my little baby.

Camping September 2011

Darrell had a week of in September so we enjoyed some family time.  Darrell went up to Snowflake early in the week with Emily, and then the rest of us joined them on a Thursday.  We went camping Friday.  The temperature was a little cool but not too cold.  The first thing Derek started working on was a fort.  Darrell helped him and it turned out to be a pretty amazing fort.  The kids loved playing in it.  I remember loving things like that as a kid.  

Sarah and Emily loved posing for the camera with their raggedy hair and dirty faces.  They loved playing "house" with all the camping equipment.

 

At one point Sarah and I went for a little walk...I think she was bugging Emily or something, and I needed to get out of the shade into the sun as it was getting too chilly for me.  The grass was tall and there were lots of wild flowers to look at.  Sarah loves blowing the dandelions.

Of course you can not be out in the middle of nowhere without shooting guns.  The kids shot the little 22 a couple times.  They thought that was fascinating.  Of course we repeat over and over and over the rules and that they are not to touch a gun without a parent around.  They are very good at following those rules.

This is some more pictures of playing in the fort.  they moved some stumps inside for chairs.  Emily and her crazy poses:)

Emily primly eating her hot dogs and ketchup...yummy!

Sarah REALLY enjoyed her hot chocolate...I think some of it went down her throat into her stomach, but it was hard to tell looking at her face and jacket and the table.

Hot chocolate is always the highlight of camping trips.  Emily insisted I take a picture of her pretending to "drink" out of the spoon like a straw...she thought it was sooooo funny.

Derek spent a lot of time hiding and playing army guy...he loves being outdoors and had a great time.

Here is one parting picture of my little angel with a purple wild flower.