Annual Lofgren-Gunstream Zoo Trip

For most people...this past week was Spring Break. Even though I am off for a while...I was still excited about Spring Break because it meant that a lot of my friends were off of work...which meant lots of lunch dates...and of course...our annual Lofgren-Gunstream zoo trip!

First things first...you have to make sure you have enough Starbucks to survive a morning with 2 four year olds, an almost 2 year old, and a 1 month old. :)

No...they weren't all for Erin and me. 

Three of those were actually for the kids...chocolate milk of course. :)

First stop...you guessed it...the elephants!!!

Carter wasn't feeling like smiling for the picture at first...

There's that cute face!!!

This is how Lexie spent most of her time.

Next up...MONKEYS!!!

Erin took the "big" kids into the petting zoo so that I could feed Lexie.

After petting, brushing, and chasing the animals...it was time for a snack...or four!

While the kids were eating...we used the time to take a selfie. :)

Hey look...it's a cow!

Nothing like climbing on a hippo with your best buddy!

Look at this cute guy...hanging out...waiting to feed giraffes.

Do you think he liked it?

Pure joy...love it!!!!

No zoo trip is complete until you have spent some time at Sea Lion Cove...my favorite!

Before we left we had to get a group shot...huge thanks to one of the zoo employees. :)

Do you think they had fun together?

Erin and her cute kiddos...

and me with my favorite boy in the whole entire world!!!

Another Spring Break has come and gone...another trip to the zoo...and we added another kiddo to the mix this year. :)

Movie Date!

 Last week Landry and I got together with Erin and Amy for a movie date!
You might remember that last year we took these two to their first movie, The Lorax, during the $1 summer movies. Once again, Regal Theaters are offering their $1 movies...and I have to say... this summer's movie list is much better than last year's. So, on Wednesday we set out to watch...

Look at these cuties!

Of course it's not a movie without snacks! 

Yes, it is only $1 for the ticket...

but $5,000 for popcorn and a drink. 

Or $5,000.25 if you get a large. :)

Yes, we were matching...no, it wasn't planned! :)

The movie was a hit! 

Landry LOVED it and was laughing hysterically through the entire thing. 

At one point I was crying from laughing at Landry's giggle...precious.

As we walked out of the theater these two grabbed hands...future spouses! ;)

They had to take a picture in front of the advertisement for the penguin movie...next movie date?

Like all other children, they went right to the arcade games that are near the exit/entrance. Luckily they haven't figured out that they aren't actually playing anything. I'm sure this will be ending very soon. :)

Next up was some playtime in the park area out front.

Unfortunately they knew that the bus took money...so we let them ride the bus a few times.

You might notice that in the background is a photo booth...so we HAD to try it out!

Silly face, scary face, smile, and another silly face...

you can see that Landry only got the memo on the smile part!

After all of our fun, we had two hungry and thirsty munchkins. 

So, we finished our date with a little Jamba Juice.

I've said it before...and I'll say it again...I am so grateful for these two and their sweet, little friendship! 

They are pretty much just like their mamas...they can go several months without seeing each other...

but when they do...they pick up right where they left off. :)

Carter's 1st Birthday!

As usual...I have some catching up to do! :)

Don't act like you're surprised...

I think you would be completely caught off guard if I wasn't playing catch-up. 

The end of Spring Break was a bit busy and I just ran out of time...so here we go.

On the Saturday before Easter we celebrated Carter's 1st Birthday! 

In case you don't know, Carter is my friend Erin's son...Amy's brother. 

Honestly, I cannot believe this "little man" is already one. 

Where in the world did that year go?

Erin went with a "little man" theme...complete with mustaches, bow ties, and tons of cute details. The party was held at a neighborhood park...that is absolutely gorgeous. Add beautiful weather, cute kids, fun party decor, and barbecued hot dogs...tons of fun!

Here is the birthday banner...made by yours truly. :)

Erin had darling names for all of the food...you know how I'm a sucker for clever food names. :)

How cute are these? They are the silverware and napkins...all packaged like a bow tie!

There were a ton of different yard games for all of the kids...and adults...to play.

After the kids had eaten Erin had the cutest version of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"...

This little girl proved to be the blindfolded champ...she got the bow-tie on perfectly!

There was even a super fun game for the adults! Erin printed off images of famous mustaches and you had to name the person they belonged to. I don't want to brag...but that was my prize for WINNING the mustache game. Yup...I get bragging rights for the rest of the year! :)

Soon it was time for CAKE!!!

How cute is that cake?

I cannot express how much I love this family!

These cupcakes were a hit, too!

Birthday boy and his beautiful mama!

You can't forget about Amy!

So, there comes an age where the birthday parties change. When all of the little ones discover the gifts...and gift opening becomes a bit chaotic...because they ALL want to help, unwrap, tell you what they got, and just kind of act crazy. Erin was so brave...in the craziness of kids with tissue paper, gift wrap, etc. Of course, being the good friend that I am, I stood out of the way...and took pictures of it...as I tried not to feel a bit panicked for her...surrounded by little munchkins. :)

Can you even find Erin and Carter?

The party was a huge success! It was a great afternoon, spent celebrating a very special "little man!"

You didn't think I would forget to get a picture of Amy and Landry did you?

I know I am biased...but these two are so stinkin' cute together! Their friendship is already so sweet and special. Clearly I have trained him well...he's already giving his girl a ride. :)

And she already has a tight hold on him! :)

Just another picture to go in the future wedding montage! ;)