Zoo

Today, Michelle and I decided to take our kids to the zoo.

Every day for the next week is supposed to be in the 90's expect today.

I guess everyone else was thinking today would the perfect day to go to the zoo too.

That place was packed! We actually had to park across the street at the "This is the Place" monument.

Michelle and I both actually felt like we didn't actually see too many animals.

But that's the great thing about having a pass, you can go back as often as you want.

We did see this cute little guy...

This elephant statue made some weird noises.

I didn't blame Halle for not wanting to stand next to it for a picture.

Avery didn't want to be by it either but the poor girl was strapped in a stroller 

and couldn't go anything about it.

The new polar bear and sea life exhibits opened earlier this month.

All Parker wanted to see was the polar bear.

We were on a mission to see that polar bear.

Parker and Lexi kept walking around holding their maps, searching for the polar bear.

Stopping to pose for a quick picture on the way to find the polar bear.

 

Lexi insisted that she got a picture in this log.

At last we made it to the polar bear!!!

It was worth the trip. This was one active polar bear.

He came right up to the glass in front of the kids and pushed off into a back float repeatedly. 

The first time he did it the kids were so surprised that they nearly fell over.

We stopped to have lunch in the shade.

Then we decided to go see the bird show.

It was a pretty neat show.

Right as the show started, Avery started shouting, "Go away bird!"

(We had a bit of a pigeon problem when we first moved into our new apartment, 

so Avery heard me say, "Go away bird!" repeatedly so now she says it every time she sees a bird.)

 

There were tons of birds flying over us. They nearly touched our heads!

There were tons of different types of birds.

It was fun to watch them interact with the crowd and the hosts.

After the bird show we went to the carousel. 

My girls were so excited!

Lexi was ecstatic to ride a lion.

And here are some cute pictures of Avery.

I just can't get enough of that adorable little face!

Oh Yeah, My Parents Came

I'M BACK!

No, I didn't really go anyway. Just on a little strike from blogging.

Yesterday, my good friend/ Sister-in-Law Val,

asked me if I've stopped blogging because I'm pregnant!

The answer is a HUGE NO!

So, it's time to get blogging.

Last month my parents came to visit.

They were here for Easter and Avery's birthday.

And while they were here we also did a lot of other fun things.

We went to the Botanical Gardens (one of our favorite places here in ABQ)...

Sean just being Sean. Haha.

Some of my many attempts to get a family picture.

And one of me and my parents. I love this picture...

Lexi playing in the giant "sand box" inside the castle.

My girls with my parents. I love this picture too.

Lexi outside the "Princess Castle" with my parents.
We also went to Explora, the local children's museum.

Sean had never been. I've always just gone with the girls.

It was a lot of fun to go with other adults. And we were able to explore more...

First, Sean and Lexi in the music room.

Avery exploring with the help of my mom.

Now that Avery is older she wants to get out of the stroller and explore too.

Next, a picture of the girls in a little room under the stairs with colored lights.

While my parents were here we also went out to eat a few times.

Here's pictures from lunch their last day here...

My parents got the girls tons of bubble stuff and lots of sidewalk chalk.

They spent several afternoons outside playing.

(It was so nice to have someone else watch my kids for a little bit.)

We went to the zoo one day while Sean was at work.

The girls both love the zoo.

It was a warm day and just fun to be together...

These next two pictures are the best quality but I took them for Sean...

I love this goofy hat that Avery is wearing. Haha.

I LOVED HAVING MY PARENTS HERE!

They were BOTH so helpful with the girls and with chores around the house.

We had so much fun with them. I was sad to see them go but am doing okay because we will be seeing them in a few weeks when we meet up in Utah!

What We've Been Up To - Sickness and Spring

Two weekends ago we bought a membership to our local Zoo/Aquarium/Botanical Gardens.

So any time this next year Lexi and I and any adult guess can go "free" of charge.

And since we actually bought it we have almost gone enough to have it already paid for.

Here are some pictures from the zoo...

Lexi wanted a picture with this elephant. Whatever. She's two.

Next, is a picture of me and the girls on the train.

We decided to ride the train around the zoo.

Let me just say, don't ride the train for the view.

You just ride behind all the exhibits.

But Lexi just enjoyed riding the train.

Sean and Lexi posing with some lions.

For Lexi's first birthday we took her to the Idaho Falls Zoo and bought her a lion.
Little did we know, that that lion would become her post prized item.
We are trying to encourage her to love other lions.
So we bought her this guy at the zoo gift shop.

Trip to the Aquarium #1...


Trip to the Aquarium #2...
This time with Emily and Folken.
Avery and Folken rode in our double stroller and pointed at all the fish.
So adorable!



We also went to the Bio Park. We hadn't been there since we went to the River of Lights.
It is so cool in the day!
Here are the babies in front of the castle...



There is a section we're you walk around and everything is huge!
I think it's supposed to make you feel like a bug?



Lexi riding an ant.

And a picture of all the Christensen chicas!

(I think my girls look a lot a like in this picture. Maybe it's the blonde hair and squinty eyes?)

Lexi walking through a giant carrot...

If you hadn't guess by the pictures, spring as sprung here in Albuquerque!

There are blossoms on the trees and flowers!

I'm so in love with this sunny 70 degree weather.

We went and walked around the temple grounds yesterday and Lexi smelt all the flowers...

I have loved taking the girls on walks everyday.

They love it too, despite what Lexi's face looks like in this picture...

Spring = Sunshine

Sunshine = Sunglasses

I just can't get enough of this adorable little face!

Avery just keeps getting cuter!

Spring + Sunshine = Warm Weather

Warm Weather = Swimming!

Yes, I know there is actually no water in the pool in this picture.

Spring hasn't been all fun here though.

Two Sundays ago, Lexi started throwing up in the middle of the night.

She threw up ALL Sunday and had a really high fever.

We were starting to get REALLY worried that she'd have to go to the hospital for dehydration.

She couldn't even keep liquids down.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, she went back and forth

between having diarrhea and throwing up.

Sunday and Monday, it seemed that Lexi had NO life left in her. She didn't talk much.

She didn't move much. It was SO unlike her.

But slowly she got more energy.

And as of last Thursday she has been able hold down her food.

Having a sing child is the WORST thing ever!

And that's why we were so upset when Avery threw up TWICE this past Saturday.

Luckily, she didn't have a fever and she was SO cheery. She didn't even seem sick.

So whatever she had seemed to pass quickly.

Happily we have two happy, healthy, beautiful little girls!

Here are some pictures Sean took of me and the girls before church yesterday...

Avery makes the cutest scrunched nose face.

I just love her in this next picture...

And in case you were wondering what crafts I've been up to lately...

More Barbie Bride's Maids' dresses...

I'm also getting ready to teach the young women at church how to make bows.

I will be doing a post about that soon with LOTS of tutorials.