The San Diego Zoo

We finally bit the bullet and made the trip down to San Diego to the zoo. We have talked about it for a while now and just had to give it a try! Unfortunately, Matt was in a mood most of the time we were there, including not wanting to walk, or ride in a stroller. That made for good times! We made it through a limited tour of about 1/3 of the zoo while we were there. It was awesome! I can't wait to go back, and have Matt truly enjoy it!

We went to the Children's Zoo first. Matt quickly climbed through a tunnel under the mouse habitat. He was having fun at this point!

We went into the petting zoo and Matt ran around talking to the animals. This one got a "Hi, sheep!" He even waved at him.

We tried for a shot of the boys, but Matt decided to imitate Jonathan, who just had to point through the hole at something in front of them!

Matt talked us into going on the air tram. I was not so excited about this part of our visit, but after it was over it wasn't so bad. For those of you that know me, you know I don't do roller coasters or anything remotely related. This, to me, was related! The view was amazing though! Nick distracted himself from the details of the ride by taking pictures!

Matt was very excited to see the airplane from this viewpoint!

Once we decided to head for the car, we figured we'd make one stop and get a family photo in front of the sign. Hopefully, we can go back soon and get to see more of the zoo! It was amazing though!

This could explain some of the crankiness! He passed out shortly after we got in the car.

The little guy gave in to sleep as well!

Jump 'n Jammin

We hadn't been to Matt's favorite indoor place in a while, so the other weekend we just decided we all needed a bit of play time. So, we headed up to Jump 'n Jammin to wear the boys out. Unfortunately, it only takes about an hour and Nick and I are more worn out than the boys!

Jonathan got to play around by himself in the baby/toddler area for a bit. We got there right after they opened. It's really the only way to do it!

Rockin' out on the keyboard! As long as Jonathan stayed on is side of the keyboard, their time together looked much like this.

Matt looks into the area with the foam balls and air guns to see if what Nick is saying is worth the move to another area.

Jonathan had a blast playing on the keyboard. It's perfect height for him to really see everything.

Matt took advantage of his daddy's offer to go play with the air guns. He was running around upstairs like a maniac!

Jonathan and I were downstairs while Nick & Matt were up loading the guns to shoot the balls down toward us.

Jonathan's new favorite thing is loading this contraption up with balls and then pushing the button. Little does he know, it shoots all the balls out onto the upper level, and one time, right on to Nick's head.

Here he is getting ready to hit the button to unload the already fully loaded machine. He could have done this the whole time we were there.

He wouldn't stop!

Matt had a good time slamming himself back and forth on the walls of the big bounce house they have there.

This was one of his many crashes!

We had a great time and I actually got some pictures of Matt looking at the camera AND smiling! Matt fought leaving for the first time ever. He's usually so good with transitions, but I think he finally gets this place, and all it has to offer! Typically he's been so reserved with these type of activities, but this trip he even went down the tube slide repeatedly by himself. Maybe we won't be so worn out next time because he'll finally start playing on these things without us by his side the whole time!

Trains, Planes, and Boy Time

The Geotrax phenomenon continues in our living room. It started slowly with a birthday present, and has grown into a HUGE extravaganza! The boys love it, and when Matt decides to share some of it with Jonathan, things work out. Unfortunately, the trains, remotes, and train tracks are often a spot of disagreement between the boys. Jonathan wants to sit in the middle of them and play and Matt wants the train to actually go around the tracks. Neither one understands the other's perspective quite yet. Though, things are improving.

Here they are playing one night after dinner. From the looks of the pictures, I didn't wipe Jonathan's mouth, so pardon the food all over his face! Proud mommy moment # 281!

Jonathan is driving the airplane, which he really doesn't understand. He likes the red button so much that the plane doesn't move much when he's got the control. Matt is driving his yellow train and all is well!

This is one of Jonathan's sit on the tracks to play moments that Matt loves so much. I see where he's coming from on this issue!

Matt takes the airplane off its track and flies it around the room just to get away for a moment.

He told me to take some pictures of the plane in the air!

Nick joined in for some bonding time with the boys. Bonus: He got to play with the trains and claim it was only because he wanted to bond with the boys! All 3 of them have a blast playing with this crazy mess we call our living room!

Jonathan applaudes his daddy for something, while Matt tries to push him off the tracks because his train needs to get through!

This is one of my new favorite pictures! The look on both faces is priceless!

Jonathan tries to dive on for some wrestling and giggling time with his daddy!

Going in for a closer look!

Matt loves it when we play trains with him, but he declares all the rules. He tells us which train we will drive, where we will go, and when we need to stop or change directions. Sometimes he's a bit lax and lets us use our own brains, but typically he's a pushy engineer!

"He he he, Daddy! No more tickles!"

January at the Beach!

One of these days I'll catch up on the posts and not have to write my version of "Once Upon a Time". For now, I am still "a couple of weeks" behind, so here goes.

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the beach with the boys. We went to one of our favorite pizza places and then walked across the street to hang out and play in the sand for a bit. It was a bit chilly with the wind, but the boys had fun (all 3 of them ;) )

Matt was playing with his bucket, truck and shovel, but keeping close tabs on the train tracks.

Matt's new dump truck/sand toy from our cousins Bobby, Aimee, and Emma. He loved this Christmas present!

I tried to keep Jonathan on the blanket at least in part. He kept taking handfuls of sand and trying to stuff them in his mouth. He's not particular about what is in his fist that gets shoved in his mouth!

See, he's trying to prepare even while we're taking a picture. His left hand went straight to his mouth after this shot.

Matt ran around chasing birds and entertaining us all!

Nick went down to get some water for the sand castle he and Matt were building.

Jonathan kept digging his toes into the sand and smiling.

There were several attempts to make it a big sand castle, but at this age, destroying it is more fun. I think this is as far as they got.

Jonathan was watching them most of the time.

Playtime with Friends

A couple of weeks ago we headed across the neighborhood to see our good friends! Aaron and Anna invited us over so we could all get some much needed entertainment for the kids. It had been a bit cold and rainy, so our outdoor play had been limited. The kids needed to see some new faces, so we let them loose to play for a bit.

Matt joined Avalon and Jonathan on the floor. I think Waylon had run outside to take advantage of the sun breaking through the clouds!

The little ones look on as their big brothers play outside for a bit.

It's so hard to believe Jonathan and Avalon are only a day apart. I think they are about 5 or 6 pounds different!

Ooooooooh!

Waylon's new train table was a big hit for the big boys! Matt was too preoccupied by the crane to look up at the camera!

Backyard Bubbles!

I am working on catching up on the blog, but as you can see in the pictures, I am still in the college football season! Yikes!

The day of the Rose Bowl, the boys and I played out back before nap time and they got really into the bubbles. Jonathan was pretending that he could blow the bubbles, but really he mouthed the bubble wand so much I thought he was going to blow them without the use of the wand.

Matt is very into spray bottles right now, so his idea of fun was to run around and spray the bubbles while I got light headed trying to keep up with the amount of bubbles he wanted to chase!

"You lookin' at me?" Yes, that's a huge bruise on his forehead. It's from one of my front teeth. We were playing on his bedroom floor and he either tripped or dove onto me. Surprise! Right away a bruise and a lump! My tooth was okay, but it hurt for a while.

His first true exploration of the grass. Other than the tops of his feet turning a bit red, he loved the experience.

A brotherly game of chicken is always fun on the paved patio!

I was once again on my mission to get Matt to smile on command for the camera. In an attempt at attaining my goal, I asked him to make a sad face.

We're getting somewhere now! This was his happy face.

All of the wet spots around Jonathan are bubbles. He didn't really need much soap in the bath that night!

Practicing for the game! "Touchdown!!!"

"Yea!!!"

Crawling through the tunnel and tent was a lot of fun for him!

He kept crawling through the tunnel and started celebrating early for the Trojan victory later that afternoon!


Then he climbed on his truck and just sat there. He's about an inch too short to actually make the thing move! He had fun thinking about making it move though. He's becoming an expert at getting on and off riding toys and has even started to climb out of the bath himself. Luckily, it's when the water is out and I am asking him to get out anyway.