Albuquerque Zoo

A couple weekends ago we took Blake and Kalli to the Albuquerque zoo. I was actually pleasantly surprised. I think we ruined ourselves by going to the Sand Diego zoo, as nothing will ever compare. But they did have a polar bear which loved to show off to the people, seals, tigers, lions, camels and everything else a zoo is supposed to have. Best of all the kids were free! Although they made up for that with the price of lunch. We know that next time we go we will bring our own food in, much cheaper!

This is a before picture. Blake decided he wanted to sit in the stroller. He quickly decided against that as soon as we go into the park. This is also how we left because we wore Blake out! We have since bought a double jogging stroller, so that will fix this problem next time.  A family photo, which is very rare for us! Blake looking at the tigers. This was by far his favorite attraction. After we left this one to look at other animals he kept asking to go back to the tigers. The tigers got a bit naughty while we were standing there. Who knows maybe a new baby tiger will be born there soon. =) Blake was obsessed with the train. We decided he should ride it and luckily Blake was free yet again! We missed it by just a few seconds and as they were pulling away Blake got really sad and started crying "Wait". All the people were so sad for him. 15 minutes later we got on and he was so happy. I think that may have been the longest he sat for that amount of time without moving. I love our little Kalli girl. She is such a trooper. She just hung out in the stroller the whole time without ONE complaint! She is amazing! She woke up just in time for us to get on the train and I think she loved it too because she just kept rocking herself back and forth. 

If you talk to Blake in the near future you may just hear all about the zoo, even though its been a week and half. Joe gets to hear about it at least 3 times a day on the phone when we call him. 

Dear Sparks Rib Cook Off

We sure missed you today. We thought we would try another rib cook off here in our town, hoping it would meet up to your high standard. Not so. It didn't help that it was 44 degrees with a nasty wind that blew dirt in your eyes. It made me long for your warm summer days. I also missed your fall off the bone ribs, that were also not horribly priced. What a difference a state makes. 

Although to make up for your absence, I found a cute skirt marked down from $45 to $6. Maybe that helped make up for my home sickness for your yummy food. 

Oh Sparks, how we missed you today!

Happy Family

Each week we have been trying to teach Blake a new church song. A couple weeks ago we taught him "Happy Family". Blake's version doesn't just include mommy and daddy, it includes all that he loves. Enjoy!

Amazing

270 Diapers- $21.oo

wow!

Are you a bracketologist?

Every year Joe and I fill out brackets for the NCAA tournaments. We get excited to do this every year. We usually try to make it a bet between us, although I don't think we have ever followed through with it. The first couple years we did it, it was way fun because Nevada was doing really well and making it to the tournament. I also was keeping up with what college teams were doing what. However, since I graduated a couple of years ago, I haven't quite been keeping track. So this year was especially hard for me to fill out my bracket as I had NO idea who was doing well or not. I waited till the last minute to fill mine out. So far so good, although only 3 games have finished.

What should our little deal be if I win or if he wins? That is the question...

How are your brackets filling out?

My Favorite Comments

Obviously Kalli and I are going to get a lot of stares when we go out in public. Most people have never seen a baby with a helmet on. I don't even mind when people ask about it, I would be curious too! But some of the comments are either super rude or so funny I ponder on them for days at a time. Here are some prime examples: 

•    At Jo-Ann's a woman stopped Joe and I and commented on how cute Kalli is with her helmet. She then proceeded to ask us if she has it on to protect her from her brother. Sorry no, but maybe that is a good idea.
• A woman again at Joanns (I must spend a lot of time there) made a comment that Kalli must bump her head into a lot of things for us to resort to putting her in a helmet. Seriously lady?
• My all time favorite is coming out of the library, I was getting Kalli out of her sling. This old man was driving away in his car and stopped by my car as I was putting the kids in. He rolled down the window and said how cute her helmet is. Then he proceeded to say "I was just wondering about it because I would like to get my granddaughter one". I promptly replied that she would need surgery to get it. I think that shut him up. 

Mind you, most of the weird comments are coming from the older generation, maybe they don't mind saying the first thing that comes to their mind. I actually find these occurrences hysterical, not rude. I really doubt they mean anything by them. But the fact that I get those three comments almost on a daily basis makes me smile. Now when we go out, we won't have the comments anymore, what will I do with myself? 

Our trip to Arizona

This last weekend we traveled to Arizona. We went mainly for Kalli's neurosurgeon appointment. The added perk was that Joe's parents and brother and his wife were going to be there as well. We had so much fun and it was sad to leave. Here are some pictures documenting our weekend. 

Kalli hanging out with her cousin Alicia. Alicia just loved holding her and it was nice to have others take care of her while I could talk to other people.  Kalli with Grandma Norby. She loved her grandma and hopefully grandma got enough of Kalli. 

We saw her neurosurgeon on Thursday. He told us that she only has to wear her helmet for another month, but only when she sleeps. It's making marks on her head which means the helmet doesn't fit anymore which means that it has done its job. So we have been taking it off a little more each day. I have those bows and headbands just waiting for her! Blake was papa's shadow the whole time we were there. If papa went outside, Blake had to go too! Blake made papa take him on at least 3 walks a day. Who needs a gym when you have an active 2.5 year old.  Ryan and Blake. Blake couldn't wait to see uncle Ryan. He kept asking for him all week. Ryan sure plays hard and Blake couldn't get enough! This is where Ryan was having Blake pretend to be a dog. We have a video of it that I will post one day.  The family playing a nice, calm =) game of Ticket to Ride. It was fun listening to them play. This family sure knows how to have fun when we get together. The food was great and I actually managed not to gain weight on this trip. This is a first for me, Norby get togethers usually pack on the pounds on my body.

We had so much fun and can't wait to see family again. I think Blake is having papa withdrawals!

Good morning Sunshine

Blake regularly wakes up a half hour or hour before Kalli. We usually hang out in my bed watching cartoons. As soon as Kalli wakes up, Blake rushes up to me and tells me "Kalli bugs awake". We then proceed to her bedroom where Blake climbs in bed with her. She always gets the biggest smile when he does this. They usually lay together while I get her bottle ready. It is such a nice routine in the morning and it sure makes my day to see not only her beautiful smile, but Blake's as well!

Doughnut Recipe

So many of you expressed interest in my doughnut recipe. Thanks! I actually received it from my mother-in-law. Here it is. I really want to know how it works for you and if you made any great toppings for the doughnuts. 

2 cups milk 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening 2 T salt 1 cup mashed potatoes 1 1/2 T yeast 1/2 cup warm water 3 eggs 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 8-9 cups flour

Scald milk. Add sugar, salt, shortening, and potatoes.  Cool to lukewarm.  Soften yeast in water; add to milk misture with eggs and nutmeg.  Add flour, enough to make a workable doug.  Knead and let rise double.  Punch down and roll to 1/2 in. thickness and cout.  Place on floured board and let rise again.  Fry in deep fat;

My sister-in-law has a recipe for maple frosting, which I think I will use next time. I like mine right out of the oil, but Joe likes his the next day. I'm excited for you to make them!