Zoo and Beach Trip

While my family was here we had a lot of fun going out to the zoo for a day and then walking a beach that was close by.  Alden was so excited to go see all the animals and have all of my family there to hang out with him.  It was really nice doing this outing with my family because Alden had been wanting to go see the animals for awhile but I had been a little hesitant to go with two kids by myself.  It was also nice because even though it was a little chilly we didn't get any rain so it was a fun day to be outside.

Alden was so excited he just wanted to run around and look at everything when we first got there.

Grandma enjoying holding and cuddling with Anders.

Maren and Alden enjoying the sting rays.  Alden wouldn't actually put his hand in the water but he touched the model one while Maren touched the real ones.

Alden getting a high five from one of the zoo keepers teaching about the sting rays.

Alden had so much fun finding the animals.

Alden pointing out a sting ray that he found in this tank.

Grandpa lifting up Alden so he can see the fish from above.

This exhibit had porcupines and it looked like this one (picture on the right) knew that it was close to feeding time with the way he was hanging around this door.

We got to see the adorable tiger cubs that were there.  They were just resting in the sun near their mom.

Alden was fascinated by this box and wanted to press all of the buttons on it.

Watching the mother tiger as she stretched on her back.

This was really cute.  One of the tiger cubs got up and moved so that he/she could be right next to another one of their siblings.

This was the father tiger resting in a different exhibit.

This was Anders sleeping in his car seat for part of the time we were there.

Grandpa helped get Alden up high so that he could see the monkeys.

Grandpa and Alden looking at a very spiky tree.  I think it was called a monkey puzzle tree.

A penguin that looked like it was standing guard in front of its den.

Alden had fun watching these guys swim in circles.

Everyone standing and watching the harbor seals.

The arctic fox that, I think, is one of the cutest animals at the zoo.

We had to watch Alden closely here because he wanted to climb under the fence.

Anders snuggling into Grandpa.

Alden would climb back in the stroller when he wanted to eat.

Grandpa enjoying Anders time at the zoo.

Alden had so much fun with Erik!  It was funny because Alden started grabbing onto Erik's leg for a ride (as you can see on the right) when he wasn't running around.

I love the wolves!  I think they are really cool and fun to watch.

This peacock was standing in the middle of the path way showing off his feathers.  Alden thought it was really cool.

The peacock even put his feathers down and back up right in front of Alden.

Apparently my dad and brother were tired...although I have trouble believing that this is very comfortable.

Alden and the lemur family.

Alden and Maren looking for animals together.

Erik trapped Alden inside the shell by sitting on top while he was inside.  It was pretty cute to watch Erik "find" Alden.

The beach was really beautiful even though we were disappointed that it was high tide while we were there.

Alden had fun throwing rocks in the water.

I love my boys and getting to spend time with them!  I can't wait until Dad can be part of all our family activities again!

Alden's Birthday

We decided to celebrate Alden's birthday a little early this year so that he could celebrate while Erik, Maren, Grandma and Grandpa were here to celebrate with us.  I asked Alden what kind of cake he wanted this year and he told me he wanted a football cake so that was what he got.  I had fun making it for him and I was glad that he actually enjoyed his cake this year.  Although his birthday celebration was small we still had a lot of fun and Alden got to do the most important thing on your birthday...blow out the candles.  I am so glad that we could celebrate with family and I had a lot of fun using my baking skills.

Here is the football cake that I made for Alden.

I also made cupcakes that were really tasty!  We celebrated Alden's birthday on my birthday and I wanted strawberry frosting on my cupcakes so I made them.

I had fun trying to decorate them all different ways.

Alden waiting for us to light the candles.

 Alden getting sung to and blowing out his candles.

He was just as excited to blow out candles this year as he was last.  It is really cute to watch!

Me documenting Grandpa taking the pictures of Alden that you will see next.

Alden had told me he wanted chocolate cake so that was what I made him.

He was very happy with his chocolate cake and had no problem digging in to try it.  Even if the piece was a little big...

 This year for Alden's birthday we got him a new bike because he is getting too big for his old one.

He wasn't too sure about the new bike at first but he was excited about the bell.

Here is a video of Alden getting to see and try his new bike for the first time.  I think he did pretty good considering he has never really pedaled before.