Monday, August 23, 2010

Your Zoo Tour Guide

Hi there folks!! In case you've never been to the Indianapolis Zoo, I thought I'd give you a little tour. You see, this morning I begged my mom to take me to see some animals and after a 20 minute car ride we ended up here... one of my favorite places-- The Indianapolis Zoo!!!!! Before we get started I wanted to give my little bro, Ray, a shout out. The poor guy sat in the stroller the whole morning and didn't whine a bit. Man, he's a good baby!! What up RAY??!!!

Oh, I found this picture to give you a better idea of what things looked like this morning. I was running around like a wild maniac and Mommy was trying to chase me around the zoo with this huge stroller. Oh, I had soooo much fun!!!


It all started in the forest, where we saw these beautiful birds I didn't even know existed. When I saw these birds, I thought of the phrase my Daddy taught me, "Nice legs!"



Then we slid on over to the butterfly exhibit at White River Gardens. These beautiful little fellas let me get so close to them. Now that never happens in my neck of the woods. What a treat!


They even let me touch them (even though we weren't supposed to). Maybe the flies liked my Edge jersey, who knows?





Once I saw this rock, I thought it'd be the perfect photo opp. Don't I look studdly?? So big and tall with my blonde curls! Next week when I start pre-school the babes are gonna love me!






ROOOOOAAAAR!!! Well, it didn't quite go like that, but this huge bear loved me too. We had a staring contest for at least 30 seconds.... Mommy said it was just enough time to get the perfect picture.







Oh, here I am again. I just can't get enough of Mommy's new camera. These pictures she takes require zero touch up- it's outstanding!!







I don't know if you've ever met Tony Stewart, but he was chillin' at the zoo today with these super fast cheetahs! Stew and I hit it off so well, he let me stand by his little pet for this amazing photo.










This lady, who I call "Mommy," is the one who took me to this fine place. She picked the most perfect day- it wasn't too crowded, no long lines, and a cool breeze- I think the car read about 77 degrees this morn.










Like WHOA!! Daddy would appreciate this exhibit. He reads me my giraffe book every night (that's where we talk about the nice legs, right?).











When I saw this picture, I knew something was up. This zebra is sooooo out of focus. I was thinking Mommy was just experimenting with her camera, but no, I knew she just wanted to focus in on my B-E-A-utiful curls. Ohhhh Mom!!














Well, our trip is coming to an end and I started to feel about the same as this polar bear- sleepy!














We hit up the Ocean Exhibit and headed to the car.... did I mention we saw penguins there though?? They acted like we've known each other forever-- I kept thinking we've only met a few times, but whatev.













Ohhhh, Grandpa would have loved this exhibit- the shark petting area!! I didn't get to pet the sharks because Mommy has this phobia thing about either sharks or germs... I wasn't quite sure, but it's all good. I kinda was a little burnt out on sharks anyway since we just got off of Shark Week on the tube.



















Welp, now we're home and I about to get all tuckered in to my bed. I had a stinkin' blast, and I can't wait to have another day out like this again. I heard my grandparents might get a membership.... I'll be sure to have Mommy put a good word in for me.



Until next time, Yo Gabba Gabba.
Joey














Friday, August 20, 2010

I called it.

September of 2007, I called it. I was with my hubby and in-laws at Cheeseburger in Paradise and said the market was going to hit a low of about 7,000 and it's going to start the process of teaching my generation how to prioritize. We've been given so much on a silver platter and it is time to actually learn something that our Grandparents did. Over the past 3 years, I have learned so much! We are close to getting completely out of debt other than our home, I have learned how to grow a garden, I know how to save at least 50% at the grocery store with coupons and I usually can save about 70% at CVS and get a pack of 96 diapers for $3. I understand the idea of buying only what we eat and I enjoy being creative and using all of our produce before it goes bad. I don't mind packing my lunch, eating at home and saving money by making my own coffee in the morning versus a Starbuck run. All of this and more has ultimately made me healthier too. Since I eat at home more, I eat much less sodium and calories, so when I do go out to eat I notice a huge difference in the way I feel. I also care a lot about what I'm eating at home. We buy at least half of our food organic, and we just bought a deep freezer for our grass fed, hormone calf we just bought for the winter. Little Joey begs me to go to the markets on Wednesday and Saturday and there isn't much there he won't try. We also find more joy in doing free things versus always paying to do something "kid friendly."

It's amazing what a recession can teach someone... if you're teachable. I am refreshed now that I have more control over my expenses and health, and I actually feel a ton better mentally and physically. You should try it.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

2 of a Kind

Baby blue eyes... and tough guy in his new Nike dry fit shirt.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Nuff Said

I'm not kidding, this is what we do all day! Who is this kid?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Some of our favorite women!

Grandma Connie Matis!

Great Aunt Cathy Matis!

Aunt Katie Matis!



Bestie Alli West- all the way from LA!



Today we go to LJ's preschool to meet his teacher! School starts next week!!
PS Don't worry, it's just one morning a week :)



Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Mommy, hold you.


I see this and hear that.... maybe 200 times a day. Oh, how I'll miss this phase.

Monday, August 2, 2010

So Sorry!


I really haven't done a lot of blogging lately, and it's because something is wrong with our router and the idea of taking two babies to Best Buy gives me the hhhheeebeee jeeebeees! So, I managed to get online today, but it could go out any second (that will explain my blog ending mid-sentence).
To update you though... things around 8428 have been pretty stinkin' good! LJ is talking up a storm. If he doesn't know what it is, he says "what's that?" and that probably happens about 250 times a day. He's mesmorized by buckles-- he'll work on them for hours and one by one I find them around the house. For example, I go to put Ray in his bouncer seat or carseat and it's already buckled. LJ is also swimming by himself with just his "puddle jumper." It's amazing how quickly he picked up swimming. Our favorite sport right now though is golf. He talks about golf in his sleep. My dad sawed down his golf clubs and put tennis grips around them so LJ has a small set. We also have a few buckets of balls and to be completely honest LJ is hitting about 8/10 about 20 feet. He practices from the time he wakes up till he goes to bed. He also has quite a stroke. I don't know if this is normal, but if it is then bring your kid over to our house and let's play!
Ray is 5 months old!!!!! WHAT! He's a piece of cake!! He's a complete giggle monster and you can find him either rolling over or bouncing in his jumperoo. He's lost quite a bit of his hair, but from what he has left it still has a red tint. He's still is about 50th percentile in his stats.
We are officially giving the boys a bath together and it's not only a blast but it's seriously cutting our bedtime routine down so we can play outside longer. Ray is eating two meal of organic oatmeal a day and loooooovin' it!!
Our family jumped on the organic kick this summer, and man, I seriously can tell a difference-- mentally and physically :) We love going to the markets and we can't wait to get our Farm Fresh Delivery every other Friday.
As for me, I'm lovin' life! Things are honestly really good right now. Joey and I have been going out pretty regularly and being back in the social scene feels great. We have some awesome babysitters and the one on one time makes a huge difference!! I have about 3-5 more lbs to lose still, but there is just something about how your body changes after a baby.... it's like I need to lose another 10 lbs.... but that's not happening.
Welp, the babes are getting up. If you've made it all the way through this blog would you mind sending up a small prayer to the Man above.... just pray for the health of those you love. There is a lot going on right now, and it'd be nice to get down to the bottom of some of these things.
Off to diaper duty.