A Zoo Unlike Any Other

We had heard about this "zoo" from our friends, called the Swetsville Zoo. It was so amazing. The man who created the creatures in the "zoo" used to be a farmer. He created most of the sculptures between 1985 and 1995. The zoo will be closing in the next five years due to development in the area. There are over 150 sculptures--luckily many of them will be "adopted" and put in other parts of the city. They are so amazing to see!
All the sculptures are made up of old farm equipment, cars, motorcycles, etc.

The sculptures have nicknames, scientific names and comments that coordinate with a number on the sculpture. I've tried some of their names close to the coordinating pics below.
If you're ever in this area, Swetsville Zoo is definitely a place you should visit!


"Marty" Cowboysaurus: The Martian cowboy
Yang- Dragon: Holding up his end

Harry the Hitchhiker, sub-human: Always looking for a handout

Centurion 21, Space ship: Started life as a 1977 Buick, corn cutter, etc. Tanner, Tannerasaurus: Keeps an eye on the rest of these clowns

Humpty Dumpty, Cracked Marshmallow: One of the King's men was a welder

Dinosaur Kit, Parts is Parts: Some assembly required

(Behind the chimes)- Heavy Metal Band

Clank, Wind chimes: Drives the neighbors crazy!!

Symphony, Noise Makers: Play if you will

Rex, Tyrannosaurus: Hes a golf caddie for Allen
Allen, Golfer: Almost always has a hole-in-one

The Worry Well, Well: Disposal for negative thoughts

Gossiping, Four Crows: Sitting on the pump gossiping

Bruno, Motorcycle Rider: One mean dude!!

We Love Mail

We love getting mail--especially when it includes gifts!

Auntie Debbie surprised us with a fun "summer" package--new outfits for the kids.

Here Addison is showing off her cute "teacup" shirt and brown pants. Her expression says it all!

Thank you, Auntie Debbie!

Wild Animals

My friend Angie called me one day and asked if I'd like to come over and do something "crafty". We decided to make some fun, wild animal/horses for our kids. We were up until 1a.m. making the cute things--we had such a blast. (The above pic is of them unfinished--they are now secured on the bottoms/finished.)
The next day, I told all the kiddos (my kids plus two of their friends I was watching.) I had a surprise for them and they waited outside for a couple of minutes while I stuffed the horses heads. I called them in and told them there were some wild animals in the family room and to come see!
They squeeled with delight and their eyes got big when they saw them. They picked up the horses and immediately began riding them around. We proceeded outside where they raced up and down the sidewalk calling "Giddy up" and "Yeehaw!"
Cooper, leading the pack of wild horses...
Addison wasn't really sure how to ride on them, so she just drug her's along. There she goes!

Fair-Weather Friend

Here are two definitions of a "fair-weather friend" according to the Urban dictionary.

"A friend who only sticks by you when things are going well."

"A friend who doesn't help in times of difficulty. Likely nautical in nature, referring to the fact that when weather is good nearly anyone can help on a ship."

Life is too short to fill it up with fair-weather friends. I have learned I don't need to invest myself and my energy into another person who is going to run at the first sign of rain.

To you, my fair-weather friend.

Farewell.

Just Send Grammy

I was out of town for a week at a church youth camp, so my mom and sister came to take care of the kids while Rick was at work. Yeah, when I left Mcayden WAS NOT potty trained. When I came back...he WAS. Grammy is amazing. It is soooooooooo nice that he is potty trained now. He is so proud of himself and we are so proud of him!! He's showing off his potty chart in the picture below. All the "laps" have stickers on them and he has WON the race! Thank you, Grammy!!

4th of July FUNNN!

This year for the 4th, we biked to Old Town and checked out the street fair and music, before heading to City Park. We picnicked under a big tree, while it rained. Rick biked home to pick up a tarp and other things when it started to POUR. The kids didn't mind a bit. Mcayden happily played at the nearby playground, while Addison and I tried to keep ourselves and our picnic dry, under the tree. :)

The clouds parted and the most beautiful double rainbow appeared. I wish I had taken my camera!! We met some friends and soon after Rick came back with a tarp, dry clothes and warm blankets--just in time for the show. The weather shaped up perfectly and we had an awesome time.

Addison sat on Rick's lap and "oohed and ahhed", clapping her hands and pointing at the fireworks. Mcayden kept diving under the blankets and peeking out to watch the fireworks bursting in the air. It was a great night.

We biked home and Addison completely passed out in the bike trailer. It was almost midnight, but after putting her to bed, we met up with our friends & kiddos (a couple of houses away) and did fireworks with them in the street. My favorite thing is playing with sparklers and writing things in the air. It was such a fun night!

Happy 4th of July!!

Rick's Birthday--31 and Havin' Fun!

For Rick's 31'st birthday, we invited friends over for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun! The BBQ was delicious, the company was awesome --we all really enjoyed ourselves. Some of our friends stayed late and we sat by the fire, under the stars and talked. It was a great day and a very happy b-day for Rick! With all those candles--I'm lucky I still have my eyebrows! Really.
Yummy cake. We got it from Safeway (Rick loves their cake). It wasn't at all what it should have looked like, but it worked! They had made another cake, part of it fell and then they didn't have the Harley toy to put on top (as I had ordered). So, they picked up some cars at Walgreens and decorated a "Cars" cake. It tasted yummy--the most important thing!

Happy Birthday to a GREAT guy.

A wonderful husband, daddy, friend, brother and son!

We love you!