The Zoo

...up close and personal.

Joey was the first to greet us. 

He's 5 months old.

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Mr. Anteater

Can't remember what/who this guy was...but he was so soft and lovable.

This Lemur loved to have his armpits scratched.

Who's checkin' out who?

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This guy loved checking out strollers.

The Sloth

Janet may look happy but the monkey  took to Janet more than Janet took to him.

Since this guy  couldn't win Janet's affections he made off with the baby wipes and was determined to keep them.

Violet's favorite monkey.

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When Tayla (one of the Zoo guides and a friend from our ward) kissed the Camel

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...Violet got brave enough to give it a try!

Who wouldn't want to kiss this mug? 

 So adorable!

We got to feed this guy.

 (It does help to be friends with a couple of the Zoo guides).

'

This little guy ( a cousin to a Bobcat)  will grow to be about 60 lbs.

Kitty Kisses...safer now than later.

Tayla coaxing the Kookaburra to laugh.

Have you ever touched an amaradillo? 

I didn't think so.

This guy will roll totally up in a ball.

This little zoo is outside the little town of Moapa, NV, about 40 miles north of Las Vegas, off on this little dirt road. Quite remote.  But we had so much fun, we'll definitely be going back next time the grandkids are in town.

We are getting excited

 ...for mami and papi's to come home from Hawaii today.

We are down to the last link on our chain

and we are busy making cards and pictures to welcome them home.

Gramma's Rules

In order to survive the chaos and demands of the little people, Gramma had to set a few new rules.

One  new rules is...when  you choose to leave the table (or climb under the table) while you're eating that means you are full and finished eating...for two hours! No exceptions. We set the timer.  Begging and tears won't get you  a snack before the timer goes off.   Amazingly,  no one has starved to death in two hours.

 Now when gramma quietly says...are you sure you're finished before your food is gone, the little people usually say  "Oh" and scamper right back and eat more.

 Of course,  if they eat a good meal (and only if they eat a good meal)  that means there might be treat while we are doing our next fun activity.  Or there might be a "skittle"reward  if gramma sees them being nice to their sister.

They can also be heard saying...

"When gramma says no, she means NO!"

A New Friend

We went to Butterfly park yesterday afternoon and Violet spotted this adorable little dog.  She followed it around the park for a few minutes before getting up the nerve to ask if she could pet it.   Then she didn't want to leave it!   We decided we needed a picture with her new friend. This puppy was her favorite thing from all our day's activities.

Where's Waldo

...I mean Violet.

This morning after Lucia woke up, Karl went to check on Violet.  No Violet in her bed.  No Violet in the Kitchen.  No Violet in the bathroom.   No Violet in the backyard. 

He even got me out of bed to join the hunt.

 

Can you help us find Violet.

(Okay...I've been watching too many Dora the Explorer episodes)

Can you keep up with the Ol' Man?

This morning Karl ran the  Candlelighter's 5K.   A boy in our ward recently  went through a battle with leukima and is currently in remission. so Karl signed on with his team,  "Kickin' Cancer with Clay." 

 

He also got an generous donation from his work to present to Candlelighters.

Tonight Clay and his mom come by to give Karl this.

Yeah...he's faster than you thought!
(of course, we not quite sure how many ran in his division:)

Our Busy Busy Days

My busy days with Violet and Lucia have brought back memories (suppressed memories) of having two very small children...memories of   Karl wondering what happened to the beautiful girl he married because his frumpy wife  was spending the majority of her time in sweats with her  hair tied back with a bandana.

My days currently starts at 6:00 am with a cute little Lucia announcing that the day has started and it doesn't slow down until 8:30 pm when we tuck the little cuties into bed. Then I unwind to one episode of Downton Abbey...shower and fall exhausted into bed with wet hair.  This morning Karl noted that I was wearing the same clothes I had the day before and maybe I should wear a hat.

Our home can be identified by the cheerios smashed in the entry.

I look forward to:

•  11:30 nap time for Lucia...during which Violet chatters incessantly peppering me with the same questions over and over and over.

• An afternoon movie...they always choose Lilo & Stitch.

• And Karl coming home...I have questioned why he is coming home late this week?

 As soon as Karl walks in the door we head out the door to do something to wear the wee little ones out

a long walk

Butterfly park

Tonight is swimming.

(Karl and I eat dinner in shifts while supervising "Glow stick bath time and teeth brushing."

Music to my ears is Violet saying "Gramma, I'm so tired can I please go to bed."

Having so much fun is so exhausting!

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 A fort for story time.

Where/how  I found Violet sleeping yesterday morning.

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 One of our scavenger hunt lists

 

 A creative creation.

 Yes, Lucia is naked...it is the best way to play in the water... it saves on diapers!

 Princess time.

 Dancing to Disney Music

 Violet is doing the Hula...learned from Lilo and Stitch for Mommy and Papi in Hawaii.

So how do I have time to post a blog...in 15 second increments.  We've been through paper dolls, telling time, American girl catalog, color book, puzzles, the back of my computer chair has been unscrewed and miles of thread has been woven about my sewing room.

Well, it's time to get Lucia up from her nap...so she will sleep tonight.
Chad and Janet have fun in Hawaii...we're having a great time here.

Another Tobler Princess

Where is my Royal Dinner?

Introducing  Georgiana (Georgie) Tobler

Born September 2, 2012

Proud Parents: Kyle & Kimberly Tobler

Royal Siblings: Prince Charlie, Princess Greta

On our own

The mom and dad have flown off to Hawaii for a week and Gramma and Grampa are going solo with Violet and Lucia.

Violet made a chain to count down till mami and papi get back. 

Here's what we are doing right now

...at least for the next 5 seconds.