"don't feed the animals.............."

We went to the Portland Zoo today.
We got up, when we woke up. I made omlets for breakfast. Had coffee. Headed out. Zoo was so busy and full we had to park a few miles away and they BUSED us in an old school, school bus to the zoo.............never had that happen before. But the last time we were at the zoo was Tylers 2nd birthday. It's been awhile.

In almost EVERY SINGLE picture of Tyler, he is being goofy. Couldn't get him to keep a straight face all day. And this picture is great cause he is wearing his Oregon Duck sweatshirt and the beaver is checking him out..................he's a little too close.............

Oh............and I am NOT responsible for his goofy hair either. He stayed the night at grandma's house last night and she did it this morning. She is fired as a hair stylist. It is goofy and gets goofier by the end of the day. Maybe that's what Tyler's deal was???????

Goofy hair again......Barley got a "normal" face or smile either...................but that makes him Tyler..........

Now my lovely daughter was all about the photo shoot today. I informed her she was a little overdressed for the zoo. She informed me she wasn't and that's what she wanted to wear. And I did get some amazingly beautiful photos of her today.

Alot of the animals were sleeping and we didn't get to see them. The elephants were out. Barley got to see the giraffes. (Nice face Tyler. Goofy hair......)

One of the few normal shots I got of my son today. But he makes me laugh.....

Even the monkeys were wondering what was up with this kid..............

This picture pretty much sums up the day. Lots of pictures. Lots of silly. Lots of animals.

It was overcast but warm so it was the perfect weather for the zoo.

I packed a picnic lunch and we found a nice spot up the hill from the zoo at the Arboretum and ate sandwiches and fruit and pasta salad. Nice day. Enjoyed with my family very much.

"random pic's that make me smile....."

"another year older????? Really?"

I'm NOT 38 any more.............................
I feel like I just had a birthday....................................
Does that mean that I'm getting old??????? Nah...............you're only as old as you feel and I feel HOT. hahhahaaaa
Ok.................enough with the jokes. I had a FANASTIC birthday weekend at the coast with my family.
We were a little slow getting out of town on Friday. I worked till 1-ish. Wasn't packed at all (I'm starting to slack in my old age). Went to lunch with my mom and Aunt Michelle (when I should have been home packing). Then we had to go to the library so the kids could check out some books and I needed to rob the bank....(I mean make a deposit)..... I think we rolled into Newport around 7:00. Weather was gorgeous. Left town at an icky 98 degrees and it was 62 degrees in Newport. Perfect. We remembered pillows......that's all we need....

Oh.................an my little mini-bar..................we made white cosmopolitans :)

We sat out on the deck and ate chips and salsa for dinner (and LeRoy and I had a little drinky to go with ours).........................Can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. All planned by my husband.........for my birthday............thanks Big Poppa................(Oh.....Donna- you were invited and didn't come....so I had one for you too.)

It was clear and the sun was setting after we got unloaded. We had an ocean view with a balcony.

We walked around for awhile. Watched the ocean. The beautiful sunset. Just enjoyed each others company. Just me and my husband and kids. Enjoyable. After the sun went down Nicole and I went to the workout room (I know we are a little crazy) and worked out while LeRoy and Tyler headed to the indoor pool. After we worked out we joined them and sat in the hot tub too.

It must not have helped out much because Nicole and I were both wide awake at 3:00 am. I hear "Mom, are you awake?"........"Ummmm, yes.....are you? Why are we awake at 3 am?" So we talked and she played games on her ipod..........I guess we eventually fell asleep. I never sleep good away from home. The next night it was Tyler at 2:00 am. "Mom, I'm hot and I have a tummy ache." So I said "Strip down to your boxers and go out on the balcony and get some fresh air and cool down". Another sleepless night. But my darling hubby got up both mornings and got me a latte at Starbucks so that made it all better...............

Oh, and he was flipping thru the TV channels when we couldn't sleep and found Big Brother After Dark on Showtime. Yipppeeeeee................Spoiler Alert.............

Saturday we got up and went to Newport Farmers Market. HOW FUN! And it took us all of about 14 minutes to go thru it. But we got kettle corn (yummy) and watched all the hippies. Then we took the kids to the Hatfield Marine Science Center. I can't believe we have never taken them there? It was educational and reminded me of the last time I was there about 25 years ago! The kids did enjoy it and knew alot of information. I guess public school isn't so bad. They are learning something! We enjoyed a scrumpcious lunch at the Rogue Brewery. and free beer.....

I found this speciman lurking around................I took him home with me. hahhahaaaaaa

Then we went to chach-ki shops for little treasures. Nye Beach shops. 2nd hand/thrift stores................Fun to just look around. We decided to drive to Lincoln City to the outlets (2 stores only.......Hollister and American Eagle) and Nicole wanted to check out the Goodwill in Lincoln City. YES...............my daughter............officially a Goodwill shopper! I love it! And she found a cute dress, brand new, with tags on it....for $6.00.. I am teaching her the thrill of a bargain........and plus then you can buy more clothes. hahhahahaaa
I took the pirate home with me too.................

After our long day of shopping and walking around, we went back down to Nye Beach to a little Pizzaria I spotted earlier in the day. Very eclectic. Live music. Hippie. Homemade pizza. So worth it. Best pizza ever. Then we went back to the hotel and Nicole wanted to work out again (work off the pizza!). I didn't feel like it....So I went to the workout room with her........after I put on my pajamas and read a magazine while she ran 3 miles on the treadmill. hahhahahahaaaa.........and there was a TV in there so I watched BB after dark on Showtime. hahhahaaa..

Usually when we go anywhere............I'm super prepared with food, healthy snacks etc. Ummmmm.........this time................not so much. Tyler was cute and said I should have brought along my griddle and made "egg in the hole toast" for breakfast. No..............it's my birthday weekend and I'm NOT cooking..............so they had to settle for the restaurant in the hotel. Nicole and I split a bagel and a banana and I had my Starbucks...............so I was good. And they brought their food back to the room and ate on the balcony. Nothing wrong with that!The weather was PERFECT! 58-62 degrees the entire time. Shorts and sweatshirts. Perfect. Sunday the beach was a little foggy, but that didn't detract us from going down and walking. Nicole was complaining the entire time that she "hates sand". And it was getting her feet dirty. And it was foggy. And she wanted to go back to the hotel. That makes me laugh and just tease her. She got over it...................And the stairs back up to the beach were a good buttocks exercise.

And we were already checked out of the hotel so I had some other adventures in mind.

We went to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Rumor has it that it's haunted................I can't believe I have never been up there. Or taken my kids. Every time we have attempted, it's been closed. So we went to the top. Reminded Nicole and I of all the old places we went last year in Washington D.C/Virgina/Maryland..............so cool. And the view from the top was gorgeous of the ocean. And the stairs were a good workout for the buttocks.

We dilly-dallied for awhile longer. Went and got smoothies and stopped at one more consignment shop and then headed home.(and found out later our good friends the Lynn's were right next door at the Shilo for a softball tourney!!!) A great weekend that was completely planned by the hubby...............Good job Big Poppa!!!! Awesome weekend. Thanks.. I love you..................Then we were back to reality and it was hot when we got home!

And my "real" birthday was on Monday. I took the day off work. Because I can.

Day was pretty normal. If you call going to the gyno and eating lunch by myself a typical birthday. lol. But we went to Corino's for dinner. And my hubby and kids got me lots of lovely gifts. I'm not used to being showered with gifts and attention for my birthday. I LIKED IT!

This romper was the sole purpose we had to go to Hollister in Lincoln City. On 4th of July she saw it and we never made it back for it. So we made it there. It was on clearance ($6.00!) and they had her size. Life is good. And she wore it to my birthday dinner.

I was tired (from NO sleep this weekend!) and just wanted to lounge on the couch and not go out at all. But I'm glad we did. Food was good. Company better. Gifts were sweet. Love of my family is the best...................

Still can't believed another year flew by so fast. Busy year. School is about to start. Crazy sports schedules. And I'm another year older................

Next year is the BIG ONE! I'm already planning my party. Seriously.

Maybe if I hide it won't come as fast as the last one.........