DC: Day 2

I was so excited when my sister-in-law, Amy, mentioned the idea of going to the Washington, D.C. Zoo!  We've been to the DC area more times than I can count, but have never visited the zoo.  We lucked out on the weather during our visit!  In fact, it rained the day we arrived and the day we left and was beautiful every day in between!

So we loaded up all the kids, packed a picnic, and ventured downtown to check out the zoo.  After driving around for quite some time looking for a parking spot that could accommodate a mini-van, we made the trek to the entrance.

Jacob could hardly contain his excitement!

Baby Jacob trying to figure out which animal we should check out first.

It was such a beautiful day and I think everyone had the idea to visit the zoo.  By the time we got there, it was pretty much time for lunch.  It was so nice to be eating outside and the kids had a great space to run around after they were finished.

Andrew and Amy

The crew enjoying the grub.

My first being reintroduced to grass.

GG enjoying a little nap in the sun.

They have the coolest thing I have ever seen at the Zoo here for the orangutans.  High above your head as you walk through the zoo, there are platforms with ropes in between so the orangutans can swing and climb at their leisure.

At first, I just took a picture of the set-up, thinking it was unlikely we'd see the orangutans in action.

But how wrong I was!  One came out and went through the entire obstacle course.  I think I took about 40 pictures during his journey from one end to the other.  Unfortunately the pictures don't quite do it justice.  It was pretty incredible!

The other highlight of the visit for me was seeing a Panda Bear.  They are so incredibly rare and I've never seen one in real life.  

One was snoozing outside.

Here was my attempt to get Amelia in a picture with a Panda.  This little guy was sitting inside and was eating some sort of ice ring.

One last photo op on our way out--as you can see, Amelia was done!

Until we got back home that is!  Even though Amelia didn't take a nap on the way home, our quick stop for ice cream must have rejuvenated her.  Once back at the Banocy's, it was back to play time.

Dress up was a popular activity during our visit.

And Aunt Amy had lots of crafts to make--including Andrew's favorite of coloring the recycling!

And what would a trip to DC be without a cousin bathtime picture??

DC: Day 1

Since the birth of Amelia, we have ventured to Washington, DC every April to see my brother and his family.  It is always a great time with them and it amazes me how well the kids get along each time.  

We were lucky enough to get a direct flight there and back which, I'm quite sure, made for a much more enjoyable day.

Amelia enjoyed watching the planes from the rocking chairs by our gate.

Once we arrived, Amelia and Andrew picked up right where they had left off.  Here, they got a hold of GG's camera and took some pictures around the house.  After proudly showing us the pictures they took, Amelia was totally busted for eating some more chocolate cake!

For whatever reason, I love this one!

After the photography session, Uncle D made a tent for the kids with a couple of blankets and a chair.  BEST. THING. EVER. apparently.

A little post bath time, pre-bed time hug session.

And just a few more from night one of playing around.

Easter

Alright, so here are obligatory 2009 Easter pictures.  I know it isn't really all that interesting to look at someone else's family dyeing and hunting eggs, but lucky for you, Jason accidentally deleted all of the pictures from both egg hunts we did the Saturday before Easter.  We hit one hunt at the church where we attend MOPS.  The other hunt was at TR Hughes Ballpark.  It was INSANELY busy and I don't think we will be returning next year!

We thought we'd dye an egg or two this year.

Amelia putting some carrots in her Easter basket for the Easter bunny.  Notice her Easter pajama finest!

The morning of Easter at our house.  We have exactly zero pictures of her hunting eggs in the AM, but we do have quite a bit of video footage.  The Easter bunny hid them inside this year.  Note to EB:  You probably don't need to hide quite so many eggs next year. Just FYI.

Amelia scored some candy, coins, and stickers in her eggs.  The Easter bunny also brought her a tutu for dress up, a bubble gun, a new puzzle, and some new books!

Amelia is by far the youngest cousin in Jason's family on both sides and enjoyed being the sole Easter egg hunt participant this year at House #1.

Amelia checking her stash before heading to Houses #2 and #3 for the day.

Jason's Birthday revisited

Just a stray picture from Jason's birthday.....

Jason and Amelia and the awesome strawberry cake that he gets one time a year!

Making Contact

Want to know how to keep a couple of toddlers busy?  Try making a texture collage like THIS ONE.  This was SO incredibly easy and SO successful with Amelia and her friend, Natalie.

I took some random supplies from around the house (feathers, pipe cleaners, tissue paper, foil, cotton balls, toothpicks, ribbon, Easter grass, etc.) and cut them into small pieces.  

Then, I taped two rectangles of contact paper on the window (one for each lady) sticky side out and let them go to town.  

Oh, the fun of sticking things to it.  I will seriously be doing this ALL THE TIME! It would also be good for younger children, as long as they aren't still sticking things in their mouths.

Amelia's finished product!

Does it Get Any Better...

than popcorn and princesses?