Gorillas in our midst...

And monkeys...and giraffes...and cheetahs...and.......

Yesterday was Matthew and Megan's first birthday (can you believe it's been a YEAR already!?!) so Luke and I were invited to join Krystal, Will, the kids and their family for a day at the Wild Animal Park. (My poor hubby had to work, so he wasn't able to come!) :( We started our day (which was beautiful in San Diego!!) with a visit to the gorillas. Luke had missed seeing them during our last visit due to a much needed nap! He LOVED them this time around! He thought they were pretty cool and laughed at their funny antics. There was even a pregnant one! Luke didn't want to leave the exhibit, and was content to stand on the railing (with me holding him, of-course!) all day if we had let him! Here is a few cute pictures of his exploring the statue out in front, along with our only picture of the two of us for the day...



After the gorillas, we headed down for the Journey into Africa tram ride, where we got up close and personal with Ivan, the zoo's most well-known giraffe.

Isn't he cool?! Luke got a kick out him! We saw a few other exhibits and then opted for a much needed break for lunch.

The park had a really neat little tots play area, with fun tunnels, a 'jungle' gym and a few motorized jeep safari cars. Luke took his future girlfriend (Megan) for a little drive...

Then he needed to show Kale the ropes on the jeep too...

and then headed down the slide a few times...

He had a BLAST running and playing with all the other kids. I caught this cute little photo of the Stauffer clan...

It was close to 2pm by the time we wandered out of the play area, and Luke was in dire need of a nap, (he had gotten up at the now-usual 5:45!) so we all decided to take the LONG stroll around the outskirts of the park to give the kiddos a rest period. It did the trick, and while Luke napped, we saw the cheetahs, tigers and a whole mess of other four-legged creatures. Boy! By the end of the day, I was one tired mama from all that walkin'! It was a fun time though! On the car ride home, we drove through an area in Temecula where the freeway is lined with tall hills that are covered in white boulders. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Luke exclaimed from the backseat "Loot-it, Mom!! Sheeps!!!" Ha! :) He saw the small, round rocks and quite literally mistook them for sheep! How cute is that!?

We joined Krystal's family for dinner on the way home, and made it back here just in time for bathtime and bed! I treated myself to a nice, long soak in the tub too when we got home to soothe my sore back and puffy feet, and then it was off to bed early for me as well! Geez....sometimes pregnancy makes you feel old! :)

Today, we got moving early so that we could be ready to go when Ty's aunt and uncle called for a last minute, quick visit. They were in town for just a few short hours before heading to a convention in LA, and we were able to squeeze in a super fast visit, which was so nice! They had never met Luke (I was pregnant with him the last time they were here to visit), so it was fun to get to introduce him to them. We met at Starbuck's for just an hour, and Luke was surprisingly chipper and outgoing for them! He is usually so slow-to-warm to new people, but not today! He was thrilled to tell them ALL about the animals we saw yesterday and show them his silliness. I was glad they were able to see his super fun side! Sometimes, I think he gives the impression that he is so reserved and subdued to people he doesn't know well. He is usually so shy at first. But for those of you who have been able to spend any length of time with him, you have seen his true (and sometimes crazy!) colors! He really is a fun little tot! Yesterday was SOOOO much fun us and I enjoyed every little moment of him! We had a blast!

After our visit at Starbucks, we headed over to the World Discovery Store to meet Sarah and Hudson for a little play time. We had hoped to participate in their Just for Tots craft time, but by the time we arrived, the class was already full! Bummer! :( We let the kids explore the neat toys instead, and signed up for the class in two weeks. Who knew it was so popular!? Then we popped over to Jamba Juice for a smoothie-lunch outside by the fountain. Luke again, was surprisingly playful and outgoing with Hudson right from the start, and they ran around, climbing on the short walls and being silly together. I'm glad he has a little buddy to grow up around! It's so nice! :)

We said our goodbyes around 12:15 and Luke and I ventured over to Target so that I could return the maternity swimsuit I had bought a month or so ago. Guess I was optimistic when I bought a small....it fit then....but when I tried it back on the other day, by belly was already peeking out the bottom! Oops! Guess I'll need to find a different one. (Not that I'm actually looking forward to squeezing my chubby, very pregnant, white self into a swimsuit this summer, but I know that the swimming pool will likely be one of my few repreives from the sweltering summer heat!) So I think that early next week, Luke and I will head down to the outlets to scout out Motherhood and Gap Maternity for a new suit. Target ended up appeasing my desire to browse, and we headed out of there a little later than planned. Luke actually fell asleep for the first time EVER in the cart as we strolled the isles! I had promised him a 'sutter' (sucker) if he was a good boy in Target (yes....even I sometimes resort to bribery!) since I was only planning to be a minute in there and I knew naptime was approaching! He got his beloved sucker, but was so tired as I was allured by the isles that he began to fall asleep sitting up...with sucker in hand and all! Poor tike! He was like a teenager in history class...doing his absolute best to keep his eyes open, but all the while loosing control of his little head and bobbing forward in sleep. It was pretty funny to watch! He was my entertainment for a spell! :) Mean Mama that I am! :) He soon found the squishiness of the Floppy Seat on the side of the cart and settled in for a catnap while I paid for our things. He napped the rest of the way home and for 2 more hours once he was in his own bed! Guess those early mornings are taking their toll, eh? :)

Just one last, cute story before I go tonight....while I was finishing up getting ready to leave this morning, Luke was playing independently with his Bear in my room (a little white, stuffed polar bear he got from the zoo on his birthday). He had been talking quietly to himself, obviously engaging in pretend-play with his beloved Bear, when I turned around to see him set Bear on the floor with an exaggerated frown on his face. "Time-out, Bear!" he said calmly, but sternly. When I asked him what Bear had done to warrant a time-out, he said "Not lis'ning, Mommy!" Apparently, Bear had chosen not to listen to Luke's instructions and was getting a time-out for disobeying! :) In my best Mommy-as-Teacher manner, I helped Luke with the words to explain to Bear what his transgrestion had been and why Bear was receiving a time-out. Luke diligently repeated my phrases to Bear, then quietly told Bear "when you talm down Bear, you tan be all done." "Otay...all done!" And he scooped Bear up to hug him! :) Guess my ways of discipline are sinking in! But how cute was that??! I wish I had a video camera handy! It was the sweetest thing!

Okay, so how's that for a Kris-like blog?? Better?? Hope so! :) And since Amy and a few others had asked about pictures of the twins, here is one last little collage to catch you up on their cuteness.


Okay....Night ya'll! Enjoy your Friday! :)