So I really should be posting another fun giveaway since it is Friday. However, you’ll just have to wait until next Friday for a chance to win a prize pack from Seventh Generation, ’cause I’m not in the mood to write that post.
Yesterday since the weather was beautiful, we packed a picnic lunch and headed out for a day at the zoo (this year’s pick for season passes). The children had a blast and I was reminded of what the heat of summer is going to be like at the end of this pregnancy. 
Sadie eating lunch
We love that the zoo has such a nice area for picnics and allows you to bring in food.
"Monkeys" Savannah (5) and Colby (3)
We were entertained by two monkeys who preferred tree climbing to lunch eating.
Our kids
I can never resist the opportunity to get a picture of all the children together especially an outdoor shot. They must be getting bigger because all of a sudden, in this picture, this looks like an AWFUL. LOT.OF. CHILDREN.
I do realize that I may be little prejudiced, but humor me here, that’s a pretty good looking bunch, right?
Sadie (6), Matthew (10), Nicholas (1), Mark and Kaitlin (12) enjoying the camels
Mark was able to join us for his lunch break. He ate and visited with the camels before he went back to calling on customers.
Nicholas (1) and Alyssa (9) with camel.
Although Nick (1) wanted to be very close to the camels, he did not want to have any physical contact and was ready to leave after this camel snuffled him.
Carter (8) loving on a goat
Is it just me or do Carter and this goat look eerily similar?
I neglected to pack anything to drink so by the time we got to the petting zoo, the only word that Nick (1) could utter was “water”.
It was 79 degrees, the zoo had not a single working water fountain and I had 9 children whom I had fed peanut butter sandwiches and corn chips for lunch. I ended up spending $4 for a drink. Well, not actually for the drink, but rather for the large cup the drink came in. We refilled that cup more than 5 times in the sink.
As we were walking back to the car (a black van, I might add) the children were talking about how HOT the van was going to be and a little voice inside my head started saying, “Remember the end of last summer, the AC on the van went out and you were thankful that it was the end of the summer?” No, we haven’t gotten that repaired yet, but thanks to yesterday it’s on the list.
I’m thankful that warm weather is finally here, I love going out with the children and I’m especially looking forward to the later part of summer when I will be able to enjoy the outdoors holding a new baby rather than being pregnant with one.
I will pick a winner for the Bisquick prize pack giveaway. Congratulations to Shelley who left this comment,
I love strawberries & whipped cream on my pancakes. I’d like to see our Joy ministry at church do a pancake fundraiser. Thanks
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Those are some cute monkeys!
You have a beautiful family. We enjoy visiting our zoo’s too and I am really looking forward to planning a trip in the near future!
~traci
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For some reason I thought you weren’t allowed to take food inside the zoo anymore. Or is that just school groups.
We really need to get our pass renewed. We went on a picnic yesterday too, only it was to Douglas Dam which is only about 20 minutes from our house.
Spring is so fun!
Oh and I hear you on the late summer plus being pregnant…yuck. This next one is due in Nov so maybe it won’t be too bad for me.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Oh, I certainly hope not. No one said anything to us and there were a couple other families eating picnic lunches, so I hope this hasn’t changed, but don’t know for sure.
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You childfren are so blessed to have so many loving playmates! We are raiing our 5 yr old grandson. At times I feel so bad for him not having those sibling playmate..I thought about adoption some but my 49 yr old menopausal body doesnt think I can handle it!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I pray that God will bless you as you pour your life into your grandson. Having sibling playmates is wonderful, but remember that God is in control and knows best.
His perfect plan for your grandson is to be raised by you in these circumstances. Just rejoice and trust in His perfect plan.
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Sorry, but um, no. Carter and the goat do NOT look alike. I will give you that it is an adorable picture
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 8:11 am
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Your family is beautiful.
The zoo sounds like so much fun. Maybe we can go sometime this spring or fall (people more decently clad then, we have found :-/).
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Fabulous pictures!! The zoo is one of our favorite places, although I’ll be the first to say that I don’t care what people say…the Detroit Zoo (where we are from) is better than the Atlanta Zoo (where we currently are spending the next couple of years). We decided against season passes this year and are thinking the a aquarium might be a better buy.
Loving the group shot!! And yes, they are a very good looking group.
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You are so right, a beautiful looking bunch of kids!! I know two other families that look that good.
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Number one: Carter does NOT resemble the goat!!!
Number two: We also have season passes to that zoo so maybe we can meet up some time; after I have my baby of course!!!!!!
Great looking family!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Just let us know when you want to meet at the zoo. However, by the time you have your baby and are ready to go to the zoo, I’m not sure that I’m going to want to brave the heat…
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i love your new header
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Your family is just beautiful! What blessings!
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Yes, they are a good looking bunch!
I usually think we have a lot of children when they are all bunched together, outside. Or trooping in somewhere all in a line. (we have 10)
And I especially notice that we have a lot of children when I am pregnant and outside, and we are all going somewhere and I am in the rear.
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