Friday morning, Oct. 14th, we headed out with our friends to the Animal Ark. I think they said it’s about a mile walk around the trail to see the exotic and not so exotic animals. We got there in time to see the black bear being fed. I don’t remember what her name was, but she was rescued from some people who were keeping her as a pet. The neighbors called in saying there was a bear next door, and she ended up at the Animal Ark. She started out in the back, but slowly worked her way forward to get the fruit on the tree in front of the window. The kids loved it!

We left the bear, because a field trip group had arrived, and we wanted to stay ahead of them. The kids found the turtles, and Ella loved them. I think because they could almost reach out and touch them, if there hadn’t been a sign.

They also had a white tiger, and a few other exotic animals. The kids loved it, but by the end, Sariah and I were tired. We took the kids to Old McDonald’s and then home for some naps. Once some much needed naps were taken, we went to the small pumpkin patch close by. A major hit this year, that he has never cared to do is ride the ponies. The guy running it did not care at all, and let the kids ride longer than the usual few laps around.

Ella wouldn’t ride the ponies, but everyone was up for the train rides. They told us to wait, and so we did, but no driver ever came. After about 20 minutes, and the train was full, I went and asked someone who drives the train. The guy was like, “Oh, I forgot. I got busy with the animals.” I wasn’t sure if we really wanted him driving us, but what can you do?

Ella tried to make a run with my money. The kids had fun, and then we headed off to meet Aunts and Uncle. We met up with Aunt Brittney, Aunt Steph, and Uncle Josh at Red Robin for some dinner. Surprisingly, the kids did really well considering we were eating at 7:30 pm. After dinner, we went over to Steph and Josh’s for some play time. It was a late night, but we couldn’t miss spending time with them. Hopefully, next time we will get to spend more time with them.

We arrived in Reno Oct. 13, and went straight to the new Discovery Children’s Museum to meet Papa. The museum only opened about 3 weeks prior, so no all the exhibits are finished, but it was still lots of fun.  When you fist walk in, there was a big plastic wall with circles in it that magnified  what was on the other side. This resulted in my favorite picture of Jameson in a long time.

They had a room with Nevada history, a room to show how things are built along with geothermal activities, and then a tree house room. The tree house room also had a mining cart with sponge rocks, and conveyor belt overhead to load the rocks. The kids loved it.

Jameson thought it was even better to climb into the cart and have the “rocks” fall on top of him.

Next up, the kids figured out how to fly a plane and take out others down below.

Downstairs, the kids loved the river. Jameson loved that he could climb in the tub and “float” the river. They also had a large “cloud” to climb. Jameson was quick to climb in, but got a little scared half way up and had to be coaxed down. I was not about to climb in that thing after him.

Ella tried to sneak a few drinks of water from the river.

After, we headed over for some ice cream. This is where Pap taught Jameson that ice cream could grow legs and walk away. Every time Jameson turned around, his ice cream disappeared and the only explanation was that it “walked away.” So now, he keeps telling us that things can grow legs and walk away and hide in sneaky spots.

After ice cream, we went to the pumpkin patch we visited just before moving away from Reno. The kids loved the animals, and needed to drive the tractor.

The two would only sit still long enough for me to take a picture, but this is all I could get from them.

The kids loved all the activities of the day, and spending time with their Papa. Thanks for the fun.

Jameson would go out every morning and look for snails. Grandma showed him their hiding places, so he began a collection. Grandma even found him a jar to keep them them in. I believe these two were named Claw and Ed. Fabulous names, I know. The funny part is that when you ask Jameson what their names are, he gives you names right off the bat. No question about it. He doesn’t hesitate at all.

I was able to talk him into letting them go, and catching new ones. We did have to take one to Reno with us, and I’m surprised to say that it was still alive when we got back to my mom’s after a weekend in Reno. That was one tough snail.

Last month, I found Ella some pink boots at the consignment sale for like $6. She loves them, and will ask for her boots when you tell her to get her shoes. She wanted them on, even though she had her pajamas on. Don’t know where she was going, but she was ready.

Ella!

If Ella was missing, she could usually be found in the pantry. Hey, the girl knows where the good stuff is.

The first night there, my brother took me for a ride in his car. (He gets to drive this one until he leaves on his mission next spring.) Yes, he put lights under it. He also notified me he came in second in a bass competition. I believe it. He turned up the music and I couldn’t even swallow, my throat was vibrating. I had to tell him to turn it down, so I didn’t choke. I knew he had the lights under the car, but I didn’t know…

My feet would glow, too. I told him he needs to find a different color, because when he has it on green, he looks like a Christmas ornament. I guess red, blue, and white (I think) are illegal while on the road. Makes sense. We did get lots of stares, though.

When we got back, I went to use the restroom, and got quite a surprise. I tried to turn on the lights, but all that came on were black lights. Not cool, Weston!

The kids thought it was so neat that their clothes glowed in the dark. Jameson came in to use the bathroom, and looked at his pants with a white  stripe and exclaimed, “Wow! Cool, Mom.” Then he pulled his pants down to reveal his Buzz Lightyear underwear with many Buzz’s glowing in the dark. I could see his excitement level heighten, and he yelled, “Mom, look!” Then he pulled his underwear down, and the disappointment set in. He looked down in disbelief as nothing was glowing. He looked at me and asked, “Hey Mom, what?” I just looked at him and said, “Sorry bud. You and every other guy, but it doesn’t glow in the dark.”

October 5th, we got on an airplane and headed to my mom’s. Tickets went on sale, so we decided to head for the sun. The airports are getting easier, now that Jameson knows the routine. He puts all his stuff on the scanners himself and walks through the metal detectors like a champ. Ella is getting easier, too. What helps is that starting 2 weeks before we flew, they changed the rules so that under 12 no longer have to take their shoes off. Hallelujah!

I thought Ella would sleep for me since it was a 1:00 pm flight. NOPE. And, the flight was a full flight, so I actually had to lap her. Never had to actually lap her before, and that was no fun. Luckily, there was a family with 2 kids next to me, so that grandpa sat by me. He wasn’t bothered by the kids. We made it, though, and the kids were excited to see Grandma and Papa Don.