montgomery zoo

One of our first places to visit in Montgomery was the zoo!  We were very excited about taking the kids to see all the animals.  They love animals - they know most of the signs, point them out everywhere we go, love making all the noises, and get excited when they see them.

This was our first time taking them to a zoo.  They loved every second of it!  They looked in every habitat for the animals, tried to get as close as possible, made the correct noise at them, and asked to go back to a few.

The Montgomery zoo even had several areas where we were able to get close to the animals.  The first was a habitat full of turtles, ducks, and several types of birds that we could walk through.  The ducks and birds walked around the area like we weren't even there.  It was neat to be a part of the habitat.  The kids liked watching but didn't want to get too close.

There was a neat area to feed the giraffes.  The zoo had a walkway above the African habitat with a little balcony out so we were the same level as the giraffes.  We got the feed and were excited to let the kids feed these beautiful animals.  The kids hated it!!!  They were freaked out by the giraffes eatting out of their hands and the long tongues.  Zoey kept looking at Matt and saying "Daddy do it".  They were ok being held while Matt and I fed them but didn't want to do it themselves.

We also had the opportunity to feed the parakeets.  The zoo had feed sticks for purchase and we held them out and the birds would come to eat off of them.  Bryce hated it the second a bird thought about eating from his stick so he immediately threw it down and tried to get away from the birds.  Zoey was alright holding a stick until one of the birds landed on her hand.  She, however, loved watching them eat when Matt was holding the feed sticks!

We were able to see the Toucans, Lions, Brown Bears, Monkeys, Flamingos, Peacocks, Tigers and so much more.  Matt and I loved watching the kids learn and getting to see all the animals we read and talk about.  The kids enjoyed watching the animals and telling us about them.  They were convinced that every rock had monkeys in it and every area of water should have alligators.  The kids took the time to watch the animals and figure out what they were doing.

At the end of the zoo there was a playground!  Bryce and Zoey will never pass up a good slide so, of course, we had to take some time to play even though they were so exhausted.

We all had a wonderful day!  We can't wait to take the kids to another zoo or possibly back to the Montgomery zoo before we leave Alabama!
.katherine.

apartment living

While we are in Montgomery all four of us are in an apartment.  It is the first time I have ever lived in an apartment and to be honest, I was a little nervous about it!  I was sure we were all going to be very cramped, there would be no space for the kids to play, we wouldn't constantly be hearing neighbors, and we would all be sick of each other by the end of the two months.  However, it has been wonderful.  We are taking advantage of spending time together, we don't care that toys usually are everywhere, and there are a lot more outdoor activities that we are able to take advantage of.

Our favorite place in the apartment complex, and probably all of Montgomery, is the community pool.  The kids have become quite the water babies.  They now (with floaties of course) float around by themselves, jump in to us, lower themselves in from the edge, and push off from the steps.  They get so excited at the mention of going to the pool or when they see any of the pool toys.  We have been going as often as possible and the kids are even getting tan lines!

We love being able to enjoy the weather here.  I don't know if we are just too used to the chilly days we left in Minot but we don't seem to notice or mind the humidity!  There is a good space to play in right outside the apartment.  We have taken advantage of it by blowing bubbles, playing with the dogs, rolling in the grass, looking at flowers, and watching for Matt to come home from work.

We also have a great walking area in the middle of all the apartments.  It is a third of a mile loop and great for taking the dogs on walks.  The kids like the walks just as much, if not more, as the dogs.  They ask all day long if we can go outside for walks.  I love that we are able to be active and they want to be outside!

The kids like going on walks more after it rains because they love puddle jumping!  Immediately outside our apartment there is a low spot in the sidewalk and they run to it each time we go outside to see if there is water in it.  I love watching them play and get so excited about such simple things that I would normally avoid or not even notice.  I am especially aware of this when I see the kids play in puddles!

As we drive into the apartment complex there is a field with a herd of cows.  Anyone who has spent time with Bryce in the last few months knows that cows are his absolute favorite animal.  He talks about them all the time, we have so many books about them, and he lights up when you ask him what they say.  We often get to see the cows pretty far in the distance but when they are close to the fence we make sure to stop so Bryce and Zoey can tell them hi.  The kids get so excited when they hear them "moo" and see them in the field!

Overall it has be a great experience living in the apartment.  We are getting in some wonderful family time, the space isn't too tight (although I wouldn't want to live here forever), it is a really nice temporary home, and we are going through this experience together!
.katherine.

road trip to alabama

On May 24th we left Minot and started the drive to Alabama.  We had both cars loaded up with everything we would all need for the next several months, both kids, both dogs, plenty of snacks, and my cousin Amanda!  Amanda flew in the day before to help us with the drive - she was able to be an extra driver and help keep the kids happy but really it was just fun to have her with us and the kids love "A-nana"!

On our way out of North Dakota we made a stop in Fargo at Sanford hospital.  Sanford is where the kids were transferred to from Minot's NICU during the flood.  We spent spend seven weeks in the Sanford NICU.  We have kept up with several of the nurses and Kristie, the lactation consultant.  We wanted to make sure we got to see them one more time while we were passing through.  As soon as the kids saw Kristie they ran up to her with open arms, they must know what a special person she is and how much she means to Matt and I. Kristie loved walking the kids through the unit to see the doctors and nurses.  The nurses always tell us they love seeing the kids as they have grown and we always love seeing all the amazing people who helped us so much during those first few months of the kids lives.

From Fargo we headed south for the rest of the evening and into the next day.  As we drove through all the different states we sang silly songs, stopped to stretch our legs, pointed out all the wildlife, talked about the moon, took naps when the kids were quiet, saw a helicopter up close and made the best of being in such a tight space for so long.  The kids were so well behaved for being so confined for so long.  Some days we arrived at our stops and hotels with half dressed or naked kids but everyone was still happy!

Each night we tried to stop at hotels with a pool.  The kids loved splashing in the water, it was a fun way to relax, and it got the kids tired enough so we could all get some sleep.

On day three we drove through Fayetteville, Arkansas where Matt's sister, Lauren, is currently living.  We had called her at the beginning of our trip when we realized how close we would be and she informed us that she would indeed be home AND Syd and Janet would be visiting.  We quickly made plans to stop by for a few hours on the way but surprise Syd and Janet!  Lauren told us where they would be having brunch and we showed up just as they were getting a seat.  The look on Janet's face when she realized what was going on was priceless (and I forgot to get a photo of it)!  We all had a wonderful meal together then were able to see where Lauren is working and the research project she has been working on.  The kids loved all the reptiles and getting to see Lo-lo, Gaga, and Grandpa.  Sadly, we were only able to stay for a few hours but it was wonderful to see everyone and get a chance to see what Lauren has been up to for the last year.  

During the last day of the drive the kids learned "wheels on the bus", several more animal noises, and to say "cool" when they put on sunglasses.

On day four, May 28th, we got to Montgomery.  We were able to time our arrival so we could get the keys for the apartment and start unpacking that day.  Overall it wasn't a bad drive but we all were very glad to be out of the car and in our new apartment.

.katherine.