Hollen Adventures | The Denver Zoo

One of the other things we did over Ryan's vacation week was go to the Denver Zoo with Grammy and Ga Ga. Almost 3 years ago to the day, we made this trip with Marin and my nephew Gunnar. Looking back at those photos, Marin was so little! She was just beginning to walk around and was still in her infant car seat. It's amazing to me how much she has grown into such a little girl now, no longer a baby. (Excuse me while I shed a silent tear....) 

I didn't listen to my mother very well with this trip because she told me it was going to be pretty busy and I didn't think it would be...We went on the day when teachers all over Colorado were doing a walkout and protest. I fully support the cause but oh boy, the zoo was crazy busy! Since the schools were closed that day, every other family seemed to have the same idea we had. Even though it was super crazy and very hard to find a parking spot, we still enjoyed the time so much. 

Most of our day was spent walking around the zoo looking for the animals. Going during the day is always slightly disappointing though because a lot of the animals are not out. But, I love just walking around in the sunshine with my family. My ultimate goal was to not get anyone sunburnt though so I was on sunscreen patrol pretty much all day. 

We had packed our lunches and ate out on the lawn under the trees. By the end of the day, both kids has a bunch of stains on their clothes from oranges and ice cream. I feel that is a sign that fun was had and the day was well worth it. We had sandwiches, oranges, chips, nutter butters. 

After lunch we kept walking all throughout the zoo. We wanted to see the elephant show they put on but it was too packed. So instead we decided to get some ice cold beer for the adults and some ice cream for the kiddos. It was a great way to cool down and sit for just a bit. Marin said that her favorite part was the giraffes. I always like the penguins. Sullivan enjoyed most to  the day in the stroller and ended up falling asleep at the tail end of the day. 

Before the drive home, we stopped at Voodoo Donuts on Colfax. It's tradition. It took a long time for us to get our Voodoo Dozen because a lot of teachers had the same idea. But, they are always well worth the wait. 

I enjoy taking little day trips like this. We would love to go to the aquarium and visit the museum again. I just wish our work schedules allowed us to do more things like this more often. Someday our schedules will change and we will have a day during the week that we can spend as a family.  I am praying for that. Someday. 

Adventures with Marin | The Denver Zoo

I decided it was high time to end my radio silence. I took a break from blogging without really trying to. It just sort of happened. My last post was for Marin's first birthday party. That was in February. It now is almost May. I've missed blogging and hope to start back at a somewhat consistent pace. 

Marin is now 14 months old. She still only has two bottom teeth. She is walking all over the place. Ryan was off on vacation last week and we decided to head to the zoo with Grammy and Grandpa Stauffer and Cousin Gunnar. We really enjoyed it. We only had a little rain while at the elephant show. Marin loves animals so she hardly napped the whole day because she didn't want to miss a thing. 

Here are a billion pictures from our day at the Denver Zoo...

It was a really enjoyable outing. Marin only fussed on the way there and then was great the rest of the day. I like the zoo, that is until I start thinking about how depressing it is for all of the animals there, but I tried to not take my thoughts there. Our kid loves animals and she loved the zoo. 

This was a good test to see how she would do with an extended drive and a day spent in her stroller. She was a champ. I would love to go there again. We also stopped at Voodoo Donuts on the way home, because of course, you have to do that. You must do that. 

Baby Marin: Week Thirty One

What a crazy week this has been! I can't believe what day it is as I write these words and prepare this post for your eyes. I blinked and here we are at Thursday afternoon and my to do list is a mile long. Good things have occurred this week though. Things of change. Things of new life.

Just this morning, I held my new nephew in my arms. I cannot wait for Marin to meet him. I forget how little she was when she was born. I also can't help but remember those first few nights in the hospital, all of the unknowns and new experiences. We had no idea what we were doing in all reality but so far we have made it to week thirty one of Marin's life.

Our cat, Geoff, has seemed to really take a new liking to Marin this past week. He is becoming more daring and wants to be around more often instead of just hanging out in his garage. Yes, HIS garage. She is army crawling super fast nowadays and he has some surprises coming his way, of that I am sure.

Week Thirty One.

Please Meet: Geoff the Cat

Well, I'm officially the crazy cat lady blogging about her new crazy cat. It's happening. Right now. 

Earlier this year, we faced a difficult decision to put down our kitty, Lewis. He was a sick little fellow and his time spent with us here was very short. He was a part of our new little family and the absence of him was greatly noticed throughout our home. 

Months later, we discovered a friend of a friend that was giving away a little kitten. 

Insert Geoff here.  

(Yes, like Jeff. My husband fancies the idea of naming an animal a typical human name. Geoff or Geoffrey. Or as I like to call him Jeffey.) 

This is our new little guy. He is a handful. We trip over him constantly because he has to walk right in our feet and he follows us everywhere we go. He is our little shadow. He's kind of feisty and vocal when he doesn't get his way. But, boy can this little guy cuddle. 

He is a welcomed addition and challenge to our little home. The kitten stage is always full of new lessons and experiences. 

This is the only photo I have managed to capture of him. He's a quick little booger.