It's the end of an era... so to speak.

I've decided to switch blog sites, from blogspot to wordpress. You can now find us at:

http://zivney.wordpress.com

Hope y'all like the change!!

We love the zoo!

Today, we went to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX (just a little way down the road from us). It was the perfect day for being outside, so I'm glad we did it. I think everyone else had the same idea too because there were a ton of families out and about. Amazingly, even with all the families and kids running around, the zoo wasn't too crowded and we really enjoyed it! I think Addy had a good time too - she liked the flamingos, the parrots and the big cats. Oh and the giraffes too! There was one giraffe in particular that was pretty entertaining - it kept sticking its neck over the fence to look at the people on the other side. We have video from today, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to post them. It's time for bed now since we're losing an hour... oh, daylight savings....

Starting in the "North America" exhibit - Bison!

With the bison.

Beautiful.

Bald eagle, sharpening his beak.
Handsome mountain lion. He was pacing back and forth, just 3 feet in front of us! Closest we've ever been to a big cat like that.

Watching the mountain lion.
White tigers, having a nice nap
In the bird sanctuary. The birds were flying right by their heads!

Poison dart frogs! Such pretty colors.
Snackin' on a biscuit.
Big ol' gator, sunning himself after having a nice swim.
Beautiful leopard.
Pride of sleepy lions.
This is a dik-dik, I think he's part of the antelope family. He's so little and cute!
Old tortoise.
Penguins! Makes me think of the movie "Happy Feet"
Nice Zebra
Giraffe.
Hellooooo! Here's the giraffe who wanted to meet the zoo-goers.
Peek-a-boo giraffe, looking over the fence. He was pretty cute.
Hi Dad!
Happy girl, loves the zoo!
Now this is a dirty elephant. He must have enjoyed rolling in the mud!
Addy having her lunch.
We liked this bird's crown.
Scarlet Ibis. Brilliant color!
Roseate Spoonbill.

Sweetums.
This looks like a giant gerbil. Apparently it is the world's largest rodent or something.
Pretty parrots.
The parrot exhibit, they were out in the open!
Daddy, baby and the parrots.
Cleanin' time!
The parrots love each other.
Adelyn watching the flamingos. She loved the zoo!

Adelyn sounds like Chewbacca from Star Wars.

So, does that make me Han Solo?

Addy's new thing is to gargle her drool in the back of her throat while she talks to us (I know, that's pretty gross). It makes her sound strangely similar to Chewie. She thinks it's hilarious! We copy the sounds she makes, although we do it by trilling our tongues instead of letting spit rattle around... silly little wookiee.

Addy is still working on her scoot-crawling. She's very good at spinning around on her tummy, and she pulls up on everything. We are going to lower her crib mattress tomorrow because she's been pulling on the crib bumper, reaching for the crib rail. I just know I'll walk into her room someday soon and see her standing in her crib, smiling away. Yesterday she got a whole lot of exercise by holding my fingers and taking steps around the house. She sure was proud of herself, moving those little legs and picking up those little feet. I'm going to have a hard time keeping up with her when she starts walking!

Spring has sprung.

At least in White Oak!

Although we technically have a week and a half before the first day of spring (March 20th - yes, I googled it), it seems to be in full force out here in East Texas. Birds are everywhere, flowers are blooming, trees have beautiful buds on them, the temperature is definitely warmer... it's currently 75 degrees! It feels like spring.

Today on our walk, we decided to take pictures of some of the signs of spring. The streets in our neighborhood are named after trees and flowers: Tulip, Lilac, Azalea, Orchid, Honey Suckle, Magnolia, Ash, Pecan. Funnily enough (wait, is funnily a word?), right now the blooming plants are not on their respective streets. For example, daffodils are blooming on Lilac, pear trees are coming out on Orchid, and magnolia trees are on Pecan. That makes me giggle.

We have several yellow daffodils blooming in our backyard, so after our walk I let Addy examine the flowers up close and she seemed pretty interested. Could she have a green thumb?? I'm planning on starting a small garden soon, so maybe she'll help her Momma out. Or maybe she'll sit there and sample the dirt while I'm working. Just like my sister Kim, when she was little. That's right Kimmy, I put it on the blog!! :)

Okay gang, let's find some flowers!

Addy, just kickin it on our walk.

Daffodils are so cheery.

Beautiful pink tree. Not 100% sure what it is, but I think it's a saucer magnolia tree (I also had to google this). This is different from the regular magnolia tree that I know and can recognize.

Our little pear tree, showing off its buds.


So pretty. Our neighbors have big pear trees with lots of little flowers on them (in the background, if you can make it out)

Daffodils in our backyard.

Hello little daffodil!

Addy and her daffodil!

Can I touch it Momma?
Really? I can?!
Okay, here goes!
It's so soft and pretty.

"Gentle, Addy..."

"Gentle!"
She loves flowers!

UPDATE: Mom clarified the story about Kim eating dirt.

Way back when Kim was less than 2 yrs old, Mom and Dad built a deck behind our house (they are very handy people). Of course, Kimmy helped. This is what Mom said:

"We always assumed Kim was checking the correct depth of the post hole. She would ram this stick she was holding down into the bottom of the hole then proceed to suck on the bottom of the dirt laden stick to see if we had achieved the correct depth. How???? Why by taste of course... Who knows what goes on in a toddler's head."