Mardi Gras!

I thought it would be fun to celebrate Mardi Gras yesterday.

Really, I just had a hankering for a Kings Cake... so, I made one from scratch.I LITERALLY slaved over it all day! That was one of the most intense cakes I've ever made. It turned out pretty tasty, even if my icing was a little runny.

We also had beans, rice and cornbread for dinner. Yum.

And Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister who turns 15 today! I will eat an extra piece of Kings cake in your honor. (P.S. KeLei is about 12 in this picture but it is one of my favorites of her. :)

Sometimes, it's just one of those days... Part II

Samuel has since:

1. Thrown-up all over the place
2. Tried eating my plant
3. Pulled out all the clean silverware and put it in his mouth and the dirty clothes
4. Figured out how to stand up and try climbing out of his high chair
5. Refuses to take an afternoon nap (even though he is in his crib right now while I will him to go to sleep)

Hun... I think we might have to have take-out tonight.

Sometimes, it's just one of those days...

And while I was trying to clean that up...And when I asked him what he had been up to that day?

"Nothing - I love you, Mom."

Thank you to my in-laws, Val and LeRoy!

Isn't it beautiful? And it's our very own. I'm so excited. We are so excited. Carlin will be able to start playing again. Samuel will be the next Mozart.

And I?

I will cherish the music... and maybe learn a little myself.

The Zoo

To all you Oklahomans: the OKC Zoo is free every Monday through February! The playgroup in my new ward took advantage of this yesterday and we all went. Nichole and Matthew joined us too - thanks Nichole. Since it was Groundhog day yesterday they also had a special Groundhog presentation at 10:30. Samuel and I showed up a little late and missed it. It turned out they didn't do a presentation with a groundhog, but with a bear...So, no groundhogs, but the bears were pretty cool. Here are some pictures of our adventure:Samuel and Matthew checking out the fish. Samuel absolutely loves fishMatthew and Samuel in front of a giant gorilla. The gorillas were pretty cool too - one came right up to the glass and stared at Samuel. He was pretty excited.In front of the giraffes - my favorite animals! Samuel was watching the Ostrich in this picture.Playing on the jungle gym.
Samuel had a lot of fun. We didn't check out the whole park because it was a little chilly and Samuel was starting to get tired. However, when the weather warms up a bit we are definitely going to do this again, hopefully with Dad next time.