A day at the zoo

On Saturday we attended the Holiday Stationstore Annual Company Picnic at the Alaska Zoo.
It was nice to see a few old friends and meet a few of Peter's new coworkers. They always have all sorts of prizes and gift cards to give away. Peter won a $50 gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Wahoo!

Orion was being really shy, but we were able to get one good shot of him.

The Alpaca really took to Orion and kept trying to nuzzle him. Orion would jump back laughing every time. Orion was so funny, he would growl at the bears and say "I scare you!". They brought an Owl in to show the kids and he was just in awe.

A little water fun

This summer we invested in a kiddie pool and a slip n slide for Orion and the cousins to use at the grandparents house (the best $20 we have spent this summer!).

The water was a little cool so the kids weren't so sure about getting in the pool. Mostly they just would splash or scoop the water out with a bucket. Later in the afternoon we were able to get them to stand in it. Peyton and Paige had such a blast on the slip n slide. Even the aunties had to get in on the action!Orion needed a little help from daddy but after that first go round he was willing to go himself.

Ayla & Chebo's Wedding

The main reason for mine and Orion's visit back home was to see these two people "get hitched". (See the hitchin' post in the background? My dad made that! He is a very creative fella!!!)

It took us one stressful week to get everything ready for the wedding but it was a great sucess!

Here's the wedding party, the happy couple's first dance

and the cake topper that the bride made.

Doesn't Ayla just look beautiful?

The cake was made by Ayla's childhood friend, Holly.

The Carruthers' Family

Ayla and her in-laws, The Marsteller's

(Chebo looks like he's having a grand time dancing with his mom)

More random pics of the Carruthers' Family and Brianna too!

Pima County Fair

While Orion and I were in Arizona, Grandma & Grandpa Carruthers took us to the Pima County Fair.

Old Pueblo Hall had a train exhibit that Orion just adored. He got to control one of the trains. They even had Percy and Thomas the Tank Engine set out. Orion got to hold them!
Every animal we saw Orion referred to them as a "doggie". He was so taken by the piglets. He just stood there and stared at them.

Grandpa took Orion on the little Ferriswheel. He wasn't so sure about it at first but that changed when he made his first go round.

He had so much fun going on the rides and didn't want to stop. He even had a meltdown when it was time to go :(
He was bound and determined to go on this ride. We saw it twice, the adult and the kid version. Both times he'd jump up and down, pointed and screamed and tried to pull me over there.