TAKING OUR WILDLIFE TO SALATO WILDLIFE

 I honestly think my friend, Jackie, and I have THE CUTEST grandkids EVER!  So yesterday we (Jackie, Kiara and I) decided to take our adorable wildlife/offspring to the Salato Wildlife Center.  In my opinion, it was a "perfect" day!  If you want a peek, check out the delightful expressions and charming pictures we managed to take of our outing.  (I took TONS of pictures and tried to limit it to under 20 to share....)

Jawbreaker - Skittles - Lemon Drop - Lollipop

MY grandson!

Bald Eagles are fascinating!

The boys!

Skittles - Jawbreaker - Lollipop

"Hiking" a short trail....

Skittles is "talking" to the turkeys.

The turkeys "talked" back.

It was very exciting... and funny.

The "big bears" were Skittles favorite animal this trip.

I don't know why, because this black bear slept the entire time.

Skittles loved sharing the "big bear" with Lollipop.

When did my grandson think he was big enough to climb up on the fence by himself?

"Look, mom, there are FOUR elk!"

"See?"

Isn't Jawbreaker absolutely cute?

Love those blue eyes and giant smile!

Skittles loved him!

I wish I could bottle Lemon Drop's energy!

She made everything lively!

She especially loved the snakes!

The gang!

After the animals, we had a picnic and let the kids run races.

Jawbreaker showing Skittles how to race.

Skittles and Lollipop running their hearts out.

Look at the determination!

That's my son's son!

Cody takes his running very seriously... 

looks like the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

I love that Skittles always picks up sticks and shares them.

Honestly, it was a near perfect day.  I gotta enjoy these kiddos while they are still here.  I'm so blessed with my grandson, and that Jackie shared her grandkids with me too!  I'll claim them all as my own!  I LOVE being a grandma!

Funny side note:  When I asked Jawbreaker if he was having fun with his grandma, he informed me that he didn't have one.  Apparently Jackie is "Nana"!

BRAGGING... AND SOME SADNESS MIXED IN...

My eldest son is unbelievable!  He's also unbelievably speedy!  What do I mean?  Well... he decided to run in the half marathon: The Lucky Leprechaun Half Marathon.  Did he train?  Not a lot.  But he finished.  And not only did he finish, but he got third place in his division!  His time was 1:46:42.  I couldn't be more proud!

On your mark!  Get set!  Go!

13.1 miles - EASY for this guy!

Winner!

I'm also going to brag about Toastmasters.  I'm LOVING learning and growing in this distinguished, educational club.  On Saturday I competed in the Toastmasters Table Topics competition.  I won!  I get to go on to the district competition next month.  

Let me know if you are interested in learning more!

It's super fun!

So.... the sad news?!  Kiara and Cody are moving back to Rexburg, Idaho.  I'm sooooo sad.  I will miss studying my scriptures with my eldest daughter.  I will miss kissing and hugging my grandson every day.  I will miss long talks and game playing and having a helper around the house.  It's going to be really hard for this mom/grandma to say goodbye.  Luckily my job as a parent/grandparent doesn't end just because they will be living over 1600 miles away.  But I admit that I've cried a lot this last week thinking about the separation.

Here are some pictures to lighten the mood:

My daughters - throughout the years!

Teaching our grandson to stand during the Star Spangled Banner!

Proud Grandma and Grandpa!

This is Skittles "Bad Guy" face... when he pretends to be a bad guy.

We LOVE serving in the temple every Tuesday night!

This is our happy place!