Rolling Ridge Ranch

Monday marked the first day of Spencer's 3 week break from school, so we made plans to start it off with some fun! We went to this Amish zoo about an hour and a half away where you can ride in a wagon and feed the wildlife. Justin and Stacey had gone over the 4th of July weekend and said it was awesome, so they were up for going again. This place did not disappoint! Hence the massive number of pictures and videos...

Gearing up for our ride.

Here we go!

Our first stop was right inside the gate, and tons of animals just came right over to our wagon. They certainly know the drill: wagon = food. Can you tell animals make me kind of nervous?

These mammoth donkeys were a cross between their giant plowing horses and a regular donkey.

After a few other stops of feeding deer and antelope, we got to see some gigantic elk. Most of the males were content to watch us from the water where they were keeping cool.

But a few did venture out to get some grub.

We had no idea their antlers have a really soft covering of fur over them.

The guide told us they lose their antlers every year, and this new set had been growing in since March. They were huge!

When we went up the next hill, there were tons of male deer sitting near some tree stumps in the grass. We started shaking our buckets of feed, and most of them came down to check us out.

This one must have been especially hungry. There were stairs on the back of the wagon, and he wasn't shy about walking up them to get to our food.

His antlers were so cool that even Sydney wanted to touch them.

It was crazy to be so close to these animals! I told our friends that it reminded me of Snow White when she gets lost in the forest and all of those deer and rabbits come out and befriend her.

Further up the hill we stopped to see some more deer and a few water buffalo. It made me laugh that all of a sudden Stacey turned around and there was a huge ostrich right behind her.

On the last stretch we got to see alpacas, llamas, and more antelope.

Spencer started feeding this llama when the wagon was stopped, and it kept walking and eating when we started driving away.

Sydney was clapping for the antelope- she always claps with her right hand normal and her left hand in a fist.

The final stop was near the Texas longhorns. Looks like those horns are contagious... you touch one, and grow a pair of your own! Ha ha.

Our guide had warned us to hold on to our buckets tightly because some of the animals are really good at stealing them. I had a good grip when I was feeding this longhorn, but then it turned its head and I was pretty sure its horn was going to crush my arm against the side of the wagon. I dropped my bucket when I hurried to get my hand out of the way. Luckily there wasn't much food left in it.

This camel walked with us to the gate at the end of the tour.

Seriously, we had so much fun! The whole wagon ride took about an hour, and there was also a free petting zoo with some baby cows, goats, and sheep. We also got to see some cool birds, monkeys, and alligators, plus a few turkeys and peacocks that were walking around freely. Spencer even got to hold a baby chick.

If you're interested in going, their website is http://www.visitrollingridge.com and there's a printable coupon for a wagon ride.

Still Deciding

So... I painted my dining room blue (with my landlord's permission, of course).

I was so excited to get rid of the red walls and ugly stenciled leaved that I had it primed and painted in less than 24 hours.

Sometimes I like it, and then other times I walk in and think I should paint it again with a more neutral color. Then I remember how long it took to tape, prime, and paint, not to mention the $25 it would cost to get more paint, and I re-convince myself that it actually looks cute.

Before:

After:

The pillows will be recovered, and I'm working on more decor for the walls. But color-wise, have I made a huge mistake? Be honest.

A few other recent purchases that I don't regret in any way:

Sled- $3.
Cozy coupe (with cracked wheel and missing gas tank cover)- $2.

Can't feel bad about that! I love garage sales. Happy Birthday Sydney :)

Crawling and Making Silly Sounds

Sydney was making this funny noise with her lips when she was playing around this afternoon, so I grabbed the camera to record it so I could show Spencer when he got home. We were cracking up when we watched it together.

Happy 4th of July!

We had such an awesome holiday weekend. Spencer didn't have school on Friday, so we went down to Columbus a day early and went to the temple. It was the first time we'd been back since Sydney was born, and it was a much needed visit! I'm so grateful we were able to go, and it was so nice to be able to leave Sydney in good hands- she got to bond with her Aunt Shauna.

On Saturday morning we went to Upper Arlington's 4th of July parade. The streets were packed! It was fun to dress Sydney up in the little shirt and bow I made for her, while I was content to look like I just woke up (read: glasses, ponytail, very little makeup).

A local grocer sponsored a hot dog stand across the street from where we watched the parade. Nothin' like eating free hot dogs at 9am (sick); still, Shauna and I were the only ones to opt out. Spencer claimed it was "the best hot dog I've ever eaten." They also passed out free firework popsicles, which I was happy to take advantage of.

Uncle Sam riding his sweet bike.

Spencer making Sydney laugh.

Our sweet girl.

That afternoon my Mom and Dad came over and we got Shauna's house ready for their annual party.

Sydney hanging out with Grandpa.

Shauna and I made lots of these cute pom-poms and hung them inside...

and out.

We ate so much at the party that night that I felt like I was going to explode. It was all delicious! The climax of the celebration was fireworks in the park. We had seen downtown's Red, White, and Boom fireworks from the freeway the night before, and it was so nice (for Sydney's sake) to get the view without the sound. I was much more concerned for the park fireworks since they were being set off literally right in front of us. She fell asleep in her stroller on our walk over there, and I couldn't believe she stayed asleep for a majority of the show! When she did wake up, I held her and plugged her ears, and she went right back to sleep.

Relaxing while we waited for the fireworks to start.

Just had to post this picture to capture Spencer's face. Classic.

Sydney at 8 months

Sydney's eighth month has been a really fun one. She's eating a lot, playing a lot, and just being her happy self. I'm glad to have such a content little girl to experiment with, as I often wonder what the heck I "should be" doing. How did mom's of old ever get by without a plethora of books to consult about every little concern that comes up?

It took a while for her to get the stability to sit up for longer periods of time, but now she's a pro at it.

We went to the local kiddie pool a few times last month, and it surprisingly went over really well. The bottom of the pool was textured, and she was almost more interested in feeling that then she was in playing with her toys.

Spencer got to come with us once; it's really just an excuse for us to try to get tan (which, as you can see, we both really need!).

The last week of month eight was a big one. On June 26th, her bottom left incisor cut through, and the right one followed on July 2nd. She didn't even really seem to be cranky for the whole experience either, she just wanted to chew on everything (which is really nothing new).

On June 30th, my cousin Heather came over with her little boy Alex for a play date. As they were getting ready to go, Heather got a little pink Johnson & Johnson lotion out of her diaper bag, and Sydney crawled forward to get it. She's been up on all fours and pushing herself backwards for several weeks, so it's fun to see her figure out the forward direction.

I bought her first sippy cups a few weeks ago, but I think it will take a while for her to get it. For now she pretty much just likes to gnaw on the spout, and I'll sometimes take out the valve and help her get a drink so she can see it's more than just a toy.

Her stinky diapers are easier to clean up, but must be immediately banished to the garage so they don't stink up her room.

Bedtime is usually around 8:30pm, and she'll usually sleep until about 8:30am, waking up once to eat.

Our little Sydney is growing up! Here's to a happy 9th month!

Time Flies

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago we were just barely getting hitched. That sounds like a long time, and at the same time hardly sounds like any time at all. Funny how that works.

Our wedding day was so beautiful. I remember melting the ribbon on my veil with the iron that morning, getting my hair done, forgetting my bouquet in Wendy's fridge when we went to the temple for pictures before getting married, sweating like a man during said pictures because it was like 92 degrees outside with 80% humidity at 10:30am, trying desperately to not cry during the ceremony but failing miserably, coming out of the temple to find that no one was really waiting for us, going to our wedding luncheon, driving up to Medina for the reception, showing off my new hubby to friends and family, heading to the hotel afterward. It was certainly a day to remember!

How little we knew each other on that day! (e.g. Spencer had no idea how easy it is for me to get emotional, and I had no idea his mission in Argentina left him with bowel problems.) But we knew we loved each other, which I guess is the most important thing.

The best part is that 4 years later, after all of our flaws have been exposed, we're still in love.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Stars, Stripes, & Sydney

My neighbor Mary Pat and I have been sharing a subscription to Family Fun magazine, and I thought the 4th of July t-shirts in them were so cute. I decided to make one for Sydney for her first Independence Day celebration. I found some cute fabric on sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics and a little navy t-shirt at Target.

I traced my star templates onto the fabric squares, then pinned them to the inside of the shirt.

Next I stitched along the edges of the stars. This picture shows the shirt right side out.

When I was finished stitching, I gathered the t-shirt fabric and made a few cuts so the patterned fabric would show through. I think if I did it all over again I would have made all of the stars bigger, but I'm pretty happy with the end result!

In other news, a few weeks ago I found this ExerSaucer at a yard sell for $5. It was filthy, but after about 15 Clorox wipes and a run through the laundry, everything looked like new.

It's especially helpful when I'm getting dinner ready or loading/emptying the dishwasher. She is just so entertained, and I don't have to worry about her rolling away and finding a cord to chew on :)

We love this wide, toothless grin (or as Spencer calls it in his fancy dentist lingo, her "edentulous" smile). Such a happy girl!