Night Eyes 2012

As most of you know, we are big fans of the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo.  We especially love Halloween event they hold each fall called 'Night Eyes'.  It is such a great family event, and with the weather in the mid 70's yesterday, it was the perfect day to attend. 

Henry is all about pirates lately.  His favorite show being 'Jake and the Neverland Pirates'.  So of course, he wanted to be a pirate.  We made his outfit from scratch, and it turned out pretty well!  Andy found an eye patch kit at Walgreens the other day that he couldn't pass up, and I found a pirate hat on sale at Gymboree Friday night, so his outfit was complete! 

Henry cooperated so well when Andy put on his face paint.  He acted a little too serious at times, and did not talk on the entire ride to the zoo because he did not want to mess up his costume.  It was too cute!

Henry cooperating so well for Daddy! 

My all of a sudden photogenic little pumpkin.

At the zoo they have different props placed around the different areas.  This one was the favorite - a pirate ship!  Lucky for us, the pirates the zoo had hired to stand guard were on a break because on our way back through they were standing there and the kids were a little scared.  Especially when they saw that Henry was a pirate and yelled 'Arrr Matey!'.  Henry grabbed on tight to Andy's leg...

The favorite train ride.

Hay maze

Hannah having a melt down because I wouldn't let her open up every piece of candy after she got it.  "Mommy - open!"

Henry and Humpty Dumpty. 

Kids after playing in the inflatable zone. 

And of course - the tractor ride.  This year Hannah could pedal it all on her own!

We ended last night with a trip to Cici's, which we haven't been to in years!  The kids loved it and ate pretty well.  A great weekend at home enjoying all of the fun family events Des Moines has to offer!

Opening Season at the Zoo

It was our first trip to the Zoo this weekend!  The weather was perfect, and we couldn't wait any longer to check out the new Sea Lion Exhibit at the Blank Park Zoo.  My mom and Brianna joined us for the trip since my dad was at Danielle's helping with their kitchen remodel.  The kids had been asking to go for weeks now - so they were very excited!

YAY - the otters are back for the season!

We had quite the exciting day at the zoo.  The peacock was so excited to see us that he showed off his beautiful feathers.  It definitely scared us for a second when he marched toward mom and Hannah - but then he calmed down and folded his feathers back up.  Seeing the feathers spread out in person was a first for all of us!

Feeding the coy.

And the Sea Lion exhibit!!  It just opened this past weekend and it is so so cool!  I definitely recommend everyone go and check it out. 

Hannah and Grandma Deaner watching from up top.

One of his many tricks. 

There is an underwater viewing area too for the seals/sea lions. 

Hannah running and jumping.  This is how we got around the zoo the last half. 

The kids weren't too sure about the Ice Age Exhibit.  I kept telling Henry it wasn't real, but he wouldn't take his eye off of the Mammoth!

We are glad we got our annual zoo pass again.  We definitely will get our use out of it yet again this year. 

Santa at the Zoo

Saturday morning we met Kelly, Ryan and Georgia, and Erin, Jake and Peyton at the zoo for a family field trip.  The kids loved walking around the Discovery Zone sprinting from fish tank to fish tank.  Thank goodness there were several of us there to keep track of them - because these girls are not shy and just wander off as they wish.  They loved the fish tanks and the birds.  We don't always hit the indoor area of the zoo when we go, so it was nice to take some time to explore. 

This picture cracks me up!  Hannah and Peyton in awe of the fish - and Georgia in awe of the floor drain!! 

During craft time Hannah got her very own cookie.  She was a disaster!!  But it kept her occupied for a good five minutes - score!

Hannah is at the age where any dressed up stranger is pretty dang scary.  This picture captures it perfectly!

Henry did awesome.  He told Santa exactly what he wants.  And again, it was a racetrack.  Guess mommy and daddy will be buying a racetrack this year!

Henry and Santa. 

Dancer was outside as we left.  Tried to get both kids on the sleigh, but Hannah was beyond tired and throwing a fit.  But Henry jumped right up and grabbed the reigns. 

After the zoo we brought the entire clan to Pizza Ranch for lunch.  I thought it was going to be a disaster, but much to my surprise the kids were so well behaved.  We got our own little private room with doors on all sides (all about keeping the rug rats contained), they ate well, played, and then headed home for a nice long nap. 

Great little Saturday!  

Night Eyes - Halloween at the Zoo!

Our 5th and final Halloween event was held on Sunday, October 30th.  Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt and Adam, Jill, Bennett and Camron all came to Des Moines to spend the day with us.  Each year the Blank Park Zoo holds an event for kids called Night Eyes.  They decorate the zoo with different themes and allow the kids to make their way through. 

Most of the animals were put away for the season, but we were still able to check out the new Australian exhibit, sans the wallabies. 

And of course - the train ride! 

Is that Henry, Spiderman or a wallaby??!!

Hannah had to pose as well - because anything Henry does she does as well.

Feeding the goats.  Hannah isn't scared at all!!

Bennett giving the llama kisses. 

Hannah, Henry, Bennett and Camron

Watching the big tiger. 

Tractor ride time!  The boys absolutely loved this.  I think they would have continued to ride for hours if we let them.  And Henry's feet finally reach the pedals!!

Henry was on the tractor - so Hannah wanted on one too of course. 

All the grandkids.  Unfortunately the sun was shining right in their eyes. 

The Schweers.  Mayor Adam as of Tuesday!! 

I had to post two of our family pictures.  Check out Henry's mouth in this one.  Can't you just hear him screaming 'CHEESE'!!

Our little fam all bundled up. 

After the tractors they played in the exhibit barn where there were several inflatables blown up.  Then over to the corn pool. 

Once we got back to our place it was Beggar's Night in Des Moines.  Trick or Treating is always held the night before Halloween in Des Moines.  It got pretty cold out once the sun went down so the kids only visited a few houses.  It isn't like they needed any more candy after going to 5 Halloween events that all included candy!!

Instead of walking around to all the houses and getting more candy, Henry was more excited sitting on our front porch waiting for the kids to come to hand them candy.  He loved looking at all the different outfits and picking out a special piece of candy for each kid and placing it in their bag.  

Halloween was an exhausting week for us - but the kids had a blast. 

Dinosaurs go Extinct at the Zoo

The dinosaurs at the Blank Park Zoo go extinct this weekend....so of course we had to drop by and see them one last time.  Henry wore his dinosaur shirt (as I glance through pics, I think he has worn this shirt every trip to the zoo!). 

Henry and Hannah chilling in the egg shell at the Australian exhibit. 

Sibling love.

I love this picture so much because both kids were doing such a great job looking at the camera and saying cheese while I took about 8 pictures in a row.  I can just hear Hannah's little voice in my head right now saying 'CHEESE'.  

Checking out the imu's walking around right by us.

It wouldn't be a complete zoo trip without a ride on the train. 

Mrs. Serious.

Daddy and Hannah getting ready for the train to start.

It will be a sad zoo trip the next time we go when the dinosaurs are gone - but hopefully the next exhibit will be just as exciting.  And don't forget about Night Eyes coming up in October - the kids will love that!

Reasons we love our Zoo Pass

Reasons we love our zoo pass:

1. The new dinosaur exhibit - Henry loves it!!

He isn't so sure about T-Rex...

2. So many fun activities for the kids.

3.  Zoo keepers bring around animals for the kids to touch and get up close and personal with - even yucky snakes!!  

My children have no fear....just yet...

4. You get to be outside on beautiful days.

5.  The Giraffes!!  (Andy isn't sure who gets more excited to see the giraffes, me or the kids.)

6.  Feeding the animals

Even Hannah got to help this time.  Luckily my mom caught her before she tried to feed herself the fish food....

7.  The train ride - Henry's favorite!

8.  Family time

While the Des Moines Zoo isn't the best zoo in the country, it is perfect for little kids and makes for a great weekend outing.  The Zoo was just purchased from the City a few years ago and the new owner is doing all sorts of construction improvements to make the zoo even better for all of the Iowa Families.  I know we will be annual zoo pass members for years to come.