Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

Last weekend we went to the Denver Zoo with the Evans family and the Asnicar family.  It's kind of like taking a herd of cats to the Zoo.  I wish I had just half of the energy the four of the kids have!  They had such a blast seeing the animals, playing, and RUNNING!

The first stop was the lions!

Each family brought a wagon, and I honestly thought there was no way we were going to get the kids to sit and ride. But Tige was a genius and bungeed the three wagons together into a train.  That made it fun!  So in between each stop, it was "all aboard!" and off we went!


The kids, especially Riley, were really into their Zoo maps.  I remember last summer Riley was big into checking the map.  Maybe he'll break the mold as a grown man and actually consult a map when he's lost!

I love this picture!  I believe it's a statue of the two baby polar bears that were born at the Denver Zoo several years ago (their names escape me), but it was the perfect spot to get all the kids together for a photo op.  Of course, Bayley's on top!  What with all the running, it was tough to keep the twins straight, especially since they were dressed alike except for the color of their sandals!  

Riley's vantage point of the Sea Lion feeding was sky high!

Steve was excited to find a Sooner Schooner, even though it was being pulled by Longhorns...

Of course we gotta get on the Carousel!




This was about the last peaceful moment...towards the end of the day after 3 1/2 hours at the Zoo, it was meltdown time.  Everyone was exhausted and we decided we'd seen it all!  We sure did have fun!

Riley was asleep almost before we were out of the parking lot, I don't know about the rest of the gang!  Thanks Jen, for setting it all up, and to Julie and Troy for giving us free passes!  Here's to lots more adventures together!

Happy Birthday to Charline!

Last week was Charline's birthday, and of course we had to celebrate with her!  Riley worked really hard on his giant card for her!  He has gotten really good at tracing within the lines of writing.  He can do some of the letters in his name on his own...we're getting there!

Justin "built" Charline a cake, and Riley helped him frost it!  


Great job, boys!

Fun at the Park!

A couple weekends ago we decided to grab some lunch and find a park to have a picnic.  We ended up at Hunter's Glen Lake, and after lunch Riley and Steve did a little playground time!

I love that look of pure joy on Riley's face.  

This week's soccer game!

We had great weather for the most recent soccer game!  Mom, Keith, Holli, and Mike came up to join the Marsh's for a fun game!  

 I tried to upload the clip straight to Blogger, but it wasn't working, so hopefully everyone will be able to view the embedded YouTube video of Riley and Owen's soccer game from May 17th!  The pictures are courtesy of our family photographer, Holli!  Great pics Hols, I've got major camera envy


!

Enjoy!

Thank Heaven for the King!

On Sunday the Kings were nice enough to come over and help us get our sprinkler system fixed! Steve and I watched in sheer awe as Justin cut pipes, took apart valves, and within an hour had the whole thing working like clockwork! When Steve asked him how he knew what to do, he just said, "I just kinda look at it and know." He is seriously talented. Thanks, King Justin!!

Here is Justin showing Riley where to cut the pipe. Justin's a great teacher! He was explaining to Steve step-by-step what he was doing and why, but it was like a different language!

After the handy-man festivities, we grilled up some yummy steak, roasted potatoes and broiled asparagus. While we were cleaning up, Justin and Riley found a little Nativity set that got missed in the post-Christmas clean up. Yes, I'm aware that it is now May. Whatever. They made a cool game called, "Manger Game!"

Here's Riley setting up the Manger Game. Justin is strategizing.

Riley and Justin BOTH won the first game!

Riley showing the proper King toppling technique!

We had a fun day with the Kings! Char and I enjoyed watching chick flicks while the boys did "man stuff." Riley was cracking us up with coming in and out for various tools, and being sent in for a variety of necessary items, such as a paper towel when Steve cut himself, and beers!

Thanks Guys!!!

Happy Little Flowers!

Sunday we spent the day working on the yard.  Our back yard is a mess due to dog traffic, and a busted sprinkler system, but thank goodness for handy friends, we'll hopefully have that fixed by next weekend!

I finally got to plant my flowers in the planting beds.  Mom and I had gone shopping for them last weekend, but I needed some time and good weather to get them in the ground.  They're still pretty little at this point, but since I got an earlier start this year, I hope they'll be big and brassy in no time!

This is the back yard area that Charline and I got set up last year.  Unfortunately, none of my perennials came back this year except the Hosta.  We're not really sure what happened, but hopefully we'll have better luck this year.

I love the pansies with the "faces," and anything in unusual colors always catches my eye!

Gerbera daisies are the best!  I love how big and bold their colors are.  

Riley wanted blue flowers, and I found these awesome bluish-purple pansy!

Hopefully this foxglove will return next year too!

Some patriotic petunias.

Ok, this is one of my favorites.  It's called a Rattanya, and mom and I couldn't believe the shape of the petals.  I actually took a pic with my phone and sent it to Charline to ask if that's what they were supposed to look like.  I think they look like they come from another planet.  The purple is almost neon in the way that it glows, and the petals look like tentacles.  It's crazy!

More pansies!

And gerberas!
I'll post more pics as the flowers fill in.  I love watching them get all full and crazy.  Hopefully we can keep the dogs out of there, and get our grass fixed up to get the whole back yard looking spiffy!

Honoring Granny

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the passing of my Granny, my maternal grandmother. Both my mom and I planted our gardens. Mom reminded me today of the anniversary, and although I had forgotten yesterday, it makes sense that I would have spent time digging in the dirt to make a beautiful tapestry. Granny loved to garden, and her spirit was colorful as the flowers now blooming in my yard.

Below is a poem I wrote last year shortly after her passing:

Lolita

My beautiful Granny
So elegantly proud
The loving mother of six amazing women
The strength of her family’s tapestry.

So elegantly proud
Graceful, witty and intelligent
The strength of her family’s tapestry
Through the trials and triumphs of a lifetime.

Graceful, witty and intelligent
Teaching and guiding the generations
Through the trials and triumphs of a lifetime
Standing tall beside the love of her life.

Teaching and guiding the generations
Passing on our legacy
Standing tall beside the love of her life
Now only in photographs.

By Melissa Marsh

Above: Riley with Granny in May of 2006, Mother's Day.

Below: Granny, Gramps and their girls: Pauline, Faye, Vivian, Tessie, Cyndi and Millie

Little Kickers

Saturday was Riley's first soccer practice.  He and Owen are playing together on the "Revolution."  We were surprised at how well he did!  He listened to his coach and did a great job on all the little drills they played.  Next week is his first game, we can't wait!

Listening to Coach Jay.

Practicing the "stop" position.

Doing a little dribbling.

I have a feeling he's going to be pretty good!  Look at that concentration!

Owen wasn't quite in the mood to play, but after a bit he and Riley had a blast!

Ready to roll!

I think this was the Diego/Dora game, where they practiced trying to keep the ball away from each other.  Ri and O were up against each other!

Listening to coach again.  Owen got a bonk, so Riley was helping him feel better!

Another dribbling drill!

Our Saturdays will never be the same, but we are so excited!  After practice we came back up and went to watch Ty and Tanner's game.  The term "herding cats" comes to mind when watching 3 and 4 year olds play soccer!  It's going to be so much fun watching them learn how to play and get better and better.

Parent Appreciation Night

Friday night was Parent Appreciation Night at Riley's school, Bright Horizons.  Each class does a little program, singing and dancing for the parents.  It's way too cute to even handle!  Riley's class sang "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Popcorn."  Of course, Riley was as hammy as ever!  He loves singing and dancing and isn't the least bit shy.  

Waving hi to the crowd!

Those wheels, they go 'round and 'round, ya know!

A little "Pulp Fiction" move during the bridge!

What a face!

After their songs, Riley and the twins watched the preschool class do "Cows," a chorus-line type number complete with top hats and canes.  It was WAY cute!!