Fun At Hogle Zoo

On May 28th, Jenny, Blaine, Eli, Emily, Emma, Grandma Nemanich and Nana went to the zoo. It was a real nice day, not to hot, but sunny. There were a lot of people there. Sometimes it was hard to get Blaine and Emma close to the animals.
We took the wagon for Blaine and Emma. They have so much fun with each other. Blaine stayed in the wagon most of the day. Emma got tired and took a nap in her stroller.

Eli slept most of the time in his stroller coming out for a bottle.

We saw an elephant that has been prego for TWO YEARS! Poor girl! Can you imagine being pregnant for two years!!???!!!!

We saw bears, monkeys, turtles, camels, penguins, gorillas, rhinos, and giraffes.



Emma and Blaine really liked the penguins.
Grandma Nemanich was a real trooper. She only wanted one rest and that was after hiking up a big hill-the zoo is very hilly.

This gorilla was very friendly. He kept trying to kiss the children through the glass. Blaine wanted to get closer to him, but there was just to many children.

But when we came to the giraffes Blaine and Emma got real excited.


Blaine couldn't keep his eyes off of the giraffes. Andrew, do you remember the giraffes at the zoo?

Then we went into the giraffes house, and got up close to these super tall guys. Blaine then went crazy. He started talking and was so animated. Oh course we only caught a few words.

After seeing all of the animals Blaine said that he wanted to play. He had been in the wagon for a few hours and he was ready to run around for a bit. On our way to the playground Blaine tried on a couple of funny hats.


Then we headed over to the playground. Blaine and Emma went into the ground hogs den.

Then Blaine went with Jenny to "play".

After playing we decided it was time to go. Blaine's little cheeks were flushed-he just wasn't drinking as much water as he needed. So we packed up-after a potty/diaper changing break and left the zoo. Emily and Emma rode the bus and Trax to the zoo, so they headed to the bus stop, the rest of us drove to Layton.

I had some buy one get one free coupons for Jamba Juice so we stopped in Layton a picked up some smoothies. Grandma Nemanich had never had a smoothies.

Grandma got a strawberry based smoothie, Jenny and Blaine got a peach based smoothie, and I got a Mango based smoothie.

We all had a lot of fun! We need to go to the zoo again this summer!

(As a side note, Jenny was in a lot of pain while we were at the zoo. Her ear was really hurting her a lot. She had had a cold for a few days and had already been to the doctor once for her and Eli-he had a cold too. So when we got back home she put Blaine down for a nap and then went to the doctor. Sure enough, she had an ear infection, so then she was put on an antibiotic. No fun Jenny. But she is all better now.)

Full Circle of Service

This is a very powerful message. It is so true that our spirits are touched by music. Please let this video change your life.

He's Here!

Eli Ren Swenson

Born: 05/07/09

@ 6 a.m.

9 lbs 0 oz

21 inches long

(Looks just like Daddy!)

More pictures and Eli info coming soon!

Easter S'mores in a Jar

Summer found these cute Easter treats (they will work for any holiday that has Peeps) on-line. You can find anything on-line! :D So I decided to make them for the people that I visit teach and the families that Kevin home teaches.

Here I have assembled everything that I will need to create these Easter S'mores in a Jar. Peeps, M and M's, graham crackers, brown sugar, spring fabric to finish off the jars, and the recipe cards.

To make the graham cracker crumbs I used my food processor. I add the brown sugar so that it would be mixed together well. Then how to put the graham cracker crumbs into the jar. You can put them into the bottom of the jar and them add the rest but that seemed a bit messy. So I went with the little baggie idea. But how do I get the crumbs into the baggie.

I remembered a frozen meal trick. I took one of my large drinking glasses and put the opened baggie inside the cup and then folded the top down over the rim of the cup. (If you are using a bigger bag use a pitcher instead of the cup) It worked really well.

To assemble the jars first put the M and M's in the bottom of the jar. (recipe to follow) Then put the marshmallow Peeps in on top of the M and M's so that they are standing up, and they are pressed against the jar.(you can use just one color of Peeps or mix up the colors)

Then smooch the bag of graham cracker crumbs into the center of the Peeps. If you are using a wide mouth jar this is pretty easy to do. But if you are using a regular mouth jar it is a problem. I ended up having to divide the crumbs into two baggies to get all of the crumbs into the jars. All of this will fill the jar clear up to the rim.

Next put the lid on the jar and a piece of fabric that is a 3" or 4" inch square on top of the lid. Then screw the ring on. Add the card with the recipe and you have a cute little gift.

Easter Bunny S'Mores

1 sleeve of Graham crackers

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 cup of M and M's

8 marshmallow Peeps

1 large mouth Jar

Here is the instruction to go on the card that you attach to the jar.

1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.

2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350* for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

(makes 9-12 bars)

*Option-leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed.

Cleveland Tourism Video

Mom, I found this video to get you all excited for your trip out here in July. I know the rest of you will be so jealous after you watch it, so please know that you are welcome to come visit us anytime!