The One

So since our camera died a few weeks ago and I have been dying to have it back. I decided yesterday that I was going to start doing some research. Our last camera was very easy to use, no exciting details, no over-your-head technical stuff. Which is what we asked for when we went to the store to buy one. We felt like we got it for a good price. It was less than $200. But it turns out that I was really frustrated with that camera. The zoom was dreadful. The quality of the pictures wasn't great either. So I have found that I really am not that devastated about it's untimely death. In fact I am overjoyed! This means that I can get a much better camera without having to justify anything to myself.

So when I was looking online yesterday I found this great website at hunch.com, where I was able to take a little quiz and find out the perfect camera for me! It actually gave me a list of cameras that fit my criteria. The camera I chose was actually second on the list. The first was a Sony, and while I have no problem with Sony in general, I do have a small gripe about their batteries. We had a Sony camera previous to this last one and I loved it, but you had to buy the Sony batteries. Which of course were really expensive. So I was determined to stay away from that if I could.

The one pictured above is the Canon Powershot SX110IS. It has great reviews and costs around $250. I am in love! I have seen it for less on different websites so I think we could save some money by shopping around. Anyway, I am very excited and wanted to share it. I hope this wasn't too boring for you!

All's well that End's well

Just so no one gets anxious ;) there won't be any pictures for awhile. I will explain that in a minute. I want to take you all back to about two weeks ago. Let me set the scene.

It was a dreary saturday and we were all set to go to the bech with our dear friends. I was organized and on time! And I drove the Jeep that day. We went out to Lake Michigan, to Holland to be exact and had a great time playing there with our friends. Eventually I took the kids to the bathroom and that's when everything started to go wrong. When we got back our friends were moving all of our things back from the water. Apparantly a giant wave came and overtook out stuff while we were in the potty. So I quickly checked my bag and it seemed to me that the camera and the GPS were unscathed. But I was wrong. I found out later that the camera did not survive. But thankfully the GPS did. So that was the start.
On the way home was when we really started to have problems. We left the beach before our friends because it was getting colder and windier (is that a word?), and it was starting to sprinkle. I put a movie on for the kids and we headed back. It was a long drive, nearly two hours. And I was tired from the day. As we got off the freeway about 1 mile from our house, I looked at the light to check that it was green and then looked back at the kids, when I turned around there was a white Honda Civic right in front of me running perpendicular to my car. There was no time to stop and we collided. Luckily non of us was seriously injured. In fact the kids hardly noticed at all. I was really shaken up, but otherwise fine. There were three people in the other car and they all came out screaming at me. I called 911 and moved my car off the road. The man who was driving got a cut on his arm from the windshield smashing, but was otherwise fine. I told the police what happened. And called someone to pick me up. I called the insurance company when I got home and they got the car into a shop right away. The bumper was smashed in on one side, the passenger side door wouldn't open all the way, and the headlight was smashed. But it didn't seem too bad. I couldn't drive it though because the bumper was too close to the wheel and could have punctured it.
We have great insurance coverage (I have done this once before and learned my lesson), so the most we would have to pay was $500. Which sounded really good after we found out that the damage would cost $4000. Yikes! But today we were supposed to pick up the car, and they wanted the deductible when we picked it up. I've been fretting about this for 2 weeks. How would I be able to make my expenses? We don't have any credit cards so I couldn't charge it. I was getting really worried. But around 4 I received a call from our agent informing us that I was less than 50% at fault and we would not have to pay the deductible!!!! Thank you Lord! I am so incredibly blessed and thankful! This could have gone in so many different directions, and it could have been so much worse! I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father for the way this has turned out! I know he loves me, and knows me. What a huge blessing!

Impression 5

This is the best kids place I've ever been to. The kids loved it! Thanks to our friends for inviting us along with them. Corbin thought this bubble room was a blast. I thought so to. Just look at that bubble!

This man was really helpful and fun.

They wouldn't let me get a picture of it, but they were actually inside of a bubble.

Pop! There it went again.

Oh come on guys! Just let me get one photo!

Madalyn loved playing in the water.

What should we do now mom?

He was pumping up the pressure so he could shoot a ball at a bucket. He loved this so much, and I got a pretty good workout too!

Pump it up buddy!

There were so many fun things to do and see!

This is where Madalyn spent most of her time. She wasn't eating cookie the whole time though ;)

We had a super fun time at Impression 5 with some of our friends from church.

Open wide Corbin, and say Ahhhh!

More Zoo pictures :D

Does anyone else ever feel sorry for the animals in the zoo? I certainly do! Especially this poor guy. He looked so dejected. But it made for a few fun pictures.

Rarrrr! The lion crazies!

Patagonian hares! Weird little rabbit cousins.

Nate and the poor little Mandrill. He looks so sad! :(

Our new favorite Zoo!

I couldn't get my kids to stand still long enough to get a great picture! They were just so excited to go and see the animals!

This bunny crawled right into Maddy's lap! She was so excited!

This was just too funny and weird. There were two billy goats who were knocking heads together, and the two men in the background started knocking their heads together too! It was very funny!

This is the best Zoo exhibit I've ever seen! Too bad it's a temporary one. You can walk into this big aviary and it's filled with birds from Australia, and if you pay a dollar you can get a very tiny bit of birdseed glued to a stick and feed the birds! They land on the sticks and on your head, and they fly all around you!

Look Mom! The bird flew off before I got the picture taken, but their faces are classic :)

Here's the birdies!

Caught in the act...

It's good to catch my kids doing something so wonderful! Especially since they seem to be getting into trouble a lot lately. I couldn't be happier with this! :D

Nature Center with the Miller's

I love Nature! These heart shaped leaves say it all! Our friends the Miller's took the kids and I to a great Nature Center where we got to walk trails and see some wildlife. We had a great time and I got a lot of pictures!

We saw this bunny and he wasn't even fazed by us.

Looking for fish in the pond.

The sun was high and hot that day :) I liked how our shadows looked when we were walking.

Madalyn loved watching the fish and turtles.

These two weren't even bothered by us. Just soaking up the sun.

I love how these pictures turned out! I love how the light plays on the leaves.

It looks like they are walking through the veil of heaven :)


Corbin and Miles are great friends.

The boys had a wondeful time exploring the trails.

Pioneer Day Primary Activity

Our ward had a really fun primary activity for Pioneer Day this year. We were a few minutes late, but they held the parade for us :) Corbin got to sit in a wagon with his friend and they walked around the parking lot in a line. Some people had dressed up in period costume. It was so fun. Madalyn was very apprehensive so she stayed with me. AFter the parade we had a pancake and sausage breakfast, Yum! Then we had fun stories and activities. We even made a pioneer toy. It was a great day.

Mommy and Madalyn watched and took pictures of the parade.

Here is Corbin in the parade.

How fun! Some of the wagons were covered too. You can see the very tail end of the one in front of Corbin.

What a great ward we are in!

Grand Haven Beach, MI

We had the chance a week or so ago to see the Beach at Grand Haven. The kids had a great time at the beach. I think Madalyn was a bit tired though because she spent half the time curled up in a towel and lying down. Corbin had great fun hitting the waves. He hasn't ever seen them before. He went after them "Kung-fu Panda" style by hitting them when they came in. It was hard to get any pictures of him because he was on the move so much but there are a few here, albeit not very good :)

Look at me mom! Aren't I the cutest???

Here is one of our friends who came with us!

Two new friends exploring the beach together!

Poor baby! So cold and tired! It did get kind of chilly at the end.

Just got done whipping those waves into shape and is ready for the next one to come!

My hair was cute and curly when we left for the beach that morning, but the strong winds blew the curls right out! Madalyn is mad at me because she was trying to take a picture but kept putting her finger in the way so I tried to show her how to hold it and she freaked. That's 2 for you!