Our "almost" vacation

Jamie had a meeting in Asheville, NC earlier this month. Our plan was to drive to GA, drop off our kids with family, and spend a few days in NC all by ourselves. The kids were pretty snotty when we left them but just headcold stuff. So we decided to head on up to NC. Analy ended up with a fever that weekend so we ended up cutting our trip a few days short and just heading back home. I was pretty disappointed since because of Jamie's meeting we were enjoying an all expense paid vacation at a secluded cabin on a 200 acre farm. Oh well, so goes the responsibilities of parenthood. Jamie ended up being sick anyway and I had to drive home a carload of sick babies. We did manage to visit the Biltmore house on our way home (since we had gotten complimentary tickets). It still makes me sad to think that I almost had a relaxing vacation. Maybe someday!

JAX ZOO

Monday, our family set out for a day at the zoo. We had been waiting for a cool, weekday when Jamie would be off. The timing was perfect for this adventure. Mathias asked when we would get to the zoo the entire trip. We had a detour because of an accident so it took longer than expected so we were all extra eager.

See any resemblance?

 Everyone was excited to get inside the zoo and start seeing animals. Mathias ran from exhibit to exhibit yelling "More Animals!"

 Analy really enjoyed looking at the animals as well. Here she is leaning out looking at the leopard.

 Mathias and Analy admiring the giraffes.

 Mathias hanging out with the elephant.

 Analy checking out the snake.

 Everyone enjoyed the carousel.

 Even the Komodo dragons were friendly.

 Mathias loved brushing the pygmy goats.

 and swimming with the penguins.

 An attempt at a group photo.

 Less than five minutes after we got in the car.

 We got stuck in traffic from an accident on the way home as well. This time we were stuck on I-10 in the same spot for 2 hours. As you probably know, kids don't sleep in a parked car! So we cleaned all the snacks out of the diaper bag trying to keep them happy and calm. Finally, we made it to a Burger King. The kids loved their crowns and the toy was a stuffed giraffe, how appropriate.

We asked Mathias on the way home what were his favorite animals. His reply was "goats." We asked him what else he like and he said "mingos" as in flamingos.
The day turned out pretty long but we all had a great time. Praise God for allowing us to admire His creation and enjoy time with our family!

Merry Christmas

Merry Montage Christmas

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Happy Birthday Analy!

I can't believe my little girl is one year old! This year flew by so fast. I guess when you spend most of your time chasing little kids, time goes by quickly.

We had grand plans of a family birthday party in GA but it just didn't work out. Jamie and I were supposed to vacation in NC, then we would return and have a party for Analy. But Analy came down with a fever over the weekend and Mathias was suffering from a head cold. Jamie even ended up with a fever so we called and quits and I drove a vehicle full of sick babies home.

We did get to spend quality time together the past few days and are celebrating Analy's birthday today. Just me, Jamie, Mathias, and Analy, I wouldn't chance actually inviting anyone else over.

We started the morning off by getting a few photos of Analy in her birthday dress from her grandma. You can tell she is still not feeling 100%.  

We followed the photo shoot with presents. Mathias found out some of the presents from the grandparents were for him so he'd been begging all day to open them.
Analy loved the music from this toy from Nana and Pop.

Mathias thought the view finders were cool.

Analy loved the little bits of paper. She got lots of nice books and clothes from Grandma and Granddaddy.

Here's daddy trying to teach Mathias how to use the view finder.

Aren't the bloomers adorable?

Here's the cake. Mathias had watched me make it yesterday. I had to hide it in our bedroom to keep him from begging to eat it. He was very excited about it.

Mathias helped Analy blow out her candle.

Analy enjoyed the cake too!

Happy Birthday Analy! We love you!

Mama, Daddy, and Mathias

Hokey Pokey

"Noaster Noodles"

Mathias' favorite breakfast food for the moment are Toaster Struddles. It's pretty funny how he says it! Notice he also refers to himself as "Thias."

A Little Guitar Music

Each evening Jamie breaks out his guitar to play a bit before bedtime. The kids seem to really enjoy it. They love helping daddy strum the strings.

 Sometimes, they may even break out a cowboy hat for the party.

Mathias usually demands that "Daddy play guitar." I hope it'll just be one more special memory that the kids will have.

Standing and Shoes

Analy is practicing standing more and more these days. She especially loves Mathias' toy box. She also loves the coffee table and is trying her best to climb on it.

 There's always something to find in the bottom of the box.

 With the cooler weather here and there, Analy has tried wearing shoes. As you can see, she doesn't quite know what to think of the new footwear.

She loves pulling them off as soon as possible. They never survive a trip in the car!

Pumpkin Carving

We finally got around to carving our pumpkin yesterday. We made it in right under the deadline and at least I will not have to look at a yucky, moldy pumpkin for weeks. Mathias loved to idea and jumped right in to help daddy.

 Analy preferred to hang back for a while and draw with her chalk.

 We separated out the seeds so we could roast them later.

 Analy finally decided it was time to get her hands dirty.

 But she still had time to pose for the camera a bit.

 Analy and Mathias were mesmerized by the candle lighting up our jack-o-lantern.

 Mathias getting a real close look.

 Analy poking out his eye.

We finished off our evening by watching Garfield's Halloween and The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. That's definitely enough Halloween for me!