The Commotion Continues

Life has been a little crazy for us over the past few months. As soon as we adjusted to life as a family of four - we started packing for the next chapter in our life.  We have still managed to have a little fun and catch a little crazy in the process!

Hey mom look at my new trick!!!!

Shaef and Ty loving on their little siblings - Evy is not so happy about it!

We have slowed down a little to catch some z's. 

We also explored a new area!  There are some nature trails over at UNF and we spent an afternoon exploring with some good friends.

Dad has even had a few moments to spend time with the kids! 

Our favorite part is spending time with friends - and dressing up like super heroes!

And squeezing a little time in to learn some new things....

.....like writing our name....

...and how to play on our own!

I pretty much can't get enough of this chub! 

Best Buddies!

Try to get by the fact that in almost all of these pictures my children have red eyes. 

 I am not a stellar photographer and we are lucky I am even posting these on the blog! 

These two kiddos melt my heart on a daily basis.  They are the best of friends and truly love each other.  She lights up when she sees him and he is constantly trying to help her. 
Of course they have their moments - he loves to torture her and she loves to scream in his face - but they continue to be buddies!

He loves to show her the things he is interested in and tries to teach her.......


.....even though she is not to eager to learn yet....

People tell me all the time that they look so much alike and I never really believed them until  this picture.......

I hope that she always looks up to him and admires him and that he gives her a good example to follow.  I hope he always protects her and watches out for her and that she appreciates his love.  I hope that they stay close.  There will be fights, and they will annoy each other, she will get his toys and he will torture her - but moments like this will always be treasured!

Jacksonville Zoo

We took full advantage of the off season days at the Zoo and went as many times as we could! It is a really great zoo and Shaef loves animals so it is a perfect activity for our family! Anson was even able to go with us one day so it was fun for Shaef to show him everything!

The Green Mamba - Shaef's favorite snake....it is green!

Shaef and Miley checking out the Giraffe's

Shaef and Evy in our favorite double stroller

Evy's first time at the zoo - she slept most of the time.

The above pictures and the below pictures are probably only a week apart and we are sporting shorts in one and sweaters in the other.  The weather here has been pretty crazy!

The Rhinos

Elephants

We let Shaef feed the giraffe and good thing we videoed it because the Giraffe was not patient and stuck is tongue out and grabbed the food that we were waiting to feed her.

Evy probably gets tired of seeing the zoo from this perspective!

The jaguar was sleeping so close and Shaef loved that he could see him so close!

Shaef's favorite green turtle that welcomes you to the zoo.  We are going to miss this zoo!

Holiday Celebrations

Life has been pretty crazy around here but we have still managed to do a few special things for the holidays.  I have a lot of fun trying to make the day a little more special and exciting!

Valentines Day

Growing up, my parents always gave us some little Valentine gift and we have continued that tradition. Shaef was so thrilled to get one of the Rescue Bots that he has "always wanted"!

WE had a little Valentines day party at our house too where we decorated cookies and made Valentines - we managed to catch a picture of these cute siblings!

I love to decorate the table really pretty and have a "nicer" dinner for our family dinner on Valentines. Anson brought me chocolates and flowers which added perfectly to the decor!

St. Patrick's Day

I was not planning on doing anything really special for this Holiday.  Anson was out of town at a Moot Court Competition and we were just aiming at surviving while he was gone, and in the past years I have tried to make this holiday fun since Green is Shaef's favorite color but last year's festivities didn't go well.  When I was putting Shaef to bed, he said "Mom tomorrow the Leprechauns are going to turn my milk green! I am so excited." Que mom's scramble to do some last minute preparations. 

All in all it was very successful and he had something so fun to talk to his dad about when we picked him up from the airport that night.  Anson had a "lucky" weekend himself and his hard work paid off - earning a BEST ORALIST award at the competition he was at!  We are so proud of him!

Happy Easter 

The Easter bunny headed to our house and brought us too much candy and some spring clothes for family pictures! :)  Shaef hunted eggs at our house and at our church activity, and we dyed eggs.  

And once again...any chance I can get to dress these two up in matching clothes!