Memories
Travel & Vacation: Midwest Dust Whirlwind
Midwest Dust Whirlwind
On one our road trips while in Kansas the girls saw their first Midwest Dust Whirlwind. Some people also called them Dust Devils. In the past few years Kansas has been pretty dry so sometimes when a farmer is working his field or something else is stirring up a large amount of dust you’ll see a dust whirlwind pop up.
When the girls first saw it they thought it was a tornado. It does look like a tornado touching down, but usually happens on a dry sunny day. We were driving along Highway 34 West near Platner, Colorado when we saw this dust whirlwind. Hopefully, the Midwest will start getting some nice rain soon so these dust devils will not be as common. The Midwest is a large producer of crops for our nation and around the world. We have a lot of farmers in our family from the Midwest who could use more rain for their crops.
A dust whirlwind (or commonly referred to as a dust devil) is caused when a vortex forms from the dust that is being kicked up into the air. The dust will often form a swirling column that reaches up vertically through the air. The dust devils could last for several hours and can either be small or large enough for people to see for many miles. They are typically harmless other than you can get dirt in your eyes and hit by small particles of dirt if you walk or drive through one.
Dust Devil off Highway 34 West! Looks like a tornado, but it is made of dirt.
The farmer working his field is kicking up enough dirt to create this Dust Whirlwind that can be seen for miles.
It was amazing to watch the swirling column of dirt raising high up into the sky.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Flashback Friday: Growing Up
Brina trying to figure out how to get across the floor to Daddy!
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years. The girls were 6 months old and starting to learn so much every week. They are more mobile and on the go. They love babbling back and forth to each other and to others. It is fascinating to watch them explore and learn new things. Our family is blessed with these to sweethearts.
Brina is the more mobile one, but Karlie is only a day or two behind her. Karlie is the more verbal one, but it doesn’t take Brina to catch up. They challenge each other and neither one wants to get left behind so they do a lot of their fun activities together.
It is cute to see them working together like a small team. Some of their jibber jabber we don’t understand, however, they seem to understand all of it and will randomly bust out laughing about some inside joke they share.
Sweet Brina pausing to say “Hi” to Mommy!
Karlie is always quick to offer a sweet smile which makes my heart happy.
It’s only been a month since they started eating rice cereal and “solid” food. The first time we had a lot of tears because they didn’t like it and wanted their bottles. Now they are all smiles when they get into their high chairs . They look forward to meal time (I think they consider it another form of play time only messier)! Oh, how quickly things change in just a few weeks.
Having fun with Brina as we get her dressed for bed. She doesn’t look too thrilled, but puts up with her goofy parents anyway.
Brina – “Quiet Karlie, it’s my turn to talk now….”
Karlie – “What are you laughing at Daddy?” She is all smiles and has no idea she has tape on her forehead!
Brina so proud of her standing ability.
Karlie and Brina, they had such pinchable and kissable cheeks at this age.
Daddy’s unique way of giving Mommy some cash. Brina wasn’t too sure about this new toy in between her toes.
Brina would get very upset if she tipped over and couldn’t get herself back up again. This time when she fell over I think Karlie was concerned about her crying because she stuck her fingers into Brina’s mouth (maybe to make her be quiet, who knows).
Brina’s first ride on the rocking cow (with pillows on either side and Daddy next to her just in case).
Sweet Karlie
Karlie’s first ride on the rocking cow. They were a little unsure about this moving cow at first, but as they got older it became a popular toy at our house. They loved it.
Happy Karlie girl
They are learning how to use a sippy cup. Karlie sometimes would “act” like she was drinking or play around instead of actually drinking so we had to make sure she was getting enough water.
Brina tipped over Mr. Octopus while playing and couldn’t get back up. She was not happy! Once I sat her back up again she was fine and her happy self again.
Surprised Karlie woke up to a massive stuffed animal on the swing with her. Where did this come from?! “Butch” was a large stuffed dog I got as a kid from Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa. The girls loved to roll around, climb, and play with it when they were little.
Life is good – Karlie
Brina is fascinated with the new toy which we called “Giggles”. It would giggle and move around the room. She loved to followed it around the room and knock it over so it wouldn’t run away.
Karlie on the other hand was a little suspicious about a laughing and moving toy. She was fine with it at a distant, but the first time it bumped into her arm she was hysterically screaming like it attacked her. After watching it a few more times she eventually got used to it and enjoyed it.
Brina riding the “Hungry Hippo”! They could ride on the hippo and as it moved it would pick up block and other toys off the floor and put them into a storage bin under the seat. It made “clean up” more fun for the kids. They both loved riding on it or being pushed around the house picking up scattered toys.
Playing together on “Mr. Clown” mat. They initially would both fit (with all their toys) and stay on the clown mat now they are getting older they never stop moving so even though they might start there they don’t stay very long.
Karlie is happy to play music for the rest of us.
Brina talking and showing off her belly button while Karlie sits there nicely for the picture.
They loved talking (or babbling) to each other. This was one time while I was getting them dressed. Karlie was talking away so I sat Brina up on the changing table with her and they talked back and forth for several minutes. Who knows what they were saying, but they were having fun. They were fascinated by the words and noises coming out of each others mouths and would stick their hands inside the others mouth trying to figure out how it all worked. Loved these little interactions and the cute gibberish they made.
Daddy let Karlie borrow his hat. He was concerned about her getting a sunburn.
Karlie sitting quietly, but not entirely sure about this thing on her head.
A whole lot of Brina mischief was found in my laundry basket. They used to love playing in our laundry baskets. Once they were older they made it a game to climb in and out, wonder how that started? Sweet Brina is distracted me from doing the laundry, but hey that can wait until tomorrow, right!?Flashback Friday: Fun with Friends and Bath Time
First trip to GattiTown with Mandy, Jack, Danielle, and Riley (Brina & Karlie)
Today our Flashback Friday is in August 2005 when the girls were 6 months old. It is quite an adventure packing up and heading out to visit family, friends, or do errands, but we are getting better at it. The process of just getting out of the house, into the car, and on our way is usually several minutes long.
The girls have been enjoying going out and about more. I try to do at least one fun activity outside of the house each week with family or friends. They are usually exhausted by the time we get home, but we have fun. It is good for me to spend time with other Moms too.
Thankful for family and friends to hang out with. The girls are really good and for the most part do really well when we are out and about. They love watching everything. It is neat to watch them soak everything in during our adventures.
Mandy and Jack on the carousel
Danielle and Riley on the carousel
Brina very excited about driving Riley’s cool car! Vroom…vroom….look out people here I come!
Josh carrying Brina
Karlie hanging out with Kari
Christy holding Karlie
Aunt Vick hanging out with Brina as she bounces around
Cousins Jordan and Rachel feeding Karlie
Brina watching cousin Jack open his birthday gifts
Jack opening his birthday gifts.
Karlie starting to zone. She didn’t like the party hat at first, but soon forgot about it.
1st Bath together after being out with friends and having sunblock on them. It was too hard to safely bath two wet babies at the same time before now. They could sit up on their own and each had a place to safely sit in the tub now. At first they were not sure what to do? You mean we can play in here!?
Getting use to the bath time fun.
Travel & Vacation: State License Plate Game
2 State License Plate Game Boards
Our family enjoys going on road trips. We’ve had 40 plus hour road trips before so we are always looking for fun ways to stay busy while in the car. We play games, listen to audio books, read, watch a movie, rest, and more. One of our road trip rules is the only time the kids are allowed to watch a movie is if the trip is over 5 hours long. We found these printable State License Plate Game templates on The Dating Divas website just in time for our last road trip (which was only 19 hours long). The kids have always traveled well and actually look forward to our road trip adventures.
We printed out two of The Dating Divas State License Plate Game sheets, one for each kid. After printing out the sheets we laminated them so we can re-use them for all our road trips. Once they are laminated you can use dry erase markers OR crayons to mark off each license plate as you see it. The only one we have never seen (so far) has been Hawaii. We’ve seen Alaska a few times, but Hawaii is a hard one to locate. On one trip we got 40 plus of the license plates.
You can do variations of this game as well. If you want try to play bingo, see what different shapes you create, four corners, and more. You only get to mark them off if you actually see them and one other person must see them as well to confirm it. So if you spot a few while your sibling is resting or playing a different game you may have an advantage. This is just one of the many fun games we play on our road trips. The kids enjoy it and it keeps them looking out the window and paying attention to the many sights we are passing along the way. Thank you The Dating Divas for this awesome template! We love it!
License plates for all 50 states
Whose ready for a road trip!?
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Flashback Friday: Sleepy Kids
Brina crashed in the middle of chewing in the ring
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years when the girls were 6 months old. They were exploring more and falling to sleep in random places. Sometimes in the middle of playing with a toy. I tried to move them a few times, but every time I did they would wake up so I just decided to leave them and let them rest. Usually the random naps were small power naps and they were back to playing within a few minutes anyway.
They are beginning to be more mobile and it took more energy to keep up with them. It is so precious watching them sleep peacefully even if it is in their high chair at a weird angle. Oh to be that flexible again.
At this time they are still sleeping in the same crib. As they grow and move around more in their sleep the crib it starting to get a little more chummy, but they look so sweet sleeping together I wasn’t ready to move them into separate cribs quite yet. Occasionally we would come to check on them in the morning and we would see that during the night they scooted down in the crib until their feet were hanging out. Not sure how it was comfortable, but they didn’t wake up or seem to mind it.
When we checked on this morning their were two sets of titty bitty toes sticking out from their crib. It was all I could do not to squeeze those cute little toes, but they were sleeping so peacefully.
Brina fast asleep in her hair chair. Such a rough life. Love how she folds her hands together sometimes when she sleeps.
Brina and Karlie – sleepy babies.
Taking a snooze during their play time with Mr. Octopus – Brina and Karlie
Playing is such hard work for the little ones – Karlie and Brina
Brina fell asleep while playing in her exersaucer!
She woke up with some sleepy “toy lines” on her face. Poor baby!
Playing in the exersaucers is exhausting. Both have crashed during their play time.
How can that be comfortable Karlie!? Not sure how she was still sleeping so soundly with her legs sticking out like that? I think my feet with get cold and go numb. Guess that’s the fun of being a baby.
Flashback Friday: First Trip to the Zoo
First trip to the Zoo
Today’s Flashback Friday was the girls first trip to the zoo with our Moms group back in August 2005. We went to the Greenville Zoo. The girls looked around, took a nap in the stroller, and hung out. They got some fresh air, vitamin D, and wore themselves out even though they did not get out of their stroller. Thankful for friends and a chance to hang out at the zoo for a few hours. We have had many trips to the zoo since this day!
Brina sleeping in the front. Karlie still looking around, but starting to suck her thumb so she’s not far behind Brina.
They were great on their first trip to the Greenville Zoo, however, the two critters I brought back home with me were very hungry and ready for lunch by the time we walked into the house. Once it was lunch time they were ready to eat and my happy babies were in tears if there happened to be a delay that day!
Travel & Vacation: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon (Charleston, SC)
Visiting the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
One of the days while we were in Charleston, SC it was raining so we took the time to explore the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon. We had gotten a Groupon for a discounted tour of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon so we figured it was the perfect day to go. The girls and I had a lot of fun learning about the building and all the history that took place within it’s walls. Another time about a year later we were in Charleston again and Jake joined us for our second tour of the building. It is full of history. The kids really enjoyed it. A friend recommended we go see this historic site a couple years ago and we have enjoyed going more than once.
Old Exchange dates back to the 1670’s when it was used as a Customs and Exchange building for the busy Charleston port. Pirates were placed in the Provost Dungeon. British tea was stored inside it’s walls. You can see the old sea wall inside the Provost Dungeon. During the American Revolution the colonists hid guns and ammunition inside the building. There is a lot of neat history in this building.
Old staircase, not in use anymore
Old Seawall can be seen inside the Provost Dungeon. Half-moon battery.
They had amazing brick work done in the building. It was neat to see.
Old model of the building.
Our tour guide telling about the pirates they captured and held as prisoners in the Provost Dungeon
Pirates biding their time in the Dungeon
The had to keep records of all the exchanges and transactions that took place inside the building.
The colonists put a powder magazine inside the building and then built a wall in front of it. Even during the American Revolution when the British soldiers had control and occupied this building they never found it. After the war when they took down the wall everything was still where they had left it.
Provost Dungeon
Black Beard the pirate
A lot of neat historical pictures line the walls throughout the building
It was a rainy day in Charleston. Perfect day to take a tour of Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.
Information about Preside George Washington’s visit to Charleston.
We the People….
Historical people and swords
Rainy day, but still beautiful
Looking out from the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon building to the street below.
History of the Exchange & Custom House, Faneuil Hall, and more
One of the meeting rooms, beautifully decorated
The Old Exchange Building & Provost Dungeon Banner
Plagues on the outside walls of the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Flashback Friday: Celebrating Jake’s Birthday
Brina and Karlie were fascinated by the cool new toy on the floor.
Today we flashback to Jake’s birthday July 2005 when the girls were five months old. It was his first time celebrating a birthday with two little munchkins with us. They made the day quite entertaining. They enjoyed the new things to explore and see throughout the day from birthday banners to candles to rice krispie treats and more.
Jake with his two girls on his birthday. They were intrigued by the candles, but didn’t touch them. Pretty sure they didn’t help blow them out either.
This is cool new mat to lay around sucking our fingers on….
Brina sitting at the kitchen counter. So Mom…..I hear their might be some kind of special treat for Dad’s birthday, can I try it first, pretty please!?
Oh no….too much excitement for someone. Who did it this time!? Brina is feeling better now and Karlie is thankful it wasn’t her this time around.
Daddy’s giggling girls helping him celebrate his birthday.
Our little rolly pollies saying “Happy Birthday Daddy! We LOVE You!”
Flashback Friday: First & Second Time at the Pool
Brina a little unsure about this whole “pool” idea
Today’s flashback Friday goes back about 10 years when the girls first were introduced to a pool. The first trip to the pool with the Greenville Mother’s of Multiples Club family party. We didn’t even have swimming suits for them yet so we took them in onesies and swimmer diapers. They were not to thrilled about the pool the first time around. Both were a little surprised and not overly excited about it. You would never know that now though!
The second time we went to a pool was about a week later with our friend Mike and Ashley. We had gotten the girls swimsuits in the meantime and they did a little better the second time around. Still not thrilled about it, but they tolerated it better.
Brina was a little surprised by the pool water.
Brina slowly getting used to the water on her feet while sitting in Daddy’s lap.
Brina standing up in the pool, still not sure about this whole pool thing.
Brina thinking about sitting down, but still disturbed by the pool.
Brina was very curious by all the other kids swimming around her. Why do they look like they are having so much fun!?
Karlie’s first dip into the pool. She was not happy!
Karlie’s thinking that maybe this isn’t too bad. Daddy seems to think it’s okay…
Jake sprinkled a little water over her head. She wasn’t entirely sure if she liked that.
Karlie sitting on Daddy’s lap talking with another twin. He wanted to know why she didn’t like playing in the pool, ha!
Karlie getting used to the water and she sits there for a minute.
Karlie looking at Mommy for help and confirmation that this pool thing was okay.
Karlie – “Can someone turn off the bright light overhead!” She was not a fan of the bright sunny day and if she was directly in the sun would just close her eyes and whimper. Poor baby girl.
Survived their first “pool swim” or should we say little dip! They were much more content to be back in the bassinet together.
Swimming at the pool was EXHAUSTING! They were out for a nap within a few minutes of drying off and getting into the bassinet. (Brina and Karlie)
Brina and Karlie got their cool new swimming suits and ready to go again. They think it’s funny now as they are at home sitting in the chair together….
Brina with Aunt Ashley at the pool. She is still not convinced that this is a good idea!
Mommy taking Brina and Karlie out into the pool. They were very intent on watching the pool water, like its going to get them or something.
Mommy with Karlie and Brina. They tolerated the pool better this time around with only a few tears. Thankfully it was a small quiet pool.
Brina all snuggled up in her dry towel. She is now ready for her nap.
Look at those pruney little tootsie toes! So cute!
Karlie is getting sleepy. Swimming is hard work Dad!
Travel & Vacation: Daniel Island Historical Markers & Bike Path (Daniel Island, SC)
Beautiful paved Daniel Island bike and walking path
We love visiting Daniel Island! Over the past few years we have been several times and it seems like every time we find something new to explore on this island on the outskirts of Charleston, SC. On one of our trips we took our bikes with us and found a lot of neat places to ride around town. The kids favorite place to ride their bikes was around the cement and paved path in Smythe Lake Park around a little lake in near the Pirates Cove Playground. The last time we brought our bikes we would ride around the lake, play for a little bit at the playground, and ride around the lake again.
The scenery around the lake is beautiful. On our first pass around the bike and walking trail we noticed Daniel Island Historical Markers along the way. It was a lot of fun to stop at each one and read about the history of Daniel Island. We saw some wildlife on our adventures too from alligators to ducks and more! We got our exercise and learn more about Daniel Island throughout our excursions that day.
Biking around the lake
On of the historical signs along the biking and walking path – “A Proprietary Governor“
“Slave Life on Daniel Island”
We had a friend sunning himself along the biking trail. Needless to say we didn’t stop to see if he wanted to play. Always best to leave the wildlife alone!
“Making Bricks”
“Tenants & Truck Farmers”
“Harry Frank Guggenheim”
Friendly ducks swimming and finding little fish to eat.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
