Schedule
Travel & Vacation: Cruising the Gulf of Mexico
!['Relaxing and beautiful views from our balcony....I could get used to living this kind of rough life, ha! Thanks for spoiling me with a week away my love, @[749272290:2048:Jake Hayes]! :)'](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p370x247/12043144_10153273103053590_6880629700358405865_n.jpg?oh=f2ecf399ba0707c8c7e89dd4f0076533&oe=57DA739D)
Our last full day on the cruise! The week went by too quickly, but it was relaxing, packed full of great memories, and wonderful having extra time together! We need to do this more often Jake Hayes!
Thankful for an opportunity to celebrate our 15th Anniversary and looking forward to many more amazing years together with this handsome man! XOXO
Handsome guy on our balcony!
Last night on the ship with my Babycake!
Thankful for time with this man!
Enjoying one more quiet breakfast before hitting the road again!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!
Travel & Vacation: Beautiful Roatan, Honduras
Jake and I in Roatan, HondurasVisiting beautiful Roatan, Honduras! It was a sunny day in Roatan and we did probably one of my favorite ocean activities so far – Snuba! I LOVED it!!!! We were able to go down 25 feet and explore the bottom of the ocean. The ocean ecosystem was fascinating! All the sea grass, fish, coral, sand, and everything moving smoothly and peacefully in the ocean was simply AMAZING! I would do it again in a heartbeat! We were each hooked to an oxygen tank and could go down to 25 feet without needing to come up for air. Snuba is kind of a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving! If you have a chance to try it do it. It was much more gorgeous then even the pictures reflect!
Watching the sunrise as we arrive in Honduras!
Ready to explore this beautiful place!
One of us has small feet and had to wear the kid fins…..can you guess who, ha!?
Beautiful place! Definitely want to go to do Snuba again sometime!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!
Travel & Vacation: Visiting Belize City, Belize
Visiting Belize City, Belize! We had a wonderful day learning about the country of Belize, seeing the area, going to Jaguar Park (thankfully we didn’t run into any real jaguars), going zip lining, and floating through massive caves on an inner-tube. Plus a great time that evening on the ship at dinner and the shows. It was a fun day!
Look out Belize here we come!
My Handsome! Love this guy so much!
Excited to go
My Handsome getting ready to fly through the trees.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!
Travel & Vacation: Exploring Cozumel, Mexico
Beautiful ocean sunrise in Mexico!
Exploring Cozumel, Mexico! We had a blast sight seeing, meeting people, shopping, and going Snorkeling at 3 different reefs during our day in Mexico. We even got to talk with the girls for a tiny bit because we got cell phone service while walking through the area!
This little guy caught a ride on our balcony and stayed there for several hours.
Talking with one of the security guards about the bird he was holding.
Ready to go on our snorkeling adventure.
I get to check out Mexico with this hot guy!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: 1st Trip to the Pumpkin Patch
So proud of their pumpkin!
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years when the girls went to their first pumpkin patch. They were so excited to check out the pumpkins. They didn’t like the feel of the prickly hay and grass on their feet, but were fascinated by the pumpkin and it’s stem.
Investigating the pumpkin
It was like a cool new toy to Brina and Karlie
Jake and his sweet girls Karlie and Brina
Karlie and Brina hanging out with Daddy at the pumpkin patch
Our 1st pumpkin patch adventure as a family of four.
Travel & Vacation: Animals at the Denver Zoo (Denver, CO)
Elephant on the move
Our kids love animals. On one of our trips to Colorado we had an opportunity to go to the Denver Zoo with extended family. The kids had a blast. It was neat seeing all the different animals, going to show, learning about the zoo animals, activities, and so much more. Thankful for a chance to go to the Denver Zoo with the kids.
If your family enjoys Zoo’s and you are in the Denver, Coloardo area you should check this one out. They have a lot of animals to see. The shows and activities are fun and very educational for the kids.
Hanging around and watching all the people walking by
Decided to make a move and head the other direction
Two of them moving along the rope now
Rhino munching on its hay.
We watched the penguin demonstration. They were happy to get treats!
Found something tasty to eat1
Elephant Show, this elephant was only a few feet in front of us. I was just hoping it wasn’t going to spray us. If you are at the Denver Zoo I highly recommend the elephant show, it was really neat. Kids and adults really enjoyed it!
Getting ready for the next act!
Getting ready to bow for the audience!
Didn’t want to look at us.
What animal is this!?
If you guess “camel” in the picture above you are correct. Never saw a camel lay down like that before.
This camel is either all stretched out or doing it’s yoga for the day!
Pretty giraffe’s hanging out together in the shade.
Sea lions swimming around!
Beautiful white arctic fox hiding in the log
Capybara still wet from his swim
Big snake….no a big fan of snakes so thankful when they are behind glass.
Gorgeous zebras enjoying some treats!
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: Celebrating & Fun with Family
Brina trying to steal a piece of Rachel’s birthday cake!
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when the girls were eight months old. We celebrated my brother Lee’s birthday with several of our cousins who were still going to college in town. The girls learned how hold their bottles on their own. They loved being silly and playing together. They could easily make each other laugh.
Brina hanging out with cousins Rachel, Alecia, and Jordan.
Playing a game….fun times!
Daddy gave Karlie a bite of Uncle Lee’s birthday cake. He let her lick off one of the candles.
Ummm….Karlie….I think you might have some frosting on your nose.
They think they are so funny…silly girls playing around before drinking their bottles – Brina & Karlie
Brina happy and playing on the floor
Karlie smiling at all the fun toys around her
Two babies in a bucket, they were ok with this until Jake spun them around. Then both Brina and Karlie didn’t like it.
Brina in the Johnny Jump Up with her feet on Karlie’s walker tray. They thought they were so funny in this position!
Karlie you have a bulls eye target stuck to your nose. She didn’t care.
Brina laughing and making some noise.
Silly Brina it’s time to get dressed not time for playing!
This was a big moment for them. They officially can hold their own bottles. It was an exciting and sad day for Mommy. I was glad they could do it and it saved me a lot of extra time, but I did miss some of the morning snuggles with them. I was able to squeeze in plenty throughout the day though.
Daddy and Karlie reading a book together. Karlie LOVED reading books!
Brina was thrilled to find the blue ball and that she could pick it up and throw it by herself.
Flashback Friday: Silly Girls, Dargo, and a Fall Festival
Watching Daddy bring in a train toy! What is it!? Looks like fun!
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to when the girls were 8 months old. They would get so excited to play with various toys. If you pulled out a new toy that they haven’t seen before they would eagerly check it out. The hard part was when both wanted to play with it at the same time. They were pretty good at sharing back and forth with only a few exceptions at this point. If one would take a toy away the other one would just play with another one, no big deal.
Fascinated by the moving and musical Mickey Mouse train – Karlie and Brina.
Goofy girls – Brina and Karlie
Karlie loved to “talk” with you as you changed her clothes. Her little babbling and smiles were so cute.
We have one thumb sucker (Karlie) and one two finger sucker (Brina)….oh boy. At first we thought it was “cute” until it was time to break them of it. You can take away a pacifier, but it is a little more difficult with fingers…
“Dargo what big nose and teeth you have!” – Brina
Dargo thought Karlie’s belly was the perfect chin rest. He was so gentle with the girls. They could do anything to him and he would just lay there enjoying the attention. He was a big black lab, but was so sweet with the girls.
Karlie more interested in relaxing, but Brina wants to talk and play with Dargo
Where are my Oreos?! Sneaky Karlie…. She had no idea it was food and was more interested in the crinkling of the container.
I wonder who has been watching Brina….. Daddy put the stickers on her face and it didn’t bother her at all.
My sweet babies, Brina and Karlie, playing away and totally ok with the stickers on their faces. Don’t worry we didn’t leave them on long. They weren’t easily upset by that type of stuff.
Happy Karlie Kool Kat
They loved any toys that made noise. It was hilarious when they discovered it made noise for the first time. They both stop and stare at it confused by the noise. Karlie proud of her noise making skills and Brina watching.
Their 1st local Fall Festival. They were fascinating just watching all the activities around them. Karlie got a flower and Brina got a butterfly painted on their face. They did much better with this face painting session.
Karlie won a stuffed pumpkin door prize. As soon as they handed it to her Brina immediately swiped it to investigate it further. Karlie didn’t care she was having fun.
Karlie giving us a winning smile.
Brina and Karlie shrieking and laughing as Daddy lifted them up in the air. They thought it was so much fun playing with Daddy!
They spent most of their time at home when they were eating or sleeping playing – Brina and Karlie
Brina wants the cool toy Karlie is currently playing with. Thankful that the were pretty good about sharing.
Flashback Friday: Hanging Out At Home
Two little critters, Karlie and Brina, who are talking, laughing, and giggling when it is suppose to be nap time.
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back on October 2005 when the girls were 8 months old. They have started babbling a lot more and discovered that they could get our attention when they shriek. Brina especially had a shrill screech she would make followed by lots of giggles. The first time she did it she surprised herself so of course she decided to just do it more.
They are happy babies. We tried to do some fun Fall activities with them this year. They didn’t understand everything we were doing, but were always up for an adventure. They were my little cuddle bugs. Love my sweet girls.
Karlie and Brina very excited about the cool John Deere books Daddy brought home for them!
Brina giving one of her shrill screeches….wish I could transfer it into an audio on this picture.
Karlie is all smiles as she plays
Brina talking with Mommy. While I couldn’t understand what she was saying at this point she loved to happily chat away.
Karlie cutting some more teeth and drooling like crazy, but still a sweet happy baby.
Brina decided that she was going to steal my camera
Karlie in charge of Mommy’s water cup, so proud of her big girl duty! She didn’t even tip it.
Brina loves the riding toys! Anything to keep moving!
What’s up Karlie rabbit! Not sure about these glasses Mom!
Brina our little two finger sucker.
Daddy’s first work trip away since the girls were born to Plano, Texas! It was so good to have him back home again.
They are so happy first thing in the morning. It is cute hearing giggles from their crib in the mornings – Karlie and Brina
Brina and Karlie crashed in their seats
Playing is one of their favorite activities! Brina chewing on a toy and Karlie looking up to smile at Mommy!
Flashback Friday: Fun at Home
Karlie loves hanging out in the Johnny Jump Up and playing with the toys, however, she would prefer spinning over jumping.
Today’s Flashback Friday takes us back to September 2005 when the girls were 7 months old. We spent a lot of time at home when the girls were younger. It was a lot of work to take them out every day and since they were still small they were more likely to pick up germs we tried to keep our errands, doctors appointments, and activities to a minimum at least during the first few months.
We had a lot of fun hanging out at home. They loved to play, laugh, and explore. The weekends and evenings were their favorite times of the week because Daddy was home to play with them. They love their Daddy and always give him a winning smile. He was great pitching in whenever possible with the kids. They were used to having both of us feed, change, and play with them at various times throughout the week sometimes together and other times just one of us.
Brina thinks Mr. Octopus is so funny.
Karlie didn’t see me walk into the room and I startled her. Love the expression on her face.
Brina is thrilled to be riding!
Karlie’s turn to ride now!
Brina loves holding onto your hands and standing up. She can stand for longer periods of time now.
Such a happy Karlie baby
Brina stealing water from Mommy’s cup….looks like she had some help from Daddy
Brina loves going for a ride on Daddy’s shoulders.
Karlie’s hanging out with Daddy
Karlie relaxing, smiling, and playing
Brina is all tuckered out – fast asleep with her feet are on one side of the boppy and her head on the other side
Karlie is clean and ready for bed now
Our girls – Karlie and Brina
There’s a Brina in the toy bucket! She is so proud of herself for “scaring” Mommy. Giggly girl.
Brina ready to try out the swimming pool.
Karlie looking for the toys in the pool.
Karlie – “Wow, Dad these sit ups are hard!”
Mommy reading a book to the girls. Brina is more interested in Daddy who is taking the picture while Karlie is completely engrossed in the book.
It makes my neck hurt just looking at her sleeping in this position. Brina would literally jump until she crash. This does not look like the most comfy position to take a nap in though kiddo.
They think “Little Lamb” is hilarious!
Brina having a blast!
Karlie smiling and sucking her thumb at the same time. That takes talent!
Sleeping beauties – Brina and Karlie
Life is so fun for these two little ones – Karlie and Brina!
Karlie is smiling and talking with the baby in the mirror at the Doctors office, little does she know that she will be getting a shot soon.
Karlie sitting on Daddy’s desk and “helping” him.
Giggling kiddos – Brina and Karlie
Brina and Karlie love hanging out and being silly together.
