Happy Halloween!
We gave the girls a choice about what Halloween activities they wanted to do this year. They chose to stay home, play games, spend time together, carve pumpkins, make a special meal, and more fun instead of going out trick & treating! We had a lot of fun together! Thankful for our girls and sweet time together!
Baked and seasoned pumpkin seeds!
Karlie’s scary pumpkin!
Caramel flavored pumpkin seeds!
Brina creating her owl pumpkinTravel & Vacation: Galveston Island Ferry
Exploring Galveston, Texas before our plane leaves for home! We took the Galveston Island Ferry boat over to Bolivar. On the ferry ride was saw a lot of dolphins swimming. We went to the Galleria Mall in Houston, TX. It was a huge mall with an ice skating rink! It was the first time we ate at the Cheesecake Factory and it was delicious!
Our ferry was DeWitt C. Greer!
Passing another ferry heading the opposite direction!
Jake – my man!
Grateful for this week with Jake! It was wonderful having one-on-one time!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!
Travel & Vacation: Space Center Houston, Texas
Our trip to Texas! Space Center Houston and Galveston. Jake and I had a great time exploring the area.
We would love to take the girls to Houston, TX sometime with us so they could see the Houston Space Center. Karlie especially would love it!
Jake by a piece of the Saturn 5
Touching a moon rock. Sweet!
Wall of astronauts and various missions.
Watching the actual ISS from the Mission Control Center.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.
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: 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.
Flashback Friday: Fun Times & First Shoes
Sweet girls – Brina and Karlie
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to when the girls were 7 months old. They are growing and changing so quickly. It doesn’t take much to make them smile. They love hanging out with family and friends. A new experience was trying on and attempting to stand in shoes this month. They were not too sure about what to think about having shoes on their feet, but decided since Mommy and Daddy thought it was fun and exciting that it must be a good thing. Their little giggles make our days so much sweeter.
Being goofy – Brina and Karlie
Brina and Karlie hanging out together
Brina and Karlie talking with each other. Love hearing them gibber jabber and giggle.
Brina LOVES the “Johnny Jump Up”! She will literally jump and spin around until she crashes. It is hard keeping toys on the tray for her because she is always moving. She is all smiles when she is playing in it.
Brina hanging out with Uncle Mike
Brina laughing at her silly Daddy
Jake clipping Karlie’s toenails. Clipping nails made me so nervous so Jake was delegated to do that task for the kids the first few times. Karlie thought it was hilarious having her toenails trimmed.
Two sleepy babies in a pile. Brina sucking on her middle fingers and Karlie sucking on her thumb.
Karlie having fun playing
Brina pulling on her ear….hopefully she is just playing not another ear infection. You never knew when she had an ear infection because she typically did not run a fever with an ear infection. She still looking happy so that’s a good thing!
Karlie looks cute in this little “puppy” shirt. She didn’t mind having the hood up.
Brina trying out her new shoes and all smiles
Look Brina’s standing on her own. Way to go Brina Bee
Daddy and Brina talking
Karlie a little unsure about these things on her feet….not quite certain that she likes them yet.
Karlie – “Hey look what I can do Mom with these new shoes!”
Oh no, Karlie’s getting a little off balance. Hurry Dad and catch her before she hits the ground!
Karlie relaxing and content with life
Brina originally started covering her eyes with her opposite arm to block out the sunlight or light in the room when she wanted to go to sleep while sucking on her middle fingers of her other hand. This habit continued for longer than we preferred, but we did finally break her of the finger sucking and eyes covering habit.
Karlie hanging out with Daddy
One…two…three…tackle Brina (who was hysterically laughing at this new game).
Brina loves having fun with Daddy! She always giggled when he held her up in the air.
Karlie loves playing with toys and making them sing
Love walking into their bedroom first thing in the morning and seeing these to smiling faces looking back at me. Glad that they are happy babies that are always excited to see us.
