I love how much my little loves love on each other.
Showing posts with label January. Show all posts
Showing posts with label January. Show all posts
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Lions, Tigers, and Bears... Oh My!! Jacksonville Zoo with the Bolins
Ashley asked me if I was interested in going to the Jax zoo. I have been wanting to take the kids to the zoo for such a long time. At almost $20 just for Landon to go, I had been putting it off. Apparently in January on Tuesdays this year they had $2 entry fees for everyone 3 and up. I didn't even hesitate, YES! So we packed up the van, got the Bolins and then headed to Jacksonville. We had packed a lunch. We stopped at a gas station about a half hour away out had bathroom breaks and ate lunch.
It was a great Florida "winter" if you can even fairly called it a winter. We had so much fun. The kids were totally worn out by the end of it. All 5 kids, walked almost the whole time. We had a double stroller and wagon. Landon loved the reptile house. Arabella gets pretty scared of of a very realistic snake that Landon has, so I was pretty surprised at how interested she was in the snakes.
Because we got such a deal on entrance, we bought tickets to go on the train which was also $2 for everyone over 3. The train was a big hit!
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| Reptile house and train ride |
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| Florida exhibit and Bonobo apes |
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| Landon giving the big snake some "love." |
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| I love the looks that boys boys have in this picture. It cracks me up! |
The pengiun exhibit was cool. All the little penguins hanging out on the rocks and then a group would all jump in one right after another race to the other side of the pool and then join the group again. It was funny and adorable. But the BEST part was the had this little cave that kids could climb into and one wall was glass...so you could see the the penguins swim by. Oh my, the giggles and squeals!! The kids sat there for probably 10 minutes!
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| Penguins were the biggest hit for my little loves. |
Needless to say, we throughly enjoyed ourselves and so did my pocket book ;)
Monday, March 18, 2013
Holidays in Missouri
We spent about a week and half in Missouri. We had lots of fun. We did our normal yearly events as usual. Biggest differences were the addition of our new sister, Sally and wedding planning for Jessica and AmberDee (Josh's cousin's fiancé). We had a blast and are looking forward to it again next year!
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| Visiting Grandma |
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| Snow day!!! Landon's first snow man :) |
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| Missouri Christmas- Our 3rd Christmas celebration |
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| Second snow day! We got lots of snow fun in while visiting ;) |
We rang in the new year at Grandma Williams house, which is where we general stay when we go to Missouri. She was in the nursing home the whole time unfortunately. Sally bought Josh some birthday wine. The girls drank the Lambrusco (1 of the only 2 red wines I really enjoy) while the boys enjoyed Apothric Red. We all enjoyed Uncle Mark's annual trumpet playing of Auld Lang Syne.
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| Happy New Years! Happy Birthday to my Love! |
Just as every year, we headed over to the Strattons for some family, food and football time on New Years Day. As always it was lots of fun!  |
| Aunt Christie and Uncle Steve's for our annual seafood New Years Celebration!! |
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| New Years Day Fun |
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| Brother and Sister |
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| Silly faces! Silly couple! |
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| Surprise!!!! Happy Birthday Josh!! |
AmberDee and Christopher (One of Josh's cousins) recently were engaged. The sisters were able to join her for some wedding dress shopping. What fun!! She is going to be a beautiful bride! Thanks AmberDee for including us in the celebrating!!
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| Sisters! |
Sally had dyed her hair before Thanksgiving. She brought her dyes, pink, purple, green and blue with her so Jamiie, Sally and I all dyed our hair. It was fun!
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| Tie Dye hair adventure. Thanks Sally for dying Jamiie and my hair! |
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| Visiting with Grandma. They had a cool castle play house at the Nursing home. Landon is showing Grandma his tricks :) |
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| I thought this was a "must have" picture. ;) |
On the way to and from Missouri we got lots of indoor swimming time. The hotel we always stay at has a indoor swimming pool. Landon and Arabella love it. Landon even remembers now, so when we talk about visiting Aunt Jessica he asks if we will be swimming. He was very excited this year weeks before we left Gainesville.
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| On the way home. My travel packs for the kiddos were quite the hit, thankfully. Plus I have great little travelers! Once back at the Williams, Arabella and Landon were quite tucked out from 2 days of traveling. |
Sunday, April 29, 2012
January Rewind
Bolins, Fairrows and Williams had a fun "homeschool" scavenger hunt field trip. I created a scavenger hunt with fun facts for all the kids. I think they had fun looking for the different things- animals, plants, and buildings. Although the finding was easy for Nate Jr., the fact were great extra to go along with what he was learning in school that week. Landon to this day is still really excited that he learned from Mrs. Ashley that cows eat orange peels. He just gets so tickled when he tells people- which he does almost every time he is eating a orange peel.
As well as spending lots of time in the backyard, we have also spent time at the park. Picnic lunches, enjoying friends, and just exploring the outdoors we are trying to enjoy as much of this awesome weather as possible!
Here are a few of my recent art adventures I painted for 2 family friends. I love painting and I hope they enjoyed.
Landon has been learning a memory verse a month and is doing a SUPER job. I remember to catch on day in January.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Guess who is 11 months in January
Guess who is 11 months in January ? Arabella!
She is quite the personality. Very determined, bossy, and sassy. Bella will bite when she is mad at you. She can be super sweet too though. She is a cuddle bug and loves giving kisses. If she gives a kiss to someone, she looks to make sure she doesn't forget anyone. Arabella already seems to be very thoughtful of others in her sweet behaviors.
Arabella seems to always pushing boundaries. If she thinks she can do something she will try with all her might to do it... especially if big brother has done it first.
She is still a little shy to walk in front of people but getting much better. Bella walks (or should I say runs) all the time at home
Bella started using a spoon successfully on January 6. This girl may like to get dirty outside but she prefers to use a spoon or folk :)
I think after the many months of watching Landon brush his teeth she is excited to do it on her own. She can brush she teeth and does a great job.
Arabella knows a few body parts. She will point at your face to the proper place when asked to identify nose, mouth, and eyes. She also knows the color blue and will say blue when she sees it. I think she knows red, green and black too but she is stubborn about pointing to those colors. Seems to prefer the color red.
While playing Bella can drive cars and hops her Little People or animals like they are walking.
She knows tigers, lions, and bears say rawr and will rawr when you ask her what those animals say. She will also rawr while playing with the bear, lion, tiger. She growls a lot which is so funny. She tries to be tough, like her brother, I think. She love all things shiny. Bella is so very girlie- she love jewelry, wearing jewelry, and getting her nails painted.
She loves to rock on rocking chairs and can rock her self. As I mentioned before she loves to play in dirt, get dirty and will eat it too (which Mom is not fond of. Landon rarely ate things like that so it is a new experience for me)
This little lady loves food! Don't eat something if she is around (unless you are willing to share) because she does not like it if you eat without sharing.
While taking Bella's pictures I also took some of Landon. Here is Landon at 3 years old and 4 months.
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| Arabella at 11 months |
She is quite the personality. Very determined, bossy, and sassy. Bella will bite when she is mad at you. She can be super sweet too though. She is a cuddle bug and loves giving kisses. If she gives a kiss to someone, she looks to make sure she doesn't forget anyone. Arabella already seems to be very thoughtful of others in her sweet behaviors.
Arabella seems to always pushing boundaries. If she thinks she can do something she will try with all her might to do it... especially if big brother has done it first.
She is still a little shy to walk in front of people but getting much better. Bella walks (or should I say runs) all the time at home
Bella started using a spoon successfully on January 6. This girl may like to get dirty outside but she prefers to use a spoon or folk :)
I think after the many months of watching Landon brush his teeth she is excited to do it on her own. She can brush she teeth and does a great job.
Arabella knows a few body parts. She will point at your face to the proper place when asked to identify nose, mouth, and eyes. She also knows the color blue and will say blue when she sees it. I think she knows red, green and black too but she is stubborn about pointing to those colors. Seems to prefer the color red.
While playing Bella can drive cars and hops her Little People or animals like they are walking.
She knows tigers, lions, and bears say rawr and will rawr when you ask her what those animals say. She will also rawr while playing with the bear, lion, tiger. She growls a lot which is so funny. She tries to be tough, like her brother, I think. She love all things shiny. Bella is so very girlie- she love jewelry, wearing jewelry, and getting her nails painted.
She loves to rock on rocking chairs and can rock her self. As I mentioned before she loves to play in dirt, get dirty and will eat it too (which Mom is not fond of. Landon rarely ate things like that so it is a new experience for me)
This little lady loves food! Don't eat something if she is around (unless you are willing to share) because she does not like it if you eat without sharing.
While taking Bella's pictures I also took some of Landon. Here is Landon at 3 years old and 4 months.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Arabella's first Christmas 2011
A Flashback to December 2012
We had a small little Christmas at our house 2 weeks before Christmas. We wanted the kids to enjoy their presents, have our own Christmas family traditions- besides celebrating Christmas for as long as possible is always a great idea ;) We opened presents, enjoyed our gifts, and had a big Christmas dinner. It was really nice to have a little Christmas with our family of four.
The kids and I went home a week and half before Christmas. Since we were all sick, Josh was working a lot we went to get taken care of. My parents were really helpful. A day before Christmas Eve day and much to my surprise and delight NO SIGNS OF ILLNESS in any of us (. Man, was I ecstatic!! It was such a blessing! We were able to enjoy Christmas eve and Christmas with no tissues, coughs, trips to the bathroom, or anything! I don't know what has been going around Gainesville or why we seemed to get everything but I was glad to have a healthy family for Christmas. Even better was that we were healthy the whole trip!
A few days before Christmas, Josh arrived in town and I had a BIG Surprise for him and the rest of the Williams family. After Josh spent a little time at my parent's house we headed to Niceville. We had to make a quick stop- at the airport to pick up JESSICA! No one knew she was coming home for Christmas. Jessica and I had planned the surprise visit for over a month. We tricked the rest of the family (which included getting Jon, Merry, and Owen over) into thinking Jessica wanted to Skype. Apparently there were some "issues" connecting and that is when Jessica walked in the door. By the look on everyone's face I think we succeeded in our surprise! She stayed until the morning after Christmas.
We did our traditional Christmas Eve- Christmas Eve presents (from Grandpa and Grandma Gorman) and Christmas lights viewing. Landon loved his Christmas Eve present which was a Rescue Squad Mater set. He has been asking for it for almost a year. We did our lights viewing around town. Bella enjoyed it for a short time and then zonked out. Landon loved it but only for a short time.
Christmas morning, we woke up at the Gorman's and had a nice morning with presents, breakfast, and watching the kids play. My parents, brother and the rest of us went to the Williams for a big Christmas lunch. I love this time of year because I love Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!!! The whole family was there which is such a big thing for Josh and me. We were trilled to spend it with both our parents and all of our siblings and new nephew. After dinner we chit chatted, eat dessert, and played with the little ones. Shortly after my parents and brother left, we opened presents at the Williams. Landon was took his role again of being the gift giver. We also did our secret Santa gifts. I had Jamiie and Merry had me. Josh had Merry and Jon had Josh. After presents, we watched a movie and ended the night.
The day after Christmas was sent packing and saying our good-byes to my parents. Earlier the day after the day after Christmas we headed on the road. I was really nervous about how Arabella would do on the trip. Thankfully she did well! She did need quite the entertainment but as long as Jamiie, Daddy or I was entertaining her she said happy 95% of the time. She slept but not any more than normal. Landon, like normal, didn't sleep at all. He had fun playing with Daddy,Uncle J, and sometimes Grandpa and Grandma Williams though.
Our first night we stayed at our normal stop in Paducah, Kentucky. We enjoyed the indoor pool. Bella would have preferred a warmer indoor pool but we did get some smiles out of her. Jeremiah, Josh and I watched a movie that night until 2 or 3. We made good time the following day and arrived in time for dinner with everyone.
For 4 days, we enjoyed visiting with family, seeing all of our aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Family trips are always so much fun! We visited Grandpa on the farm, went out to dinner and hung out at Grandma Williams and Aunt Christy's house. Uncle J sent a lot of time trying to get Bella to warm up to him. By the end of the trip she did and was having lots of fun with her silly uncle. Landon loved all the attention he got from everyone. He played with Grandma, which was awesome to see him enjoying his great Grandmother. I unfortunately became sick the day before we left (big surprise- seems like that is all my family and I do these days). Thankfully, whatever it was was short lived and I was feeling mostly back to myself after a long nap while everyone went to church services and just a restful day in general.
The trips are never long enough and soon it was time to leave. We said our good byes and started the 2 day (17 hour) trip back. The kids both did well again. We stayed with my parents once we returned for a night and then made our way back to Gainesville the next day.
We had a small little Christmas at our house 2 weeks before Christmas. We wanted the kids to enjoy their presents, have our own Christmas family traditions- besides celebrating Christmas for as long as possible is always a great idea ;) We opened presents, enjoyed our gifts, and had a big Christmas dinner. It was really nice to have a little Christmas with our family of four.
The kids and I went home a week and half before Christmas. Since we were all sick, Josh was working a lot we went to get taken care of. My parents were really helpful. A day before Christmas Eve day and much to my surprise and delight NO SIGNS OF ILLNESS in any of us (. Man, was I ecstatic!! It was such a blessing! We were able to enjoy Christmas eve and Christmas with no tissues, coughs, trips to the bathroom, or anything! I don't know what has been going around Gainesville or why we seemed to get everything but I was glad to have a healthy family for Christmas. Even better was that we were healthy the whole trip!
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| A sleeping angel |
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| Mater Sandwich- by Mommy made especially for Landon |
A few days before Christmas, Josh arrived in town and I had a BIG Surprise for him and the rest of the Williams family. After Josh spent a little time at my parent's house we headed to Niceville. We had to make a quick stop- at the airport to pick up JESSICA! No one knew she was coming home for Christmas. Jessica and I had planned the surprise visit for over a month. We tricked the rest of the family (which included getting Jon, Merry, and Owen over) into thinking Jessica wanted to Skype. Apparently there were some "issues" connecting and that is when Jessica walked in the door. By the look on everyone's face I think we succeeded in our surprise! She stayed until the morning after Christmas.
We did our traditional Christmas Eve- Christmas Eve presents (from Grandpa and Grandma Gorman) and Christmas lights viewing. Landon loved his Christmas Eve present which was a Rescue Squad Mater set. He has been asking for it for almost a year. We did our lights viewing around town. Bella enjoyed it for a short time and then zonked out. Landon loved it but only for a short time.
Christmas morning, we woke up at the Gorman's and had a nice morning with presents, breakfast, and watching the kids play. My parents, brother and the rest of us went to the Williams for a big Christmas lunch. I love this time of year because I love Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!!! The whole family was there which is such a big thing for Josh and me. We were trilled to spend it with both our parents and all of our siblings and new nephew. After dinner we chit chatted, eat dessert, and played with the little ones. Shortly after my parents and brother left, we opened presents at the Williams. Landon was took his role again of being the gift giver. We also did our secret Santa gifts. I had Jamiie and Merry had me. Josh had Merry and Jon had Josh. After presents, we watched a movie and ended the night.
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| Christmas Eve |
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| Arabella's First Christmas |
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| Christmas Morning at the Gorman's |
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| Christmas At the Williams' |
The day after Christmas was sent packing and saying our good-byes to my parents. Earlier the day after the day after Christmas we headed on the road. I was really nervous about how Arabella would do on the trip. Thankfully she did well! She did need quite the entertainment but as long as Jamiie, Daddy or I was entertaining her she said happy 95% of the time. She slept but not any more than normal. Landon, like normal, didn't sleep at all. He had fun playing with Daddy,Uncle J, and sometimes Grandpa and Grandma Williams though.
Our first night we stayed at our normal stop in Paducah, Kentucky. We enjoyed the indoor pool. Bella would have preferred a warmer indoor pool but we did get some smiles out of her. Jeremiah, Josh and I watched a movie that night until 2 or 3. We made good time the following day and arrived in time for dinner with everyone.
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| Paducah |
For 4 days, we enjoyed visiting with family, seeing all of our aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Family trips are always so much fun! We visited Grandpa on the farm, went out to dinner and hung out at Grandma Williams and Aunt Christy's house. Uncle J sent a lot of time trying to get Bella to warm up to him. By the end of the trip she did and was having lots of fun with her silly uncle. Landon loved all the attention he got from everyone. He played with Grandma, which was awesome to see him enjoying his great Grandmother. I unfortunately became sick the day before we left (big surprise- seems like that is all my family and I do these days). Thankfully, whatever it was was short lived and I was feeling mostly back to myself after a long nap while everyone went to church services and just a restful day in general.
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| Grandpa Monks' Farm |
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| Family Dinner |
The trips are never long enough and soon it was time to leave. We said our good byes and started the 2 day (17 hour) trip back. The kids both did well again. We stayed with my parents once we returned for a night and then made our way back to Gainesville the next day.
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| On the way home to Gainesville- ONE tuckered out little boy |
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