Our trip to the Zoo

Our familiar stroll INTO the zoo is one that we will always remember. It's one of the only times we know where we are going!

Hopefully we can look back on pictures by the elephant and determine be year the picture was taken by the size of you two!

You documented this trip and was told that you have to make a zoo journal when you get home. 

This exhibit was new and you wanted to hang out and get just the right picture. Not bad for an amateur photographer. Thank goodness for digital cameras. 

I can still remember the pictures I took of my second grade field trip. One may or may not have included a picture of a naked statue of a man from the Botanical Gardens. 

This reminds me of all the beautiful butterflies we have seen with Grandma. It's more fun to share your finds together.

Zoo trips are special and we are so lucky to have such a nice one close by when we visit St. Louis.

flashback

Julia and I have spent a good bit of winter looking at old videos of you two cuties. This one is our favorite and has gotten the most laughs. However, when you guys watch them together you both get a chuckle on how you were when you were younger!

My little love bugs

It looks as if we celebrate holidays not just once but several times around here. This Valentine's Day we used the holiday to eat Culvers on Saturday, chicken ranch on Sunday, Village Inn on Tuesday, basketball game treats on Wednesday, frostys on Thursday and two boxes of ice cream novelties on Friday! 

Let's just say we love you, or no one has really gotten their appetites back and I'm not feeling motivated to cook the same old same old. 

We love you and we aren't just the only ones! You scored several valentines from near and far! Some of them even came with dollars. We have had fun spending that money over and over this week! 

Let's not forget how you attacked and ate most of your valentines in a day (I let you but yelled later because the wrapper scene was out of control!) 

Thanks for being our little loves, who sometimes bug us but most of the time make our day a better one! 

Andy

Last week we said goodbye to our sweet little Andy. There was some sadness and tears, but there was also some relief. Our goodbye was made easier because we knew his fun days were over. 

We will miss our perfect dog who loved to chase squirrels and prance like a deer.  

Mom!

"Can you help me get my wedgie out?" 

-Julia

Never a dull moment with you! 

Dear tooth fairy...

Just like that,you are top toothless and the permanent ones are coming right in! Now let's keep these pearly whites clean and hope your teeth take after your dad's teeth. Otherwise I better start saving!

The tooth fairy didn't take it, but they were almost lost for good when the bag slid behind the bed! 

love is...

Looking back at some early moments of you both and just noticing how you guys looked at each other before you could even talk to each other. Even now that you can talk Julia, you always look up to your brother with a smile and that is worth more than words.

Who doesn't love this guy? Dad is the fun dad and can mean business at times. (But we are both softies) You both look for him every morning and are happy when he is home. Julia, you request a family movie every night...that's just precious. I hope we still get invites to family nights years from now. 

Julia, a couple weeks ago you said you didn't want to get married because you wanted to stay with me all the time! I responded to you saying I felt the same way about my mom. I loved her and felt secure staying with my parents for a while. That is, until I met your dad. I found someone to take care of me and someone who appreciated me. We clicked and still click. We were lucky to find each other and stick with each other. It was almost too easy! I hope you are as lucky...and I hope I can do whatever it is to get you there. (I know my mom went above and beyond to let me be with your dad) I plan on doing the same. 

Jacob, we love watching you experience life. We loved each other before you were born, but really, we had no idea what love really is before you and your sister came into our life. You bring us joy and happiness especially when you share it with those around you. 

We cherish these days when we get a request to snuggle with you, tickle your hands or to read a book with you. Our new favorite thing that melts our hearts is your thirst for knowledge. Even though it's sports trivia, the questions are so thoughtful and cute. 

I love being your momma and love each and every moment I share with you. I do wish I was better at a lot of stuff. Being a mom is not an easy job; but I do know my life is all about you. I wish I could be better, but I think I'm giving you all the I have. Hopefully we can work together to keep the love going strong in our family. Because I love how it feels to LOVE you...and I love how it feels to be loved by your dad. 

Ice Princess

Little did I know that this DVD would prompt daily workouts for you Julia. I just can't get over your animation, your choreography skills and ability to dance for minutes straight! Impressive. Your dad and I smiled the whole time. Thanks for being you! I REALLY NEED TO GET YOU SOME LESSONS (but you are already so good!)

{Insert video in here}

A picture will have to do for now. 

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In February

Andy got a couple more walks

This guy had some more sick days

Someone keeps asking questions about football players, records and wins

We enjoyed a few more basketball games 

You displayed your awareness for the court as well as your athleticism. You either shot, passed or rebounded the ball every possession. 

The snow melted and the bikes were out. 

We worked on puzzles and I didn't get too distracted! 

I got some exercises in but only when I took you to the childcare room

Dad got some tickles in 

Aunt La and uncle Agustin took Julia to the movies and you got to eat cotton candy because you had strep throat

Your toothless smile got even cuter! 

You still get crazy before bed and I bought the last boxes of pull-ups. 

We shopped for next years clothes

And I found you the perfect "ice princess shirt!"

Girl Scout cookies arrived...and I didn't even order one box! 

We said goodbye to Andy

We visited chuckie cheese while dad was out of town and snuck in a frosty before bed! 

 We had a couple warm spring days? 

Our first bike ride!!

A bonus field trip and adventure to St. Louis for grandma's birthday!

Not to mention a perfect day in the sunshine! 

Oh and another trip to urgent care for another Round of pneumonia.

I was more sad about the tears mounting up when we discussed you might not get to see your cousins or see your first science fair...because the nurse thought you might have the flu.

You guys have everything! Now we need to sign you up for t-ball to help break in your new glove. 

Dad moved your hoop so you can work on your dunks without breaking down the door. 

Our February was full and went fast! 

Let the countdown begin for the beach