RAIN RAIN RAIN

It's been raining off and on the past few weeks. The other day it was also pretty warm out, perfect for playing in the rain. I got some shots of Courtney and Dylan with 2 friends on the trampoline. They loved it. When they were done, they came in for some hot cocoa. Perfect day.

Wild Animals

Since Courtney has 3 weeks off from school, I've been trying to do some fun activities with the kids. On Monday, we went to the North Carolina Zoo. It was very fun, but exhausting with all the walking. I rented a double stroller so both Travis and Dylan could have a break. But the park is uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. I got my workout with those boys. We all had lots of fun and want to go back soon. (I got a year pass so we can visit the zoo and aquariums all year.)

Posing with the baboons.

The highlight for Dylan. A few weeks ago he decided he wants to be a zookeeper when he grows up and take care of the giraffes. We had to visit them twice that day. They were very cute, 4 little ones were running back and forth playing.

Another fun pose.

Courtney got a boost onto this bison from some teenage boys that were climbing it before her. She loves to climb.

They had this fun helicopter to sit in and pretend you were driving over the savannah tracking animals.

More adventures are coming soon...

1st Day of Spring

I'm loving the first day of spring this year. Usually it just depresses me seeing cold and snow outside and no hope of it leaving for months. But now, I look outside to the sunshine, warm temperatures, and FLOWERS!!! Blooms are everywhere, it is so pretty and happy. I get the faint scent of a nearby tree full of delicate petals when I go outside. It's so exciting to me. Here are a few pictures I've taken over the last few weeks in my excitment at having a real spring!!








Once I get used to all of this, I may have to move near my aunt Terri, where you can see it's always so beautiful.

Babies Babies Everywhere!

Here is the newest addition to our family.

Sarah and Lily

Tim (Bruce's brother) and Hillary's new twin girls.




So sweet. Congrats you guys!

Adventures in Tape

Dylan's been asking for tape a lot lately to hang his artwork around the house. While I was upstairs the other day, he got creative with the tape around the downstairs. I took off a bunch of pieces from walls before I thought to take pictures. So here's a little of what he did. The last few days, I've found more around the place. He had fun!!!

Trip to Tennessee

Me and the kids traveled to McMinnville, TN to visit my sister Kim a few weeks ago. It has just taken me forever to get these pictures posted. We had so much fun spending time with her family and meeting her newest little guy, Joshua. Our kids play really well together. They were out in the family room almost the whole time, we never really saw them much, which gave Kim and I lots of girl time. We watched movies, went shopping, made a ton of meals for her freezer, and ate really yummy but bad-for-you food. It was so great. Here's a bunch of pictures from that week.


The proud new mama. So sweet.

Joshua is such a sweet baby. He fusses when you try to lay him down in his bed. He's a little spoiled with all of us there holding him nonstop. But he's really a good baby and doesn't cry much.

Dylan and Caleb are such good buddies. They had lots of fun playing. Later, Caleb and Courtney found some things to do together, so Dylan and Gracie played together. Dylan will play with whoever will have him.

Here's pictures of all the kids taking turns with Joshua.


Big brother Caleb

Big sister Gracie

Courtney made a great babysitter for Kim. She would sit and hold Joshua for a while so Kim could get things done. She loves her little cousin. Her and I had to fight over him a few times.

Dylan, figuring out this baby thing.

Travis thought Joshua was great. I thought he'd get a little jealous with me holding him a lot, but he loved it. Is that a sign I need another one???

GO STEELERS!