Butterflies!

This summer we have many fun activities planned.  Each week will be dedicated to one "theme".  At the beginning of the week we go to the library and search for books that go along with what we are learning about for the week.  At the end of the week we have a trip planned to add to the kids' experiences.  

This week was all about butterflies! 

We made crafts... 

And on Friday we visited the Butterfly House in Whitehouse. 

Sophie checking out the butterfly from a distance!

Bees!

Checking out the cocoons!

Trying to match the butterfly to the pictures.

Keaton would scream and run away from the "fly" each time one would come near.
It looked kinda like this!

Resting...for a minute...

THEY LOVE BUTTERFLIES!!

    Until next week...

Life flies by...when you are raising toddlers!

   Over the past year and a half, I have learned there are good days. Days we are able to sing, play and dance.

  

Picking Pumpkins Fall 2012

 

Sophie- Fourth of July 2012

Keaton-Fourth of July 2012

Sophie- Oak Openings- Fall 2012

Keaton- Oak Openings- Fall 2012

And then there are days that are just NOT...

Like the day Keaton spilled an entire bottle of laundry detergent on the floor...

or the many tears from bumps, bangs, and other miscellaneous "ouchies". 


and then there are just overall grumpy, no good, very bad days!

(I'm sure you have noted that many of those pictures are of my KEATON MONSTER.  I must admit that he tends to contribute to many of the NOT days, but SOPHIE is not innocent. When she contributes she does it right...

Like the time she gave herself a permanent maker uni-brow at 8:30 at night... 

OR when she cut her bangs like this, one week before Christmas Day.  

Since we have been away we have had many good, bad, beautifully, ugly days. These days have contributed to our journey of where we are today! We are still here...still growing...still learning each day!  Until our next adventure! 

Christmas Pictures

Here are this years Chirstmas pictures!  The kids did  a terrific job getting them done considering the time we were scheduled was so close to afternoon nap!  Keaton loved when the photographers waved a flower in front of his face and made silly noises. He put on his best smile!  Sophie did everything the photographers asked (except plant a kiss on her baby brother...).  I think the pictures speak for themselves!

 

So after spending too much money on pictures, I decided to take some photos at home because the kids were all dressed up and our tree was just decorated the day before. Of course by the time we made it home, Keaton had fallen asleep, so I decided that if I couldn't do both then I would at least try for one and made Sophie sit in front of the tree.  Now I would like to take a minute to remind everyone of our last home photo shoot with Sophie.  She was about 7 months old and well..I will let the pictures speak for themselves, 

So definitely not our best effort...fast forward almost two years and ....

 

                                 I am so thankful for trained photographers!!!

                                                                           Until next time!

Half a Year?!?!?

    It's officially been over 5 months since my last update!? To say things have been busy would be an understatement, but this past week has been a nice break and change of pace.  Both Andy and I are on vacation this week and we have been enjoying taking it slow.  As for Sophie and Keaton, they never seem to take it slow and have spent the past week loving playing with their new toys.  (At least Santa must have thought they were good this year!)  Here are some pictures to catch you up to where we are today.

First, our fall trip to Leader's Farm: The kids had so much fun in the hay and sandbox full of corn!

   Here are our two baby Smurfs on Halloween!

Keaton and I are trying to stay warm waiting for the Toledo Christmas Parade!

LIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS at the TOLEDO ZOO!! Soph couldn't get enough of  the lights choreographed to Christmas music!

 

Sophie's First Gingerbread House! Not sure who ate more candy her or her daddy!

 

I can't help but smile comparing the pictures of July to today! Sophie and Keaton continue to grow day by day!  Secretly I wish they could stay small forever!

Sophie's First Art Project!

Today we decided to take a break from "Dora and Boots" and be crafty during Keaton's nap time.  Here are the results.

Cookie Cutter Painting! So cute, and she was able to work on this pretty independently!

Hand print fireworks! A little more help required, but it turned out perfect!  I have decided to keep a photobook of all the kids' arts and crafts as opposed to keeping every piece, but I think I may just have to frame these and love them forever! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Happy Fourth of July! Here are the babies all dressed up in red, white and blue.

Happy Fourth of July!

You can only imagine how difficult it is to get her to sit still long enough to take one picture, imagine trying for multiple!

Don't mind the excessive amount of baby drool in this picture :o)

Not so happy about this!

Sophie kept trying to take his flag!!

                                                                             God Bless America!