Elephants, Hippos and Giraffes!

Dear children,

We decided to head to the zoo with Grandma Tracey one day.

As you can tell Kalvin, you are very excited! Although you certainly don't really have any trouble being excited at all.

The hippos were really entertaining that day. They just kept going back and forth. It was awesome for you to be able to see them so close.

You were putting your hand up as they went buy like you were petting them.

There were also a lot of big fish in the tank. So when the hippos were swimming elsewhere, you were still entertained by all the fish.

Elephants are always the highlight of the zoo.

Kalvin, you always take life on the easy road. Feet up, kickin back, letting everyone else do all the work. Dad and I love having you kids to take places. The way you react to new things makes life so much more enjoyable!

When we got back from the zoo, there was a package waiting for us from Grandma Sandra and Grandpa Jim. They sent 'If You Give a Moose a Muffin' for Kacie and 'If You Give a Dog a Donut' for Kalvin.

Grandma sent me some mumus to help make it easier to get around the house

And, my favorite part, a giraffe necklace, because she loves me. 

The best part is that several years ago she gave me these giraffe earrings, so now I wear them together and they help me feel better when I am sad.

You are lucky to have grandparents both near and far that love you and love to do fun things for you!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Baby Feet, Lunch Date and New Hair!

Dear kids,

You guys always make me laugh.

Although I don't exactly remember what you're doing here, Kacie.

I bought some makeup from the dollar store and then scraped it out and put nail polish in. It's really awesome! And you love to pretend to put make up on.

This is one of my favorite pictures of you two. I think that our babies will always be born loving water. Daddy always says that the bath is where you will start your training for the Olympics. 

No pressure, but you're already way behind Michael Phelps.

Your sweet Aunt Kassidi took me out for lunch one day. We went to Fitz's for some small appetizers and delicious floats. We also chose to sit at the bar. It was pretty exciting because neither of us have ever really done that... although, we only ordered non-alcoholic beverages...

These floats are seriously amazing. We need to go back there soon...

On our way home we were driving behind this van. It was creeping us out because it looks like there is a head leaning off to the side. We tried to catch up to get a better view but ended up going different ways. I really just want to know what it actually was!

When we got home, You were having a tea party with grandma, I think.

You have so much fun playing with all of the kitchen stuff. And you certainly make some delicious tea!

Well Kalvin, you have officially started doing my favorite thing that babies do - grabbing your feet! I think it is just the cutest, silliest thing! I just love that babies are proportioned so that grabbing their feet is just natural, but when adults do it, or even Kacie, it just starts to look uncomfortable!

You dad and I are so lucky to have such good sleepers. You are sleeping through the night and I'm not having to nurse you a lot. Look how relaxed and comfortable you are! Not a care in the worls, except getting your needed shut eye!

Aunt Ang bought you this dress Kacie. It is just the cutest little thing and I love it with this bright pink. You are getting so big and love having your picture taken.

Swinging with Aunt Kassidi

I was down stairs, probably nursing Kalvin and I looked over and there was Kacie, peeking through the window! The windows are slightly tinted so you had to get really close to see.

Kalvin, throwing up gang signs while watching me do laundry. I think you look like your dad in this picture! And its not because of the gang sign!

I believe that I was laying on the ground watching you guys play. Kalvin was probably doing tummy time. Kacie came over with a pillow and made us all lay on them.

Kalvin clearly wasn't sure what was going on.

But then he must have realized he was looking at himself and he was good!

Unfortunately, Missouri has not been nice to my hair. It must be a combination of the humidity and the fact that I just had a baby, but I was in definite need of a haircut. And I love it!

Missouri has brought a lot of changes for us and my hair is not really the most exciting. I can't wait to start exploring all the fun things that are here!

love,

mom and dad

Catching Up

Dearest Kiddos,

Well, this post has pictures from like, July of 2015 and it is currently March 22 of 2017.

Wowzers. I am behind!

Living in the basement made it hard to sit and type without some disruption from you two. But I have kept notes on my phone and continued taking pictures of your adorable faces and of our somewhat exciting lives.

Unfortunately, because so much time has lapsed, I don't always remember if there is a story behind the picture or if it was just cute. I will do my best, or I'll just fake it til I make it!

Now I am determined to get caught up and continue to document your lives because I think it will be so fun for you to look back and see yourselves growing up. 

One thing that is nice about living with your parents is that it is really easy to go out without the kids! So we left them one evening and went to dinner - I believe the cheesecake factory - and then went to downtown St. Charles.

We had a lot of fun just exploring what Main Street has to offer. Its mostly just little shops but there are also statues all along.

We can't believe how big you are getting Kacie. My favorite thing that you have done lately was the other day you were hungry. You had asked for snacks and I said I would get them in a minute, I wasn't sure where they were. Then you looked around and said "Snaaaacks! Wher'd gooo?!" 

You still love nursery and had no problem adjusting to a new nursery. I love it because it makes you sleepy!

I don't think you were actually as unhappy as you look in this picture, Kalvin. Kacie just really wanted to hold you and how could I say no to that cute face?!

While living with your grandparents, you both became very interested in their glasses. You were often pulling them off their faces and running around in them.

When Kacie was a baby she would spit up huge amounts, once. Kalvin, you spit up all the time, all day, everywhere. We have to keep you contained on a towel or blanket. I don't know what we will do when you start crawling!

I found these sunglasses at Target and you love them! Except you don't ever seem to get them on the right way!

We are going to attempt to start potty training you, but it will be difficult as there is not a bathroom in the basement. You are excited about your new Minnie Mouse seat though.

When we moved here to Missouri, we thought we had a good plan. Turns out it hasn't been a great one (hindsight isn't very helpful) and we've had a lot of tough days. I took this picture of me with my Puppy from when I was a little kid. It was not a great week and I hugged Puppy a lot. I'm not saying you need a stuffed animal for the rest of your life, but I do want you to know that it's ok to cry sometimes! Life isn't always easy and it is more difficult if you don't work through your emotions. Don't bottle them up! Your dad and I will always be available for a hug too!

This slide has been a great purchase. You love it so much, and its great for me because I don' have to take you outside every time you want to slide.

Kacie, your hair will always be a great source of jealousy for me. It is perfect in every way! Now I just need to work on parting your hair and it will be flawless. I love giving you little French braids because they make you seem older, and it's adorable!

I sometimes wonder if you will ever grow hair Kalvin. You are bald, and that is opposite of Kacie! Fortunately for you, Your dad and I make cute children with or without hair!

You really are such a handsome little man. I can't believe that you are mine!

We have really enjoyed watching you both grow lately. You both bring so much joy into our lives!

And more importantly, you make us look good.

Chubby, sleeping babies are always a good thing to take a picture of.

And cute little girls in cute little dresses, too!