Our adventure in the safari (Arkansas style)

Many of you have already seen the pictures of our Safari Adventure over Spring Break. I thought I would tell a few fun facts that many of you don't already know.

#1 Russell is completely NOT afraid of animals (except for bugs). He kept asking to get out of the car to play with the animals. I think he might be the next Jeff Corwin. He was braver than all of the rest of us. It isn't hard to imagine him being braver than me, but he was even braver than Kaden and Jake. I think he impressed the older boys with his snake handling skills.





#2 Camels will eat anything and everything you put out there. We tried bread, animal crackers, grapes, bananas, and raisins. I really have to suggest the larger items of food. They pick up food like horses do (with their lips), and unless you want tons of dirty camel slobber on you (I experienced lots of it), then the larger items are the way to go.

#3 They have built suitable living quarters for the large cats. I previously heard that the cats were kept in tiny enclosures. I was not really happy about the idea of showing my kids animal abuse. I was really pleased when we saw the new cat area. They have room to run, jump, and climb. They seem to be happy.

#4 Go in the spring so you can see baby animals. I am not saying that the other times of the year are less fun, but we really enjoyed seeing the little ones. Not all of the animals had babies, but the ones that did were SOOOO cute.

#5 Drive thru twice. We found that the first time thru we were timid and scared. After our first drive thru we went to the petting area. That gave us a chance to see some of the animals up close. We decided to drive thru one more time, and the second round was a whole lot more productive. We fed more of the animals, and we (and really I mean me) were more comfortable with the idea of animals sticking their heads in the car.

all inn all I really enjoyed watching the boys with the animals. It was an adventure that I will not forget. I doubt that Russell will either. I can't wait for Wilson to be old enough to try and one-up his big brother!!

Spring Break

I know it has been forever since I last posted, but I have been really busy. Let me inform you of everything by each person.

Russell: He had his 3 year check up and is growing like a weed. He is 38 lbs and 38 1/2 inches tall. He is talking in complete sentences, although he will still mix up beginning and middle consonants. He is barrell of laughs, and I think he got the entertaining bug from his mom. He loves his little brother and is ready for him to start "playing".

Wilson: At his last checkup he was 21 lbs and 25 inches (I think). He is doing really well even though he just cut three teeth at once. We have been battling the wheezing for too long, but I think it is just allergies. He still has to recieve breathing treatments twice a day. I think that it is something that will continue into childhood, but maybe he will outgrow them later on. He is sitting up on his own and is content to sit for an hour or two if he has toys around him. He is beginning to try to pull his knees up, and I know this means that crawling is not far away.

Justin: He is coaching baseball and doing workouts for football. Thankfully, this year he will only have one game during Spring Break. It allowed us to take a wonderful family vaca to Tunica. Sounds like a funny place to take the kids, but we had a blast. Justin is not looking forward to the spring/summer chores, but I know he will be excited to be outside.

Myself: Well, I have been busy with school and two kids. Not a whole lot exciting has happened to me. I enjoyed out zoo trip, and I got in some good outlet mall shopping while in Tunica.I am contemplating transferring schools next year, but I am waiting to see what the options are. I have been trying to keep myself as low stress as possible, and it has worked for the most part. I have added some pics of our trip. I hope you enjoy.

Baby, its cold outside

I think Mr. Winter is finally upon us. It started snowing this afternoon just as we were getting out of school. I am hoping that it will continue through the evening and way into the night. It would be nice to have a 4 day weekend (even if it has to be a messy one). I thought I would re-show some pictures we took this summer because they are cute cold weather pics!

It's been too long.

Okay, so maybe I underestimated just how much time it takes to raise two kids. I really thought I would be able to keep up with this blogging better than I have. Oh well, no reason to beat myself up. It just means that I have been busy doing other things.

Let me tell you about those things that I have been busy doing. First, and foremost, Christmas was fantastic. Santa came and left the boys lots of toys. Russell received his plane, motorcycle, dragon (thanks Nana and Grandpa Ralph), and tons of other goodies. Poor Wilson didn't get a whole lot, but he didn't care. He really just wanted to eat the wrapping paper.

After Christmas we traveled to Grandmother and Grand-daddy-o's house. Russell was amazed to learn that he had more presents to open. They really did too much. Russell got a computer, his own digital camera, some clothes, and what-nots. Justin and I left the kids there for a couple of days (for the really good spoiling they deserve) and booked it down to Tunica. I didn't win any jackpots, but I had so much fun. It was just enough time. We stayed a few more days at Chateau Rosewood, and then came on back to undecorate the house.

January started with beautiful weather uncommon of winter. School started back, and baseball began with a vengeance. Then Wilson got sick. It wasn't anything big--snotty nose and a little cough. We took him to the doctor and they gave him some meds. By the next week, he was worse. Took him back to the doctor and he got different meds (including the asthma puffer and tube thingy). Turns out he also had two teeth coming in and a slight ear infection. A week later, still not better. Go back to the dr. office (they know my voice over the phone now). We get our third round of antibiotics and the instructions to give breathing treatments every two hours. Needless to say the last week has been difficult. It seems that Wilson is better. I just hope it stays that way.

We have so much to be thankful for in this new year. I want to tell everyone that we love you guys and miss you. This spring is going to be packed full of baseball games and playing outside.

OMG--how could I forget????? When we returned from Paragould we started "POTTY PARTY". Russell has whipped the whole potty training. He hasn't had an accident in forever, and doesn't even wet his diaper at night. I wasn't sure at first if he was ready, but he figured out pretty quickly that it was uncool to wet your pants. I felt like I had a personal victory, and I guess in a way it was. One kid out of diapers!! WWWWAAAAHHHHOOOO!

Silver Bells--It's Christmas time in the Fort

So we were hanging out after bath time last night and thought we would take some Christmas pics. I can't believe how much Wilson looks like Russell (from the stamp 2 years ago). I bet most of you will agree. I am not posting all of the pictures because I have to pick one for Christmas cards. What??? I haven't sent Christmas cards yet? No, and that really shouldn't surprise anyone. I will be doing good to get them out before Christmas, but really, in the grand scheme of things, I think that is okay.

Here are just a couple to get your taste buds watering.

Short and sweet

Just a quick note because I took Wilson to the doc today to get his well baby checkup and his shots. Well to my surprise Wilson weighed in at 16# 8 oz. HOLY COW--now that is one big 12 weeker!

He is measuring in the 95% for all measurements (height, weight, and head). If any of you remember Russell at this age, Wilson will be giving his "big" brother a run for his money before too long.

Have a great Tuesday night!

It's been a while!

Hello, everyone! I know that it has been a while since I put an update on here, and I thought it was about time. I just completed my 4th week of school. We had the 5th grade field trip to Little Rock this past Thursday. It was such a blast to take 56 kids to see the Capitol, the Clinton Library, and to the IMAX to watch "India: The Land of the Tiger". Our kids are always good when we go out of town. I think it is a little overwhelming for them.

This weekend was the annual Fimple Halloween Party at T&L's house in Alma. Justin and I didn't dress up so we weren't able to compete in the contest. Russell was a dragon, and he won Best Overall. His win was primarily based on the fact that he shook his "tail" for the judges. T&L were able to convince 3 Dixie Bell's to be the contest judges!! All of the girls went crazy over them.

Wilson was dressed as Tigger. His outfit was pants with the footies and a hooded jacket. Anyone in Arkansas right now knows that it was far too warm to be wearing that. By the end of the party he was in his Halloween t-shirt and his diaper. His thunder thighs were the hit of the party.

Everything else is going right along. We have had some pretty hefty blows dealt to us this football season with all of the injuries. Justin and the guys have been putting in some seriously long hours each week. I know that if we had everyone playing each week consistently this season would have been more positive.

I hope everyone else is healthy and happy out there. I can't believe Wilson will be 12 weeks on Wednesday. We are scheduled for a well baby visit on Tuesday. I am anxious to see how much he has grown.