flex

Part of Matt's requirements for SOS included playing a game called FLEX.  I won't even pretend to understand the rules or all the details but it basically appeared, to me, like adult dodgeball with military aspects thrown in.  Matt would come home and tell us about practices and games and how well his flight was doing.  On the 25th of June we went to watch Matt's flight play their last game.

Bryce and Zoey played with the other kids in the bleachers and chased stray balls.  I, however, enjoyed watching the game.  While I didn't understand a lot of it, the pieces started to come together while I was watching.  I was neat to see Matt's flight work together and, based on the score (30-something to 4), dominate.

 .katherine.

georgia aquarium

After seeing family and friends the number one item on our Montgomery "to-do" list wasn't even in Alabama, we really wanted to go to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.  It was only a two and a half hour drive and near family!  We drove in the night before to stay with my aunt and uncle then met up with my cousins, Amanda and Kelly, and headed to the aquarium on June 22nd.

The kids LOVE fish...no really they LOVE them!  As soon as we got inside both kids were amazed, Zoey sat down in front of the first window and just watched for several minutes.

The kids enjoyed watching all the fish.  We pointed out the colors of the fish, environments they lived in, the sizes of different fish, and occasionally just watched them swim.  It was so fun to watch the kids go from each tank and get excited each time.

The aquarium had several places to touch different animals.  Neither kid was too sure about touching anything but they liked watching us do it and playing with the water.

We were also able to see the dolphin show.  The story line of the show was little cheesy but the kids enjoyed seeing the dolphins and all the fun tricks.  It was a full half hour of entertainment and the kids kept pointing out the dolphins and watching for the next thing they were going to do.

We were all amazed watching the beluga whales!  Those creatures are absolutely beautiful and were my favorite part of the aquarium.  Bryce sat in front of the window pointing them out and saying "whooaaa" every time the passed by.

There is an awesome penguin section in the aquarium where you can actually crawl through the habitat in enclosed glass.  It was neat to see how excited the kids got when they were so close to these funny "birds".  One little guy even stood in front of our photo - they liked the attention!

We finished the day with the moving walkway through the tunnel of fish.  There was just as much excitement about the tunnel as the rest of the aquarium!  The kids pointed out the sharks and we tried to identify as many of the fish as we could.

By the end of the day we had some very tired children, Bryce fell asleep before we made it to the car, but very happy children.  They have been talking about the sharks, turtles, and fish non-stop.  It was a great way to spend the day and I highly recommend making this a stop if you are looking for something to do with kids in Atlanta.  I am looking forward to the next aquarium trip...maybe to Baltimore when we are visiting the grandparents!

.katherine.

fathers day

This year for father's day we were in Athens, where my grandparents live.  I was spoiled and got to spend the morning with both my grandfathers, my dad, and my husband...all amazing dads!!!  I admire all these men as well as my father-in-law for the great Dads they are.  I am so blessed to have these loving, caring, and supportive men in my life and now my children's lives.

Happy Father's Day to all Dads, Grandfathers, and future Dads!
.katherine.

happy second birthday

One month ago our "babies" turned two!  I feel like two is such a big age...they are no longer babies but now toddlers.  Really, they have been toddlers for a while, although Matt refused to call them toddlers until they hit that special second birthday!

I often find myself thinking back to their birth.  However, this year I took a lot of time to reflect on it and feel the emotion of having them at 27 weeks!  I often forget how tiny they were but I find it healthy to remind myself - it puts everything into perspective when life gets hectic and reminds me what is important.  Looking back, I am in awe of the strength that God provided to Matt and I, the people he placed in our lives during those trying times, and how the kids have turned into energetic, healthy children!

This year we were able to spend the kids birthday with family!  We were able to go to my grandparent's house for the weekend and celebrated on the back porch.  We have a lot of family in the area and many of them came over for the day and spoiled the kids.  It was wonderful to share the kids birthday with everyone!

The kids LOVED the cake - what kid doesn't!  Zoey wasn't sure about the candles but she enjoyed every bite of the cake...to include licking the icing off the plate.  Bryce blew out the candles for both of them (with a little help) and quickly shoved all his cake in his mouth.  I think the adults may have enjoyed watching them eat more than they enjoyed eating!!!

After baths and opening gifts we spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with family, playing with new toys, and hanging out.  It was fun to watch the kids play at my grandparents homes and a great relaxing day!

When we got back to Montgomery the kids got their birthday gift from Matt and I - a train set!  They love it.  They will bring us the pieces to make a track, drive the trains around, and then restart the entire process.

It was the perfect way to spend a birthday weekend!  Happy Birthday Zoey and Bryce!  I can't wait to see what age two has in store for us!!!
.katherine.