Honoring Our Patriots

Jaci invited the boys and I to join her for some freedom days activities. We loaded the boys in the wagon and headed out. 

First we stopped at the Colonial Festival to step back in time to 1776(ish). I was totally geeking out. This place was awesome. I could have stayed there twice as long if it had been a cooler day. I felt bad for all the actors in wool uniforms. 

Kai helped guide us around with the map.

This is a model replica of the Mayflower. Kai was listening to one of the sailors tell his tale.

Pilgrim Jesi 

Kai tried on some of the pilgrims armor.

Jaci defending the pilgrim lady.

I got in on the action too. 

Kai performing some chores. Sifting flour.

George's looked like a fine establishment.

The militia passed us by so we followed them.

The rebel militia stands their ground.

The British assemble and fire!

This dead guy couldn't stay dead. He kept laughing. It was hilarious.

Even though they lost, the British troop came to talk to us after.

Spinning wool... I gotta say I'm really glad this is no longer a household chore.

The Americans prepare to fire their cannon.

Boom!

Jaci meeting The General. He gave her a hard time for calling Mr. President. It was quite amusing.

Dinner pranks in the cage in the front.

Kai checking out the rifles and muskets.

This self-defense single shot pistol was smaller than my hand. It was fascinating to learn how they carried side arms back then.

The first printing of the Declaration of Independence (with a small advertisement in the corner).

Printing press tools.

Blacksmith

George and Martha dining together. I took TJ over to meet them and we had a whole conversation about Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. It was great!

My little colonial boys.

Vai wasn't excited about the hat

Jaci is stylin!

Me in a wee little bonnet

Basket weaving

Kai in the stocks, naughty boy 

British camp

Taking a break from the heat

We followed the flags to return to the present and tour the vehicles of the U.S. wars.

Patriotic sister 🇺🇸

This thing can take a punch or two and give some of its own.

Volunteers showing off articles of war brought back by a WWII soldier.

The German rifle was taken from a Nazi POW along with the Nazi flag that is signed by each soldier in the unit that captured the German. 

Different uniforms worn by Americans

The sign says don't touch, my hands weren't really touching, promise ;)

TJ is going to give it a go

Kai is excited to take aim

Jaci got in on the action too

Ambulance from WWII

Army Jeep

What soldiers today are driving in the Middle East

The National Guardmen let the boys get in the humvee and start it

TJ was excited

I was happy to watch the boys interact with the soldier and ask questions about what he did. 

The boys driving the humvee 

Kai was ready to play the part

Motorcycle from WWII

Camo tent used to shield strategic battle locations 

Vai was ready to go home. We made it back to the car in time for him to wake up. 

Savai'i Turns One!

It's hard for me to accept that it has been a whole year, but here he is, almost walking. There are so many things I love about Vai. He is such a happy and smiling baby. He has his cranky moments of course, but overall he is totally chill. He loves to play with his brothers, even when he is under the age limit for their toys. He wants to go everywhere and get into everything, including River's food. Savai'i is a wonderful boy and we all love having him in our family. It was great to celebrate a year of him together. 

Birthday boy taking some steps. 

Ezra is wondering why Vai is having a difficult time with this walking thing. 

He seemed pretty happy about his sunglasses

Another toy means another smile

Wrapping paper is still a challenge but also a joy

Airplane toy kept him busy for a while

He didn't want to keep opening after he saw this

He doesn't look very excited here but he loves that toy now. 

River joined in the fun too

"If I had one wish then it would be..."

Does it taste as good as it feels?

Really starting to shovel in the cake

Time for a bath!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVAI'I!!!

First Snow

I love snow! Well, at least in November and December I love snow haha The first snow is always exciting. This was the first snow for Savai'i. We came outside and he started looking around like, "what's this white stuff coming from the sky?" 

I think he was memorized by the newness of the experience. He didn't cry at all so he doesn't hate it. 

It was fun to shre the moment with him. 

 

The roads weren't bad and it was fun to see the blanket of white covering the houses. Especially our house!

This was Chloe's first snow at our house she seems to be less of a fan. (This is when I speculate that her first owner might have left her outside in the snow for long periods of time and now she doesn't enjoy it. However, as you se later she seems fine when she knows she's out for a walk)

Tai came home from school ready to play on the cold wet stuff. 

I sent him outside with Chloe to play. Here they are saying hi to me as I wash dishes in the sink. 

Later we took Chloe on a walk in the snow, it must smell amazing or change the way everything smells because she was going crazy. 

Kai was Ewing the snow...

...and throwing it at the dog. Luckily, Chloe just shook it off and kept on playing. 

The boys made some snow angels in the front. Can you tell which angel is which boy?

Kai and Tai: best of friends but also can be enemies, what are brothers for?

We had fun playing in the snow for a short period of time before going home to warm up all cuddled together under a blanket.