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Monday, April 30, 2012

Hollywild

Last weekend we went to a local animal park called Hollywild.  I've posted pics from there before but this was Max's first trip, at least the first time he's been there while old enough to enjoy it.  We had a great time seeing, feeding, and learning about all the animals.  I had hoped for some excellent photo opportunities since they allow you to feed so many different types of animals.  However, the boys were much more interested in looking at the animals than feeding them.  Oh well, I was still able to get some great shots.  :)
They were more than happy to pose on this statue of an animal

LOVE!!!!!!!

A solo shot

"Hey, don't leave me here with this guy!"

This is the closest he got to feeding any of the animals (and the only time) before we went on the safari ride.


Meeting and petting an oppossum

Daddy couldn't pass up the chance to pet a wild animal.  Max, not so much

One of the best parts of the day was watching and learning about these 4-month old bear cubs.  Hollywild has 5 of only 40 left of this species in captivity, one that is extinct in the wild.  They were so mischeivious and funny!

Everyone got to feed the animals on the safari ride.  Even Max braved holding one end of a slice of bread while this buffalo (although not in this pic) grabbed the other end with his tongue.

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Great Build...

For those of you who don't already know, we are currently going through the exhausting and often frustrating process of building a home. After exploring many builders in our area, we decided to build with Legendary Homes. Here's the link to our specific floorplan. Although the front will look a little different because we opted for different shutters and garage doors, you'll get to see how the inside will look. We were lucky enough to be looking at the perfect time and received about $20,000 worth of free incentives (upgraded hardwood floors, upgraded moding package, irrigation system, and a few others).
As excited as we are about the eventual finished product, it has not gone without a series of glitches. First, they slab was poured about 12 feet further back than what was on the lot plans. You might think, that's great cuz the front yard will be larger. Well, that's true, but more importantly, it meant that our already modest backyard was almost nonexistant. However, they realized the mishap and regraded our backyard to include the lost footage. Here are a few early pictures of the slab showing the trees we back up to. 
From the street


I couldn't get a shot that showed the true difference before and after the regrading of the backyard, but here's a shot from the back edge of our lot towards the house after it had been done. Believe it or not, this is WAY better than it would have been.

Framing going up last month.  This was a VERY exciting moment, to see our home actually beginning.  :)

The next day

Windows in and roof going on.  The top window on the right is Kaelan's room, underneath is the office, the middle top window is just the 2-story foyer/entry, and the window above the garage is in the closet of either Max or the baby.  I want it to be Max's room because it has more character and light, but it's a little bit smaller than the other room (although still large as far as secondary bedrooms go).  I'll just have to see if I can fit all his furniture in there comfortably...and sensibly.  :)

Wrapped and ready for exterior features

One of my favorite features/options Mike thought to add, an extended back patio that is partially covered.  This will make spending time outdoors with an infant much easier.  Poor K always wanted to play outside at our old house but Max was too young at that time to be outside without shade.  Luckily, Mike remembered this problem and ensured much more comfort this go-round.  :)
These are the wrong shutters and it's not painted yet, but the siding is up!

Exterior stone installed - looks SO good in person!!!!
The next steps should be drywall on the inside and driveway on the outside.  I'll send updates as they occur.  Like I said, there have been many hiccups along the way (yard, didn't rough in for garage sink, kitchen island DRAMA, office entryway in wrong place, wrong shutters - all have been remedied), but it is kind of fun to watch your home being built from nothing.  Each step has it's own excitement as the real thing begins to match your mental images.  I can't wait for the inside to begin to unfold!!!

EdVenture Road Trip

The first week of April was Kaelan's Spring Break.  We took advantage of the time off by going down to Edventure, Columbia's children's museum, with our friends.  It was everyone's first time there and we had a wonderful experience!  
They had a full-sized, retired fire truck and miniature uniforms

Max driving with Chase as the "co-pilot"

All the kiddos: Chase, Samantha (K's best friend from school), Kaelan, & Max

Fire Chief Fulmer

He made me add this pic, which I think is hilarious

Every little boy loves a tractor!

An outdoor watertable...they would have happily spent the ENTIRE day here


Showing off his tower

K walked ahead of us at one point to explore a different room in an exhibit which was dedicated to early literacy and favorite stories of children.  A few of the books highlighted were Snowy DayPeter CottontailChicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, and Spot.  This is how I found him as soon as I walked in...drawing (tracing) of course.  The kid loves to draw!!!!

He felt like a "big boy" getting to use a pencil.  He carried it with him the rest of our time in this room.

Kaelan and Samantha building a snowman

Although it looks like a turbin, it's actually a bicycle helmet.  ;)

Kaelan on TV!



South Carolina's newest weatherman :)

Always good to have a friend around to take a family pic.  If only K was as cooperative as he was with the fire gear earlier.  Oh well, at least Max was smiling.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Easter

We had lots of Easter fun and gorgeous weather.  It all started with the boys decorating their own Easter buckets.  I wanted to get some personalized Easter baskets/buckets that would last them forever.  However after searhing and searching for the perfect ones here locally, I realized I would have to order some online but it makes more sense to just wait until next year when I can take care of all 3 at the same time (we're not set on #3's name yet).  So, Kaelan and Max had lots of fun doing their own this year.

A couple days later Kaelan got to participate in an Easter egg hunt at school.  I love how this picture shows all their happy faces at the word, "Go!"

Collecting his eggs


Max's Easter bucket filled with a few goodies

Surprisingly, Kaelan wanted the yellow bucket, eventhough blue has been his favorite color for as long as he's had a favorite.  We'll see what he likes best next year.  :)
 Easter was perhaps the most beautiful day of all.  After church, we met Papa and Nana at Holly Tree for their annual Easter brunch and egg hunt.  We've gone the past few years and it's always a great time!
Keeping a close eye on the Easter bunny.  He's still not a fan of characters.

At least we could get a smile out of him while Daddy was protecting him...haha.  Kaelan of course had no trouble and was happy to pose with a smile.  :)

Waiting for the egg hunt to begin

Breaking in his new bubble-gun

He's on the hunt!

He LOVED the egg hunt (remember, click to open)

The hunt included 1 special silver egg that came with a prize for the lucky finder.  After about 10 minutes of looking, and a couple hints from the hiders, the grown-ups decided to start helping a little bit.  With the aid of Papa and Daddy, here's our proud winner!!!  It was SOOOO fun to listen and watch him.  He didn't collect any eggs at all, just searched and searched for the special egg.

Collecting his prize, a $25 gift card to Toys R Us, which is as good as gold to him.  :)

My attempt at an Easter photo shoot.  They didn't really cooperate but at least it showed off the adorable outfits that Papa picked out for them.

A little better.  At least they're both looking and kind of smiling.  ;)
A family shot (excuse my huge-ness)

We definitely don't have enough photos with the boys and both Papa and Nana.  Love this one!!!!