Camping with the Snipes in Callousahatchee

The Snipes took on Callousahatchee again with the same campsite and the same weekend as last year, and of course, with more stuff. It was an awesome 2 nights of camping and also not quite as cold as the previous year. But, it was the start of Harrison getting the flu and we realized this the day we were going. So, like the mom of the year that I am, I decided that Harrison would be fine and we should still go. Harrison was not feeling great at the beginning but after a little help from the Motrin, he was able to hang. This also might have explained why he got pneumonia a couple weeks later but who really knows. Back to the camping...we always have a fun time with this group and the kids loved exploring, biking the trails, and climbing the rock while the adults had fun sitting by the fire and goofing off.

Christmas 2016

We spent Christmas in Naples again this year because we love it here around that time. Well, we love it here all the time but Christmas is over the top. I've mentioned before how our neighborhood goes crazy for Christmas lights but there is also something special about being in your own house on Christmas day with young children. Lucky for us, Nana and Papa decided to come to Naples to be with us on Christmas day. I also included a couple pics from our trip to Jacksonville which was earlier in December.

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Harrison and Brooks

My kids have been so busy lately and I think I am losing touch with their updates as it is getting so hard to find time to write. But I do want to give a little glimpse into how I see these two evolving...

Harrison has become a very intuitive, sensitive, and well mannered young man. He continues to amaze us with his athletic ability but even more importantly, he is really becoming a kind and generous person. You won't really see this side to him when he is interacting with his sister, and this is a work in progress, but, when he interacts with others, it is very apparent. We have also noticed that he interacts really well with older boys. I don't know if it's because he is a little more daredevilish than kids his age or because he is up for almost anything but it is funny to watch him hold his own with the 5th graders while he is in second. On the flip side, Harrison does get his feelings hurt more easily these days and he tends to take jokes personally. I have been trying to help him understand that life is not to be taken too seriously and we can al laugh at ourselves and with our friends, as long as it is in good fun.

He is really into basketball and has wrapped up another season of it as one of the best players on the team. We are so proud of the way he has started to hustle on the court and his sportsmanship. He is currently playing baseball and golf and has Robert helping as coach on his baseball team. He loves baseball but I'm not so sure about golf. I keep reminding him that one day he will be playing real golf rounds with Big Bill and Daddy so he keeps at it. He and Brooks both share a quirky sense of humor and a quick wit so I think they will both do well in the funny department.

And Brooks is still at it with her feisty and crazy behavior. She has more imagination than I have ever seen and is never quiet. Not only does she have ideas, she is going to tell you about every single one and make sure that you are listening. Her sense of style only gets better and better as she continues to get more confident. But sometimes I do notice a shyness or an insecurity in her when other girls don't enjoy being around an overly outspoken 6 year old. It's only natural that strong personalities will deter some shy personalities, but one day it will only make her stronger and she will figure out how to get along with most. She usually doesn't care much for what other people think and that makes me happy.

Her dancing has improved drastically and we have enjoyed watching the progress. And she is playing tennis once a week now. No major progress to report since she has just started but I am so gad that she enjoys it. I need someone to play tennis with one day! Both kids have recently gotten roller blades and they are having so much fun with them. I never thought they would be into skates but I was wrong. And like everything else, they fight to go faster than the other one and drive each other crazy with their competitive spirits. Sometimes I act like I embrace their competiveness but in reality, it drive me bat shit crazy. When will that get easier?!?

They are keeping us on the move and I find it very humorous that Brooks keeps asking for a baby brother or sister. I have told her repeatedly that they are all that we can handle. She does not want to accept this answer but it is the truth. So much action and personality is packed into these two little humans and I am excited to see how they will take on the world.

Thanksgiving in Athens

It was another fun, family Thanksgiving in Athens this year. Everyone was in town to come together for a long weekend of roller skating, family football, Georgia football, eating and drinking. We have a lot to be thankful for and family is first on the list! There is always lots of craziness and laughter with this crew.

Camping in Bahia Honda

We discovered a new favorite camping spot in the Keys. Bahia Honda on Big Pine Key is a very popular spot and almost impossible to get a campsite reserved unless you find it a year in advance. Robert found a spot back in February so we were able to camp, beachside, in October. That time of year is notorious for being windy but we ended up with almost perfect weather! We shared our campsite with the Martins and the Provences joined us too but stayed in a camper rental across the street. We also all spent our first night in the Keys at a resort together before the 2 night camping adventure. The trip was a blast and we were able to fish, paddle board, rent boats for snorkeling, and do almost everything we wanted thanks to the amazing weather. All the kids had a ball and I'm so glad that we will have trips like this to remember.