Dixie National Rodeo

Last week, I had just mentioned to Bruce that I wanted to find something fun to do with the kids that weekend while he was working at Upward when I received an email from my Dad. He suggested the Rodeo - perfect!!  Silas and Avery were PUMPED all week about going to see the hor-sees and cows - having no idea what a rodeo was.  
We awoke on Saturday (and had our chocolate pancakes) and met Mimi and Papaw and the Sturdivants at Broadstreet for a pre 'hor-see' lunch!  Mimi brought Grace's and my old cowboy hats for the kids.  So cute!

They loved every minute of the walk to the coliseum for the show!  Silas was serious about the tractors, horses, lassos - he was in heaven.  Avery enjoyed it, and added her own "ballet" touch to the scene.

Be still my heart!  Is this not the cutest cowboy you've ever seen?!

Two special cowboys here…

I remember growing up and driving down for the Dixie Nationals - they still put on a great show.  After the show, we enjoyed walking through the stables to see the 'baby cows' and the 'mama cows' and the 'pretty cows' (where they all were lying down and having their coat brushed and dried….).  Much to our surprise, Mr Silas led the charge on the mechanical bull!  Ride 'em cowboy!!

Soon after the bull rides, it was time for a funnel cake…. then back home.  A great day!  They are still talking about it and can't wait to go back next year.

Days Gone By

Just a few pictures from January weekends:
My silly girl… she has one BIG personality - and sure keeps us laughing!

Who needs a blanket on these cold, frozen nights?  
We love movie nights!

Sunday afternoon naps (or nap time playtime)…
I had just told them to be quiet and get in bed. They jumped into the same bed quickly and Silas has his hand over his mouth while he is telling me, "Mom, Avery's talking…"  The next time I called into there and said "Go to sleep kiddos", Silas called back: "Mom, I'm jumping on the bed - just a couple of minutes."    Oh my mercy.

Fun days.  

Afternoon at the Zoo

During January and February every year, known as "Upward Season" in the Warf household, Bruce works every Saturday (making 7 days a work week:-) for two months!), and I enjoy my little alone time with Silas and Avery.  We get up early (we always get up early), I cook them breakfast - whatever they request… (chocolate pancakes have been the top choice) and we stay in our PJs until 10 or whenever we please… wonderful!

On one of our beautiful January Saturdays (before the COLD February Saturdays of 2014), we walked in the neighborhood to play with Jack and Betsey.   The Jackson Zoo seemed the activity of choice that day… fun!   We squeezed through the gate and began our adventure.
Mary Virginia, Jack, and Betsey and Silas and Avery and I squeezed through the zoo gate with our big strollers…

As it turns out, there was a baby monkey born 6 weeks ago in the zoo whose mother was having some major postpartum issues (probably due to the major renovations of their usual habitat) and the little monkey (or ape, gibbon, orangutan, gorilla… can't remember what the zoo keeper told us) was so cute drinking his little bottle.  The kids loved watching him and wanted to take him home with them.

We finally peeled them away from the window (that poor little monkey must have been traumatized by the LOUD party of toddlers banging on the window and yelling and jumping around) and journeyed to see the other animals.  Silas and Avery had their maps and were IN CHARGE, pointing and leading us around...

Of course we had to ride the carousel!

The black bears put on quite the show for us - glad there was glass between us!

And we ended with a grand ride on the zoo choo-choo!  These three are best buds!  What a fun day!