Dragon Hunting at the Zoo!

This past Sunday, we had a family trip to the zoo. It was a gorgeous day and our zoo was having the premiere of the new Asian Bamboo Garden and the Komodo Dragon Exhibit. We haven't been able to schedule a family excursion in a minute, so this was the perfect opportunity. And to make it even more special, we were able to join Michelle's clan for dragon-hunting adventures!

The zoo was divided up into sections, many of which were based on continents and the animals that inhabit those areas. The first area (and the one where we spent the most time) was Africa.

Jared was very serious for most of the day, I felt like he was collecting data for a research paper!

I was really surprised at Josiah's fascination with the animals. He would eagerly point out animals that I hadn't seen or that he wanted to get a better view of!

Here is Jared peeking over the fence to catch a glimpse of the warthog!

Jared and Daddy posed for a picture in "Africa"...

Josiah spent the first half of the zoo trip eating his hamburger and pointing at various exhibits as though to ask-- "Did you see this one yet, Mom?"

One of the funniest things about the day was that Josiah wanted to tickle all the animals... Dalvin would pick him up the give him a better view and he would reach out saying, "Tickle, tickle!"

For some reason I love this picture of Dalvin and Jared...

Josiah excitedly pointed out the anteater to me!

Mommy and Jared paused to snuggle by the elephants!

After being trapped in the stroller for most of the day, Josiah was gleeful at being free! He is a little escape artist!

Dalvin showed Jared and Josiah the enormous koi (and various other fish) in the pond...

The kids are excitedly examining the big fish in this exhibit-- and as usual, I got a great shot of the back of their heads!

I cannot BELIEVE that Gabriel is taller than his mom!

As was the norm for the day, I took a lovely shot of the kids enjoying the Asian Bamboo garden.

The kids made a pitiful (and relatively unsuccessful) attempt to let me photograph their faces for once!

The kids watched the komodo dragons from a special kids-only viewing window-- and I watched them!

The KOMODO DRAGON!

Jared and Josiah peered in at one of the komodo dragons...

Gabriel, Logan and Eden found a komodo dragon they could climb on. :)

Jared was obsessed with the zoo map and spent the second half of the zoo trip asking me to identify the symbols on the map and show him which way we were going on the map...

Jared REALLY wanted to pose for this picture with Eden, but he couldn't stop looking at the map even long enough to smile for the camera! Too busy navigating!

After a long day at the zoo, both boys fell asleep in the car on the way home... Jared continued his nap on the couch...

Josiah continued his nap in the bed... what a wonderful day!

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Learning to Write J-A-R-E-D

Jared has been begging me to teach him to write lately, so I bought him a whiteboard to practice on. It has a page for tracing letters, one for shapes, etc. Tonight he asked if he could learn to write his name. He can already spell it and has randomly practiced his letters at different points, but this was the first time I wrote his name and asked him to copy it.

"I am running out of room!"

"Yay-- I did it!"

The final product... not bad for his first solo try!

Santa, Stockings, and More..

Before bed on Christmas Eve, Jared helped me bake cookies for Santa Claus. He took responsibility for putting the milk and cookies out for Santa before bed.

Upon waking, the boys quickly discovered the gifts from Santa. Santa left Josiah a covered wagon for 2 (where he returned to eat his breakfast)!
As always, both boys indulge in each other's gifts!
Santa brought Jared a "kitchen"-- although he promptly corrected me and told me was his "restaurant"!
And again, both Jared and Josiah promptly began exploring all the features of the new "restaurant"!

After the discovery of their special gifts from Santa, Jared went in search of the Christmas stockings and found the remnants of Santa's midnight snack. He was shocked to see Santa had left one of his cookies unfinished!



As soon as Jared turned his back to get his stocking, Josiah resolved the problem of the remaining cookie! This Christmas was his first experience with chocolate chip cookies, and we can safely say he is a BIG FAN!

The boys finally sat down to open their stockings (from Mom and Dad). Josiah is still scarfing down the last of Santa's cookie!

I think their favorite stocking stuffers were the blinking Rudolph noses!

It was a blessed Christmas! I love my boys!!!

Christmas Tree 2008

Every year I take a picture of the boys by the tree....

Jared's Letter to Santa

So Jared composed a letter to Santa this year which I found sweet and hilarious. Here is his letter:

Dear Santa,
This year I would like to ask for:

1. Incredible Hulk skateboard
2. color pencils
3. pajamas
4. a Dora book for Josiah with his picture like I have
5. toy tape
6. flowers for Mom and Dad

Thank you,
Jared Devine

The next day I helped him mail the letter. :)

"Okay, Mom-- here goes! Are you sure Santa is going to get this letter in time?"

"Can't.... quite... reach!"


"Okay-- done! I hope you are right about the Postal System, Mom!"

AND for those who are interested-- this is what happened:

1. No skateboard this year! (Are you KIDDING me?)
2. He did get colored pencils from Mom and Dad.
3. He DID get Incredible Hulk pajamas from Mom and Dad.
4. Nini actually bought Jared this book (in which he plays a character), and she is likely to eventually get Josiah this book, so she overruled Santa.
5. Sadly, he did not get toy tape (tape to play with) but he DID get to help Mom wrap Christmas gifts for family.
6. Santa did NOT buy Mom and Dad flowers-- whats up with that, Santa?!

Santa brought the boys each one gift (as he does every year). Jared received a kitchen, which he says is a "restaurant, NOT a kitchen, Mommy!" Josiah received a wagon for 2.

More Christmas pictures to come...

The Devine Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Portraits 2008

Jared and Josiah are excited about Christmas this year... okay, well maybe just Jared. At one, Josiah doesn't really have much idea whats going on... but he HAS enjoyed driving around to look at Christmas lights! :)

Spooktacular 2008!

We decided to take the boys to Spooktacular at the Jax Zoo this year. Its a huge Halloween event with hundreds of carved pumpkins, an enchanted garden, a pirate's cove, and lots of trick or treat stations.

The boys look like cat burglars! :) I love when they hold hands in the car.

Here is a close up of Josiah in his ladybug costume!

And here is Jared in his bumblebee costume. Although he really liked being a bumblebee this year, I think it is the last year I get to dress him up in a baby-ish costume!

Finally, we arrived at Spooktacular-- I had to get one picture of the boys with hay and pumpkins! Naturally, I can never get both boys to look at the camera at one time. :)

The path to the Enchanted Forest was fairly long and lined with pumpkins. Here I am cozy with my boys! Jared was distracted by all the sights and ready to find his cousins!

Josiah LOVED walking around in his costume (and dancing to the DJ they had playing) but he usually liked to walk in the opposite direction, so Dalvin was often Josiah's mode of transport!

We finally found JR, Laurel and the kids at the entrance to Pumpkinville! I managed to get one shot of all the kids. :)

Sarah looked stunning and WAY too grown as Cleopatra! :)

Micah was a mighty Power Ranger!

Many of the animals were asleep, but there were a few available for viewing-- including this giraffe-- Jared's current favorite animal!

Here is Jared posing in front of another of the huge pumpkin displays! The carvings were so cool-- we may add pumpkin carving to our traditions NEXT year!

Our two little ladybugs, Josiah and Baby Hannah stopped for a hug and a kiss!

Another close up of Josiah...

And a similar close up of Jared...

Here's a family shot of Bro and his clan...

On our way out of the enchanted garden, we passed a troll! He was a very patient troll, because some of the kids were quite liberal with the insults!

Jared studied the map to see where we should go next! Off to the pirates cove we went!

Sarah and Jared were the first to enter the Pirate's Cove.

After a long night of checking out animals, fish, jaguars, trick or treat stations, a black light display, play areas, and dancing to old school tunes, we finally headed out! Spooktacular (and our Halloween with the boys) was a success! Happy Halloween to all!