The Kell 5 Go to the Zoo

One of my favorite things we did this fall: Our family trip to the Denver Zoo

It was a very busy summer.  Understatement. It's been a very busy fall.  Busy seems to be the keyword for our little family.  I figure I can lament and dwell on the fact that I don't have time to soak in all the little moments I want to, I can cut out some of the things that make us so busy, or I can just do my best to live in each busy moment and cherish them to the best of my ability! I'm not going to dwell.  I don't think we *can* cut anything out right now.  SO, onward-ho with the busy-ness that is the life of the Kell 5.  It's what we do. I told Kreg one Sunday morning at the end of September it was time to "smell the roses."  He looked at me funny but I told him we've been working hard to plant our rose garden but it's not going to mean much if we don't stop and smell them... haha. So profound.  So we took Sunday afternoon and went to the zoo, just the 5 of us.  It was perfect.

 I lived in these moments.  It wasn't busy.  It wasn't rushed.  There was nothing we HAD to do, we just enjoyed our time together.  I cherished the looks on my boys faces as they took in all the exotic creatures.  I snuggled Brooks. I watched my husband bond with his boys.  I thanked God for all the magnificent animals he put here for us.  I took pictures just for myself-- I needed to remind myself that photography is a hobby  I enjoy!

 I stopped and enjoyed each of my babies.  They are all at such fun ages and all for different reasons.  I truly believe there's something to look forward to at each stage, but I never want to look forward so much that I forget to enjoy the present. I only get one chance at today.

 Just as we were finishing up and headed out, we got caught in a torrential downpour-- further forcing us to slow down and wait. It was beautiful-- the evening light caught the rain (no, it wasn't a dark, scary storm... I love the rains when the sun shines through somehow)and made for some pretty pictures.  Westin enjoyed playing in it. Tucker took the opportunity to climb in the stroller and fall asleep.

 When the rain passed, we headed out and walked down to City Park to enjoy a picnic dinner.  I stopped and took this photo because I thought it was as close to perfect as it gets.  We had the place to ourselves, the weather was perfect, and the view was tough to beat.  All with my best boys.  Thank you, God.  Life is good.

25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matthew 6:25-34

Brooks William, 3 Months Old

Okay, so Brooks will actually be 4 months old tomorrow... so this post is a little late! Our world has been spinning at an unprecedented pace since his arrival (and its not even his fault!), so I am way behind in many things!  One of these days, I may even blog about all that. HA. HA. HA!

I did, however, manage to squeeze in 3-month portraits of baby #3.  I just haven't had time to edit, print, or post them!  I am making time tonight on this Friday evening as I listen to Lion King in the background and the "big boys" finish up their pizza.

 Brooks is 14 lbs and 25 inches, which puts him in the 64th percentile for height and 30th percentile for weight. If he keeps up at this rate, he will be right in between his brothers!

 He is just a delightful baby.  He goes with the flow, which in this household is anything but easy-going!  We are always running from one thing to the next and he graciously goes along and greets everyone with his precious smile.

 He rolls over both from back to tummy and tummy to back, but so far hasn't used it as a mode of transportation except for just about a 2-foot radius from where I put him...I know it won't be long before he rolls across the room! He also sleeps through the night... which I am still scared to say out loud because #1 slept through the night at age 4 YEARS and #2 is still waking up at least once every night.  Surely this will not last, but in the mean time I am saying THANK YOU, LORD! He knew just what I needed!

 He looooves his hands, Sophie the Giraffe, laughing with his brothers, and talking to (and over) Daddy. Eating would rank pretty high on his last as well, although we have JUST in the last couple of weeks been able to go 4 hours between each feeding (6-7 at night).

 His smile is contagious! It takes over his entire little body and you just can't possibly have a bad day when that sweet little face is smiling up at YOU.

 I am so proud of every little roll on his body!  He was such a tiny little thing when he was born and we worked HARD to put that fat on him!  It suits him :)

   Brooks William, you are the perfect addition to our family!  You are loved unconditionally by your mommy, daddy, and brothers!  You light up our life and we can't believe that we ever lived without you :) I feel so privileged to be your mommy & watch you grow & learn.  I pray every day that you will continue to grow healthy & strong in our Lord.  I love you to the moon & back!