The Chafins

Back yard renovation= mulch, mulch and more mulch

2012-04-25T15:38:00.003-04:00

Events this week have caused me to pause and rethink what is really important. Gathering these pictures each week and taking a moment to reflect on what the Chafin family has done might just be my first step at working on living more deliberately and focusing on the little things in life which really are important. I often get wrapped up io the little things which are not important...dishes, laundry, bills....In the meantime I hope that all of my family and friends know how much I love them and the value that each of you bring into my life.....Thank you for Being You!

The Backyard renovation continued this week. First we had our 40+ foot Bradford Pear taken out and mulched for the play area. If you aren't familiar with these trees, they grow really fast, have a short life span and are notorious for splitting when it's windy...Ours was coming dreadfully close to the end of its life. This tree was also infringing on the nice hardwood in the middle of the yard (its the tree in the forefront of the picture) and our Leland Cypress in the back were taking a beating as well...so the Bradford Pear had to go......

See the man in the tree?

This crew was great and they made short work of that tree

Yep..I spread all of this mulch over the weekend. Feeling muscles I didn't know I had :-)

Of course Connor had to climb the mulch

This week the fort got walls, a climbing ramp and a slide.

We moved the painting board that Jason made for her birthday a couple of years ago.

Just missing a roof on the play fort.

Hannah and I made Dragons...and she folded some beautiful origami.

The kids and I planted flowers

And in cleaning out my computer this week, I found some old pictures that I just LOVE

Trying to get a cool Christmas card..hahah!

Playing with her buddy Scout.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

We have swings...a music concert and an art festival....

2012-04-18T10:38:00.000-04:00

This week the kids went back to school. The first couple of days were rough but soon enough they were right back into the swing of things.

And speaking of swings...we have some now! Check it out!

Mom and dad in on the action

The giggles and fun that these two are having is what it is all about!


We had the whole family on the swing set at one point but there wasn't anyone left to take the picture!

Last week Connor had a friend over and they had a blast being boys in the dirt. They were FILTHY and Im not quite sure why they lost their shirts. Jason was a bit concerned that the swings would be a let down after the joy that the dirt seemed to bring.

This weekend we are hoping to get mulch added as the massive amount of rain we have received and are scheduled to receive this week, have rendered the playground an unusable muddy mess. Jason is also planning to work on finishing the fort and adding the slide and gangplank.

On Sunday while the boys worked on the play set, Hannah and I attended the first annual Acworth Art Festival. It was a big hit. Hannah actually wanted to look in nearly all of the booths and was particularly looking for ideas for new projects. She has asked that she be given free reign in the trash can whenever she is crafting because you never know when junk can be art. Love this girl up-cycling already!

She 'HAD' to have this bird!

Also this week Hannah had her spring concert. All of the kids were in Kindergarten and they were so cute. I was really impressed at how well they all did. Unfortunately the kids weren't organized well in terms of height and I could hardly see Hannah at all. (and we were in the front row :-)


This picture is a bit blurry but it is too typically Hannah to pass up

And here are just a few more random pictures for good measure...Happy week all!

Connor's having tea while I have coffee

Spring Break....Easter...Backyard Fun

2012-04-11T15:12:00.006-04:00

Last week was spring break and we enjoyed moving a little slower, staying up a little later and general lounging around....well at least the kids did. I think that Jason and I were as busy as ever. Here are the highlights. (Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and choose read more or choose more if you are viewing this on a mobile devise or you will miss some of the picture)

Easter Egg Dying- A favorite around here

Why bother with the spoon...dying himself is much more fun :-)

We Played at the park.

....I am still amazed that they are both big enough to use the big kids swings...

We ate with friends....

We attended an Easter Egg hunt with 20 other kiddos....there were about 300 eggs :-) Both kids were thrilled.

Playing with friends

We began the major backyard renovation thanks to help of some good friends and Jason's amazing building ability.

Background playground here we come!

Heavy machinery always makes things more fun!

Connor trying to get in on the action

This video gives a little overview of the project....more updates to come.

Sunday morning the Easter Bunny visited us :-) .

She was thrilled with her surprises.
Thanks Granny and Papa for the Big Chocolate Bunnies

Sunday morning we were also treated to blooming Irises

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter :-)

Spring Break Fun

2012-04-04T09:49:00.017-04:00

Hannah and Connor are on spring break this week and are surely enjoying the time off.....more pictures of their adventures to come.......

They spent last weekend having a blast with Daddy (movies, bike riding in the park, water play and arts and crafts in the back yard and best of all riding in the Jeep) .....

While the kids hung with Jason, I enjoyed some time in the mountains (Blue Ridge, GA) with some of my mommy friends. It was like an adult slumber party......

Here is my cabin home away from home for the weekend.

Almost all of the interior was wood...really stunning....

The porch views.....

...and most importantly the company!

Sunday we flew kites in the park and enjoyed a BBQ cookout complete with Jason's homemade skinny fries.

He's getting to be an expert on the "big kids playground"

Ms. Sassy in her new Jeep hat and glasses.

The bird kite on its first flight

Connor's kite was WAY up there.....I thought he might lift off.....

Scrapbooking supplies

2010-11-02T22:32:00.000-04:00

So thanks to bzz agent,love that site, i was able to test out some of these Elmer's crafting products. And let me tell you, they are GREAT! They work as well or better than some of the expensive scrap booking supplies and after spotting them at Walmart, I can tell you that they were much more affordable! Way to go Elmer's for giving us scrap bookers a less expensive alternative.

Summer Recap

2010-08-18T11:08:00.001-04:00

Princess Party Success!
Yep, that's right our little girl is 4! It's hard to believe that she is growing up so quickly but I have certainly been warned that this would happen. We celebrated in a courtly way, gathering good friends and lots of preschooler fun: dress-up, jumpy house, bubbles, balloons, crafts, screaming, running, pile-ups, cupcakes and PIZZA!

Rain and sweltering Georgia heat nearly brought and end to our outdoor adventure but the kids didn't seems to mind and the adults simply glowed in that glazed donuts sort of way. It was certainly a day to remember, although Hannah is already begun planning next year's event, informing us that it will have something to do with T-Rexes...her latest obsession.

Still Baby Connor to Hannah
Sweet baby Connor is no longer a baby..having reached the 19th month milestone~ He is certainly a sweet boy, evidenced below! He is running, climbing, screaming and throwing with a vengeance and each day is filled with smiles, tears and a whole lot of trying to interpret what his nods, screeches and pointing means....hopefully he will soon begin using the words that we sometime hear him utter!

Dublin and the Camp House
This summer we also spent a few days in Dublin with the Rowlands. One of those days found us out at the camp house where Hannah made her own fishing pole and tried, although unsuccessfully tried to catch something, and Connor had his first of what I assume will become many, 4 wheeler rides. Who knew the Ergo could be so useful? And don't worry Jason went really slowly and Connor LOVED it!

August, Already? Really?

2010-08-05T15:19:00.000-04:00

I have fallen off of the blogging wagon...well it may be more appropriate to say the graduate school, a full time job, 2 young children and a busy husband pushed me off. But here is my meager attempt to climb back on and try again!

School and the Art Of Communication
So how did we get to August already? I suppose the 105 degree heat index should clue me in to the fact that it is really here but as the yellow school buses rolled through our neighborhood this morning, I was still in shock. Not because this day means much to me at the moment, but I can't imagine that in one short year my little Hannah will start Kindergarten. Amazing huh? In the meantime Connor will soon begin his stint at the preschool that Hannah attended last year. I am hoping that being away from his sister for a few hours a day will encourage him to speak. When Hannah's around there just isn't a need for him to say anything and we all have become quite adept at understanding his grunt and point form of communication.

Hannah on the other hand is a proficient communicator and informed Jason and I the other day that she needs a phone. We of course replied "You have a phone" as we gave her and Connor our old cell phones. To which she replied "A real phone, duh!". Um Yeah, you're 4 who would you call? Hannah says "my friends from school, like Cody." Really? Really? Already? This just can't be!

Hannah the Baker
Hannah and her friends after a tour of the grocery store....she came home and informed me that now she knows ho w to bake and simply needs a good cook book and a little time!

October 2009

2009-11-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

We've been super busy here...although as I type that I am thinking when are we not?....Anyway here are some new pics...Halloween and a few brags on Mr. Connor who is a remarkably efficient crawler, pulling up on everything, joyful little boy! Now if only he would sleep through the night :) I am sure to have more pictures soon as Hannah will be attending her first Georgia game Saturday and she has also been requesting a trip to the mountain to hike and watch the "leafises" rain! Keep your eyes out! Oh and by the way if you click on the photo you can see it in a larger version!

Enjoy!

Our Purple Unicorn

The little cow...he was less than thrilled with Halloween this year..

Proud to be standing and ready for the game in his GA gear :)

Tongue out..just like his sister!

Well see I just can't keep up!

2009-10-06T12:22:00.000-04:00

Oh well...I guess this is harder than I thought it would be! We have been quite busy at our house...starting school, learning to crawl and now football season....Go DAWGS! Thankfully Jason has taken up a new hobby, photography, and he is getting really good. Here are a few of the latest and greatest....

Look at the jump! Amazing.
Here we are at Red Top Mountain after a hike

Connor LOVES the pool!

Has it been 6 months already?

2009-07-16T11:44:00.000-04:00

I can hardly believe that 6 months have passed since Connor joined our family. Is it bad that I haven't printed a single picture? I do have a bunch on my phone if that makes up for it at all......Maybe one of these days I will start a baby book for Connor and get Hannah's updated to at least the first year birthday....oh well maybe these will be the things I do when I become an empty nester. Who has the time otherwise! Now that Connor is 6 months we thought it was about time that he learn to drive...

And now that Hannah's three, we figure it is as good a time as any for her to begin pulling her own weight...she seems to like yard work....
Although this picture is a little blurry I thought you might enjoy the "Flock of Seagulls" hair do! NICE!
We celebrated Hannah's birthday again in Jacksonville last weekend...she had a lovely day of swimming in the pool with her cousin Jack, eating cupcakes, opening presents and most important to her singing "the song"! I especially like the handle bar mustache effect from the cupcake!

Current Events at the Chafin House!

2009-06-18T10:34:00.001-04:00

Here are a couple of fairly current pictures of Connor playing in his excersaucer....can you believe how big he is already? Does the time go faster with the second one or is it just my imagination?
Can you say frustration?

As an early birthday present, we got Hannah a sand and water table. This picture is the only evidence that it actually had two sides...one for water and one for sand...now instead of a sand and water table it is a sandwater table...oh well at least she is enjoying it!

So this is what happens when you mix a little extra time, a pair of REALLY small glasses and lack of sleep.......makes everything seems funny! Enjoy!

A Wedding and the beach!

2009-05-26T15:07:00.000-04:00

We just returned last night from a great 6 day vacation that included great friends, a beautiful wedding and perfect beach weather!

Here's a sneak peak at some highlights!

On the way to the beach we stopped to visit some of our GREAT friends!
Hannah, Sabrina and Alex having dinner on the back porch..we miss you guys!

After Jason and I attended the rehearsal dinner, we hung out with Eli so that Amy and Jordan could attend Lauren and Justin's welcome party.....
What a snugly little guy he is! This morning Hannah asked "Where's my best friend E-I?"

Hannah and Jess in our Princess Dresses.

Hannah Loves Cauliflower!
Seriously! This is what she chose off of the buffet! Who knew!
Connor and mommy
Jess and Jason take a spin on the dance floor
..thanks to the help of several friends!
Connor and Aunt Jodi
She was feeding him just a few minutes before this pic...he sure is happy!
Mommy and Hannah Dancing..

I love the way that her hands are flying through the air as her hair flips out...She was thrilled to be in her princess dress, especially since it would fly in the air as she danced.
Hannah dancing with Daddy!
She insisted on taking him for a spin!
Hannah and Daddy!

On our last day we spent the afternoon at the boardwalk riding somewhat scary rides, eating pizza and gelato and painting pottery!

Hannah's first roller coaster ride...I was scared..Hannah LOVED it!

The Barrel Ride....Hannah was afraid of the ride operator..so was I :)

Connor proved that he can sleep anywhere!

2009-04-26T07:50:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from our visit to Jacksonville for Easter!

Hannah and her cousin Jack.
..they were both so excited to get out in the yard and hunt for eggs!

Hannah, Connor and Mommy out by the pool!

Maybe I'll Share Pictures Now?

2009-04-17T07:25:00.000-04:00

So second time mommy hood has really taken away my ability to share pictures and stories about the kids...I am hoping that this site will help me to share the wonderful things that the Chafin family is doing.

Here's our first update! Twelve weeks have passed since Connor was born and he is changing everyday. Hannah is a WONDERFUL big sister...she loves her brother in a way that I could never have imagined and Connor is equally as enamored by her. I am so excited to see their relationship as they grow up. At the moment Connor is working on holding is toys and Hannah is obsessed with Easter Egg hunts and her birthday (it's not important that it is more than 2 months away).

Hannah and Jason were in the AJC a couple of weeks ago...

OK wish me luck and check back to see if I can actually do this....