Expanded Evans: Spring (and Other) Shenanigans

Hey everyone!

Wow, it's been AWHILE!! I swear, I blinked and we're a quarter into 2014!?!?

So what has 2014 brought to the Evans' household, so far? Well, we kicked off the New Year arriving home from a lovely holiday visit to Iowa. As always, we shared so many great memories with friends and family, and cannot wait until the next opportunity.

Sammy had to go without pants due to a "diaper mishap,"

and Kylie was anything but thrilled.

Cousin love. <3

After the Christmas Eve service at church.

Sammy meeting his great grandparents. (Don't be fooled...he LOVED them!).

Kylie's first horse adventure, thanks to the Blairs!

Once we got settled back at home, I was blessed with the job opportunity to serve as a substitute teacher with Sacramento County. These schools are comprised of juveniles, emotionally disturbed, severely handicapped, and students who have been expelled. To say the least, I applied for the position to keep myself "current" on high school students while I continued to look for a school counseling position. However, soon after my first shift, the principal from the school where I interned at called asking me if I'd be interested in working as a long-term substitute counselor. Without hesitation, I agreed, and now I'm happily enjoying my 2nd month as an official school counselor!!!

A personal sign made by the lead teachers of my small learning community, which is composed of 300 students. Most of these students are IB (Honors), but don't be fooled, people---these kids have the same issues, if not more, than the rest of the 1300 students of this low-socioeconomic school setting.

Although I'm (well I should say "we." Shane has been uber-supportive) over the moon thrilled to finally be fulfilling my dream career, I do have to keep looking for a position for next year. The lady who I'm subbing in for is on medical leave through the rest of the school year, and it won't be until June that we know whether or not she'll return. If she does not return, then the position is will be opened to the public. I'll apply and hopefully my leg-up of being the most current counselor will earn me a permanent spot. If not, the experience is exactly what I need to move on to other available positions within the area. :)

Now that weekends are more defined for the whole family (the kids are in daycare full-time and both absolutely LOVE it, especially Kylie), we do our best to keep our family adventures going. Here are (a lot) of pictures from the last couple of months to sum the fun up:

At the Sac Zoo.

Sammy at 5 months...

Kylie in the same spot at 4 months...

Taking a load off after all the hard work of checking out the animals and eating churros. ;)

At Monster Jam... would you expect anything less from us??

How anyone can sleep through a monster truck show blows my mind!?!?

It was SO loud!!

We all dressed the part... jorts, cut-off tees, overalls...

The kiddos rocking their aviators (sadly, Kylie has since broken hers...go figure!)

Sunday swinging with mommy. :)

Such a lady...

After pacing around the house on a phone call, I returned to the living room to find her like this. haha!

Kylie is not usually a fan of sharing her things, but she gladly dressed him in her beanie.

Downtown Vegas during our first 48 hours away from both kids. Way better than the strip, I must say!!

Kylie is obsessed with drawing, and she excitedly demands to show you her every line, swiggle, or circle she does. So cute!!

For the month of March, the Air Force guys do "Mustache March." Since Shane can't seem to grow one very well, he opted for this route and included our kin. Clowns!

Looking real shady in Target!

Crazy curls... love!!

Sammy is ALL.OVER.THE.PLACE!!! At 5 months he started sitting up, crawling, AND pulling himself up all in one month!!! He's been using his walker since 7 months, cruising around the house, so I will not be surprised if he starts walking before Kylie did at 9.5 months. Not sure if I'm ready for two to be tearing around this house... hahah!

Playtime at the mall.

Got to enjoy a quick but amazing visit in San Francisco with my sweet, lifelong friend, Elizabeth. We met on the bus for school in Kindergarden, and 24ish years later, not much has changed between us! hahah! Same humor, same closeness, same sisterly love...

Apologies for the... well... but I LOVE his face in this picture!! He reminds me of nephews, Jackson and Evan. He's a Behan, for sure! Especially with the faint red hair he has.

Saying goodbye to Daddy. :( Shane is currently in Altus, OK for roughly 5 weeks for Instructor Pilot School. I could not be happier for him and the opportunity. Plus, he officially became a Major right before departure. I'd say he's having a great year, so far!! So proud of him!! :)

Kylie is out of her highchair and into her new "big girl chair." As you can see, she gives it two thumbs up!

So since Shane is gone, I'm taking on all the roles of the house, including the nighttime wrestler, jungle gym, etc. Kids were a bit confused at first as to why mommy was tossing them all around, but we're having fun now! Shane might have some competition when he returns! hahah!