The Twin's 1st Birthday PARTY

We celebrated the twin's birthday on New Year's Day, while we were visiting my hometown for the Holidays.  This was our first time spending Christmas with my family in SEVEN years!  You know how it works with the military, so this was a real treat to be able to spend this very special time with our family.

Being surrounded by family and friends was wonderful.  So often we spend special occasions on our own that this moment was extra special.  I loved that the babies were FINALLY able to meet their family and were showered with so much love.  

I grew up with a large extended family with lots of grandparents, uncles & aunts and cousins galore to help celebrate.  Seeing my children playing with their cousins was bittersweet.  I LOVED that they were getting to spend time with them, but it was sad knowing we would be leaving soon and they will miss out on so much time with their family.  My children are growing up very different than I.  Thankfully, at this young age they do not seem to realize what they are missing!

 

Happy Birthday Finnian & Remington!

We love you so much!

chasing the wind

My big boys are outside chasing the wind right now and of course having a fabulous time!  We are having the most beautiful day here in sunny California.  I may even bundle up the babies for a stroll this afternoon.  Although, there won't be much bundling required since it is 61 degrees here with a high of 66.  It will be so nice to be outside.

I am very much missing my blogging world, but home life has required all of my energy. 

Hoping to be on again very soon.... there is so much to say.  Life has been such a roller coaster lately... praising the Lord still.

Thank you Jesus for my beautiful family and home!

The Sacramento Children's Museum

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of checking out the Sacramento Children's Museum with a few friends.  It really was amazing.   The boys played and played.  It really was the perfect place for them to explore.

a peek inside the museum

Okay, so maybe I got a little bit carried away with pictures from the Children's Museum, but I had so much fun and I want to share it with you.  And, yes, the boys had fun too!  If only we lived closer.

Cael & Kipp exploring "waterways" with the twins looking on from the stroller

our friends, having a great time

we had lunch in the "party room"

the big boys playing in "my neighborhood"

I had to pick Kipp up and set him in the boots :-)

Each exhibit had a mailbox so the kids were running around mailing letters- very fun!

"baby bloomers"

Yes, I realize Cael is a bit old for the "baby bloomers," but I was nursing the twins and wanted the big boys close.  This is the cutest spot for the the little guys.  They even have dress up costumes.  I wish I were able to take more pictures of everything, but when you take four boys ages 5 and under (and you are breastfeeding two of them) there isn't much time for picture taking!  And yes I took half of these pics while feeding the babies!  Hey, sometimes you just have to make it work.

"airways"

This was so neat!  This "contraption" would suck in the hankies or lightweight balls and they would go flying all the way through and then it would spit them out. 

um... yeah... I have no idea what this does...

"Studio of the Arts"

Needless to say we had a blast!  It was very convenient, relaxed and not so big that I had to worry about my children running off and it worked well for me- on my own with all four boys.  I even loved the bathrooms!  They had "real" changing tables and stall for the entire family.  Everything was just so kid friendly how could you not LOVE this place?!  We cannot wait to go back.

the twins are 8 months

The babies turned 8 months old on the 13th.  I can honestly say I am not excited about this...  Well, it just seems it is going too fast!  Although, I am not happy about the months speeding by, I love seeing my boys grow and change.

Finnian, Mr. Content

He has shown no interest in crawling until this past week.  I think he scooted himself about an inch forward! :-D  And today he was in different spot, a good 4 inches from his original spot.  He just moved so slowly it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.  Now that IS hard to do!!

 I love my Finn, when he smiles the whole world lights up.  You just HAVE to SQUEEZE him!!

Remington, Mr. Busybody

For the first time, yesterday he...
said mama (he was calling for me, I know it!)
began pulling himself up &
crawled on his knees

Today in church he kept getting SO EXCITED and giggly that I had to take him out.  He is always happy, even when he is crying he still tries to smile.  He is going to be a character,  like his big brother Kipp.

I love my Remy, you just HAVE to KISS him! (on his neck so he squeals)

turning five

Cael is FIVE today.  He is such a joy.

Happy Birthday Cael!

We love you.

a little walk down memory lane

Our Cael

five

the apology

Upon Sean's arrival home...
Cael: Dad, I am sorry I touched your computer.
Sean: Oh, Cael that is okay. (what a sweet boy)
Cael: Dad, I am sorry I banged on it.
Sean: Oh... um...
Cael: And Dad I am sorry I scratched it.
Sean: WHAT?

settling

The babies have settled into their own finally.  Life got easier at 3 months for us and started to settle in around 4 months, but then Miss Lauren left us and daddy came home from deployment so we were all jumbled again and now we are resettling. 
For the most part they are very content through the day, this is NEW and so WONDERFUL!  Before my sweet boys were a "bit" fussy, always wanting someone to hold them.  I feel like life is FINALLY getting back to "normal."  It has at the least calmed.  The babies are enjoying playing with their hands, play toys and rolling everywhere.  Big brothers LOVE to entertain them.  It really is the sweetest thing to see the big boys calming a crying babe.

sickies

Why is it every time I make a new resolution, or renew my original resolution, someone gets sick and I spend the entire day cleaning up vomit and doing laundry?  It really is impossible to do anything other than take care of little ones when tummies are sick.  Cael and Kipp both have the stomach flu and Remington has a fever.  So far Finnian has escaped the sickies, but we will see how long he can hold out.  My poor boys!

Happy FIVE months babies!

The twins are five months today.   They are such a gift from God.  How unexpected they were!  I have never been so surprised and overwhelmed before and yes TERRIFIED! Now that they are here and laughing, life is sweet.  I can't imagine life without them.  Thank you Lord for your precious unexpected gift.

 

More to come on our journey with twins.

Tomatoes

Our boys working in their "garden."  They each have the responsibility of a tomato plant.  If all goes well this summer we will have yummy tomatoes to enjoy!  Hopefully, next summer we can have a "real" garden.  This year our out door project is to landscape the back yard.  More to come on that topic in the next few weeks.

 

WAIT!  Kippy that's the wrong kind of water!