Gigi got the Hint!

Yay! My mom sent her pictures our way. . . Thank you Gigi!

Here are the recent missing events:

The Blueberry Field (An "Uffelman" MUST- you have to pick enough berries to freeze and last the whole year):
We went picking one afternoon at "Callahan's" (Helevetia area) - Seriously the BEST blueberry field ever if you are looking for one! There was grass between the rows so the boys could even run around and fabulous berries. The boys were fantastic- we doubted them to be honest but they sat in their stroller for quite a while and watched. We then let them down and they would just grab and stuff berries in their mouth by the handful. Gigi even taught them how to pick. Look at what a good berry picker instructor she is- although they didn't "pick the bushes clean" like she will someday aspire to teach them I am sure! Other than that they had great "berry etiquette."



Meeting Jack (My aunt Joan's new black lab):

No dog beats Maizy when it comes to being tolerant with the boys but boy did Jack give her a run for her money! He is a handsome handsome pup to say the least and sweet as can be- did I mention very handsome? The boys adored him- no surprise. They cling to all animals! (color code: Ty in red/Carter blue)

14 Months!

I just get a kick out of these guys. The things they do like they are big people, not babies . . . giving hugs, watering plants, drinking from a hose- little things . . . but it's amazing. I try to do something new with them everyday and it's like Disneyland on a daily basis cause they just soak it up and love new things and people.

Below: Playing with their new backyard toy
Tyler on the right

Below: Tyler drink from the hose
Below: Carter laughing at Maizy chasing bubbles
We had dinner at Gigi and Popi's and they got their first Corn on the Cob. It was hysterical- I couldn't believe they liked it!

Tyler in green bib, Carter blue

They are obsessed with hiding and crawling under and behind things . . . I have found them laying flat under coffee tables, chairs you name it. We build forts on a daily basis. This is not a very good picture but they like to get under the same chair and hangout. Classic.

Who ever thought Maizy could be such a saint. They absolutely ADORE her. They sit on her like a horse, tug at her, she even got BIT yesterday (we won't talk about the terrible biting phase we are getting over) and she just takes it.

But the most fun of all (besides the berry fields and meeting the newest pup in the family, Joan's dog Jack, but I am still waiting on pics of those from Gigi- hint hint Gigi) has been the Beaverton Fountain. The first time was with Popi and they were hesitant cause the water goes up 10 feet high if not taller. They watched and ran on the grass and just stepped around it wishing they were like the big kids.
Above: Popi and Tyler
Above: Popi gave them each a turn to hit the biggins. That was enough for them!
Below: Tyler finding other people's toys.

The second time we were with Travis and Linda and they decided to be a big kid. It was amazing. They just got pounded by the water and loved it. They ran in circles around the inside having a blast.

Below: Each looking a little doubtful at first
Color code for these next pics: Tyler in red, Carter blue
Then they went for it!

People always ask if they do anything differently. Not much. They dance differently (Tyler side to side clapping and Carter up and down and twirling) and at the fountain Tyler is into finding any ball and tackling the water first and Carter walks up to people, taps them and looks up into their eyes and gives a look like "do I know you?" I think he walked up to everyone there. (Below)

BUSY!!

I remember a year ago my sister-in-law Karen telling me, "I just don't know how you are going to do it with TWO one-year-olds." She was speaking from experience and her now two-year-old, Luke. . . now I know what she means (as she is probably laughing at this thinking- "just wait till they are two!"). People in passing say, "Oh wow, you are going to be busy!" . . . going? I AM! But boy are these two a BLAST. Such little personalities. Always laughing at each other & new things & Maizy, running EVERYWHERE and just little explorers. No corner goes unseen no matter where they are. The stroller . . . how I wish they could just sit but they only last but minutes before they scream to get out. Little adventurers and they just love life. They are just so busy and were so early on, that I think it's cause they push each other, compete to be faster or somewhere new.

Here are some of our latest adventures:
Meeting Baby Elena
Above: What a wonderful day- meeting Baby Elena (our cousin) . . . Mike and Kylie (who have two sons Camden and Holden) are so lucky to have such a sweet beautiful angel joining their family. I know she will keep those boys gentlemen and they will love and protect their baby sister. I speak from experience. She will someday want a sister like I did and then realize brothers are simply awesome. We are so excited for them.

Father's Day 2009
and by the time we thought of taking a picture- the boys' clothes were a mess, hence, OFF! No matter how proper and formal pic we intended here, it's our life.

and we remember our dads. It is so wonderful to celebrate with Popi, yet we miss our Grandpa Mack and Great-GrandDads.
Below: Father's Day 2008
The Zoo
always a favorite
Above: Carter
Below: Tyler
But now, they actually take in the animals. They used to just sit, or run. But the last time we went they found all the animals very intriguing. Which made it very fun. I think they finally realized they are not all dogs!

Above: Both boys checking out the orangutan
Below: Tyler saying "Follow Me!"

For anyone who has been to the Oregon Zoo, they will appreciate this feat for 13 month olds. They ran all the way up the Northwest Exhibit . . . form the elk to the entrance . . . NON STOP- I was exhausted. . . how could they not be?
Oh no, all smiles. I this it was cause it was an incline? Something new? A challenge- something these guys are all about.
Above: Carter
Below: Tyler (a fav of mine cause they were laughing the whole way- like they found gold)
Momma's Quiet Time

Early in the morning- they always cuddle together with their bottles. . . for 5 minutes. . . I treasure those 5 minutes.

and once in a while, Tyler will decide to "lounge"- he's great at it and finds the funniest places to crawl into. . . here he is in the wagon.

Our Turn
"No way we get pushed"
For the zoo, to Al's Garden Center, it's all about pushing carts and strollers. They have taken off with other people's. Such characters.
Below: We are at Al's with Linda, Travis' mom
4th of July

What a weekend- WOW! We are all exhausted. . . still . . . so much fun with the whole group of friends: Ramseys, VanPelts, Resers, O'Briens, Steele's, Huss' that go every year. We bowl, we golf, we play in the sand, the whole shabang!

Above: Carter Bowling
Below: Gigi and Popi with the boys on the beach
Below: The boys' first parade! The whole group had matching shirts- we should have been in it!

Below: Popi and Carter

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And lastly:
Time Out?
So, Tyler bites Carter- about the 5th day in a row after being scolded. I tell him he needs to go the corner. So I put him in the corner (in white) and look what happens. . . . I know I shouldn't take a picture as a mom . . . but really? I wanted to yell at Carter as he joined him "HE BIT YOU! Help Me help YOU!" But I could only shake my head with the challenge in front of me. Two boys tied at the hip.

Case closed though: they didn't bite each other . . . till the next day.