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.

Since turning One . . .

Boy has it all happened so fast. Right after their birthday party the boys started to CRUISE becoming great walkers and loving it! Their first trick (besides walking) - holding up one finger when asked "how old are you?" . . . At first, they confused it with "how big are you?" but they caught on pretty quick. Oh, and hide and seek. They get a kick out of playing hide and seek.

So "since turning one" they are little runners - bobbleheads with quick feet really . . .
They LOVE the pool and being outside . . .

(Above: Tyler is on the left.
Below: Next two pics are Carter, Tyler is in the 3rd with the Octopus)

hmmm, well usually.
(Above: It's times like these you sometimes have to show- we all go through them- oh my)

They are all about the sprinkler-
(Above: Tyler)
even if it means getting nailed . . .(Tyler again)

And are THRILLED to have new toys . . .
(Below: An instant hit- Thank you Brian, Karen, Zan for TWO - no fights! Carter is in the red. One will get on and the other will walk over to push- so cute)
(Tyler dunks it- they have learned so fast. . . shooting everything from books to bottles and kicking their soccer balls down the lawn- Travis is a great coach)

They have even made it to Bend and back to visit the Goffriers . . .
(Above: The Goffrier Family- Jenny, Chris, Lillie & Alexandra)
. . . and found that Lillie will not just be a good person to share treats with . . . (or should I say steal from?)

(Above: Carter being sneaky)
but will be a good golf buddy too!
(Above: Lillie & Tyler (navy) & Carter (green))
But mainly, since turning one, I have realized that it's so interesting how they can find the simplest thing- so entertaining!
(Below: Uncle Zan babysat one day- and they were AMAZED by his tricks. Who knew? Blow water through a hose- babies are entertained for hours. . . leave it to Zan)

Papa becomes an Angel

Today God became very lucky. Papa joined Him. And through all of the tears, it's a beautiful thing.

I lost my beloved dance partner (many of you will remember him charming the socks off everyone at our wedding) . . . and below- it's a wave seen not just here on the dance floor but every time we left my grandparents, he would come out and wave us off until we were out of sight. Every time. Such a sweet goodbye.

How much he is cherished, and will be deeply missed.

Tonight, Carter was being a needy and wanted to be rocked to sleep. I am so glad he did cause as I was mesmerized in my son, I realized it is something Great Grandma felt rocking Papa years ago. And wow, they were reunited today. What a happy mom.

I love my Papa.

One Year!

I still can't believe the boys are already ONE. What a fantastic birthday weekend. We got to celebrate with so many loved ones.

The Birthday (Friday the 15th)
These was no stopping me from heading to Segal's to have them install our carseats facing the front. I couldn't wait! Now they can see me- and me them. It is so nice.

We went to the park once Travis was off of work. It was the boys' first time in swings. Tyler- not big fan, but Carter enjoyed it.

The Birthday Celebration (Saturday)
What a fiasco and so much fun! There were so many kids (close to 20- all under 5!) it was wild! Thank goodness we had a backyard (Travis just finished) and it was a beautiful day. . . we lucked out!
Oh boy- the monkey cake. It was banana (the boys' favorite) and wow, even on a full stomach, they couldn't get enough. I really didn't think they would "go to town" on it but there was no stopping them. . . . and no hesitation.Above it Tyler-Below is Carter
Our godson (and nephew) Holden came to the party with Uncle Mike (Camden was sick and Auntie Kylie is due VERY soon!) He helped blow out the candles along with cousins Mary and Lucy- they are the ADORABLE girls in the next picture.


On Sunday the Bringhursts were in town (my second family growing up). We miss them so much and it is always wonderful to spend time with them. I am sure our two bring back memories of raising Chris and Colin- their twin boys. Of course at that point Karen had 4 boys all under4 - can you IMAGINE?!
NEW POLL: I took these pictures of the boys in the car and realized how much they look alike. Wow. Now, you get to guess: Who is Tyler, Who is Carter? Vote on the Poll!

11 Months

The boys are taking little steps but still then resorting to their bear crawl on all fours which they find so much faster (and safer)! Is it bad that I am slightly depressed they are turning one so soon? Where does time go? Every day I am in shock by something new. For instance . . .

How did Tyler get in this position all on his own? Better yet, why is Maizy letting him do this??!
I never thought that of all things to get from me- it would be CURLS!
Really?! Walking already?
Who knew Costco was so prepared for twins? Their carts are the BEST- carrying two. The boys just loved their first trip like this. They got a kick out of sitting by each other and kicking feet.
In upper and lower Pix: (Carter on the Left/ Tyler right)
Their little bodies just crack me up! Rubberband wrists and all.
We took Popi to Gubanc's for his birthday. It was the boys' first time in booster seats- they did so well! (I am holding Carter)
Above: Here's my fam at Salishan for Joe and Cora's wedding.
I have given the boys one drawer they are allowed into and stacked it with cloth and tupperware. Usually they will pull out one or two containers. But tonight was a different story. It's their only drawer and they are so good about obeying and staying out of the others so I let them "go to town" on the drawer tonight. . . as you can see. . . they were having too much fun together. Just laughing and pulling out new things. I then said, "let's put it away" and Tyler was so cute. He looked at me when I said it, took an apron and put it back in the drawer, slowly while looking at me for recognition. Very cute. Although one apron barely made a dent!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

It is the day I have been dreading . . . on April 29th (a couple days ago) those little one step baby-steps turned into a FEW and the boys walked . . .

It was sweet actually- Travis had just got home and was holding Carter and Tyler was a foot or more away from him- suddenly he started to walk to him- Travis called for me to look and we started freaking out when he reached him! You could tell Carter was a little upset. So RIGHT after, Travis put Carter down where Tyler was and he did the exact same thing. CRAZY how a little jealousy works . . .

Pictures to come.. . . tonight Tyler walked a 3-4 feet . . . but all-in-all they know crawling on all fours like a bear is the fastest way to go!

I have been in no rush for these guys to get moving- tried to actually discourage it, but I think it's a twins thing where they compete?? Ultimately what this means: I am in TROUBLE!!