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.

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.