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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Branson Vacation

Playing with rocks at the condo, the weather was beautiful this morning!

Sweet Avery face

Jill trying to pick up the giant chess pieces.

Avery chose a much more reasonable checker

A park we found by Bass Pro to stretch our legs

Jillian loves swinging

First trip down a tube slide

Avery isn't so sure

Peek-a-book with Daddy

Checking out the fish at Bass Pro

Grrrrrrrr

Do I look as silly as you?

Bungee maze

Explorer Jillian

Explorer Avery

With PaPa and NaNa at the Butterfly Palace

Sweet chubby hand...no she didn't touch it


Jillian's bow legs are so cute!

Just checking things out!

Avery driving the boat.  Yes, it was moving!  No pretending here.

Jill driving the boat, Dad was much less nervous than Mom.

Family fun!

Jill helped me unpack

Avery entertained

We survived our first BIG vacation.  A whole week away from home, thank goodness PaPa and NaNa met us in Branson halfway through the week to help!  The girls did great traveling, eating, sleeping, and playing for almost the whole trip.  We are so glad they are flexible and usually just go with the flow.  It also helps that our sweet friends the Masons lent us their portable DVD player and monitors.  I'm sure Wes never wants to hear Micky or Elmo again, but it was so worth it!

After a day of traveling we got the lay of the land on Monday and rode the "Duck" to check out Branson.  The girls slept through the whole duck ride and we weren't able to get any pictures.  Tuesday we played at the condo and had a "normal" day so the girls could get adjusted.  Wednesday we met Wes' friend Scott and his son Lucas in Springfield so the guys could catch up.  We checked out the original Bass Pro and had dinner.  I was sad Sarah couldn't make it, but as a teacher I totally understand how the first day of school goes.  Thursday PaPa and NaNa were there and we ate at Lambert's Cafe, the home of "throwed rolls," and it was delicious.  We also went to the Butterfly Palace and the girls loved the mirror maze and the bungee maze, they were better at all of it than the adults!  PaPa and NaNa babysat Thursday night so Wes and I could have a date night.  We went to see The Price Is Right Live! It was entertaining, but would have been better if they called me to, "Come on down!"  I did get to spin the wheel...for a small fee of course.  Friday we shopped, ate, and rode the riverboat, and I think the girls had had enough by this point. Today it was another day on the road and they did great!

Wes and I decided we need a vacation from our vacation, traveling with 13 month olds is exhausting, but it was worth it!  Bags are now unpacked, laundry is going, and babies are in bed!

Monday, July 9, 2012

A year in review

So I try really hard to not get sappy on here and just post pics because that's what most people want anyway, but that doesn't apply to today. When I think back to that moment of terror when my doctor told us we were having twins and I was thinking that can't be possible, I'm shocked now at all we've accomplished and how I can't imagine only having one baby. It wouldn't be near as fun or exciting. Our lives are forever changed by these sweet girls. We've definitely been through many obstacles this year, but we are a stronger family for each one. Early arrivals, weeks in the NICU, 2 heart surgeries, loads of hospital time and doctor's appointments, feeding tubes, endless nights with little to no sleep, colic, 5 formula changes, and other obstacles are no match to sweet smiles, giggling babies, belly laughs at sister, babbling girls, cooing, snuggling, bathtime, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing up, first steps, hugs and kisses, first foods, saying mama and dada, posing for pictures, not posing for pictures, and so many other moments we cherish. Avery and Jillian are the greatest blessings we never knew we wanted and we thank God each day for them. Enjoy our year in review.


Avery Rose


Just born, needed a little help breathing but only for a few hours

In hospital, really good at pulling out her feeding tube!

1 Month

2 Months and very serious about Clifford the Big Red Dog

3 Months, sweet smile

4 Months (almost)

5 Months and just rolled over

 
6 Months


7 Months, love that face

8 Months and on the move

9 Months

10 Months on vacation

11 Months


1 year!!  This sums her up!  Precious baby girl


Jillian Ruth



1st minutes, surprisingly pink!

In hospital, so tired from her heart meds

1 Month, kicked back

2 Months, watching the fan show!

3 Months, sleepy flower

4 Months, recovering from surgery

5 Months, home but way loopy

6 Months, our girl is back!!

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months on vacation

11 Months

1 year, our little monkey!  Sweet sweet bugaboo!