Colorado

Colorado, May 21st-May 27th

Since we aren't planning a big vacation this summer, we decided to make the trip to Colorado to visit my brother and his family.  Months ago, I thought we were crazy thinking about driving 10 hours with two 8 month olds and a 3.5 year old, but the trip couldn't have been smoother! 

We left on a Tuesday evening after work and drove 5 hours to Grand Island, NE, where my Uncle Roger and Aunt Lynnette live. Alena rode with my parents and arrived there about an hour before us.  The next morning we completed the trip without any complications.  We became pros at stopping and feeding the babies their bottles while they were in their car seats and we used the back of the van to change them.  We usually fed their solids while we were driving (I think they enjoyed having Justin or I sit between them during the drive).  We arrived in Loveland, CO in the afternoon and the kids all enjoyed playing outside.  Jason and Jessica live in a great neighborhood and on a cul-de-sac.  It's fun watching all the neighbor kids play together. 

The next day, we took the older kids (Alena, Addie, and Kelsey) to an indoor jumping place.  I think mom, Jason and I had just as much fun as the kids! Mom even took out a couple kids when she fell down the stairs that led to one of the slides.  Everyone took a good nap that afternoon.

The next day, we decided to head to the Denver Zoo.  It was a warm day (mid 80's) and it was so crowded because many schools were having field trips there.  It is a large, beautiful zoo-I'm not even sure we saw everything during the 5 hours we were there.  We enjoyed watching the elephant show with Groucho who "went in the water," and "opened his mouth," according to Kelsey.  I think Alena and Addie particularly liked the bears and gorillas.  Everyone had a great time, but we were all tired by the end of the day.  The trip back to Loveland was a little testing as uncle Jason took us on a couple wrong turns and there was a lot of traffic and a few accidents on the road.

On Saturday, Jason and Justin took the big kids swimming, while mom, Jessica and I took Caleb shopping. Lauren got a little one on one time with Papa :).  I had my first falafel which was delicious, (I'm already looking for a place in Urbandale where I can get another one!). 

Sunday, we all headed to Fort Morgan to a large park and outdoor waterplay area.  The traveling Vietnam War Memorial was also on display.  The kids enjoyed playing on the playground, splashing in the water and even got a special treat when the ice cream truck came by.  We started the trip back to Iowa on Sunday evening and were home Monday around 2:00 pm (after stopping at Roger and Lynn's to sleep).  Again, the babies did great during the drive. 

All, in all, it was a very fun trip, and that 10 hour drive is really not so bad.  We may have to do that again in the near future...

Twins- 8 Months

The countdown to 1 year begins!  Although we are so sad at how fast this first year is going, there are some things we are ready to be done with-like bottles, formula and pumping! 

Lauren:  Not too much has changed from a month ago.  You still like to see mommy or daddy once in the middle of the night just to make sure we're still around.  You have not tried to crawl or even get on your hands and knees, but you do sometimes scoot on your butt forwards.  You continue to like your pureed fruits and vegetables, but haven't figured out how to feed yourself table food yet.  You can get the Cheerios or Puffs in your hand, but can't bring them to your mouth yet.  Your new favorite toy is a gray, plastic spoon-you like to chew on it and look at it while you're holding it up high.  When you are in the mood, you can be a chatter box!  You are wearing 9 month clothes (which are a little big) and are still in size 2 diapers, but will move to the next size once this box is gone.

Caleb:  You are so close to figuring out crawling forwards and can make your way around the room by going backwards.  You have started pulling stuff off the table to it's time to really start baby proofing.  You continue to be a pro at holding your own bottle, (while your sister could care less and would rather play with her feet).  You love solid time, especially applesauce.  You are working at feeding yourself Cheerios.  You love stroller rides and going shopping-you kick your little feet the whole time.  Like most kids, you also enjoy just being outside.  You are so ticklish and your laugh is infectious!  I am starting to put you in size 12 month clothes, but you can still wear some 9 month clothes.  The size 3 diapers fit you well, but probably not for long.

We are so excited to take you two swimming this summer because you continue to love your bath time-what a fun summer we are going to have!

Mother's Day

This is just one holiday I am not meant to celebrate.  My very first Mother's Day I spent in the Urgent Care with Alena.  She had a high fever and a rash (turned out to be an ear infection and  Roseolla).  I remember going out to eat at The Machine Shed and planting flowers. You can tell in the pictures that Miss Alena did not feel well-poor girl.

Fast forward three years to this Mother's Day and my day was nearly the same!  After having breakfast at The Machine Shed, (which was a good reminder as to why we NEVER go out to eat!), we went home and I checked Caleb's temperature because he felt warm.  It was 104.2 and he was shaking! I quickly jumped in the car and we spent the next hour at the same Urgent Care I was at 3 years ago.  He too was diagnosed with a "mild" ear infection and a viral syndrome. 

The next day, Lauren had a fever of over 103.  It was a very rough week as neither baby was sleeping well and they both had to stay home from daycare.  Luckily Papa, Grandma and Grandma S helped out and took turns watching the babies.  By the end of the week, Justin and I were exhausted due to the lack of sleep. 

I'll always remember my first Mother's Day with each of my kids! 

Alena Jane

Our dearest Alena-we are such proud parents today.  We met with your teacher, Laura for your conference and of course she had nothing but great things to say about you.  She said you are a leader in the classroom and a great friend.  One of your best friends in the classroom is Taylor.  You also enjoy playing with Evan, Josh and Landon.  You've become very interested in learning to write your letters and Miss Laura said you are able to identify every letter and are working on letter sounds.  We spend every night working on your letters because you seem to really enjoy it.

You are like your daddy, and ask a lot of questions!  Some of your new favorite words/phrases are:  "absolutely right," and "are you kidding me?"  The other day, when you woke up and saw snow (in May!), you said "are you kidding me, it snowed?"  It was pretty cute. 

You got to go to your very first friend birthday party recently.  It was Sadie's fourth birthday, and you and 5 other little girls attended the princess party (Ashlynn, Peyton, Sydney, Bella, Isla).  After pizza and cupcakes, Sleeping Beauty made a special trip to the party to play games with everyone and give out necklaces. 

What a fun big sister you are going to be when your brother and sister get old enough to play with you.  I have a feeling your brother is going to follow you everyone and probably annoy you.  He loves to watch you and you always make him laugh and smile.