Family Pictures 2012

Thanks to our friend, Eva, we were able to have family pictures again this year.  I looked all over town as I drove from place to place, just to realize our backyard would be the perfect place.  We walked out back and within 10 minutes, we were done!

 

 

  

 

   

Happy 2nd Birthday Xander & Declan!

After what seems like 4 years...the twins have turned 2!  They were born November 30th...the perfect day - not quite December (which starts to get close to Christmas) but not over Thanksgiving holiday either.  Their birthday is also after black Friday, so they should get some pretty sweet presents over the years!

Unfortunately, David was still in New Jersey, but we decided to party without him!  One of the best parts of a birthday is blowing out the candles.  Our family decided to have candles on all meals eaten on our birthdays.  It also helps the kids be expert cake-candle-blower-outers (Xander actually burned his finger on the breakfast candle so he was a bit leery for the rest of the day!) Here are the twins enjoying their birthday breakfast and first birthday song of the day!

Birthday lunch.

The big boys were under strict orders to be perfectly nice to the twins today.  Easton claimed to be in complete control while they wrestled.

He even let Declan sit on his head.  That's true love.

One of Easton's favorite things...a double hug from his little brothers.

Since Thanksgiving is over, we decided to start practicing some Christmas songs today too!

While the twins slept we wrapped their presents.  Easton and Cache each wrapped a new scooter for the babies.  At first, it didn't seem like the twins realized it was wrapped in paper.  They hopped on and tried to scoot away!

Aha...they discovered they will work better without the wrapping paper!

I promised Easton and Cache that we would have a pinata for the twins birthday.  I picked up one on clearance after Halloween that was slightly unloved and broken, but worked perfect for our party.

Pulling the pinata rope ended up being more popular than hitting the pinata.

The party continued on the swingset...

The boys and I made a bunch of mini cupcakes and turned them into a caterpillar shaped in the #2.

Happy Birthday little buddies!

November

Did I say October was crazy?  Well, quite possibly November was even more crazy.  David was sent to New Jersey for one month to help with hurricane Sandy clean-up.  That left me at home, with a whole lot of trouble!

One of the top played-with toys at my house...empty boxes!  

Lots of leaves to rake up after the storm!

Once in a while I feel guilty for not doing crafts with my kids and we pull out a project...

With dad gone, I needed some help with the dishes...

I turned my back to find this a few minutes later...

Easton got this supersonic ear listening device for his birthday.  I think Declan is listening to himself breathe.

We bought some 100 piece puzzles at a garage sale this summer.  Viva puzzles!

My good friend Katie came over a ton to help put the kids to bed when David was gone.  Here she is enjoying the realm of reading a book to 4 boys!

Impressive.  The art of static electricity.

I love legos.  And so do the boys.  Here is one of Cache's creations.

Although we did not join the farm this year, we enjoyed several visits with the aid of groupon!

Luckily, David's mom had planned a visit in November (although this means she didn't get to see David)...but we sure enjoyed her help!

Enjoying a show after a hard day of play!

We made it through church, but Xander couldn't last for just one picture!

This is Cache, the warrior.  We bought arrow heads at the farm and turned them into spears.  Add that to a 'real' golden arm band...bad guys beware!

Cache's trap.

I have a hate-hate relationship with my neighbor.  My neighbor had a hard time adjusting to my parking David's truck on the street while he was gone.  Here he is trying to claim his space or make a point.  I'm not sure which, since he really didn't accomplish either.  

Cache's fort.

Cache transporting his fort.

Cache is our gymnast.  He enjoys entertaining himself and the babies!   

Big Easton and little easton.

The twins enjoy watching tv like their older brothers...perched on the armrests.  

While David was gone, poor Easton had to have major surgery.  He had his adnoids and tonsils removed and tubes put in both ears.  The surgery went well, but the recovery was really long and difficult.  

He did enjoy a few virtual playdates during his recovery!

Sometimes the twins actually play well together.  Today they followed each other around the house while they drove their cars.

The boys built this wall all together...and the twins actually let it stay up for a few minutes!

David was able to come home for Thanksgiving day.  We enjoyed a catered dinner and a walk through the forest!

I love Easton in this picture...the essence of patience.

During the Thanksgiving break, I ventured 2.5 hours south to Richmond to visit our friends, the Airmets.  We went to the Richmond Science museum and enjoyed the special train exhibit.

We also watched a cool science experiment.

While Cache goes to school, we get Josie (the school-teacher's daughter).  She is really great with the twins and they love her shoes!

Playdate with our favorite buds, the Macphersons.  That's a lot of boys!

The twins love giving Easton hugs.

And sitting on his head!  (sometimes he screams for help, but usually he doesn't seem to mind!)

First Christmas activity...make gingerbread cookies...and not one ran away!

Ready to go outside! (Although Cache refuses to EVER wear a jacket)