Inependence Weekend Party!

Isotopes game and fireworks on Saturday, 4th of July parade in Corrales, swimming and lunch at Grandma's and BBQ with more fireworks at Grandpa Denis' on Sunday!  What a weekend.  It was so action packed that four out of five kids actually took naps on Sunday.  That is absolutely unheard of around here...usually it is just the two babies who sleep during the day.  All of the kids just loved the fireworks and really seemed to get in to the spirit of the day.  They even sang America The Beautiful with Grammy and Grandma Sallie before chowing down on the red white and blue cupcakes!

Not sure when 4th of July became a candy holiday....this is only about half of what the kids collected from the various floats.

Thomas rode on the Corrales Swim Team float this year.  The kids each had a super soaker to squirt out at the crowd.  For once, I was welcoming Thomas' antics with a water gun. "SHOOT ME PLEASE!"  It was really hot outside!

...and when it was all over we had some tuckered out little ones!

Saving the world...

Thomas and his buddies set out with Brian to save the world from certain destruction by a deadly virus!  These guys have great imaginations.  Thomas asked Brian if he would please take him and his friends on an "adventure" in the bosque.  Brian has a good imagination too (he is the KING of bedtime stories) and the boys came back talking about the virus that had been eradicated!  I know the boys think they are big bad virus fighters in the wilderness, but all I can say when I see these pictures is "oooooh they are sooo cute"!  Brian says he got quite an education on the excursion.  Bowen Williams is a dinosaur expert and Peter Murray knows a little bit about a lot and likes to talk (just like Thomas).   The boys also came back with tadpoles from the river.  Thomas' lasted only a few hours...better luck next time.  I love these little boys and I have high hopes that they will all grow up to really save the world in their own small (or BIG) ways.

2010 Summer Fun: 1st Edition

Pack up the duffel bags and we're off!  Spent Memorial Day weekend in Durango.  Best Durango trip in a while...the kids are able to do more and more each time we go.  This time we hiked and fished and four-wheeled.  There was also a trip to the fish hatchery in town (good call Aunt Anne)!  Connor was the most impressive on the hike...we make the poor little guy walk for about three hours on his three year old legs!  Thomas and Lauren scaled the mountain like they'd been hiking their whole lives and the babies seemed very happy riding along on mom and dad's backs (good workout for us).  We can't wait to do it all again!

Lauren turned out to be quite good a casting!  Thanks for stocking the lake Grandpa!

Party in the Park!

We partied with family and friends at the Corrales Park for Claire and Ronan's first birthday.  Even though we had to chase the shade around the park a little, a great time was had by all.  Big kids got to run around and enjoy the slides,swings, etc and little kids got to roam around the grass and "socialize"!  In keeping with their developing little personalities (and some gender differences too, I think) Ronan picked up his cupcake and attempted to shove the entire thing into his mouth.  Claire stuck a finger in the frosting and tentatively took a taste. Eventually they both got pretty messy with the frosting.  I was pulling it out of Claire's hair the next day even after a bath!  Get ready for lots of pictures!

Above is Drew Miller with the birthday kids.  We were so happy to have the Millers, Montoyas and Callahans with us on this special day! They were visiting from Las Vegas and Denver.  Below are Luke and Laurel Barry.  This is a little glimpse of what C and R might be like when they are older because Luke and Laurel are twins too!

Little baby crew!  Cousin Grace, Claire, Blake Miller, and Ronan.

Tammy calls this the "Siamese twin swing"...yikes!

Happy 1st Birthday Claire and Ronan!  We love you!

Flashback: June 8, 2009

The week of June 8th 2009 my group of highly trained little doctors were taking turns listening to my belly for the sounds of two little heart beats....the sounds of their new brother and sister who'd be arriving any day.

The morning of June 8th 2009 the real doctors were listening too and checking the position of the babies, getting ready for delivery.  At approx 8:20am they arrived!

Claire first...

...then our little Ronan.

It is hard to remember how I felt that day....relieved that they were here and in good health, worried that Ronan couldn't be with us right away, amazed at how tiny they were (6lbs, and 5lbs11oz), completely unsure about how to proceed with TWO at once. 

Now I just feel that the year has gone by too quickly.  I can hardly remember the double feedings in the middle of the night, the swaddling...

Today we are celebrating the fact that although we were unsure in the beginning, our family has found our groove and loved our two additions with all our hearts. We are so very happy that our teenie tiny newborns have grown in to active, happy, engaging one year olds!!!!