Grandmommy's Visit (part one)

Mark's Mom was able to come help us out for ten whole days! Ah, I can't even tell you how awesome that was. She is, of course, so good with the babies and they love Grandmommy. I was in mommy bliss having help 24/7, being able to run errands or workout when I needed to, take naps (yes, naps!),  get projects done, and always have yummy meals cooked. So blessed to have such a wonderful mother-in-law!

Feeding the babies a smoothie made of coconut milk and fruit! They had just started solids.

Left: Avery showing Grandmommy how she can pull up on her toy box! Right: First time to pull up in her crib! But she got stuck and started crying, sweet girl. Oh, and thank you to Aunt Leah for sending some super cute outfits for the twins! Avery is wearing one of them in those pictures.

RAIN!! The monsoon season has officially begun! From what I hear, it normally comes in June, but with the awful drought everyone is experiencing it didn't start til mid-July. I was beginning to think monsoon season was a joke! But it rained several times during Moms stay and we loved it! Oh, and take a look at our back yard in that picture - full of weeds and peppermint plants someone had put in. Definitely not a fun back yard for the kids, but that was soon to change :)

"Hey brother, what's rain??"

Left: Aksil woke up a little early so he had some Bible time with Grandmommy. Right: Holding both babies!! Aksil weighs 21 pounds and Avery weighs 16.2 lbs!

After lunch time, Aksil decided he was still hungry!

Left: "Sis, can I just bite you toes and see what they taste like?" Right: From the look on Avery's face, she was not impressed with brother eating her toes! haha

"Mom, look at all the cool stuff Grandmommy has in her bag!"

Left: Aksil isn't so sure about that eggs Daddy just let him try! Right: Mom making awesome progress on clearing out the back yard! The babies loved watching.

Avery having a great time feeling the dirt and dead leaves. See her little shoe that's half on? haha

When she feels dirt she tries to crawl on her tip toes so her knees won't get dirty!!

Aksil can't crawl as well or as fast as Avery yet, but he managed to find a nice pile of dirt to play in!

"Hey sis, can I just lick your head?"

"Mom! Brother just licked my head!"

Wearing the shoes Grandmommy got them!

Aksil isn't quite sure why Avery wears stuff on her head....

Left: Such happy faces! Right: Mom and I finished pulling the tons of weeds out of the back yard so it was ready for a pool! By this time of year all the hard plastic pools are gone, so I got a blow up one. Aksil is fascinated by it!

The way he has his bottom lip here is classic Aksil - I love it! 

Left: Measuring the distance between the swings. Right: While I hung the swings, Mom took the kids on a walk! Look at those rain clouds!

I love how Avery is looking up at Grandmommy in this picture - so precious!

As I was working on the swings, I look up to see them in the soccer field behind our house! Hi babies!

Trying out their new swings! I found these on craigslist - $10 for the blue one, $12 for the pink and they are normally $25 a piece! Just some S hooks, eye hooks, and some chain from Home Depot and we were set!

They loved their new swings!

It's so nice to have a cleaned out back yard where the kids can play! Yay for getting projects done! Oh, and Aksil is pretty impressed with the ropes on the swings, haha.

"Ah Grandmommy! Don't tickle our feet!"

Part two of Grandmommy's trip is coming soon!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Mark's 28th birthday was last Saturday, but since he worked that night we decided to celebrate it Sunday! With his crazy schedule lately we really love when we get some good quality family time. Mark came home Sunday morning and slept til 3pm, which was perfect because it gave the twins and me time to get in the party mode. And no, I decided not to attempt church by myself this Sunday. Maybe next week....I need to think through my game plan if I do!

Breakfast! Mmmmm....smooshed banana.

ooooooo....Baby Einstein! Yes, my kids watch TV. And yes, I would much rather my kids didn't watch TV, but when it's just me and them and I'm having a super rough day or trying to keep one happy while I put the other down, etc, then yes, I pop in Baby Einstein. 

If you look close you can see where the dust has been wiped away by Avery girl pulling up with her sweet little hands! I think it's adorable although I do need to dust!

While mommy cleans the house our $5 Wal-Mart mirror is a huge hit yet again!

Aksil woke up a little early from his nap so he helped me make Daddy's birthday dessert - banana pudding!

The house was clean, dessert was made, and Avery woke up so it was time to decorate!

"I'm making you a birthday banner Dad!"

I couldn't resist! The markers were right there!

Completely oblivious to the fun Mommy was having! Watching them crawl around like this definitely gave me a good laugh.

First time around balloons! And yes, I was watching them very closely. No biting balloons allowed.

Right: Ribbons on the fan were a big hit!

We did a camo/pararescue theme! Thanks to $1 decorations from Wal-Mart and toy army men the kids got awhile back from Grandmommy.

My oh-so-fancy center piece! ("That Others May Live" is part of the Pararescue Creed) Yay for having kids to make things like this such fun!

Left: We hung PJs from the streamers! Right: "Mommy, can I go outside?!"

Daddy's awake so it's time to party! Aksil is trying to get his abs tan.

Nap time with Daddy is waaaaay better! We get to sleep in our swings!

Mark wanted steaks for his birthday so we made a quick trip to Costco. It's the twins first time to sit in the cart like big kids! I still keep them in their carseats when I go out and just put groceries on the bottom and underneath their seats. It's easy, fast, sometimes they sleep, and most carts don't have two spots up front. But these kiddos are growing so I won't be able to get away with that much longer!

They loved it!!!

Waiting for the grill to heat up so we could cook our steaks and shrimp!

It's the tickle monster!! "No Daddy, no!"

This little girl loves her Daddy!!

Left: Daddy's little Princess Right: "So Dad, how do you grow hair on your legs??"

Grilling time!

Mark grilled the steaks *perfect*.....they were so good! I cooked mashed potatoes, broccoli, beans, and sauteed onions and mushroom. Yummy!

It's time to party! The babies thought Daddy's birthday was great fun and decided to wear these hats so they could practice up for their one year old birthday party in January.

The twins thought the little blow out party favors were hilarious!!

 

So cute to see them squint their eyes, then open wide and start laughing!

"Do it again, Mom! Do it again!"

The twins helped Daddy open his package....the tissue paper was a big hit. Mark got a $250 gift certificate (from several family members who pitched in) for CrossFit gear! He ordered some bumper plates and they are arriving in a few days!

Then before the kids got too cranky and had to go to bed, we lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday!

I think they are pretty excited about candles!! 

"We love you, Daddy!"

Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband and father. Mark, we love you more than we could ever express! The way these two little guys light up whenever you are around just says it all. You love us, make us smile, sacrifice for us, support us, lead us, encourage us.....and wow, I'm so blessed to be married to such an awesome guy. I love you always. Happy birthday from your wife and twins!