Crazy Christmas!

Christmas at our house was an interesing affair this year. Christmas Eve morning we let the kids open the presents we got them along with the presents that my parents sent. Ellie sat there ripping into each present and casting it aside once opened to grab another. The twins were a little overwhelmed so Jake and I helped them open the gifts and once everything was laid out on the floor, they got finally got excited.

After present opening, lunch, and naps, we went to church and then to the Wendorff's for our Christmas there. We even had a surprise visit from Santa! Ava and Carter still felt the same way about Santa so there was some crying involved. One of the photos below is all of us with Santa and you will see Carter in back with Jake as far from Santa as possible. Ava is in the front of all of us, looking at Santa and crying. We had a great Christmas weekend and I will post more photos as I get them. My camera did not make it out as much as I would have liked so as soon as I get ahold of the photos from Rich and Holly's cameras, I will put up more photos. Here is what I have so far:

The aftermath

The Wendorff Clan with Santa

Morning with Santa

Here's what we think of Santa! My Mothers of Multiples groups hosts a Morning with Santa every December and the twins were able to see Santa. Obviously they are not fans! I believe they won the award for loudest screamers.

I am actually on the board for the multiples group as the Special Events Coordinator so I was in charge of putting this whole event together. I'm pleased to say that it went fabulously even with the twins there to have to watch while orchestrating everything. We had about 50 families show up, which is a great turnout. After successful Halloween and Santa parties, I think I will run for the board again next year. Shhh, just don't tell Jake yet as he can't stand the monthly board and monthly general meetings I have to go to!

O Christmas Tree!

In lieu of this snow day we just had thanks to a large dumping of snow, I thought it appropriate to post pictures of our Christmas tree. This beauty is courtesy of Menards and was an impulse buy when my parents were in town. I feel that a real tree is the only way to go at Christmas and while I don't think Jake really cares either way, he thinks fake are more convenient. My mom and I had run to Menards to get some things for our projects and saw the trees out front. The prices were great and they had a firs, which are a must with little kids as they don't hurt, so I told my mom we had to get one. She knew Jake would have a fit but being the great trooper that she is, still helped me pick one out and bring it home! It was interesting to buy as all the trees were wrapped up so you couldn't see how they looked! Luckily I am a great guesser and picked out this one, which is perfect. The best part is Jake didn't even care! I think I'll sway him in favor of real trees one of these years!

Decorating the tree was an interesting process. Ellie wanted to help and so did Ava. Ava tried so hard to put the ornaments on the branches just right. Carter had more fun banging the ornaments together and succeeded in breaking at least one. I had to wait until nap time one day to fix the tree so the ornaments weren't all in one place and all my favorites were out of Carter's reach. They have all left it alone for the most part since as I think they enjoy looking at it too.

Busy Bees!

I realized today that I have neglected the blog for several weeks now. Oops! In my defense, we had been super busy getting things ready for Thanksgiving and our visitors. Grammy, Grampy, and Alex all flew back to MN to celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of the Ramaker's and to see our new house and play with us. Before they came, I painted the half bath on the main level and Ellie's room, two big projects for me on my own. We had a fabulous time while they were here. Of course my camera battery was dead and I forgot to charge it the entire visit so we don't have any photos, but many fond memories instead! I also put them to work during the visit helping me with some projects around the house. Thanks to my wonderful dad who can't just do the work, but has to teach as well, I now know how to use the cordless drill, look for studs, install anchors, and such! Everything they did to help out (installing towel rings and toilet paper holders in all 3 baths, hanging the stair rail, fixing E's dresser, helping hang some wall decor) has really made this place come together and actually feel finished.

I have included some photos of the two freshly painted and finished rooms for all to see. The bathroom is completely finished. Ellie's room just needs a few finishing touches. The frames above her bed are empty as Grammy is painting her two pictures for them and I'd like to get her new bedding but haven't found anything I like yet.

Saturday morning couch chilling
Poor Ellie was sick this weekend and feel asleep at 11 am Saturday morning and still took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon! Just a fever and sick eyes, but the poor thing was wiped out!

The half bath. A little mintier than the sage green I intended but looks good with the cubes and art on the walls. Please note the towel ring and toilet paper holder that I installed with my Dad's help!

Ellie's pink room, now dubbed the "Diva Room".

Like the Audrey picture? I found it at Home Goods and wanted to buy it for myself but knew Jake would not want it anywhere. Ingenious/devious Ellie offered her room for the picture. I have a feeling it will be a fight for this picture in the future when I actually have somewhere else I'd like to put it!

Stay tuned! I intend to make a few more posts this week to catch up!

Fall Picture Time!

We had our family photos taken the end of October. I like to get pictures taken of the kids at each birthdays and was able to convince Jake to come along this time so we could have some family photos as well. 1 hour and 137 photos later, here are some for your enjoyment!

New House!!!!!

We finally closed and moved into our new house this past weekend! We are beyond excited! It may only be a 3 bed/3 bath townhome, but it is ours! After starting the search for a house in June, seeing about 50 different houses, getting outbid on two homes, making an offer on a third and waiting 8 weeks to hear that said house wasn't FHA approved, starting the search again, and finally making an offer that was accepted and could close in 30 days, we actually did it! Talk about a long process but it is over and better yet, we will still get the $8000 tax credit which is what motivated us to buy in the first place.

We are still in the process of getting settled in. Most everything is unpacked and put away. I do still need to hang things on the walls but will wait with most rooms until I get them repainted to colors I like. Not having any wall decor will motivate me to get going on the painting! I will post photos as I go.

First Tooth Fairy Visit!

In the hoopla of birthdays and moving, I neglected to mention that Ellie finally lost her first tooth! This tooth had been somewhat wiggly since about June and it was about time it came out! Ellie even yanked it out on her own. Thus begins the age where I have a hard time looking at kids. I can't stand when kids are missing teeth, have permanent ones growing in and just look funny! Granted, I definitely needed my braces, but still! We are now into the pre-tween stage though.

Birthday Party

Here are some photos of the twins' (and Jake's) birthday party. We had manicotti, salad, garlic bread, and two cakes! One cake was Elmo for Ava & Carter and the other was a basketball for Jake. I decided to make Jake his own cake as his birthday tends to get overlooked since he shares it with the twins. He was very excited to have his own cake!

Carter was so happy to get Elmo!

Ava checking her Elmo out
They wanted to share a chair to eat

What did you get? I want it too!!

(She did get her own, she just hadn't opened it yet)

My masterpiece: The Elmo Cake!

Blowing out their candles

2 Years Old!

Can you believe that the twins are already two years old? Where have the last couple years gone? Here's a couple photos of them two years ago and some that I took on their actual birthday. We also already got the 2 year check-up taken care of and the stats are below.

Ava (L) 4# 13 oz, 17 3/4 inches

Carter (R) 6# 14 oz, 19 inches

Who'd have thought two pounds would make such a difference?

Two Years Old
Ava: 29 lbs (80%ile!), 34 1/2 inches (70%ile)

Carter: 36 lbs (off the chart), 36 inches (90%ile)

As you can see, our little duo is doing just fine and have come a long way from the small little things they were when born! They are on track developmentally and we look forward to the next year of growth and changes they will have.

Children's Museum

Today Ava, Carter, and I joined a friend of mine with twins at the Childen's Museum. The kids had a blast exploring all the areas and playing, playing, playing! Carter fell asleep before we were even out of the parking ramp. The World Works gallery was probably the favorite due to the large area meant for water play, including bubbles! The Our World gallery was another favorite with its grocery store, post office, doctor office, house, and dance studio. Ava had a blast loading up her grocery cart with food and pushing it through the entire area. Carter was at the end of his rope so he didn't enjoy it as much. Next time we go, we'll start there so Carter can get his groove on.

Grocery Cashier Ava

The Leaf Blowing Machine

Raking Leaves

Bubbles!

Racing wooden boats

Climbing in the Habitot area

Ava showing a baby how the flower spins

Carter found a slide

We've got a blog!

After two years of contemplating starting a blog, I decided to finally go ahead with it. When you take funny photos and create blog entries in your head, it is best to actually have a blog to post those entries to! So here we are! Enjoy following us through our days and watching us as we grow!