our weekend

I had been looking forward to my cousin Nicole's wedding all summer.  We never see the Caryl family enough.  Unfortunately Marshall was gone (surprise) so it was just us three.  Even though I miss Marshall I thought that it would be no big deal to travel over night without him.  Wrong.  I was late getting out of town.  And after arriving at the hotel I realized that it was not handicap/wheelchair friendly (accessible, yes.  friendly, no.)  Which means it is really hard to get through the door with two carseats and luggage.  What a cluster.  The hotel clerk sat there and watched me struggle with the doors.  Needless to say the babies are no help at all.  Then I lost the luggage cart and had to chase after it.  Thank goodness for that family of ours that we never see often enough.  Uncle Dick came along right in time.  All I needed was someone to open the doors.  He did.  Then he pushed the luggage to our hotel room and Aunt Patti stayed with the kids so I could go and park the car.  (big sigh)  I was completely unprepared for the move from car to room.  But it doesn't stop there.  Esther heard of our comedy show and sent Hannah over to help.  She fed the babies and even changed a poopy diaper.  Thank you! ... in case your wondering... we were late for the family pictures.  But arrived well before the ceremony began.         

This is us later in the evening.  Our little family picture.  The three of us.  Missing Marshall.  And of course it wouldn't be realistic if both babies were happily looking at the camera.  

Hannah and Vivian.  Two beautiful cousins.  I forgot the babies jackets so Hannah is keeping Vivi warm.  

Grandma Debie makes Rolli laugh so much!  He just loves her!

Grandpa Rollin and Rolli.  I'm glad that those two were able to hang out for a bit.

Sunday morning.  Hannah and Rachel.  Love having these girls around.  

The wedding was wonderful.  We have a loving, beautiful family.

on the move!

Just a couple of weeks ago Vivian was not interested in moving around at all.  She loved to just lay around having sophisticated conversations with her toys.  In fact I put her favorite (Moose) out of reach to try and encourage her to roll over.  Instead she pulled the mat, with Moose on it, until Moose got to her.  Nope.  She wasn't even going to attempt to roll over.  Then.  Vivian rolled over like it was nothing! And she has been on the move ever since.  

I'm not sure how she wiggled her way over here.  And then somehow managed to pull the towel off of the crib too.   She looks pleased with her location.

Yeah.  Just hanging out over here.  

Rolli for once is not moving.  In fact Rolli doesn't make it off of the rug very often.

I'm starting to think that she likes the feel of the hardwood floors.

"Hi Mom!"

I love this puhkin face!

It's entertaining to watch her roll, wiggle, and scoot around.  Until she finds a nice resting spot.  She ended up in the closet yesterday.  Checking things out.  

baby clothes

Ever since I was given a sewing machine last year I've been busy making super cute baby clothes (and curtains, wash clothes, birdie mobile, ect.)  Then when I got the serger I really went to work.  Here are a few of my favorite products.

This is Vivi's 'care bear' dress.  Cute isn't it?!  I found the free pattern online (love free).  I cut up two of my maternity shirts and sewed this up!  Thrifty too :)

Same pattern as the first dress.  If I guessed the size right this will be Vivian's birthday dress.  Sweet, just like our  Cutie-pie.

A little something for Rolli too.  I used one of Marshall's old shirts for this.  Handsome!

I made these for a friend.  Thinking I'm going to have to make Rolli some Neck-tie T-shirts.

And something knitted too.  I hope this fits Vivi this winter.  I'm going to be making a sweater for Rolli soon too.  Baby clothes are just so fun and easy to make!

baby jogger love

I love the baby jogger!  Bella likes it okay.  It's just about the only way she gets out of the house.  I use it to go everywhere.  The babies and I run almost all of our errands using the baby jogger.  It handles the grocery store aisle better than a shopping cart.  I even 'jogged' a bit with it today :)  And it's perfect for settling down fussy babies.  Miles likes to ride in it too.  I know it's a only a 'double' jogger but it seems to carry three rather comfortably.  Lindsey took the babies and Miles for a walk in the jogger last week.  

peace and quiet (and a some fresh air too)

sweet

oh those eyes

cute

play time

Just hangin' out, playin' on the floor together.  They get so excited for play time!  

This makes me smile.

Growing!!!

Rolli  weighs 13lbs 5oz (with a dry diaper on) and is 24 1/8" tall.  

Vivian weighs 13lbs 2oz (with a dry diaper on) and is 23 2/8" tall.

Growing babies need lots of sleep!  Rolli rarely sleeps on his back anymore.  Now that he is rolling over he just gets comfortable.  And he plays, plays, plays, until he just cannot keep his eyes open.  Falling asleep right in the middle of the toys.

Vivian loves to explore... as long as she doesn't have to go anywhere.  Vivi will put anything and everything (within reach) into her mouth.  She is going to be a sunbathing bookworm.  No hurry.  Enjoys just lying around and talking to her toys.  I'm sure we will have plenty of detailed tea parties with the stuffed animals before long!

Happy Birthday!

Nine more years and Marshall will be in his prime!  In the mean time the babies look forward to celebrating with a nap.  And later this evening just me and Marshall are going to dinner!

Zucchini!

Wondering what I did with all that zucchini?  I gave some away.  Some was dried (is still drying).  I found a recipe for zucchini chocolate chip cookies (but they were kinda cakie, not my favorite).  Then I made Marshall's favorite zucchini bread.  

a little of this and a little of that adds flavor and texture

after 70 minutes in the oven and the house smells yummy

cooled, sliced, and ready to enjoy

I adapted a recipe from the Bread Bible.  It's so dense, moist, and filling.  Marshall likes a warm slice topped with home-made jam.  Sound good?  Here is the recipe.    

Zucchini Bread

1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 cup applesauce

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup blueberries

3/4 cup coconut flakes

Preheat the oven to 350*.  In a medium bowl beat the butter, applesauce, and sugars together.  Add the eggs and vanilla beat again until well combined.  Fold in the grated zucchini and coconut and stir well.  In a large bowl combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Add the zucchini-egg mixture and stir to combine.  Add the blueberries and stir.  Spoon the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan (sometimes I make a loaf and a couple muffins or a mini loaf too.  This recipe makes one really big loaf and it takes a very long time to bake.  I get better results by splitting the batter up a bit).  Bake in the center of the over for about 65 minutes or until the tops are firm and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.  Let the bread cool completely.  Enjoy!

it's HOT!

It's August and it's hot!  My Mom gave the twins a kiddie pool to cool off in.  Thanks.

Bella tested the water to make sure it was okay for the babies.

Then Rolli got in.  

Vivian's turn.

I even cooled off a bit.

sharing

how sweet!  They are sharing!?  At least I think that's what they are doing.  Intentional or not.  

I don't know why they wouldn't share.  They love each other!  And they love those toys!

Zucchini

Zucchini!  The one thing that seems to thrive all on it's own in our garden.  

hmm.  What should I do with all of it?     

I have a few ideas...

around the world!

All from the comfort of home!

Our friends gave us this 'around the world' discovery center just before the babies were born.  Since then I've been excited for the babies to use it.  And now that they are 4.5 months and about 12 pounds I asked Marshall to bring it out.

I know.  It says "4m-25lbs".  The twins are half that weight.  But, like I said I was excited. 

 So, Marshall put the activity center together (thanks!) and I put Rolli in it.  Here is the result...

He is too short :(  And it's already on the lowest setting.  Bummer!

But that didn't stop us!

one couch pillow = problem solved  

Wow!  This thing is cool!

And in case you are thinking we need two... Your wrong.  Vivian is just happy watching Rolli.  

(for now at least)

cutie-pah-tootie!

Vivian is so adorable.  I didn't think she could be any cuter.  Then I put a sun hat on her... and, well, she is just lovely.  Of course I had to take a few pictures.  Here they are.

In this last picture Vivian is watching Rolli.  Again, just too cute!