Howl at the Zoo

 This past weekend was Howl at the Zoo.  We spent both Saturday & Sunday there.  Saturday we joined Alana & Bonnie, Izzy's friends from preschool while on Sunday we hung out with Leelah.  Saturday was in the high 60s meaning it was packed.  We were not so lucky on Saturday which meant shortening our trip.  The zoo had so many act ivies including face painting, a hay rack ride, trick-or-treating, funnel cakes, games and treating the animals to their own carved pumpkins.

 Sometimes unstructured fun is the best!

 How do you solve the problem of 3 girls all wanting to ride together but only 2 horses side by side on a carousel?

 This one makes me smile to know that they are all such good friends.

Izzy & Leelah trying to have some fun despite it being cold and a bit rainy.

Victoria & Micah

 It's hard to believe that Victoria & Micah are over 2 months old.  I have to look back at some pictures to realize how much they've grown.  Their personalities are now just coming out.  Victoria is sensitive so I may be asking Diane about Amelia as a baby since they have similarities.  Micah continues to be his own man which I haven't quite figured out.  She loves her chair without swinging while Micah could spend his whole life in his swinging / vibrating chair.

 Bath time continues to be a highlight.  They both no longer cry and seem to know that right after this, I get to eat.  Micah has blessed us with some urine streams that have caught all of us including Izzy if we are not careful.

This is one of my favorites... Victoria's smiles are just so stinking cute!

It's Fall Time

 One of my favorite things about Boston is the New England fall.  The leaves are so striking.  It just takes your breath away when you can stand overlooking never ending fall colors on the trees.  Capturing this via camera is difficult unless you have a panoramic view.  And since I've got 2 new born babies at home, getting out is a bit hard.  However, we live just footstep from JP Pond which was created by Olmsted, the same gentlemen who created Central Park in NYC.  I take the babes for a walk everyday around the pond.  I wanted to share the views I experience on these walks.

 Even the fowl are ever changing.  On this day there were 2 cranes and swans (see below).

Victoria Smiles

 Victoria recently has begun to smile.  She is so cute when she does but yet so hard to catch with a picture.  We also call her 'chunky monkey' since she weighed in at 11 lbs which is the 75th%.  Poor Micah is at the 5th%... even though he's the big brother.

Cousin Emily's Wedding

 A few weeks ago, Izzy & I headed to Savannah to celebrate my cousin Emily's wedding to Jon.  It is always so fun to spend time with extended family and this trip was no exception.  Some pictures I lifted from my sister (thanks!)

 Amelia and Avery were the flower girl and ring bearer.  Aunt Pat made Amelia's stunning dress.

 Avery was quick to notice when someone was going to take a picture.  I just love the smurk.

 Oma & Opa with the grandkids at the reception.  Izzy & Audrey missed nap time so it was a little bit of a struggle.

 Part of the fun was all staying together in the hotel and going out to eat or fun activities such as the pool.  In addition to Oma & Opa, we also shared this time with Cathy & Bill.

 The 1st night here we went out to eat at The Pirate's House.  The kids enjoyed dressing up as pirates and seeing the real pirates who roamed around stopping to chat throughout the evening.



JP Lantern Festival

 Typically the weekend before Halloween, JP has their annual lantern festival.  We live right by JP Pond which is 1.5 miles around.  Many people walk or run this route.  You can boat the lake and we often feed the ducks.  I've been taking the babes for daily walks here.  This past weekend, I didn't realize this was the lantern festival.  I had gotten the babes ready and in their stroller.  Izzy was coming with us since the weather was so nice.  Half way there I realized this weekend (and not next) was the festival.  Izzy knew that many of the kids wear their halloween costumes and so she asked to go back and put it on.  She also wanted her lantern that we made last year.  If you don't have a lantern, there are many you can purchase (above).  Once everyone starts walking around the pond at dusk, it is a beautiful sight.

 Izzy posing with Abe at the begining of our walk.

And here is the cherished princess dress.  Notice that her lantern is also princesses :-)

Pumpkinfest

 This weekend was Pumpkinfest at a local elementary school.  This is their annual fundraiser and they go all out.  Their were activities outside including a dunk tank, a live band, dancing and food.  Inside there were all sorts of games and activities that you could participate in including the classic cake walk and photobooth.  One of Izzy's friends from preschool, Bonnie, joined us for some fun.

 The girls are getting their hair wrapped with colored thread.  Not sure how long this will last in her hair but it withstood the bath last night so here's hoping since she loves it so much.

 The girls got their faces painted.

 Izzy was very adamant about what she wanted.... a blue and pink butterfly.

 This one made me laugh... it is a version of bobbing for apples.  They had donuts hanging that you were suppose to eat without hands.  Izzy understood and explained to me she wasn't holding her donut... just the string.  Clever!

Love the stuffed face full of donuts.

2 Months Old... Already!

 Today Micah & Victoria are 2 months old.  Hard to believe that 8 weeks have gone by.  I should cherish the time left I have of them being such small babies.  Their personalities can definitely be seen.  I call Victoria 'cuddle bug' because she could live her life with her head on your shoulder.  This makes watching TV soothing.  Micah had a rough start to life.  He would scream after both breast milk and formula.  We finally changed formulas (looks like he was allergic) and he is a brand new baby.  He will also cuddle up on your chest but will bury his head.  Since he's such a little guy, it is very cute.

Here are a few pics of live with the twins.  Above was Micah's 1st bath.  Izzy was and continues to be such a helper.  She sprays the water in and gets her own washcloth.  Once one cries, she will cover her ears and say it is too loud.  She is then off to watch TV.

 We were lucky enough that Oma was able to stay and help out for several weeks.  Before the twins, Clay was spoiled by sitting in her lap.  Once the twins were here, he still thought that lap was his no matter what else was there.

 Every day we try to get out and take a walk.  This is typically in the mid afternoon when they are cranky.  When Opa visited, he brought the Husker hats which they were proudly on those walks.  Since its getting cooler outside, the bundle me's are very helpful

 Big sister loves her little brother and sister.  Sometimes she loves them a little too much :-)

 The twins were baptized over the time that Oma & Opa visited.  Even big sister was able to help out.

 The men during feeding time.  I guess the women can go shopping :-)

Here they are in what we call the 'jiggle box'.  Victoria isn't really a fan currently.  However, Micah spends most of his nights sleeping in one.  They look so small in this picture compared to what they look like now.

Columbus Day Fun

 This past weekend was Columbus Day which meant Izzy had a 3 day weekend.  It was almost 80 degrees on Saturday which meant a very lovely day to get out and enjoy the weather.  At Izzy's request we headed to the Aquarium.  On the way there, one of the water features was up and running.  This meant Izzy wanted to play in it.  Unfortunately, I did not bring any extra clothes for her to change into.  However, a GAP was close by so we purchased some summer clearance items and off she went to enjoy her time running in and out of the water.