Russell Farms

Sometimes I really miss Texas, but this time of year is awesome in Indiana! On Saturday, we visited Russell Farms , which is just down the road from us.



We checked out the animals (scary pigs)........
We went on a hayride (pointing at the tractor the whole time)...... Looked for the perfect pumpkin........
And burned off a lot of energy!
There were tractors everywhere. Gavin's dream!
We decided to wait until next time to buy a pumpkin, but we had a lot of fun looking.
They also have several corn mazes that we passed up. I have a fear that Emery will take off through the corn and we'll have to call in a helicopter to find her.......or she'll go to live with the Children of the Corn. :-) Maybe next time.

We had a fun day. More fall pictures coming soon!

A picture we'll save forever

We finally had 1 year pictures taken. I'll upload more later, but I felt like this one deserved it's own post.......

I feel so bad for Emery, but I can't stop laughing when I see this picture. Great documentation of the hairpulling battle that we fight everyday!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 3 year wedding anniversary. I have a fever of 101 and two sick kids to take care of. Pete has also been sick this week. I guess this is what that "in sickness and in health" line is all about.

I'd like to say that we'll be going for a romantic dinner, but I think it's chicken noodle soup and television (at least there are good shows on this week). Luckily, my mom will be visiting again soon, so maybe we'll get to go out for dinner while she's here.

So, 3 years and 2 kids under 2. Pretty efficient I would say. You may not recognize us in the following pictures, but I promise it's us. This is what we looked like before we had twins. :-)

Telluride, Colorado

Ouray, Colorado

Just after we were engaged, at our favorite Texas trail (Bar H).

Mountain bike race in Smithville, Texas

Happy Anniversary Pete!

Monster Trucks and Other Stuff

Seems that everything we do lately involves some type of transportation (airplanes, tractors, etc...), so of course we had to visit the 4Wheel Jamboree at the Indiana State Fairgrounds! This is basically a huge gathering of a bunch of giant 4 wheel drive trucks. Unfortunately, this was not an easy place to take small kids or strollers. We basically had to push the stroller along the side of the street with exhaust blowing in our faces, next to trucks that could have crushed us at anytime. Pete said that I was being a little dramatic, but it did make me VERY nervous. All Emery and Gavin want to do right now is run around and NOT be in their stroller, but this definitely wasn't the place for that. Gavin loved looking at all of the trucks, but wasn't a big fan of the loud noises. Emery just wasn't a happy camper for most of the trip. We still had fun and Gavin and Pete will probably go back next year. Emery and I will be down the road at the zoo. :-)

"Do you think I'll fit in at the 4 Wheel Jamboree??"

Pete and Gavin checking out the big truck. Emery wondering when this would be over.

Happy to get to run around for a few minutes while we watched the rock crawl.

Tired of being happy. Sooooo mistreated.

Having a little fun again!

Pete was so proud!

While we were taking the two pictures above, a lady asked if I'd like her to take a picture of all of us. Of all the places we've been with the babies, this is the first time a stranger has offered to take a family picture of us.......and wouldn't you know it, it was in front of a Monster Truck! Anyway, I declined the picture and thanked her.

The babies fell asleep quickly in the car after the truck show. Since we were already in the area, we decided to stop by the Children's Museum after their nap. They were super fussy, until.........the water table. This was the first time they've been big enough to play at the water table and it was a HUGE hit. We tried to keep the splashing to a minimum, but we weren't always successful. I think the other parents were glad when we finally left. :-)

Playing nicely, before the splashfest began.

Crazy splasher!

Gavin loved it.....and only tried to stick his face underwater once.

After playing in the water, we checked out the comic book section and the science area.

Checking out his favorite superheroes

We were all wiped out by the end of the day. We had a busy, fun, weekend!

Airplanes and Tractors

Our day started with a local airport tour arranged by our twin's club. The babies are still a little young to fully appreciate it, but they still had fun. Lots and lots of room to run! They got to see a couple of planes take off right in front of them. When they are a little older, they'll be able to check out an airplane and snowplow from the inside. I forgot my camera and had to use my cell phone, so the quality on the pictures isn't great.

Looking out from the hangar

Inside the hangar

The tarmac

Airport Snowplow

This is a military helicopter that did two tours in Vietnam. It is being completely restored.

After their afternoon nap, we checked out a tractor exhibit at Conner Prairie (We've gotten our money's worth on the season pass at this place!). Gavin is really into cars and tractors, so we thought he would enjoy seeing BIG tractors.

Emery is now extremely social and loves to dance. She often hears music before we do and will stop in her tracks and start dancing. As if we don't get enough attention with twins, now we have a little ham! She heard music and was dancing, so we thought we take her to the tent where the band was playing. She liked it even more than I expected.

A couple of dancing videos.....In the first one, I think she was a little shy because people were looking at her. Gavin was getting his groove on though!

I think it was a successful day. Gavin walked around so much, that he finally tried to crawl back into the stroller. We've NEVER had that happen before! They were both exhausted! With the beginning of fall, there are a MILLION things going on around here, so we've got a lot of fun stuff planned in the near future!

Good Day

Today was a good day. The babies slept in until 7:50am. This could have been because Emery was up screaming at 11:30 last night, but I'll take what I can get. We visited Conner Prairie this morning, checked out the animals, and played in the playroom. Gavin is really doing well walking. Emery is starting to RUN. Today was my first experience with the "grab and chase". The play area is not closed in and Emery kept making a break for it into the main hallway.......and she's actually pretty quick! Thus, the "grab" (Gavin) and "chase" (Emery). The tricky part is trying not to step on all of the other kids as I run across the room with Gavin. On my last chase down, I grabbed her as she was headed to the women's restroom. If she throws a fit, then I have to switch kids........put Gavin down, pick up Emery, and hold Gavin's hand while we walk. This happens a lot (even before the grab and chase), so I'm getting good at making the switch, but it's always interesting. After Conner Prairie, we picked up Pete, who was working from home, and went to lunch at Chili's. We got to finish our meal with no meltdowns.....successful meal! After Pete wrapped things up at work, we played in the backyard for a while. Emery and Gavin played on their new slide, got to pet the neighbor's dogs, and ran around until they were worn out. We ate dinner on the porch and now everyone is sleeping nicely! The babies were both in good moods today, so I think that is what made it so much fun. Here are a few pictures......

Pete mowed the yard tonight. We thought it was time since the grass covered their ankles!
Gavin says "howdy neighbors"!
Eating goldfish crackers, thinking about sliding.

Flying Dog

I think this might be "one step back" on my babyproofing efforts.

I have to give Desi props on her jumping abilities. After all, she is a 9 year old dog with 2 inch legs.

When It's Too Quiet.....

When it's too quiet in the playroom, check the toy box.......

Freedom

We've been working on babyproofing the entire downstairs, so that Gavin and Emery can roam the house like other 13 month olds. Unfortunately, it's been difficult (and unsafe) for me to let both of them run around outside of the gated playroom because I can't save both of them from disaster at once. Now that Gavin is starting to walk, Emery is running in circles, and they are understanding much more of what I say, I'm able to keep better control of the situation. This is opposite of what everyone says ("Just wait until they're walking.....it's so much harder."), but it has really opened some new doors for us. I also think that the eyes in the back of my head are more developed. :-) So.......I've been babyproofing, testing (letting them roam), making adjustments, testing some more, etc......

How do you think we're doing? It's hard to see from the small picture, but Emery has the cordless phone in her hand, Gavin is sitting on the window sill holding the remote control, and it appears that Pete has given up and gone to sleep (not really).

Talking to Grandma on the phone. She's learned to put the phone to her ear......even when it's on speaker phone.

Hanging up with Grandma, ready to kick back and relax some more.

Just a bonus picture that I thought was cuteWe've also been able to play in the backyard more easily during the day and we've been trying out new park playgrounds lately. They are a big hit, other than the occasional meltdown because I won't let them climb up to the big slides like the other kids. Oh.....and a few mouthfuls of mulch.

Things are a little different with twins, but we are closer to being able to do "normal things"!