Twin Tales +1: The life and times of Ella and Aidan, and their baby sister, Lauren
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
Happy Halloween from the twins, "Luke and Leia", and our girly little ewok, Lauren!
Monday, October 29, 2012
First Camping Experience!
We were sad to leave Lauren behind, but knew that a camping trip in the cold mountains is no place for a little 15 month old. So, little Lauren spent the weekend being loved and doted on by Grandmommy and Grandaddy! She had a wonderful time, as you can see....
Ha!
Seriously, we received a text with a fabulous picture of her happy and smiling, but it was too grainy and blurry to use. Honestly - she had a great time, ate and slept like a champ, and hardly missed the rest of us at all!
After a teary separation by all of us, we headed to the twins' school with Chick-Fil-A in hand and enjoyed a special lunch....
....before checking them out and heading to Hot Springs, NC to join forces with our experienced camping guru besties, the Hollmeyers.
It was still around 75 degrees up at the campsite, so Ella and Aidan opted to remain in their uniforms until bedtime. After everything was set up, it was time to relax.....
....take a nice walk around the gorgeous campsite....
..... and cap off the night with a fabulous dinner of steaks and twice baked potatoes, and smores by the campfire for dessert....
....and a late night ride in the back of Mike's truck....
I cannot say enough about how gorgeous this spot was....from the amazing color still on the trees to the rushing water from the river.....it was perfection in every form.
While Rich and Teresa spent the night in their tent, we had the four kids in their pop-up camper. Unbelievably, everyone slept until after 8 AM the next morning!
The weather was beginning to get a bit chillier, and rain was predicted, so we took a little time for an impromptu photo-op amongst the leaves....
.....and play a little soccer....
We took a nice long walk into town, followed by lunch, more hiking and bike rides, and finally the much anticipated trip to the hot springs for a long soak in a private hot tub overlooking the river....
After another amazing dinner of chili and broccoli cornbread for the adults and burgers for the kiddos (well, fruit and crackers for Aidan, our vegetarian)....
.....it was off to walk though the haunted trail. Yep, this was a parenting mistake.
We made it all of 20 feet inside the walk before all four kids were done and scared beyond belief. Though, they have all joked and talked about it ever since.
We did; however, invent some spooky last minute costumes to trick or treat in for our neighboring campers....
Sunday was cold and drizzly as we packed up the campsite....
.....but the kids all enjoyed a few more bike rides before packing up the bikes....
...and we all headed home. Ella and Aidan were passed out within minutes....
I have to say that my first experience with camping was simply fabulous! I loved it, Mike loved it (though he is an experienced camper having hiked the entire Appalachian Trail), the kids loved it, and
we cannot wait to do it again!
Times like these with treasured friends are priceless memories.
Ha!
Seriously, we received a text with a fabulous picture of her happy and smiling, but it was too grainy and blurry to use. Honestly - she had a great time, ate and slept like a champ, and hardly missed the rest of us at all!
After a teary separation by all of us, we headed to the twins' school with Chick-Fil-A in hand and enjoyed a special lunch....
....before checking them out and heading to Hot Springs, NC to join forces with our experienced camping guru besties, the Hollmeyers.
It was still around 75 degrees up at the campsite, so Ella and Aidan opted to remain in their uniforms until bedtime. After everything was set up, it was time to relax.....
....take a nice walk around the gorgeous campsite....
..... and cap off the night with a fabulous dinner of steaks and twice baked potatoes, and smores by the campfire for dessert....
....and a late night ride in the back of Mike's truck....
I cannot say enough about how gorgeous this spot was....from the amazing color still on the trees to the rushing water from the river.....it was perfection in every form.
While Rich and Teresa spent the night in their tent, we had the four kids in their pop-up camper. Unbelievably, everyone slept until after 8 AM the next morning!
The weather was beginning to get a bit chillier, and rain was predicted, so we took a little time for an impromptu photo-op amongst the leaves....
.....and play a little soccer....
We took a nice long walk into town, followed by lunch, more hiking and bike rides, and finally the much anticipated trip to the hot springs for a long soak in a private hot tub overlooking the river....
After another amazing dinner of chili and broccoli cornbread for the adults and burgers for the kiddos (well, fruit and crackers for Aidan, our vegetarian)....
.....it was off to walk though the haunted trail. Yep, this was a parenting mistake.
We made it all of 20 feet inside the walk before all four kids were done and scared beyond belief. Though, they have all joked and talked about it ever since.
We did; however, invent some spooky last minute costumes to trick or treat in for our neighboring campers....
Sunday was cold and drizzly as we packed up the campsite....
.....but the kids all enjoyed a few more bike rides before packing up the bikes....
...and we all headed home. Ella and Aidan were passed out within minutes....
I have to say that my first experience with camping was simply fabulous! I loved it, Mike loved it (though he is an experienced camper having hiked the entire Appalachian Trail), the kids loved it, and
we cannot wait to do it again!
Times like these with treasured friends are priceless memories.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Fun Run 2012
Today was the first annual Fun Run fundraiser for the twins' school and they had a complete blast!
It was a beautiful, yet not at all fall-like, day of 80 degrees and as the German, French, Chinese and Japanese kindergarten classes all took to the tracks....
....the fun had only just begun! With themed laps such as "chicken dance lap" and "superhero lap" Ella and Aidan just kept going and going....
....and ended the fundraiser completing their goal of a total of 36 laps each! They worked so hard, were completely exhausted, and I am extremely proud of them - such determination!
It was a beautiful, yet not at all fall-like, day of 80 degrees and as the German, French, Chinese and Japanese kindergarten classes all took to the tracks....
....the fun had only just begun! With themed laps such as "chicken dance lap" and "superhero lap" Ella and Aidan just kept going and going....
....and ended the fundraiser completing their goal of a total of 36 laps each! They worked so hard, were completely exhausted, and I am extremely proud of them - such determination!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Pumpkin Patch - Visit #2
With such amazing weather these days, I am busy beyond belief with my business - typically with a minimum of at least 3 sessions each weekend day, and at least 4-5 sessions during the week.
I am beyond exhausted, but still determined to squeeze in bits and pieces of family fun whenever possible.
Yesteday I had two sessions in the morning and two sessions in the evening, but was free around lunchtime. So, we packed up and headed to another pumpkin patch for some seasonal fun!
The kids loved playing in the pumpkin patch....
....met a few animals and rode a giant tricycle....
....explored the giant 2-mile long corn maze....
....and wrapped up our visit with a wagon ride around the farm....
I absolutely love this time of year!
I am beyond exhausted, but still determined to squeeze in bits and pieces of family fun whenever possible.
Yesteday I had two sessions in the morning and two sessions in the evening, but was free around lunchtime. So, we packed up and headed to another pumpkin patch for some seasonal fun!
The kids loved playing in the pumpkin patch....
....met a few animals and rode a giant tricycle....
....explored the giant 2-mile long corn maze....
....and wrapped up our visit with a wagon ride around the farm....
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Holiday Cards
Yes, I am starting on this crazy early this year, but we just had our family photos taken this past week, so I am already deaming up thoughts and images of what I have in mind for the perfect Christmas Cards!
Just like last year, I plan to get our cards from Tiny Prints.
When Ella and Aidan were born back in 2007, I discovered Tiny Prints when searching for the perfect Birth Announcements. The price was right and the options seemed neverending - they even had a selection of ones specially designed for twins!
Since then, I have been back time and time again for all sorts of cards - and, of course, I am back again this year (I am not going to tell you which one - you will have to see that when it arrives in your mailbox!)!
I am not kidding when I say that the options are neverending - just take a moment and spend some time browsing through all of the different styles and colors. From round to square, from one photo to 3+ photos, Tiny Prints has it all. And to top it all off, most designs feature the added benefit of coordinating address labels!
If you happen to be looking for a little something extra, Tiny Prints also offers a wide assortment of photo gifts. My personal favorite is the photo book, but after perusing the other options, I am more than excited to create a few more items to stuff under the tree this year!
So, this year, do a little something fun and make your holiday card something perfect with the designs from Tiny Prints - I cannot wait to get started on my own cards! To check out the selection and to view current special offers, simply click here.
* This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Disney on Ice
We enjoyed another date night with the twins this evening at Disney on Ice.
They had a fabulous time, though I cannot help but think that they seem a little too mature for the Disney stuff these days. Honestly, they were a little bored at times as opposed to being mesmerized or captivated by the whole thing.
We let them choose our dinner location before the show, and they opted for their all-time favorite restaurant, PF Changs (they both LOVE their low mein noodles!).
After dinner, it was off to the arena for the show....
I think that the cotton candy was their favorite part!
They had a fabulous time, though I cannot help but think that they seem a little too mature for the Disney stuff these days. Honestly, they were a little bored at times as opposed to being mesmerized or captivated by the whole thing.
We let them choose our dinner location before the show, and they opted for their all-time favorite restaurant, PF Changs (they both LOVE their low mein noodles!).
After dinner, it was off to the arena for the show....
I think that the cotton candy was their favorite part!
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