Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Fall Break 2012

Gibson Theater to see Hotel Transylvania
 
It was the twins' first movie theater experience.
On our way to the Great Wolf Lodge.  It's mandatory to stop off at the Bass Pro Shops store in Cincinnati.  The kids love their huge aquarium and all the "stuffed" wildlife.  We counted turkeys around the store and bought 6 huge pieces of candy-corn fudge.
 
Betsy, relaxing on the couch after our first afternoon of swimming.
 
Bree sporting the wolf ears that came with her dinner.
 
 
We convinced the kids to go back to the pool again after dinner on our first day there.  The place was totally booked (every room!), and it was crowded!  We told them that we could skip story time at the clock tower and hit the pool again.  Reluctantly, we all put on bathing suits (again), and waddled down to the pool.  We had the best time!  Lines for the water slides were short, and Ben, Maggie, and I got to ride slide after slide.  The twins really enjoyed the wave pool. 
Here, Betsy.  Taste this!
 
Bree
 
Betsy
 
Mommy, I can shove the entire thing in your mouth!
Time for some doughnuts after a good night's sleep. 
Ben
 
Maggie
 
Betsy
 
Bree
 
In lieu of wolf-ears at dinner the night before, Ben chose a wolf-tail.  He almost NEVER shows off like this!
 
My only regret is that the twins are in diapers in this photo.  We wre just about to slip them into swim diapers when a very kind woman offered to take a family photo for us.  How could I say no?
 
 
Betsy
 
 
 
We really had a great time at the Great Wolf Lodge.  We always seem to make such great memories there.  Plus, Brian and I get to behave like children along with our kids!
 

Friday, October 19, 2012

First School Pictures!




Can you tell who's who?

 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Children's Museum, August 2012

Now that Ben and Maggie are back in school, I have so much more freedom to move around the world with the twins.  We went to the zoo on Tuesday morning, and today, we went to the Children's Museum.  I haven't renewed my museum membership in over a year because we just didn't feel that we would use it while the twins were babies.  Now, I feel so sorry for Maggie - the "middle child."  She never got to go to the museum as often as Ben did when he was little, and now that the twins are finally old enough to enjoy it, poor Maggs is in school.  Curse of the middle child, I guess.  Someday, she'll hold this against me.  For now, however, I'm just going to enjoy my time to focus on the twins and keep our fun little outings a secret from their big brother and sister.
 
Betsy's expression says it all!
 
We rode the carousel 5 times, and I think they would have done it 50 more if I had let them.
Bree kept saying, "More spin, more spin!"
 
I have them wear these little "piggy packs" when I take them out and about without the stroller, but we don't even seem to use them anymore.  Today, I noticed that when they enter a fearful situation (like the Dinosphere at the museum), they use their piggies as comfort items - conveniently riding along on their backs.  Looks a little strange, but it's much easier than carrying the special doggies in their arms everywhere we go.
 
giant Mr. Potato Head-type toys
disco lights in the hall of mirrors
 
Teddy Bear Tea Party

Chihuly glass sculptures - fascinating to the twins!
Took this photo of Bree and me in the mirror.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

First Day of School 2012

Kindergarten & 2nd Grade
 
 
Ben, Maggie, (Isabel's cousin), Ryan, Isabel, Eric, Becca
The twins wore their backpacks too.  I think they expected to get on the bus with Ben and Maggie.
  "I think I see the bus coming!"  (Eric, Chris, Ben, Maggie, Sahith, Ryan)
Gaby - not quite ready for the bus yet
She hopped right on the bus & never looked back!
Maggie's assigned seat is next to her buddy, Mia.
(Gavin must have been sitting with Mia to guide his little sister on her first day today.)
Ben's first day as a 2nd-grader!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Indiana State Fair 2012



What thugs!



When Tammy first asked me if I wanted to hit the State Fair with her today -
the last day of summer vacation, I said, "Absolutely not!" I didn't think
it would be possible to "man" all four of my kids in a crowded, busy place
like the fair. But, for some reason, I woke up this morning and thought, "I
can do this. I'll just pack a lunch for everyone, and we'll make it work!"
It was totally one of the best days at the fair that Tammy and I have ever
had! Ben and Nolan haven't been there since we took them four years ago.
We took all five girls last year while the boys were in school, but the
three littlest girls were still in strollers. Today, for some reason, the
kids were just great! Aside from the twins wanting to get out of their
stroller in the beginning, everything went perfectly! We did some
kid-activities, got kettle corn, drank milkshakes, saw pigs and horses and
cows, and covered a lot of ground. Success!!!!!