Great Wolf Lodge Spring Break

It was difficult to keep the twins off of the bunk beds. Ben affectionately referred to the top bunk as "upstairs." They had their own little tv in the bunk cubby, and Ben would say, "I'm going upstairs to watch tv."

Wolf ears for everyone!

Maggie is pretending to howl like the Great Wolf in the photo at the right.

I think this is Betsy in both of the photos above.

Betsy, sitting on Mommy's lap. Bree was contemplating entering the giant waterfall, but she never got brave enough to cross through.

Ben thought these little floor fountains were so fun! He and another boy teamed up to spray everyone who walked by.

Maggie - on one of the body slides.

St. Pat's Day 2012

Our traditional Green-n-Gold meal in honor of St. Patrick.

We love sidewalk chalk!

I tried putting their ball-caps from last summer on them... a little too small this year! Notice that Betsy is using her chalk like makeup - Oh, that kid!

really early spring (summer)

It has been extremely warm this week, with a record temperature of 81 degrees yesterday. Today, it is supposed to be another record (warmest it has been since this day in 1977). We have been enjoying the early summer-like weather so much!

I have tons of pictures of Ben and Maggie on this same slide in our neighborhood. Perfect for twins. Why do they suddenly look SO tall?

Tuesday Stroll

Just a little stroll with our "babies" and a visit with a neighbor's dog.

Now that we have had warmer weather and the windows have been open, Betsy and Bree hang out in front of the window in the bonus room every evening before bedtime just watching the life of our neighborhood - and commenting on it. "Doggy? Doggy! Doggy, where AAAA-A-A-R-E you?" Goodness, they love dogs!

How to eat a cupcake

I have been getting very tired of the mess the twins create at the dinner table, so tonight, after dinner, I allowed them to eat cupcakes in the bathtub. Just took their clothes off, left the diapers on, and popped them in the tub - knowing that cleanup would be a breeze!
Betsy decided that cupcake frosting would taste best if it were smeared all over her toes. Maybe she just liked the squishy feeling of the cake on her foot. I thought it looked so funny!

Friday Night Cozy

Pinterest has sucked me in!
I have vowed not to let it take over my life, so I try not to browse throught it more than once a week or so. Here is a photo of a great project I found a few weeks ago. Just take 5 pillow cases and sew them together, stuffing them with 5 pillows. I added some ribbons to the top and two pillows down so the top two could be folded together and tied to create a back-rest. All four kids love them! When the twins saw what I had created for Ben and Maggie, they got in on the action too - with sleeping bags, pillow pets, binkies, etc. Ben likes to turn all the lights out and watch movies as if we're in a theater.

Christmas Morning, 2011

Christmas morning, 5:10am: Ben wakes up and creeps downstairs to see if Santa has come. When I hear him come back up the stairs, I ask him if Santa did, indeed, come. He said, "Yes, and it's REALLY GOOD!" I went downstairs with him to check it out, but I made him wait until the babies were awake until I let him get Maggie and Daddy out of bed. By 6:20am, we were all in front of the tree and ready to open some gifts!

The first gifts to be opened: Lightsabers for Ben and Maggie from Santa

but who likes them more - the kids, or Daddy?

Ben tried to get the babies, who were still sipping milk on Daddy's lap, to get into the gift-openeing fun. Surprisingly, they were a little slow to action.

With some help, they opened their new vacuum cleaners (from Santa), and they were "up & runnin'" before too long!

Ben got this cool Hot Wheels track. Everyone loved it.

All dressed and ready to go to Grandma & Grandpa's for the day. But, we had to get in just a few more minutes with the Hot Wheels before we left the house.

Brian and I agree that each year, Christmas just gets better and better. This year was no exception. Having four kids to celebrate the holiday made it extra special. We remember how much fun we had with Ben when he was 18 months old, and that was just ONE kid. This year, we got the fun of a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and TWO 18-month-olds! Brian is off work for this entire week after Christmas, and I'm really looking forward to several days of hanging out as a family and playing with all of our new stuff. It's what memories are made of, after all.

Christmas Eve 2011

I managed to get all of THREE photos on Christmas Eve. Bummer!

Above, Ben & Maggs checking out all the gifts that we were about to open.
Below, left: Lexi in the hat that we got her & Courtney opening her IU sweatshirt.
Below, right: Grandpa Mike with the twins, who were still in their jammies post-bath before getting into their Christmas dresses for Mass in the evening.

Seton Christmas Program

Maggie and her friend, Genevieve, as they walk into church for their Christmas program. I just love how they all have their hands in prayer as they come in. Very sweet! Maggie's class sang "The Little Drummer Boy," and they clicked drum sticks together in time with the song. I noticed that Maggie did a little hip-sway each time she clicked her sticks together. Gotta make it her own, I guess!

Maggie, Hope, & Jossi in their Christmas dresses

The Polar Express

in our jammies from St. Nick - before we left for our big ride on The Polar Express

Here we are before we got on the train. It was FREEZING outside, and we were so glad that the twins stayed at home with Gram Linda and Grandpa Hank rather than coming with us.

Once on the train, though, everyone was warm and toasty! Big surprise for the kids: we met up with our friends, the Latterells, when we got to Connersville. The kids couldn't believe that we were all dressed in the same pajamas! (Other people were actually taking pictures of our families. Of course, it was because they were jealous - not because we looked rediculous!)

The Conductor came by and punched each kid's ticket with his initial.

Ben & Nolan ------------ Maggie & Kate

FINALLY, we got to the North Pole. Santa got on the train, and as he walked from car to car, each kid got to sit with him and talk about what he wanted for Christmas. Ben told Santa that he wants ice skates. (????) Maggie said she wants a unicorn pillow pet. Then, Santa gave all the kids a bell from his sleigh.

Even Mr. Latterell got to sit with Santa. He was admonished for choosing not to participate in the matching pajama fun. Santa said he would bring him a pair for Christmas.

It was absolutely the best night ever! I can't imagine a better memory that the one we made that night. Totally worth the effort to drive to Connersville in the cold and get on the train - and not get home until after midnight. The kids really believed we visited the North Pole. We had hot chocolate, cookies, and lots of laughs together. We'll have to do it again in a few years when the twins are old enough to appreciate it.

Sleep-Sacks for everyone!

Grandma Karen made these awesome sleep-suits for everyone. I asked her to make sleep-sacks with leg openings in them for the babies, and somehow, Maggie got one out of the deal too. Well, Ben couldn't let himself be the only sibling without one, so he asked Grandma to whip one up for him too. His is a little more like a one-piece suit than a wear-able bag, and he really seems to love it. Thank you, Grandma, for keeping our kids nice and cozy!

Winter Sports 2011

This winter, Ben is playing basketball with Carmel Dads Club,
and Maggie is playing soccer with Kate in Lil' Kickers.

St. Nick 2011

St. Nick visited our house again this year with candy and jammies for the entire family. He also brought us a movie, THE POLAR EXPRESS, and tickets to ride on the real Polar Express. Thank you, St. Nick!