Pass It On Baby Clothes Sale

At the Pass It On Sale, Kristin hit the jackpot with baby clothes. She got over 30 items for $100.00. The first time we went Kristin was still pregnant and we got a boatload of clothes. This particular group of mothers have the sale every 6 months and next time we will be sellers. Where else could we find a 80/20 split for consigned clothes?? This little silly hat came with a darling, pink REI vest for Ruby.

Carson-mobile

Carson loves his new toy that Kristin got at the Pass It On Sale. Since Carson can hold his head up really well and is trying to stand all the time, we figured he was ready for this type of get-around-mobile. This one actually has 2 wheels and one stationary post-thing. That means he can move and grove, but only go in a circle. Makes it nice for trying to keep an eye on him.

Thing 1 & Thing 2

When Kristin first told me she was expecting twins back in November and sent me the ultra-sound photo of them, she called them "Thing 1 and Thing 2". I laughed so hard at that name. Shortly after learning she was carrying twins, her BFF, Stacie, gave her these little onesies. I have been waiting and waiting for them to fit, and now they do. Here they are in Carson's crib with his new mobile that plays very relaxing music (not the typical lullaby and good night!). They both love it. Kristin put the baby legs on both of them, but when it got too warm today, I pulled them off so the chubby little legs could get some air!

Birthday Party at Kruger Farm

Today we celebrated little Memphis' first birthday at a farm on Sauvie Island, OR. Her mommy went to college with Kristin. Here is Tiffany with Memphis soundly sleeping in the carrier. Would you believe Tiffany is about 2-3 weeks from delivering Memphis' little sister? (Great party Tiff, and fabulous location!) These were by far the largest cabbage I have ever seen. You can see how small the twins' heads look compared to them. (I forgot when I use the flash on my camera with the B.O.B. stroller, the reflector tape glows!) Carson missed the hay ride -- maybe next year! Lunch under an apple tree. These two trees had great climbing branches and were a fun place for the children at the party who were old enough to climb. (Someday it will be Carson and Ruby!) The farm also had flowers to pick. These Cosmos were lovely against the blue back drop. (The white in the bottom left of the picture was actually a tent where a wedding was taking place.)

Kruger Farm, Sauvie Island, OR

Today we celebrated little Memphis' first birthday with a party at a farm on Sauvie Island, complete with a hay ride for older kids (order than 3 months), corn maze, and pick your own pumpkins. Kristin helped pick just the right pumpkins for the twins. I'm sure in a few years they will both have a lot to say about which one is perfect for them to take home! The B.O.B. stroller certainly proved to be an "all terrain" vehicle!

Meeting Emma Christine Luce

I got to meet my great niece this week. Emma was 8 days old when I stopped by their home in Tacoma on my way to be with the twinners. Emma was peacefully sleeping, but Megan said she needed to wake up to eat, so I jumped at the opportunity to awaken sleeping beauty. I even got to feed her, and she sure can suck. Carson and Ruby are looking forward to many fun cousin play times.

Duh! I Learned Something!

I'm sure those of you under, say 50, already knew this. But I just learned that if you double click on the photos, they are enlarged! Sure helps to see details. Try it!

Lord Snowdon of Bainbridge Island (AKA Snowy!)

Besides being crazy about my twins, family and friends, I'm nuts about my dog. This week after seeing this trick on American's Greatest Dog show, I was very easily able to train Snowy to leave his treat on his paw till I say "OK", or give a hand motion. How cute is this????

God's Beautiful Morning Blessing

Until today, my blog postings have been about the blessings of twins, family and friends. Today I felt blessed by the beauty of God's creation. Here is the sun rising over Seattle around 6:45 AM. This verse kept running through my mind most of the day after witnessing this glorious sunrise.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

I'm A Great Auntie!

Yes, I know I'm Great!, but now I'm really Great. My niece, Megan, gave birth today to Emma Christine Luce, which makes me a Great Auntie..... Emma came by c-section and weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. Amazing, since Megan is rather small. Emma is gorgeous and her family is delighted. Here is a picture of the proud Daddy, Tom, holding his little princess. God bless you little Emma Christine. The twins can't wait to play with you. You are practically their size already!

First Official Babysitting Night!

Even though I have been helping to care for the twins since they were born, tonight I got to experience my first real babysitting night. Casey and Kristin went to a 30th birthday dinner party for one of Kristin's Nordstrom pals and I got to care for the little kids! We had a ball -- even got them both bathed and in bed right on time. Piece of cake! Here are the 4 of them before the big kids left for the evening. Have fun mom and dad! Grammy's on duty.

P.S. When the big kids got home and I told them how great the little kids were, I was accused of giving them Benedryl! Then the next morning I got up real early to drive back home and Kristin called me on my cell to tell me Carson had slept 7 hours! That's a record for him. Ruby did 11 hours! So I just said "Must have been the Benedryl!"

Praying for SomeTHING

Little Ruby-girl has recently discovered her hands. Both she and Carson are putting them in their mouths a lot, but also just playing with them. She will intertwine them and we say she is praying. Here she is praying for someTHING. How cute is this? (Thank you Stacie for the Thing 1 and Thing 2 outfits!)

BIG PICTURES

I just learned how to post bigger pictures! Yeah me....... Now those of us over 50 can really see the photos.

Gretchen's Last Morning With Us

Carson and Ruby jumped into Gretchen's suitcase. They wanted to meet the rest of her family and see wonderful Santa Cruz! Luckily we caught them before she zipped up, because I think she would have taken them home if she could. Thank you Gretchen for coming and giving of yourself to all of us. Thank you for loving our twins, stepping right in to help with all the many things it takes to raise these two precious gifts from God, and for all the wonderful food you brought and prepared for us while you were here. You are the BEST and we love you! I'm sure your family will be so happy to have you home! God Bless all of you.......

Random Gretchen Fun

Carson gets a story, but seems more interested in the ceiling fan. Gretchen lovingly read to both kids daily. Gretchen was so dear to walk with fussy Carson. He seems to need more attention and Gretchen was right there to give him what he wanted. Ruby was quietly sleeping in the swing! Gretchen wanted to take Carson for a walk around the neighborhood because he was being a fussy little man. Kristin didn't have a sun hat for him, so Gretchen put one of Ruby's pink hats on him! "Oh No! Don't let my Daddy see me!"

Dinner along the Columbia River Walk

Since it was Gretchen's last night with us, we enjoyed dinner at McMenamins along the Columbia River. The children were wonderful in their stroller as we ate dinner outside. Both were so calm and sweet. Little did we know, Ruby was making a mess in her diaper as she was being so perfect! We planned to take a stroll after dinner and stopped along the river walk to feed them their dinner. That's when we realized little miss needed a big change! Gretchen jumped right in there (and Casey let her!) and changed her. Then she joined her brother who was already having his bottle with Mommy. In one photo you can see Carson checking out the really big toy in the sky that flew over right as they were chowing down.

Blessed Sleep

After our fiasco with the first Pack & Play that was a lemon (we couldn't set it up without a huge struggle, and sometimes we couldn't even set it up at all!), Kristin took back the lemon and ordered this twins Pack & Play. It is a piece of cake to set up and it works! Here they are napping in the downstairs office.  Sleep my sweet babies.

Great, Great Grandma Katy's Handiwork

This little dress, jacket, booties and white afghan were crocheted by my Grandmother Katharine. These were all lovingly saved in my cousin Nanette's hope chest for many years. Nanette wanted them to stay in the family so she passed them on to Ruby. Doesn't Ruby look like she is all ready for church? That's where Grandma Katy would take her if she were still with us. My Grandma was the greatest spiritual influence on my life and our family's prayer warrior who took her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren before the throne of grace daily. I can imagine she even prayed for her yet-to-be-born great great grandchildren. Thank you Nannette for passing these precious gifts on to my Ruby. We appreciate you!

Fun Outings

Carson checking out the fabulous boutique, La Casa Bella, with owner, Jen

Painted horse statue gave Carson a fright!

Pepino's is a very tasty and inexpensive Mexican restaurant on 23rd. We found a perfect spot outside in the corner to park "the titanic" (that's what Kristin calls the double stroller).

The babies enjoyed their alfresco lunch as well!

With Gretchen being here, Kristin and I wanted to try some outings for her as well as challenging ourselves with the twins. After the river walk and outside lunch we did last week, let me tell you, Ruby and Carson are 3 for 3! They have been perfect on our adventures! Monday Kristin wanted to show Gretchen 23rd. in Portland. That's a lovely tree-lined street of old victorian houses with darling boutiques, outdoor cafes, and coffee shops. I got to know 23rd very well when Kristin was in the hospital for 6 days because the hospital is right there and we needed to eat! Those fun eateries made our long hospital days seem better! Plus we could take Kristin a yummy treat to suppliment her hospital food!

Tuesday we drove to McMinnville to visit Kristin's friend Jen at her store, La Casa Bella. What a beautifully layed out boutique in an old 1800's building that is completely restored. Jen, her sister and mother own and operate this fun store, which also includes a restaurant upstairs where we enjoyed lunch. Again, both babies were exceptionally well behaved, even with the 1.5 hrs. drive both ways.

Pints to Pasta 10K Race 9/7/08

Here is Ruby giving her Mommy a good luck hug before she leaves for her first race since giving birth. Adidas sponsors this race in Portland where they run from a brewery to a spaghetti factory. Kristin wanted to do the race because so many of her Adidas co-workers were going to be in it. She had to walk part of the race, but we were so proud of her for getting strong enough to be able to do what she loves!