Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Bill and I enjoyed 10 days in Puerto Vallarta (Jan 17-26). He had a conference to attend and I got to tag along. It was the first time we had been that far down into Mexico, and loved it. We enjoyed 80 degrees each day, plenty of blue sky and sunshine and ate enough Mexican food to last a life-time. We even slept with our slider open most nights and listened to the waves.

This photo of the sunset was taken from our balcony the first night. We stayed at the Fiesta America and highly recommend it. We are already planning a trip back when we can take the twins (and of course their parents and auntie!)

This was the view from our hotel room. I spent a lot of time in the pool while Bill was at meetings. Bill went scuba diving one day and I snorkeled. Here is Pancho, the dive master, helping Bill with his gear. Bill said Pancho was a great dive master.

On Sunday we enjoyed the flea market in Old Town. We ate lunch at the River Cafe -- which was right next to the river and mostly an outdoor cafe. I was sitting next to the wall and as I looked over the wall, I noticed we were not alone. I could see 4 iguanas in trees, ground and roof -- (click on the photo below for a good look at what I saw!). I guess I was having lunch in their territory. Kind of a strange experience, but I was in Mexico!

My friend, Gretchen has been to PV numerous times and this is one of her favorite spots to shop. Gretchen (and both married daughters) have hand painted dinner plates that Gretchen has picked out and brought home from PV. This store is 2 stories of the most beautiful hand painted pottery. I bought small plates for Kristin and a serving bowl for Kat. Here on the wall you can see hand painted sinks. We could watch the artists painting them right there on the second floor. It was fascinating and definitely worth the trip.

One night the conference had a party in town at a private home. It is a very large home that overlooks downtown PV. Lots of fun food, drinks and a mariachi band!

This is one of the Catholic churches in PV. We had walked through it the day before. This was taken from the boat that we took out to dive and snorkel.

It's Been Another Fun Day With R&C

Miss Ruby has mastered sitting. She will sit for the longest time and just watch her brother, who is scooting/crawling all around her. Today she reached

out and grabbed his head -- and it hurt. He cried and she smiled. I told him it was the first of many tweaks from his sister. But if he continues to be fast, he can

definitely out crawl/run her.

Carson usually takes shorter naps than Ru.

He had just gotten up

from his nap and helped his Grammy

fold the laundry. I think he loved that the clothes were still warm!

I love the way Ruby has discovered her toes -- 10 toys that God gave her to play with! I have almost the exact photo of Kristin at this age, but she is sucking on her big toe!I'm glad she broke that habit.

Fun With The Kids!

In the next two photos the twins were chilling out in the same crib before we put them down for the night. They were just laying there so sweetly. Ruby was rubbing Carson's ear and he seemed to enjoy it. I think she was soothing him to sleep.

He is so ready to crawl. Here he wanted to take off, but didn't want to leave his toy.

He put it in his own month!

Ruby Finally Learns To Jump!

Carson has been going wild in this jump-r-roo for months, but Ruby just sat in it and smiled. Today she got the idea and started jumping and laughing and really enjoying herself.

Random Fun Photos

Love the Santa Cruz sweatshirt!

These twins sisters are the daughters of one of Kristin's co-workers (hence the Adidas shirt!). They came to visit and wanted to hold Carson and Rubes. There are actual many sets of multiples born to Adidas workers, including a set of triplets born several weeks after our twins.

Maybe Kristin should take her own water to work......

Kristin and Casey's neighborhood during Christmas.

Their deck was buried under about 12-14 inches of snow.

Happy New Year!

Auntie Kat with her arms full of love.

I think their hair color is looking more and more alike!

Auntie Lindsey comes to visit, too.

Can you see my two teeth?

I love my Grandpa Willy.

He sings and dances for me.

Shhhhh........

This is definitely one of my favorite photos.

He is so angelic and peaceful.

Four Weeks Later

It has been 4 long weeks since I last saw Ruby and Carson -- enough time for them to grow and change. Both of them have two teeth on the bottom and eat solids. It was sure fun to feed them! I forgot how fun it is to put a spoonful in, then be ready to catch what comes out as they try to figure out how to swallow it. They actually did very well and seemed to enjoy their two solid meals a day. Ruby was like a baby bird with her mouth wide open, just waiting for the mother bird to drop in her breakfast. Both have more hair. Carson's new hair seems to be a self-inflicted "hawk", and Ruby has some long, out-of-control strands that Kristin was threatening to cut yesterday. Ruby was always the really easy baby, and Carson seemed to require more attention -- well, that's changed. Carson is less serious and more interactive with easily given smiles and laughs. Ruby, well, she still smiles and laughs a lot, but was more fussy and not as easy to get down for her naps. However, Ruby nestled in and slept in my arms for most of the church service yesterday. The music right at the beginning seemed to lull her to sleep. Casey did get up and take Carson to the nursery and stayed there with him. This is a new church for Kristin and Casey and I think they wanted to get a feel for the nursery before leaving the babies there without them in the future. Kristin had scheduled a hair appointment on Saturday that she was able to keep. You can see she is back to her natural dark brown color and looks fabulous. She thinks Carson is looking more like her. What do you think?

These little chairs are where the babies get fed. I was on Grammy duty while the others were running errands, and put them here to watch me in the kitchen. So I gave them some kitchen "toys" to entertain them. They were happy for quite a while -- although Ruby seemed happier tossing the toys and watching Grammy come and pick them up. Carson was happy with the egg separator as a teething toy. You can see their snow in this picture. Thankfully, it was almost completely melted by time we drove home Sunday afternoon.

Emma's First Christmas

My niece Megan, just sent me this photo of

Emma and Tom

on her very first Christmas.

Emma is 3 months old.

Twins First Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CASEY, KRISTIN,

CARSON AND RUBY

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Because of this snow, Bill, Katharine and I were unable to travel to Vancouver for Christmas. We are hoping to get down soon. Kristin sent us these photos from their day.

Carson is destined to be a Beaver's fan like his

Daddy and Grandpa Ray!

Aunt Stephanie made an heirloom quilt for Ruby (and her own grand daughter, Emma) using material from our anchestor's wedding dresses, hankerchief, etc. Then she took photos of each square and typed out the information about the materials used and put into a book for Ruby to have for many years to come. "Thank you Great Auntie Steph!"

Great Aunt Stephanie made Carson a quilt of the continents of the world. He can start studying his geography!

Kristin got Ruby her first dolly.

Winter Wonderland on Bainbridge Island

Snowy and I have been home alone since Wed. Bill had business in Portland and drove down early Thurs. with the intention of coming back Fri or Sat. But with the terrible weather, he had to remain at Kristin's house. There is no way I, or anyone, can get up or down our street with the 10-12 inches of snow we have had over the past 5 days, so I'm stuck here for now. I don't know if Katharine and I can even drive down to Kristin's for Christmas. We are taking each day as it comes and this morning was the first morning in 5 that I didn't awake to snow that had fallen throughout the night. I shoveled the walk way and deck at 10:30 PM before I went to bed, and it was still clear this morning.

The first few days Snowy was having a great time in the powder snow. But yesterday it was a different story. There was a 1/2 inch layer of ice covering the powder, and it scared him to go crunch, crunch, crunch with each step. You can see in the picture that he didn't want to get off our deck. Then I shoveled the walk-way up to my car, and that was all the further Snowy wanted to go. Finally he got up his courage and caught up with me as I walked on our street. Our house is the tall one in the background. As you can see, it's gorgeous --

Time will tell if I'm able to spend the first Christmas with the twins!

A Snowy Day!

I was suppose to be down in Vancouver doing my Grammy-duty today, but the weather changed my mind about driving. We have 4 inches, it is still snowing and our road is too dangerous to drive up. I am staying put and baking. Since I can't be with the twins taking all kinds of pictures, here is the next best thing.....Snowy LOVES the snow. I bet the twins will enjoy the snow next year when they can actually walk in it.

Six Months Old

The kiddo's are now 6 months old and had their well-baby check up today. Ruby is 16 lbs. 14 oz and Carson is 16 lbs. 4 oz. Both are in the 80% for length, but Ruby continues to be the BIG SISTER. Probably because Carson is so busy and active and she enjoys just being pretty! Put her in the jumping toy and she will sit there and look around -- put Carson in it and he takes off! Carson has 2 teeth and Ruby has 1. The Dr. told Kristin to start fruits and veggies, so they tried carrots tonight. Ruby ate it like it was chocolate mousse, and Carson made such a face. Kristin said he even made a face as she brought the spoon up -- not even in his mouth. They are both sleeping 12 hrs. most nights, which makes life (or at least the nights) so much easier for Casey and Kristin.

Great Great Auntie Pat

My Aunt Pat, Kristin's Great Aunt Pat and Carson and Ruby's GREAT GREAT Auntie Pat visited this week. She is from Riverside, Calif. and had been to visit her relatives for Thanksgiving in Portland and Vancouver. Before returning to Southern Calif she came to Kristin's for two days to meet and greet the twins. It is always wonderful to have extended family visit and share some of their love with Rubes and Carson. You can never get too much love. Auntie Pat was delighted with the babies and cherished her time with them. We all enjoyed her short, but very sweet visit. "Thank you dear Auntie for taking time to stay with us."

Almost Crawling!

Little man is seriously thinking about taking off and crawling. I don't think it will be long now.......