They Love Each Other . . .

so much! It warms my heart. This is why I love being the mother of twins.

Take a Little Off the Top, Please

Isaac got his hair cut today! He did a great job. He received a lot of attention and that is really all it takes to keep him happy. Dave ran the camcorder and I ran the camera. I was so proud.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas was so wonderful this year. I loved every minute of it. The boys visited Mrs. Clause and Santa a week before Christmas. Their cousin Palmer went along as well as Grandma Oleva, Dave and myself. I didn’t know how they would like the experience but they loved it. Isaac was saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” as soon as he saw Santa. Adrian just leaned back on Mrs. Clause and rested. It was precious. It helps that we visited the real Mr. and Mrs. Clause. I have known them for years. They are authentic.

The boys had 3 full days of Christmas. The four of us spent Christmas Eve at home. We woke up to snow and it snowed most of the day. It was magical. We took the boys outside sledding and Adrian seemed to really love it - not to mention that he was great at balancing. Isaac took a couple of fistfuls of snow into his mouth and seemed to enjoy it in the beginning, but soon decided he hated it. Grandma Oleva gave them a big fancy blow up sled for Christmas. We will try it soon.

The boys opened their presents from me and Dave Christmas night. They really didn’t understand what was happening at all. Christmas morning they got their stockings and gifts from Santa. We ate some homemade monkey bread, got dressed and headed to Grandma Oleva and Grandpa Dave’s house. We enjoyed Christmas there with my family. The boys had fun with their cousin Palmer that is 3 1/2 months younger than them.

We then spent a couple of hours in the evening with Grandpa Ron and Elaine and Great Grandpa and Grandma Kice. They received a new pedal tractor and fire truck - big hits!

Sunday morning Dave’s family came to our house and we celebrated Christmas for the third and final time. We had a great day and even visited with Dave’s sister Susan and brother in law Bill on Skype. They were with us when we opened presents. By the third day of opening presents, the boys finally figured out how to do it on their own. They were attacking presents that weren’t even their own.

They received so many new toys that we may have to add a new wing on to the house.

Adrian & Isaac visiting Mrs. Clause and Santa

12/18/10

Adrian, Palmer, Grandpa Ron & Isaac on Christmas Day

Adrian opening presents at the Briggs Family Christmas 12/26/10

Isaac opening presents at the Briggs Family Christmas 12/26/10

Me with Isaac 12/26/10

Adrian with Grandpa Briggs 12/26/10

Deb (Dave’s Sister), Dave, Adrian, Grandma Adrianna & Isaac 12/26/10

Isaac riding his new fire truck from Grandpa Ron & Elaine on Christmas

Adrian, Palmer & Isaac with Great Grandma June and Grandpa Burdett on Christmas

Adrian riding his John Deere pedal tractor from Grandpa Ron & Elaine on Christmas

Adrian with Grandma Oleva on Christmas

Isaac hugging his monkey from Uncle Jeff on Christmas

Waiting to open presents with Papa at Grandma Oleva & Grandpa Dave’s House

Isaac with his presents on Christmas

Adrian attacking the presents

Palmer (the boys’ cousin), Isaac & Adrian at Grandma Oleva’s and Grandpa Dave’s

Family Photo Christmas Morning

Isaac & Adrian Christmas morning

Isaac & Adrian opening a present from Santa Christmas morning. Look at the concentration on their faces. I love this photo.

The boys getting into their stockings Christmas morning

Papa helping the boys Christmas morning

Christmas Eve night family pajama photo

Isaac the elf

Christmas Eve at home - it snowed about 4 inches!

Adrian & Isaac’s first go at sledding on Christmas Eve. Adrian loved it. Isaac loved it for about 2 minutes.

Adrian watching the snow come down Christmas Eve morning. This is precious.

Christmas Eve Morning.

Happy First Birthday, Isaac & Adrian!

Click here to see a slideshow from the birthday party!

It is mind-boggling, exciting, sad, joyous, bitter-sweet, simply unbelievable. My miracle babies were a year old on Friday, November 12. I was not prepared for the overflowing emotion this day would bring. Two years ago, Dave and I didn’t know if we would ever get to celebrate our child’s birthday. Here we are, celebrating two at the same time. We couldn’t be happier. Life couldn’t get any better. But I can’t help but feel that this first year went a little quicker than I expected. I understand that motherhood continues on like this forever.

The four of us celebrated with dinner at Ruby Tuesday Friday night. The boys did great and loved it! They were a big hit with the other diners, as well. We don’t take them to restaurants often.

Saturday, we had a huge Dr. Seuss themed birthday party at our house - my little Thing 1 and Thing 2 were in attendance. We had around 35 friends and family. Our house is now overflowing with toys. Dave and I both felt overwhelming gratitude for all of the love and support shown by our loved ones. So many people have been rooting for us for so many years and those same people continue to show support as we navigate through parenthood. We are so blessed.

Big Shoes to Fill

Adrian at the Pumpkin Patch 10/16/10

Isaac with straw in his mouth at the Pumpkin Patch 10/16/10

Isaac in Papa’s shoes. 10/16/10

Halloween Jammies 10/16/10

Adrian in Papa’s shoes 10/19/10

What a great team. They are already fixing cars together. 10/25/10

10/25/10

At home (with Grandma & Grandpa Briggs), preparing to cheer Mizzou on to a victory over #1 ranked Oklahoma while Mom and Dad were at the game.

We have had a busy fall. Adrian got his first tooth on October 25 - at 11 1/2 months! It was an exciting day for us. Isaac already has 3 teeth.

The boys are pulling themselves up on everything and anything all over the house. Adrian is already graceful with getting back on his bottom. Isaac . . . not so much. He basically does the splits and then falls back on his bottom. They are walking with the support of the furniture. It is getting a little dangerous here.

Today, Grandma Oleva spent the day with the boys. She turned her head for a second and when she looked back, Isaac was doing a chin-up on the dining room table. That kid is strong - and hilarious. When you ask him where his eyes are, he blinks them and makes a funny face. If you ask where his nose is, he snorts air in and out of it while he scrunches up his face.

Adrian has been particularly loving lately. Yesterday morning, soon after the boys woke up, Adrian reach over and gave Isaac two kisses. He loves his brother so much. He will hate me someday for sharing that.

Life is good.