Happy Birthday Aunt Jan!

Today is my sister's birthday. Jan has always been the best big sister, friend, and role model to me. She is such a godly wife to Rodney and mama to her five boys. Hope you have a great day Jan. We love you!

A Perfect Day for the Park

The weather was so beautiful yesterday. We took Caleb and Elisabeth to the park. Elisabeth got her first skinned knee. Caleb thought he was such a big boy that he did not need anyone to hold on to him while he was playing on the playground .

Just Another Morning!

Yesterday morning started as usual. Caleb and Elisabeth are both going through separation anxiety and Elisabeth really needed mama yesterday. I was carrying her around while trying to get the babies breakfast ready. Since my arms were full with Elisabeth, I was trying to get Caleb to follow me from his room to the kitchen. He was interested in playing in his room but finally I convinced him to follow me. Elisabeth and I headed back to the kitchen to finish fixing breakfast when I realized that Caleb was no longer following behind me. I started calling him and then I heard the gleeful splashes of my little boy playing in the toilet. I put Elisabeth down quickly and started running to the bathroom yelling,"No no no no no no!". When I got to the bathroom I saw Caleb so delighted with himself because he had found a new toy that was just his size. As I am trying my best to clean up his soaking wet hands Elisabeth is following me around crying and looking at me as if I was abandoning her in her time of need. I love how the Lord reminds me that I need to depend on Him every minute of everyday, because just when I think I have got this twin thing down someones hand goes in the potty.

Easter

A Week with the Cousins

Aunt Jan, Daniel, Jacob, Benjamin, Paul, and Joel came for a visit this week. We had so much fun spending time with them. Elisabeth loved being the only princess of the group and Caleb loved hanging out with the big boys. Caleb and Elisabeth are so loved by all of their cousins. It is such a blessing and so much fun for them to have so many cousins.

Sunday Night at the Zoo

1st Birthday Party

On Saturday, we had Caleb and Elisabeth's first birthday party. They had so much fun having so many friends and family at our house. Caleb had a frog cake and Elisabeth had a flower and butterfly cake. Thank you to all of our sweet friends and family who made this day so special for us. Caleb and Elisabeth are so blessed to have to many people that love them.

Our family

Caleb and Aunt Laura

Caleb blowing out his candle

Elisabeth saying, "No more pictures, please".

Kim and Abigail

Caleb and Elisabeth with Grandma and Aunt Laura

Grandma, Nanny, and the cousins

Birthday Girl!

Birthday Boy!


Opening presents!

Avery and Elisabeth sharing a snack.

Caleb and Hunter

Caleb's New Dump Truck

First Birthday Cake

Caleb and Elisabeth's First Birthday!

We had so much fun celebrating Caleb and Elisabeth's birthday yesterday. Grandma Bristowe came over in the morning and brought Caleb and Elisabeth presents. Then we went out for a birthday breakfast. The babies got to have a donut for the first time. When Todd got home from work we went to the park. Then we went out to dinner with Aunt Laura. We ended the evening by letting Caleb and Elisabeth play in their birthday cakes. That we the biggest adventure of the day. We will post pictures and video of the babies' cake sometime this week. It was such a special day.

Birthday Letter to My Babies

Dear Caleb and Elisabeth,
I cannot believe that I am writing this letter to you on your first birthday. All of my life all that I ever wanted to be was a wife and a mommy. I became a wife to your Daddy, the man of my dreams, when I was barely 21. It was not until I was almost 30 that God gave you to us. Now that you are here I feel like my life is complete. You are a year old and yet everyday and I am still amazed at the unbelievable blessing that God gave us both of you at the same time. God’s Word says that God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think”. He gave us more than we could have ever dreamed of when He allowed us to be your Mommy and Daddy.
Daddy and I pray earnestly for you everyday and every night. We have so many dreams for you and your life, but more that anything in the whole world we want you to know Jesus. We pray that you will come to know Him at an early age and that you will serve Him all the days of your life. He loves you so much and has such a special plan for your lives. Only through a true relationship with Christ will you ever find peace, joy and true meaning in life.
This year has been amazing. Everyday is like a new adventure. Daddy and I are determined to soak up every minute. We can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for us. We love you more than you know.

Mama

Birthday Letter to Caleb

Dear Caleb,
You are my precious baby boy. My favorite nicknames for you right now are My Boy, Caleb Burrito, K-bug and Baby Bingo. I always hoped that my firstborn would be a boy. I had an older brother and I thought every sister needs an older brother to look after her. I know that you will always keep your eye on your little sister.
So often I smile when I watch you because you are a small version of your Daddy. You are so happy and laid back. You pick your battles- not much gets you rattled, but the things that you don’t like you really don’t like. You have such a sweet spirit and you are almost always smiling. You love getting into things. You have to touch and taste everything.
You are full of trick these days. You have just learned to say mama and it is music to my ears. You love to fake cough and sneeze. You have always loved to snuggle and now you also love to give kisses.
I love the little boy that you are and I can’t wait to see the man that you will become. I love you!

Mama

Birthday Letter to Elisabeth

Dear Elisabeth,
You are my beautiful baby girl. My favorite nicknames for you right now are Baby Girl, Gorgeous, and Spunky Monkey. I was so thrilled when I found out that I was having a little girl. You are the only girl grandchild on my side of the family and it fits you perfectly to be the only princess in the group.
You bring so much laughter to our house. Even when you were just days old we could tell that you were going to be so spirited and full of life. You have a lot of opinions and you love being in the center of attention. You do not miss anything even the smallest change cannot escape your notice. You have always had the best eye contact. You seem like you are sizing people up with your stare. You only share your smiles and giggles with those you know well.
You are also full of tricks. Your favorite word right now is uh-oh. You will drop something just so you can say it. I have been trying to teach you to say mama. Every time I try and get you to say it you simply reply “dada”. I love it because I understand and share your affection for Daddy.
I love you, my precious baby girl.

Mama

Let the Celebration Begin!

Tomorrow is Caleb and Elisabeth's first birthday. We started celebrating tonight. My mom had the family over to her house for a family party. Caleb and Elisabeth had so much fun being the center of attention and playing with their cousins. I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness for how much God has blessed us.

Off to the Races

Every night we give the babies a bath. As soon as they hear the water running, they line up at the door ready to race to the tub.

A Perfect Day!

The weather was absolutely beautiful today. This afternoon Todd and I took Caleb and Elisabeth to the beach. They have not been to the beach since they were six months old, but as soon as we got there they were ready to play in the sand. They loved the beach and were so happy and thrilled to be there. It is hard to imagine that life could get any better than this!