Restful way to end the year

Justin and I came home from Atlanta yesterday, leaving the babes behind with their grandparents.  They offerered to keep them for New Year's Eve and we did not decline :)  I had a few tears when leaving, but it was nice coming home and being able to go shopping by myself with no time constraints!  We had a quiet night and I slept until 8:40!!!!!!!!!! What!!??? Let me tell you how good it feels to be well rested!  I'm not quite sure what to do!!  Actually, I am going to get my nails did, shopping for shoes to wear tonight, cleaning up Christmas decorations :( and relaxing. Ahhhhh
Oh yeah, and I have to go for a run. Justin gave me an envelope for Christmas and if I run 5x a week and 2+ miles each time, I get $10.  I have to run today and tomorrow to earn my moola.
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Anywho, since I'm missing the babes so much, here are a few of my favorite pictures from 2011.

Justin and I are getting all dressed up and ready for an exciting way to bring in the New Year!  I just know 2012 is going to be great!

Happy New Year!

Max and Claire's first Christmas

Well, we made it!  Max and Claire were truly blessed this Christmas and had a wonderful time!  It was such a joy to see them so happy and having so much fun.  We have a ton of great pictures, I'll try to just post a few :)

Christmas Eve

Max and YaYa

Claire wearing Great Aunt Ann's pearls!

Loves his new maracas!

ELMO!

Both got walkers.  Claire is now a pro!

:)

This year we tried to start our own traditions... instead of making them, we realized what we need to do differently.  That's probably the hardest part of being married and having a family of your own ~ trying to share time, make sure everyone is happy and  feels included.

Were off to Atlanta for a few days.  Hope to update Max and Claire's individual post this weekend!

11 Months

I cannot believe Max and Claire are already 11 months!  December went by way too fast... I didn't even realize yesterday was the 22nd, so we did our monthly pictures today.  This was probably the hardest photo shoot to date.  They are constantly moving~and in different directions.  This Mama is tired!  I feel like I can't baby proof enough.  Claire has found this corner in the kitchen where I stand to cook and make their bottles and all the crumbs drop.  We call it the crumb corner.  She goes straight for it, lays flat on her tummy and starts searching.  Max has learned how to open the cabinets.  Kitchen is dangerous!  Justin and his Dad are going to work on securing the cabinets tomorrow.

They like to climb on the fire place, and do NOT listen when told to get down.  We are working on following directions!
They have quite the personalities now and definitely show their emotions.  Both are quick to have a meltdown if you take something away or point them in a different direction.  Diaper changing, getting dressed and washing hair in the bathtub are the toughest for me - It's like wrestling an alligator!

Claire is our wild child.  This girl has no fear!  We call her our gangsta!  Full of attitude.  Just when she's pushed me to the limit, she'll flash her beautiful smile and blow me a kiss :) Melts my heart!
Max is still my snuggle bug.  He gives the best hugs and has the sweetest little voice.

They spend most of the day at or around this table.  Claire loves to circle it and go back and forth b/t the table and couch.  Max loves to play peekaboo. He puts his hands on the edge and lowers himself, then you have to say "where's Max" like three times and he pops back up!  He gets the biggest grin when he does that and gets an applaud!

I stopped pumping the week after they turned 10 months.  I had a few days of guilt- aside from that, things are great.  They still get four bottles and three meals a day.  We have also dropped the third nap, causing difficult afternoons!  For the most part they are sleeping much better. They usually go to bed around 7/7:15 and wake up around 6.

That's it for now! I'm exhausted and wanted to get this done before Christmas so I don't get too far behind! Individual post will probably be next weekend.

*Just realized I never did their individual post: stats include:
Max: 
12-18 mo clothes
size 4 diaper
5 teeth and I think a 6th on the way
favorite foods: bananas, blueberry pancakes, avocado, and cheese sandwich
Loves bath time anything that has to do with music!


Claire:
9-12 month clothes
size 3 diaper
3 teeth and a 4th on the way
favorite foods:  bananas, blueberry pancakes, avocado, peas....loves all food!
Loves bath time, dancing to music, cruising the coffee table and sofa
Mama's girl!

Tag!

Maegen from CHESTERRIFIC tagged me with this fun one!  It's a 3-part tag - 1) list 11 random facts about you, 2) answer 11 questions you've been tagged with, and 3) make up 11 new questions and tag 11 new people ... here we go!


11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME!

1. i love warm weather.  Nothing beats waking up to sun, birds chirping and the smell of freshly cut grass!

2.   I love food! I could talk about food all day, every day.  My favorite is my guacamole with tortilla chips :)

3.   I don't like to eat fries that are pointy!! I used to tear off the point or not eat that fry at all! Weird, I know!

4.   I don't like to get my head wet at the pool (lake or beach).  Funny considering I grew up swimming competitively!

5.   One of my biggest fears is falling.  A couple months ago I fell walking up the brick stairs to our door while holding Claire.  Scared me to death.

6.   Biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouth open and smack their gum.  

7.  I enjoy doing algebra!  

8.  I am very self conscience.  Always worried I'm not smart enough, or will say or do the wrong things around people.

9.  I love light.  I like to have all blinds open and lights on in the house.  Dark is too depressing

10.  I love summers by the pool.  Before Max and Claire I had the summers off and would go to the pool as often as I could, read a good book and work on the tan!

11.  I wish I did more creative activities with Max and Claire.  I hope I do enough engaging activities throughout the day and they aren't bored with me!

11 QUESTIONS MAEGEN ASKED ME

1.  What did you dream about last night?  Breast feeding and formula?!?!

2.  Do you like the rain?  Only when I'm sleeping

3.  What is your favorite book?  I can't say I have a favorite book.  I like mindless reading :) and enjoy a good laugh or mystery

4.  How often do you go online?  more than I care to admit ;)

5.  Have you ever served on a jury? What was it like? No! I always get out of it!

6.  Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying?  I'd like to say so?

7.  Let's say you just won the Miss America beauty pageant, congrats! Give me your acceptance speech..... I'm lame... have no clue

8.  If you were stranded on an isolated island, what 3 things (not people),  would you take with you?  hmmm... deck of cards, blanket, lighter?? I always have trouble with this!

9.  What was your last vacation and who did you go with?  Holden Beach, NC - just the four of us!  Last real vacation sans kids? Long Beach Island, NJ to visit Justin's family.

10.  Have you ever gone cow tipping?  No way!  I am a scaredy cat and would be afraid of getting caught!

11.  Do you untie your tennis shoe before taking them off, or just kick them off with your other foot?  I would say more often than not, I kick them off with other foot.

11 questions I am asking you!

1.  What is your favorite food?

2.  Coke or Pepsi?

3.  Where did you go on your FIRST airplane ride?

4.  Favorite Christmas/Holiday tradition?

5.  What's your favorite Christmas song?

6.  Are you a morning or night person?

7.  If you work, and went to college, is your profession in the same field as your major?

8.  What is your favorite state you have visited or lived in? Why?

9.  If you won $1000 from a scratch off lottery ticket, what would you do with it?

10.  What's your stress reliever?

11.  What was your first car?

I'm tagging these 11:  Julia, Megan, Samantha, Cindy, Jamie, Al, Jenilee, London, Susan, Emily, Stephanie
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Here's the offical rules:

1. Post these rules. 

2. Step 1 - You must post 11 random things yourself.

3. Step 2 - Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post.

4. Step 3 - Cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.

6. No stuff in the tag­ging sec­tion about ‘you are tagged if you are read­ing this.’ Blah blah blah, you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 peeps!

Wow, so many rules!  LOL!

It's a wrap

We're one step closer to completion!  Everything is wrapped except one little present that's still in the mail!
Looking forward to Christmas Eve.  Max and Claire will go to their first Christmas Eve service at church and enjoy their first Christmas Eve dinner!!  I think xmas eve dinner is my favorite about the holidays!  We enjoy lamb, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, crescent rolls laid out in butter.... food coma :) ~ followed by midnight service at church!

Par-tay

This weekend we had our annual Christmas party.  AND it was our first night sans kids!  Max and Claire went to spend some time with their Aunt Darcy and Grandparents.  I was a little teary eyed when they left, but enjoyed running around without having to drag out the double stroller.
We enjoyed being with all our buds and having adult time.... maybe a little too much fun :)

I'm still not sure about the dark hair.  I think I'm going to call my stylist today to see if we can lighten it up a bit.  Not to mention the BANGS.  They are driving me nuts. They stick straight out and no amount of hair spray, water, hair oil, anything... will tame them.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the night!  haha! that grande wine glass was a decoration with Christmas M&M's in it!  and the look on their faces tell all!

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My friend Heather put together the pictures she took.  I love all of them!  Here are a few:

LOVE!

Christmas pictures

Because I'm indecisive, I ordered and sent out more than one Christmas card!  Here are the photos I used - courtesy of London Kern Photography and my good friend Heather.

One card just has this picture:

Actually I sent out three different cards!

#2

#3

Front

(except they are side by side) Don't even ask why I can't get them side by side on here!

Back

Originally these onesies were supposed to have a reindeer and their name below.  Sadly, the etsy seller I normally use, never responded to me :( - so white onesies it was... Next year I will not procrastinate!

Busy day tomorrow - Max and Claire are going to Charlotte to stay with their Aunt and Grandparents.  We are hosting our annual Christmas party!! So excited to have an adult night and look forward to making some yummy foods found on Pinterest!

and I might be a little excited about sleeping in for the first time in almost 11 months on Sunday!!!!!!!

I did it!

I'm am officially a brunette now!  I think I like it! It's gonna take some getting used to, but I'm not as freaked out as I thought I'd be!

Before

This was right after I got my hair done in October

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After

I look like a totally different person!

What to do.....

Tomorrow is my hair appointment and I have no idea what I want to do..... well I have an idea, but not sure if I want to go through with it!  First off, since having Max and Claire I have grown "baby bangs".  They are NOT cute and they are a darker brown than the rest of my hair. U-G-L-Y.  They really stand out because of my highlights that are mainly around the front of my head.

So.... tonight Justin and I were talking about going darker.  I am just worried if I go darker, I'll look washed out. I'm such an indecisive person and I don't want to waste my time or my hair dresser's time!

My brain is in overdrive right now.  I still have Christmas shopping to do (and it's not easy lugging two babies around to do it), my Christmas cards haven't been sent (my fault bc I want them to be perfect), we are hosting our annual Christmas party this weekend (not a big deal), Max and Claire turn one in a little over a month and I have no clue what I want to do for their birthday - invites need to go out first week in January!

Anywho...guess this was a gripe post.  I've been in one of those moods today!

Tomorrow is Mother's Morning Out and Play group!

All bundled up! - got video finally!

Today was officially cold.  I mean, cold.  We were having one of those days and I needed to get out. Max has pink eye and hasn't been on his meds for 24 hours, so the gym was out.  Fresh air is good for everyone, so off to the park we went!

We haven't been to the park in a while so we stopped at the swings.  I had to take a video bc Max looks so cute and funny.  Poor guy was so bundled up he could barely move. ha!!

Here is 37 seconds of cuteness!

Still here!

I'm still here!  I didn't realize how behind I am!  We had a busy weekend filled with crafts, date night and organizing the playroom.  And it looks like poor buds has pink eye.  We were getting ready for church when we noticed the area around his eye was a tad puffy and red.  Throughout the day it has just gotten worse.  I called the weekend nurse and she sent us a prescription for drops.  It looked pretty bad tonight.  If it is still swollen in the morning, I'm gonna call the doctor again. He has been a trooper.  It was not a good nap day for Max or Claire, but they have both been funny and in good moods.

Reindeer

I have been on a baking kick.  It has become out of control and now if I want to bake, I have to come up with someone to give it to!
I saw these cute Reindeer cookies on Pinterest and decided to make them for girls night and to take to Max and Claire's teachers.  I had no idea what I was getting into!  I have never made roll out cookies before.  Too time consuming for me.  I ended up doing some Reindeer and some cut outs with colored sugar.

They turned out really cute and if I make them again, I won't make homemade sugar cookies.
Now, what to make next week??

Christmas times a comin'

Can you believe Christmas is less than a month away?!  I'm so excited.  I absolutely love this time of year!  We decorated this past weekend.  It is a bit different from the past, but still perfect for us.  We used to have one real tree and one fake.  The real tree was our color tree with fun ornaments and the white one was fake with my nice ornaments.  This year we decided to save money and just do the fake tree.... not to mention the chaos two trees would bring with two crawlers!

I did put color lights on this fake plant!  Big color lights make me happy :)

They are super fast now and if I look away for a second, they are at the tree - especially Max!  Today I was able to wrap a few while they were napping.  Still trying to decide what Santa is bringing.  What's on your list?!

Max has been so good the past few days.  What a nice change it has been.  I love this sweet, smiling baby!

Baby girl has been a pistol!  She has learned how to blow kisses and we are working on "hi five".  She is cruising all over the furniture and claps for herself often!!  She also has a "mean" face that is so cute, but not something I want her doing! I am pretty sure she got it from me.  :( I'm trying hard not to smile and encourage her when she makes the face.
We got Christmas pictures done the other day and she had quite a few of those faces in the picture.  We had a great photographer and got lots of good photos.  Unfortunately, I don't love the ones of them together.  The ones of them individually are great.... so now I am debating what to do for their xmas cards.  Here are two sneak peaks.

This was the result of me taking away an ornament he was chewing on!  Such a mean mom!

This was the best of the two of them, but I don't love Claire in that dress.  I just did a rush order for leg warmers from Etsy.  I was thinking having them in white onesies with cute leg warmers was more my style?!

In other news, Max has started pulling up all the time and just the other day started cruising with Claire.  Their favorite thing to do is reach their arms up when I say, " How big is Max/Claire?  So BIG!!"  It's so cute!!

TWO sets of twins in one year!

Don't worry....it's not me!  In less than an year my parents have four grand children - two sets of twins!  My brother and his wife had their twins last Tuesday!  They had two girls, Landyn and Brooke!  Kasey had them at 38 weeks with no complications!!!  Landyn was 4lbs 10oz and Brooke was 6lbs 15oz!  They are all doing well and super cute.  I hate they live 4.5 hours away and I can't see them more often.

Grand Parents and Aunts patiently waiting to see the new babies!  We got there a little after 7am and had to wait in this area until after 3 to see the babies!  Worth the wait!

Landyn

Brooke and sleepy Aunt Kelly!

Sweet!

I'm so excited for Max and Claire to have cousins close in age.  Holidays and summer should be crazy and fun!

**Also, if you could say a quick prayer for one of my best friends.  She had her baby boy yesterday (due date was Feb.5th)  Both are doing well, but at 30 weeks, 6 days, he will need some nicu time.

Two little turkeys!

So, I am a few days behind on my Thanksgiving post, but I've had a lot going on!  How cute are my little Turkeys?  I was so excited for them to wear their Gobble, Gobble shirts.  I won my first giveaway from Chosen Chaos.  It was for a $25 credit to klzart.  She did an amazing job! Those turkeys are actually Max's hand prints!! (Claire wouldn't participate!)  She does a lot of onesies for twins.  I'm already thinking of the next ones we can get!!

We had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving.  Justin, his sister and Dad ran the Atlanta half marathon, we had breakfast out and a nice dinner that night.  During the day I took Max and Claire to meet my cousins.  My cousin has a two year old and one on the way.  They had a great time roaming a new house, with new people and new toys!

Claire played some piano when we got home!

Friday we went to a Christmas tree farm to help Grandpa and Grandma pick out the perfect tree.  I was so excited to go as this was my first trip to a farm too!

Claire making her "mean" face!

Love those cheeks!

Playing music stick with Daddy.

Lastly, we took Max and Claire to meet Grandma Darcy, their Great Grandma!  She is 92!  She has Alzheimers and I'm pretty sure she didn't understand who they are, but they put a smile on her face - and that's all that matters :)

 We had a great four days in Atlanta!