Parade

We went to our local parade. Here are the kids just after we arrived to save our seats on the parade route. Audrey is holding a container of bubbles that I brought to keep them occupied until things got started.

My Mom and my sister's family arrived and joined us. I'm glad they came! It's so much more fun with people. Plus, it was nice they helped me with my kids. (Yes, Scott is STILL out of town).

Audrey wouldn't go out and get candy. She wanted it to come to her. Needless to say, she didn't get much :).

This is what Peter thought of the parade.

Marie hung out with my sister.

Richard got tons of candy. So, I guess it worked out for Audrey after all!

Pictures

Here are the babies nine month old pictures.

Family Reunion

We had a day at the park with my Mom's side of the family. I greatly enjoy seeing my cousins and their families. I'm glad I was able to go. Things were a tad bit overwhelming, as Scott was still gone at scout camp. However, my sisters and Mom were a great help.
Audrey was really grumpy that day. I think she gets overwhelmed by large, unfamiliar crowds.

The kids played "Put the sticker on Grandpa's nose." Dad was a great help!

It was such a hot day, but we lucked out in that my Dad asked my sister to bring a hose to clean off the pavilion. Well the hose was much more useful as a way to keep the kids cool and happy!

Grandma and Grandpa's

We went to my parent's house and had a great time. My Dad played Wii and Nintendo with Richard and Audrey. They loved it! My Dad is not a "gamer" of any sort, so it's so neat to see him do something with the grandkids just so he can be with them.

Marie and Peter had fun playing with whatever was on the floor. They are never far from each other. If one crawls to go look at something else, the other is never far behind.

Are you kidding?!

I went to the store with Audrey, Peter, and Marie. Audrey informed me that she needed to go potty. Sigh. I hate bringing her to the potty in the store, but I can't have her wetting herself in the store. So, off to the potty we go. I usually bring the shopping cart in the bathroom, so I don't have to leave Peter (who sits in the chair thing), out in the hall. However, another woman had the same idea and already had the bathroom full with her shopping cart. So, I just pushed Audrey through the door and told her she'd have to do it herself. Audrey wasn't thrilled with that idea, and so I waited for that woman to be done.

This woman looked at me as we shuffled shopping carts and kids and noticed Audrey, Peter in the shopping cart, and Marie in the Baby Bjorn. She said, "Are these all yours?"

I'm thinking, "Duh, of course they're all mine! Do you think I just pick up babies to bring to the store because it's fun!" I said, politely, "Yes, they're all mine."

She said, "How does that work?"

I'm thinking, "What do you mean? I pushed them all out and so therefore they're mine."

I said, "Well, I had twins."

She said, "You don't mean these two?" pointing to Audrey and Peter.

I'm thinking, "What?! Are you kidding me?!"

I say, "No, these two," pointing to Marie and Peter.

She says, "Oh, but he's so much bigger!"

I'm thinking, "Yea, but he's a lot closer in size to Marie than to Audrey! Are you stupid?!"

I smile and go on my way. Whatever.

Scout camp

Scott is gone to scout camp this week. I get lonely all by myself with four kids all day long. So, I said "Farewell" and went to my parent's house!

the yard

We have really been enjoying our new yard. Our garden boxes have been so much fun! We've had fresh herbs to put on our food. We have gotten lots of beans and peas. Scott has discovered that vegetables can be really good fresh (he's not a fan of vegetables).

However, we also have to battle weeds. I guess that's way of yards. Weeding does have a bit of a therapeutic touch for me. It's kind of like organizing things. When you have chaos in your life that is difficult to control and organize and such, it's nice to have something that you can make orderly. You put forth effort, and it comes out beautiful! If only it were so easy in the other aspects of life.

visits

I had a couple of important people in my life that I don't get to see very often come and visit me this week. First, my cousin that I grew up with was in town. He, his older brother, my sister, and I did everything together when we'd be with my Mom's side of the family (which was fairly frequently). He's funny and so entertaining to be around.

I then had my dearest friend from college come and visit. She used to live here, and we'd do play dates at the park and go walking at the mall. Then, alas, she moved away so her husband could go to graduate school. We keep in touch well, which is amazing. She and I think so much alike and she and I can talk forever.

I love visiting with people! Thanks for coming to my house!

9 months.

My babies are now nine months old! Marie was 13 pounds 14.5 ounces, which puts her in the .46%. She's so tiny! She was 27.5 inches, which is in the 51.7%. That's a HUGE jump from before. Her length was in the 14% before. She's been growing ever since birth, but that's the biggest jump. Her head circumference is 17.25 inches, which is 47.23%.

Peter is 18 pounds, 3 ounces, which is the 15.51%. People talk about how much bigger he is, but he's really pretty small for his age! He is 28.25 inches long, which is the 53.83%. He's also been getting progressively taller/longer. His head circumference stayed the same at 17.5 inches, which puts him in the 27.08 percentile. His head must have been measured wrong last time. It's interesting that Marie's head circumference is in a higher percentile when it's smaller.

They are both crawling really well. They both can stand next to thing. They'll often stand in their cribs and jabber and giggle at each other. While it's cute, it can delay bedtime a little. Peter can climb the stairs, but Marie can feed herself Cheerios. So, they both have different strengths. They are both very happy and very cute.

Independence Day

We went to my parents for the 4th of July weekend. I grew up in a small town and they do all the small town celebratory stuff. We went to a dinner the night before at the high school. I soon decided that was probably a dumb idea, as my kids didn't eat a lot of food that was expensive (as far as they are concerned). I was trying to keep the babies happy and keep Richard and Audrey entertained. I finally decided it was not worth it and left. My wonderful sister and her husband volunteered to watch the kids during the evening shows. I had bought tickets for Scott and I, but they didn't want to go. So, I was able to put the youngest three to bed and then go back. We watched a motocross thing and a concert, which were fine. I wasn't all that excited about them, but it was fun to be out without the kids.

The next morning they had the city parade. We always sit in the same spot. The parade has gotten longer over the years and has your typical small town charm.

Audrey either didn't care about the candy or was too overwhelmed to fight the crowds. Richard really got into it and got a ton of loot.

They have activities and such at the park afterwards. I'm a cheapskate and so only let my kids play on the playground equipment.

I love our nation and have high hopes that things will one day be more favorable.