16 Months!

Caroline and Ellie are 16 months old and they are changing so much in the little things.  

After visiting my parents in Alaska for 4 weeks, we are back in Houston and adjusting back to normal life.  We came back with them so much more capable than they were when we left.

This is our first time since before Christmas that we are settling in and just doing normal life, but back then (which feels like a lifetime ago) the girls were barely walking.  

They loved hearing the "swish swish" that their feet made in the snow

They are fast up the stairs and just at the slightest mention of bedtime or bathtime, they immediately stop what they're doing, go straight to the stairs and make their way to their bedroom.  

For starters, anytime you take a picture, they want to see it.  Somehow they know if a picture is being taken no matter if it is with my big camera or with a cell phone, and they always want to slide their finger across any screen to flip to the next picture.  

They have also learned and mastered "peek-a-boo"....

...and I have to say in my unbiased opinion, there's nothing cuter than walking the aisles of Wal-Mart the girls playing peek-a-boo in our double stroller!

They are getting slightly better at playing...or at least they show glimpses of playing with something longer than 8 seconds.  

The are getting really good at song recognition.  If they hear the tune to any familiar songs they immediately stop and start to dance.  

The like the Mickey Mouse songs...notice my Mom doing the "Hot Dog" Dance with the girls

Their favorite songs right now are "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Where is Thumbkin" and "Pat-a-Cake".  They request us to sing these songs ad nauseam and they have a special hand signal for each song.  

We talked to Blake on Skype every night and now I have to keep the computer hidden because every time they see it, they want to talk to someone on it.  

Even on Skype, if someone asks them to point to a body part, they're happy to oblige.  We've covered all the facial body parts and now we're working on the joints such as shoulder and elbow!

With all the things that they can do, they still cannot say one small word, despite my best efforts.  Not even a Mama or a Dada. 

I guess the persistent whining is still working for them and they don't feel the need to form a word.  

Even if they can't express it in words, I know Caroline and Ellie are missing their grandparents.  It was a really fun month in the snow and with my parents.  Plenty of attention, arms to hold them, and kisses to go around at all times.  It was a great visit!

Just a Typical Neighborhood Stroll

Caroline, Ellie, and I have been in Anchorage visiting my parents for a couple weeks.  Apparently, Anchorage is having a down year as far as snow goes...there's hardly any snow with the streets completely dry, but it is still COLD!!

We went on a walk around the neighborhood and took about 20 minutes getting the girls ready to brave the elements.

They looked like those little marshmallow Peeps you get at Easter time.  Adorable Peeps, if I do say so myself!

It was gorgeous out on this day....

About 10 degrees, a gorgeous sunset...

...and an endless view of the Cook Inlet with the mountains in the background.

Gorgeous!

Our walk lasted about 25 minutes before we were all so frozen, despite our garb, that we couldn't stand it any longer.  Caroline and Ellie were happy to be freed from their Peep costumes when we got home...

...and as soon as they could move their arms again, the immediately asked my Dad to sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to be sung to them...with the choreographed motions, of course.

Note:  Hands above the head joined with a short and repeated whine is the universal sign around here for "sing me the Itsy Bitsy Spider!"

A Bako Noel

We flew to Bakersfield to spend Christmas with Blake's side of the family.  Caroline and Ellie did great, especially considering the fact that after 2 cancelled flights...

Ellie

being up all night...

Caroline

waiting in line for hours at the airport at 11pm...

never actually flying into Bakersfield, and having to be picked up in LA...

they were in great moods the WHOLE time!

Going to Bakersfield feels like home for both Blake and I.  It's the longest I've ever lived anywhere and its where Blake was born and raised.  Going home means Caroline and Ellie get to see all of their cousins...soon to be 7 cousins all at the age of 5 and under.

...Not to include their second and third cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and a Great Grandma.

The extended family has a Christmas Eve tradition of all getting together with a soup/bread/dessert pot luck, all the Great Grandkids dressed up in matching PJs,

silly games, a visit from the real Santa Clause, and a White Elephant gift exchange.

The kids reaction to Santa varies on the spectrum ranging from excitement to terror.

Caroline and Ellie were definitely on the terror side of the spectrum.

A part of me felt so bad about them being so terrified, but I'm sad to admit that I was completely entertained and got some enjoyment out of getting these pictures.  I only hope this experience doesn't permanently mar their psyche.

I think they'll be ok.  Yiggie makes everything better.

Our family....

Blake and I each have our own Christmas memories that are poignant, fun and special.  But now, we are beginning an entire new life of memories together, with our children and with our whole family.

I am blessed to call his family, MY family.

Pointing to where it all began....with Caroline and Ellie's Great Grandma!  What a Legacy!

When you get to Timbuktu....Drive Another 10 Miles and Turn Left

Back in November, we went to visit Debbie and Wesley Byrd.  They on a lake outside of a small Texas town in the middle of nowhere.  We say, they live outside of Timbuktu.  It's only about a 3 hour drive from where we live and it's absolutely beautiful.

Debbie and Wesley just celebrated their one year wedding anniversary in December.

Debbie and I have known each other for 29 years.  We met when we were in preschool at the age of 4. Who knew I was was such an excellent judge of character at such a young age?  Or maybe it was because our moms were friends and therefore we became friends.....but, I'm going to stick with  excellent judge of character twist on the story.

Debbie was there for every birthday party I ever had growing up and even wrote me a little song for my 13th birthday to the tune of "Friends are Friends Forever".  I still have it.  Remember that, Debbie?

We haven't lived in the same state since I moved away when we were 16, but we've always stayed in touch somewhat.  We both visited each other at our respective Universities and watched each other pursue careers on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

Now with Blake and I in Texas, we're only 3 hours apart, and I'm already dreaming of Caroline and Ellie getting so excited to visit their Aunt Debbie and Uncle Wesley.

There's nothing like seeing your lifelong friend, love on your kids and think that they're special....

...or watching your lifelong friend's husband read them a Peekaboo book...

Notice the view out their front door!

...and let her change the channel while he's trying to watch football!

There's also nothing like watching Blake have a focused tea party with the girls while football is playing in the background.  

The Byrd's property is absolutely gorgeous.  So rustic and peaceful!

And the inside of the house is cozy, charming, eclectic, beautiful and perfectly Debbie's personality.

The view out of every window was just beautiful

and even on a cold a rainy weekend like it was, it made you want to just sit and be.

It's far away from any grocery store and any place to eat or shop

but I guess with a kitchen like this, it makes it a little more fun to be cooking every single meal.  Just a little.

Debbie and Wesley, thanks for letting us come hang out with you guys for the weekend,

 letting Blake go hunting with you, being so nice when the girls tried to tear up your beautiful home,

and most importantly keeping up a 29 year friendship.  I can't wait for this next chapter in our lives now that we have our families and maybe one day, our kids can be friends... just like our mom's kids became friends.

Love you Debbie!