HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY BABY GIRLS!

I can't believe that 2 years have passed. These two precious angels are the light in my life. Being able to stay at home with them is the best thing in the world. I would not change it for anything. I get to see so many things everyday that are new to them. I am there when they open their mouth wide(just like me) about something exciting. To hear Mama all day long, oh I love it. Having conversations with them, even though it is really jibber jabber is so wonderful because they know what they are saying.

On with their birthday party. Candy Land!!!! What a fun party it was. The girls had fun. Cate did have some temper tantrums, but Aunt Rozzie fixed everything. Caroline was loving it. They jumped in the moonwalk for about 2 minutes then played at the park. Ate pizza and cake, who doesn't like that. They played with their friends. All had a good time.

On their actual birthday on the 12th, we had cookies at StrollerFit with our friends. Then we went to the mall with Aunt Gina and Nathan to take pictures with Santa. That is our tradition. Pictures with Santa on their birthday. They played at the Castle with Nathan and were worn out for a good nap. They they had more cookies after dinner. Fun times!

Happy Birthday babies! We love you.

Two 2's in Tutu's

How cute are they??!! Cate wanted to wear it like a dress; she kept pulling it up . Caroline wouldn't even put it on until she saw Cate wearing it. She couldn't wait to twirl around in it. She would have probably played soccer in it too. I love my girls!

Halloween 2008

The girls had a great time this Halloween. We first went to church to our Fall Festival. They girls jumped in the moonwalk and kicked the soccer ball in the goal. I had to work a booth, so Chris took them around int he wagon until I was finished. We did not stay long there so we could come home and visit our neighbors.

They did so good, they carried their bags (from the festival) and collected more candy for me and Chris to eat...oink...oink!Last year their costumes were not very comfortable so I made sure to get them more comfortable costumes this year. They had a great time playing with Meghan and Kayla, their BFF's.

What is to come?

Today, the day after an historic election. Our country voted in an new President. Yes, it was historic, he is black, the VP running against him was a woman, but never mind that. I am frightened of what it to come in this country. They are comparing the Obama family to Camelot. Do we not remember what happened to the Kennedy's? That was not so much a happy ending. I worry that if something does happen to our new President how will the black community react? I worry that our country will continue to be a target of terrorist. What will he do about it? NOTHING?? I understand that the wars that we are in have lost their luster. Remember 9-11, I say. Watch as people are jumping to their death from the 99th floor of the world trade center, people like you and me. Remember the brave people on the planes who were used as targets to kill more people, people like you and me. President Bush took control. Be it as it may that it went a little out of hand as the years grew on, however, he said NO WAY!!!! What will our new president do? NOTHING??? I worry about my dad who has been working for 45 years in the selling health care insurance will soon be out of a job. What will he do at 65?

Barack, you are right, a CHANGE has come to America; but is it the real change that we need? Maybe not.

What is to come?

GYMNASTICS

THE MOUNTAIN

On the mountain.

Caroline touching the bars with her toes. Cate swinging.

Caroline on the rings.

Cate flipping over.

Cate coming down slide.

Cate sliding into the pit.

Caroline flipping.

The girls go to gymnastics on Wednesdays. They are loving it. I am getting a workout too. My mom came this past week to take some pictures of their progress. Yes, they are catching on. Caroline is a little more willing to try more things than Cate, but that is fine. They are still having fun. When Caroline will go with one of the teachers that helps a lot. That gives me some time to help Cate. Cate doesn't like to go to the teachers. After the regular class time, we go to "The Mountain" It is a gigantic area with steps and slides and ramps and hidden tunnels covered by carpet. VERY FUN!! The girls love this part. I am running around like crazy making sure they are ok and not getting stuck or sliding down too fast. It helps a ton having my mom there, even if it is to take pictures, it is an extra set of eyes for me! After free play they all get in a circle and sing a "good bye" song and get stamps. The girls favorite place to get stamps is on their tummy.

Caroline jumping on the trampoline.

Singing the good bye song.

Getting ready for their stamps.

FESTA ITALIANA 2008

Festa Italiana is a festival that I have always gone to. I remember so many wonderful things about it throughout the years. From running around with Gina, Joe and Gigi, singing Chella Luna and the Chicken Dance song. Eating all the great food: Sfingis, artichokes, pasta, pizza cannollis. And that was right when I got there. Then I would take a break, dance some more and eat again. Buying the Kiss Me I'm Italian shirt. Throwing balls at the dunking booth. Drinking underage (sorry mom). I could go on and on. Now it is time that I pass that tradition on to my girls. The festival is not as big as it used to be, too small really. But, the feelings haven't changes. I still get that kick in my step when I pass the pasta booth, wondering how many bowls I can eat this year? Then the sweet smell of the sfingis, mmm..mmm..mmm. I hope this year goes by fast! Anyway, passing this tradition along to my girls is great. They danced to Chella Luna, with me, of course! They ate sfingis. Chris and I had to get another plate and hid it from the girls so we could have the whole thing. BAD PARENTS!!!

They when on a pony ride. Something that they did not have when I was growing up. Cate jumped on the moonwalk. There was an attempt to ride the train, but that did not last!
It was a very exciting day for the whole family!

Happy 7th Anniversary

You...

Kiss me every morning before you walk out of our room.

Unload the dishwasher before you leave for work, even if it is 5:30 in the morning. You do it because you know I hate it.

Turn on the alarm before you leave to make sure all your girls are safe when you are not home.

Are the bread winner and take great care of us financially. Work hard at your job to be successful. Come home and tell me all about your day; it is exciting to me too!

Rush home to see your daughters and get hugs and kisses from them. Stop everything when one of your daughters lays their head on your shoulder. Help with bath time. Get the milk ready for the girls before bed time.

WASH THE DISHES after dinner.

Tell me you love me 100 times a day. Always go to bed at the same time with me.

Married me.

I love you so much Bunches. Where your road leads, I will follow.

Happy Anniversary.

Girls at Play

Caroline loving on Puma. Isn't she a cutie? She is so lovey.

This is a bad sign for the future...drinking and driving!!

WE HAVE BEEN SUPER BUSY AROUND HERE. I have not had time to keep this updated. Our week is just full of activities. Night time is couple time...we are both on the computer. hehe. The girls are in gymnastics and are doing well. Caroline is picking it up a little quicker than Cate. Cate is a little shy there and won't really leave my side. Caroline is learning to jump on a trampoline and swing on rings. I am not able to take pictures of anything because I am bust chasing them around keeping them on track. We practiced tonight doing a straddle, and a pike.They do it when I tell them, but are too bust trying to run around at the gym.

After gymnastics we go to the Ruckus Room http://www.ruckusparty.com/ We have a good time. They don't really jump on the moon walks, but they play on the slides and run around. We are sometimes the only ones there, which is really nice.

This weekend Chris and I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary. I can't wait to go on a date with my husband. He is the most wonderful man in the world and he is MINE!

Susan G. Komen Walk

This was the first year that we have done this walk. What a great cause. If you have not heard of it, it raises money to help with breast cancer research along with support for survivors and or families. http://www.komen.org/ Visit the website and donate. I was able to raise $450. A BIG THANK YOU to those who contributed. I know a few people who have had breast cancer and are SURVIVORS! How great is that! I plan on being a part of this great cause every year.

It was an early morning for us. We were supposed to be downtown at 7:15, wheh, that is early..for everyone. The girls did great. We got them dressed an out the door at 7. OK, we were late. But no problem. They ate cheerios on the way there. I was not anticipating the amount of people there. Maneuvering around there with a stroller is not the easiest thing to do. I ran over a lot of ankles. We signed up for the Family Walk, this was way too short for me. Next year it will be the regular walk, that is a 5K.

After our 1/2 mile walk, we took the girls around to listen to music and took a picture with Dora. Caroline thought she was at the zoo again...wanted to run!!! After all the dancing and no one wanting to play with me, we went to Memorial Park. They have build a great play ground. We played there, rather chased the girls around for about 45 minutes then off to lunch. We had a great and very active Saturday that started off very early for a fantastic cause that I am so proud to be a part of.

Dancing to the music.

Pictures with Dora

No one wants to come to me.

First Zoo Visit

Kim, Sarah, Mary, Angela

I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, the first visit to the zoo, they are almost 2. Well, it is true, we have not brought them to the zoo. I can come up with a million reasons why, but mainly the reason is because I did not know what to expect and the girls always seem fussy, so I was not about to be across town with all that mess!!!! Well, a play group that I am a part of that meets every other Friday was going. It consist of other "twin mommies" so, I felt that if they can do it, so can I!!! I too shall conquer this!!! And we did. The girls did fine. Even with not much sleep the night before. They started to break down around lunch, so that was my cue to leave. Of course we could not get out of there without buying t-shirts and animals. They love their Bangal Tigers, both named Puma! Caroline does not like big animals. She wanted to get out an run when she saw anything. She did like the cats though. Who doesn't??? Cate was curious, she liked everything. I think that we can venture back to the zoo. Hopefully Chris can come that time. With the cooler temps, it will be nice. Did I say I love the Fall!!!??? At the children's zoo area they have a play structure that the kids loved. It was right next to the petting zoo. They got to brush the animals. Thank you Kim, Sarah and Mary for suggesting we go to the zoo for our play date. Now my cocoon has expanded a little bit to bring the girls somewhere by myself. Cate and Caroline love playing with Aubrey, Emory, Lilly, Maddi, Izzi, Kyle and Emily.

Cate, Kyle and Caroline

Cate and Izzi