Two Babies!

Here we go! Our trip to Nashville was a trip of a lifetime. Seriously, being an auntie is the best, but TWO babies!

Our first stop was the hospital. My favorite part of the whole trip was meeting the babies for the first time. Branson walked into the hospital room and and promptly said "Whoa! There are two babies!" He was a little late to the party.

Auntie Holy was in Nashville to meet us.

And seriously!!! The older siblings!!!

Sweet Rubes at the park.

Kathy and I took my kids and Charlie to the Zoo.

We went to Franklin and did some window shopping

Maria and her sisters were some of me and my sisters first friends. She now lives in Nashville and it was great to catch up with her while there

Our kids together

Josh flew in the last weekend we were in Tennessee and we headed up to the Smoky Mountains.

I wanted a picture with my kids, these are just a couple and you can imagine how the rest turned out. 

Josh and I have taken the kids to SeaWorld and Dollywood now. We love it and so do they, but logistics of taking a two and a four year old by ourselves to an amusement park is not always easy.

If either of us want to go on an adult ride we take turns waiting with the kids. 

Or I sit with Quinnie while Josh takes B on a ride that is probably a little too advanced for our tall four year old

Quinn hates ferris wheels as much as her mama

The boys loved it.

This cars ride was a hit with everyone

And I have to say that I am super proud of the travelers our kids are. 

We are already looking forward to our next trip. It is going to be another trip of a lifetime...Disneyland! This time we will have Papa and Mimi with us, so our amusement park time will be a lot more relaxing.   First is Thanksgiving and Christmas, so lots to look forward for us. 

Fall Fun

It has been a month now and obviously we are home from Nashville. Wow! It has been a busy month. Our Nashville trip was a success. The kids rocked the the plane rides and enjoyed cousin time. I will get an update on that soon. 

Before we go any further meet Lucy May and Violet Grace. We are in love. 

And since we woke up to snow this morning I thought I better get a few Fall pictures up before it gets too late for that.

Sue and I enjoyed a harvest lunch with this guy.

Pumpkins and apples, nothing says fall more. 

 The Grillo kids came to play one afternoon and we made Halloween popcorn. I tried to get a decent picture of my helpers, but my kids don't have as much practice as Dakota in front of the camera. 

We returned from TN and sickness has hit us with full force, hopefully we are getting our immunity built up before cold and flu season really hits. 

On Halloween we weren't sure if the kids would be up for trick or treating. My kids aren't huge fans of dressing up or going to strangers houses, so I wasn't sure how it would go. Josh and Papa took the kids and I stayed home to pass out candy here 

 I'd say these are signs of a successful evening. 

November first we put our Halloween candy to good use and started potty training Quinn. I put it off since we were going to Nashville, and the plan was to start the day we got home, but like I said sickeness got the best of us and we were finally all well enough to do it. 

She picked out her own underwear and much to her daddy's delight she did not choose the princess undies. 

The first two hours of potty training I wanted to call it quits, but I am much too stubborn for that and it has ended up being a breeze. After a cryfest Quinn finally sat on the potty and realized it wasn't that scary. Since then she she has ran and gone by herself every time. By no means do I think she is potty trained, since I judge that by me being ready to take her on errands with me, but we are off to a great start, I couldn't be more proud of her. 

Nashville Round One

Right now we are busy packing and preparing for our next trip to Nashville. I figured I better hurry and get some pictures from our last trip up before the next one.

B was super excited to get to spend 4 nights at Papa and Mimi's. He helped me pack his stuff. You can see this boy's priorities... all his new trucks...and he threw in his "sleeping gear." Which was his blankie and sippy cup.

My 3 a.m. wake up call Saturday morning was completely worth it once I got to see my sis.

And the sweet faces of her family.

We lucked out and Ben had most of the weekend off, the kids were super happy their daddy was around.

Josh and I snuck out one night to listen to music

It was nice to get to play Auntie and Uncle for a weekend, but next week is going to be a lot more fun with all the cousins together.

Any minute now and the Twinsies will be here and I am so excited. I am very thankful for a mother in law who is willing to venture into the craziness of the next week with me. I know I would not be a help with the six kids four and under on my own. It is going to be chaos and so much fun, I seriously can't wait, there is more excitement in our house right now than at Christmas.

Birthdays

Our little guy turned four and we celebrated big.

He chose a firetruck cake and "Grandma from Tenino" obliged. 

Birthday hugs from his best friend.

Taking a break from bouncey house fun.

B was thoroughly spoiled in attention and gifts.

His one request for his birthday was a crane truck and his sister came through. 

He loved it so much that she even got a hug.

Papa topped off the celebration with a visit from firemen in a firetruck. See...spoiled!

A close up of the cake

The weekend of Branson's birthday is also the fair.

Quinn followed in Uncle Jason's footsteps and ate a pronto pup for every meal.

B enjoyed the rides

And as always the kids were spoiled with attention.

 

With big brother turning 4 that means our baby girl turned 2

Of course she helped make her cupcakes. We won't tell her daddy that the recipe we used was called pink princess cake.