A Visit from Aunt Brynn

Aunt Brynn came to visit us late last week and left on Monday.  It was a much anticipated visit.  The girls have been talking about Aunt Brynn for weeks.  I wasn't sure if they knew what we were all talking about, but something must have sunk in because they were definitely excited to see her!  They went right to her and pretty much stuck right by her side the entire time she was with us. 

We did some fun stuff while she was here, including storytime at the library, gymnastics class, the park, pumpkin patch, and the aquarium,  And we also went on a few great runs (my sister is my very best running partner), got massages one day, and went for a shopping trip to Wilmington.  We were pretty busy and packed in the activity each day.  I'm pretty sure we sent her home tired. 

Here are some of the shots from the aquarium down in Atlantic Beach.  This is the third time we have been down there and the girls had a lot more to talk about this time.  They ran around pointing out the fish, turtles, snakes, sea otters, and alligators.  Josie is on a kick where she likes to RUN AWAY from us as fast as she can.  Unfortunately, she did that at the aquarium and ran smack into another little girl, which prompted a complete and total meltdown.  After that, the aquarium wasn't so much fun for her. 

Thanks for coming to visit us Brynn!  We are so glad Christmas and our trip to Utah is only two months away!

22 Months

There was no cooperation this month for a picture together.  The girls simply refused to sit in the chair together.  So this will have to do.  I never got around to an update for 21 months, and I think this will be my last until they turn 2.  Twenty-two months is a FUN AGE!  Yes, they are opinionated and tempermental, but they are talking more and more each day and always amaze us at the things they understand.  They started preschool last month on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  According to their teacher, their class can all sit together and have their snack, they drink out of normal cups, throw their garbage away, and push their chairs in when they are done.  For circle time, they sit there quietly with their hands on their legs.  This amazes me!  I have not yet figured out how to make them do this for me, but apparently they are capable. 

Shoes and hats are still a big thing around here.  They love to run to their closet and pull out the drawer with their shoes.  This is the outfit Piper put together the other day.  They also love to play with their babies.  They put diapers on them, take their clothes on and off over and over again (or ask us to) and wrap them up in blankies. 

The girls also wore their Garber preschool shirts to school the other day.  Our girlies are still pretty small and the shirts were just way too big for them!  The firetruck came to visit that day so all the kids wore their shirts.  Piper loved it and Josie really hated it.  She is not a fan of big, loud noises and cries when it rains and thunders.

So far this update is all over the place ...

The girls still don't watch any TV with the one exception of Animal Planet.  When we get a little desperate for ways to entertain them, we'll pile onto our bed and watch some Animal Planet for a few minutes.  They are so fascinated by animals and lately have learned about crocodiles, walruses, and elephants.  We took them to the pet store the other day to get Blue's food.  There was a pet adoption fair going on, so we wandered around and saw the poor sad doggies and kitties. :(.  We went to a park the other day with a pond and the turtles swim right up to the edge, so now they talk about the turturs.  We still go running to visit the horses and the birbies (birds). 

We have been skyping with Bubba and Grandpa and they are to an age now where they really understand who is on the screen.  They point to the computer and say "bubba" and get very excited when we see them on the computer.  They will blow kisses, wave, and talk to them. 

I can't believe how close we are to having 2 little two-year-olds.  There are days I wish I could push the pause button.  They are growing up too fast!  My sweet girlies. 

Mumfest 2011

New Bern's big event each year is the Mumfest.  It's your typical street fair with fried everything, tacky booths, and lots of people.  We went this year in search of a petting farm/zoo that we thought the girls were love.  But no dice.  We had to settle for ducks at the waterfront.  The girls still had fun being outside on a beautiful fall day. 

Pumpkins and Playing

Oh October, you are slipping away from us so quickly!  I know fall is lovely everywhere, but I think it might be particularly nice here in North Carolina after the sweltering heat and humidity of summertime.  We have been spending some time at the local park/pumpkin patch downtown. 

Josie got pretty brave here and used some of the skills she learned at gymnastics to hang on the bar all by herself. 

 And Piper did some climbing.  Something I'm pretty sure she will want to do from now on over and over and over again.

 Checking out the pumpkins.  All different shapes and sizes.

And of course swinging away.