The last of August

The end of August brought us to the end of our time with Oma...for now. :)  Wow, I am not sure how to capture how grateful we are for her help and love.  From laundry and helping with the endless rinsing of bottles and dishes, to weeding our yard, making baby food, and babysitting Ruby and Owen so mom and dad could get out together..she did it all!  I felt like her visit was our "summer vacation".  Kids went back to school here in Utah the day she left, the weather  is a little cooler, and it is really beginning to feel like fall now.  Ahhh...it was a great summer.

 Ruby loves to hold little books and "read" them.  I love it.  She looks so grown up!

 This little man is insane!  He has started crawling, pulling up on anything he can get his hands on, and now says "mama" (to mama's delight- this is after Ruby started saying "dada" a few weeks ago).  The two of them are getting to be a handful in lots of new ways but we are figuring it out and having a blast with all the new energy and tricks.  Every day is a new adventure.  Videos of some of the fun to come.

 Sleep is so interesting.  Just when you think you have something down, they change.  They both have mostly dropped all night feedings and are sleeping for the most part (still having to get up to pop several binkies a night between the two of them) for about 11.5 hours.  And then, someone decides to pop out a few more teeth, which means more waking, crying, difficulty going down, etc. etc.  We do heart Tylenol though.  It seems to work miracles.

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 Gosh.  Love these three more than I could have ever imagined possible.

Ru and OT are eating a few "popsicles"- a summer evening snack while Oma and mom weed the garden.

 More fun flowers in the garden

 The new ride.  Safer for this family of four than the Mazda we traded in.

 A hike to Ruth Lake before Oma heads back east.  Great weather, great company, and great lunch with a view!

I just love this picture.  Nice self portrait, Chip.  You captured the lake reflection in the background and Ruby's skeptical look about the driver she has been assigned. ;)

Gastronomy

 We spend a lot of our time focused on food around here.  I spend a good deal of my day and energy preparing or giving bottles, making baby food, planning and packing meals, and feeding these two little munchkins solids.  This summer we have gotten out and about a lot, especially with the help of my mom here the past five weeks.  We were eating on the go so often that we started keeping a list of all the places these two have "dined out".  The following pictures capture only a few of the places Ruby and Owen have eaten this summer. The rest will have to be represented in a list only.  

 So, this picture was probably taken at home, but I just couldn't leave it out.  When it comes to eating solids, Ru and OT are pretty amazing.  They eat most things with gusto...including asparagus, brewer's yeast, egg yolks, and tofu (which my mom often reminded me is gross). And, they love trying to use the spoon to get food in their mouths...or just to bang on the tray in front of them.  

Owen and Ruby have dined at SLC farmer's market and the outlet mall (both pictured above), in the car on the way to sushi, at the bike shop in Park City as we prepared for a family ride, on the floor and in the stroller at the Sweetwater condo, outside the aquatic center, at a park in Duchesne, UT, at the Pinebrook Park, in Master Muffler's waiting room (wish we had a picture of that one), in the Costco parking lot, in our garden at home....

at the Copper Moose Farm (pictured above- where Owen could hardly get a meal down because he was so distracted by the roosters)

next to Ruth Lake in the Unitas...

   and in Toll Canyon...in the middle of the trail...no where else to go...

and on the ridge to Summit Park Peak.

Oma was an invaluable help when it came to many things the past five weeks, and making baby food is at the top of that list.  For about ten days straight we make a different food every day, freezing lots and lots of cubes for future consumption.  Asparagus, carrots, green beans, mangos, more mangos (they were on sale), peaches, plums, more mangos, split peas, and beef.  

I am pretty sure that Ruby and Owen will only eat hot dogs and pizza in a few years (or earlier!), but I am enjoying their willingness to eat anything, anywhere for the time being.  Keep up the good work, kiddos!  

"As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices:  take it or leave it."  ~Buddy Hackett

Family Vacation

Well, the family vacations continued as Oma, Chip, Ruby, Owen and I got in the car for our first road trip...to Steamboat, CO!  Aunt Mindy lives there, owns a VERY cute townhome, and graciously put up the five of us for a few days.  We strolled around town, went to the park, ate dinners with friends, and mostly just soaked up the beautiful weather and energy of Steamboat and Mindy and Bo's place.  Ruby and Owen enjoyed the swings and especially loved scooting around on Aunt Mindy's wood floors (they are newly finished and therefore have this really nice stickiness for a scooting baby... as opposed to our old slippery ones).  Our trip back to Park City proved a little more difficult than the trip out...only to figure out the next day that Owen was getting his first two teeth- bottom two, same as Ruby.  

Mindy and Bo followed us back to Park City as they headed out of town for a road trip of their own.  On their way back they stopped in Park City to stay with US for a night. Tina, John, Evan, and Madeleine ALSO arrived via airplane from PA for one grand reunion night of the Mulliken/ Voss/DuRoss clan!  Mindy and Bo continued home the next day.  The Voss family followed them and also spent a few days in Steamboat checkin out the new pad before returning to Park City to hang out for most of the week.

 We had a blast doing as much as we could around town and in our neighborhood with two 7 month olds in tote.  We ate lots of great food out on our deck and at the condo, we did nails during nap time, went swimming, visited the farm, and even went biking for an afternoon.  A highlight was hiking up to the Summit Park Peak Ridge.  Everyone made it despite the steep climb and challenging trails.  This is hearty bunch!

Ruby and Owen LOVED seeing their Aunt Tina again. Another highlight for Ruby and Owen, was getting to meet some more of the family they hadn't previously met (John, Evan and Madeleine).  Evan and Madeleine were stellar cousins.  They played with the kids constantly, they were eager to learn how to hold and feed them, and they were SO responsible with them- always making sure they were in the shade when we were outside, making sure they didn't have dangerous things in their hands (or mouths), and checking that they were seated in safe places.  Chip and I have always enjoyed our time and relationship with Evan and Madeleine, and this trip seemed to just take it to a new level.  So special.  Thanks you two for being so awesome!  Oh yeah, and John, they liked meeting you too.  (inside joke, people)

 And, again, I will probably add another collage as Tina has some of the best pictures on her Iphone, of all things.  So, we are working on getting those, but for now, I wanted to document while it was fresh on my mind.  Thanks to everyone for making efforts to get together.  We had a blast and look forward to next time!

This is a repeat from a long time ago, but I love it.

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."  
~Jane Howard

Summer

Just some randomness.

 Another one of Chip's creations in the kitchen.  Gotta love summer eatin.

 We try to get into the sandbox and/or pool every day.  Keeps things interesting for all of us.  Ruby still insists on putting most things in her mouth...even in the sandbox.  Just love her sandy protruding bottom lip here.

 Oma is back!  For another five weeks!  We are so stinkin fortunate.  She gets in the sandbox and the pool with us.  She pretty much does whatever Ruby and Owen want to- silly faces, singing, books, toys, on the floor, in the highchair, in their crib...she does it all!  Love it.

 On to some shots in the pool.  Oma got Ruby this ruby red swim suit that I adore.  

 Owen likes to try and catch the water.

These are a few wildflowers from our yard.

A little photo shoot with dad.  Ruby and Owen are quite familiar with the camera.  They start smiling when they see it pulled out- total hams.

Teeth are in the house!  Ruby got two just before turning 7 months old.  You can see the jagged little suckers coming up in the middle on the bottom.  Owen got the exact same two teeth in about two weeks later.  He does not show them off as much so we are still working on a picture.

Here is our very sophisticated little teether (notice the raised pinky on her left hand while holding her teething ring).

Chip loves to put our hats on the kids and take pictures.  I can't get enough of it.

Wow- these are late.  Here are the paintings Ruby and Owen did for dad for father's day.  Just wanted to make sure we have their first masterpieces recorded.  

OBX

Both Chip and I grew up going to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.  Our trips there have been fewer and further between since moving out west, and therefore all the sweeter when made.  A few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to join the rest of the DuRoss family in Avon, NC for a week of fun in the sun. The adults only outnumbered the kids by one.  Crazy! Ruby and Owen did amazingly well with all the travel.  Previous to this trip, the longest trip they had made was to the airport and back to pick up all the people visiting us.  I guess it was our turn to do the traveling, but I have to admit that this twin mom was pretty nervous about the long days of flights and driving to get to our destination (a full day of flying followed by their first night sleeping away from home, in a hotel,  followed by a six hour drive to get to the house).  It turned out to be such a great experience!  Not only did they get to meet some family we hadn't seen yet, experience and explore a new part of the country and environment, but we found peace, confidence, and liberation in our ability to function outside of our house and schedule.  Yahoo for that!

The ocean and beach were a hit.  We were afforded one day of perfect conditions at the beach for Ruby and Owen to swim in the ocean with mom and dad.  They loved the waves and sand and chaotic nature of the ocean.  They also really loved the pool.  This was an easier place for us to all get in the water.  We discovered that Ruby is a little fish.  She kicked her legs as we lead her around the pool.  She also goes under water and comes up with a smile on her face-so cute .  Owen also liked the water.  He prefers splashing constantly with his hands and grabbing onto anything within reach in the pool.

The kiddos were smiles and giggles all day, every day.  You could just tell they loved being with all the family, getting attention and love from cousins, aunts and uncles, and checking out a new environment.  They tolerated whatever we made them wear (hats and sunglasses most of the time as pictured above) as well as the lathering and washing of sunscreen each day. 

Nana and Papa.  We love them.  Everyone loves them.  In true form, they went to the beach at 9am, hung out with each family as we made our way to the beach, often in shifts depending when our kid's naps were, and then closed 'er down around 5pm, just in time for us all to enjoy dinner together at the house.  Each family took turns cooking for a night- a really fun way to make planning and cooking for so many people manageable.  Thanks to Nana and Papa for making this week possible.   

The cousins

Morgan- This is Hope's niece who joined us for vacation this year to help out with all the kiddos.  She is 15, very mature, and has an uncanny eye for knowing when to step to hold a baby, help with a bottle, entertain so the parents could get something done, or just play for fun because our kids LOVED  her.  She definitely made the vacation more stress free for us.  Thanks, Morgan!

Family Photos

Moments- Clockwise- 

Chip hangin on the amazing deck as we did every evening.  Finn and Judah playing in the evening on the same deck- we loved it. Derek and Judah with their adorable smiles.  Selah helping Owen stay happy so he could finish his lunch and could go to the beach!  Family time in the pool.  Finn holding Ruby- I can't believe how big she looks in his arms!  Nana and Papa holding down the beach fort.  Hope, Chris, Erika, Nola, Ruby and Mercy getting some cuddling on the porch in.  Selah reading with Ruby- precious and then also enjoying an incredible dessert that her mom whipped up on their night to cook.

Other awesome moments-

Surfing at dusk till the sun went down after the kiddos went to bed.  Luckily I am here to type about it.  A week after we left the island, there was a shark attack near where we stayed.

Discovering not one, but two new teeth (her first) in Ruby's mouth on our third day of vacation.

Pool Party 2011

Visors with names on them (and other fun crafts from Hope and Morgan)

Feeding the sea gulls

Girls winning Catch Phrase

Ipad star gazing

Evening walks with babies in carriers

Brotherly dawn patrol  surf sessions

Apply Uglies

Believe it or not, this entry will get longer.  I am waiting for a few great photos (these are not all ours- the camera broke on day three or so- thanks to Chris, Erika, Derek and Hope for your contributions) to add.

additions-

 DuRoss Clans (sorry about weird sizing- collage wasn't working with me)

 Just one more of them- too funny to leave out.

 All the cousins together- a tough moment to capture.

And finally, on the LAST night, moments before we disbanded for bedtimes(R&O already in their PJs you can see) and packing, we gathered one last time in this incredible place for a photo.  Till next time!  Love you all!

“Sponges grow in the ocean. That just 'gets' me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen.”

--Stephen Wright

Girlfriends

I love em.  Nothin like em.  Two very special gals recently visited.  

First, Ms Dana Baxter came in from Eugene, OR.  She is amazing with Ruby and Owen.  They  were so comfortable with her they let her do everything from hold, hug, and love them to giving a bottle on the trail, changing diapers/clothes, and getting a lunch of solids from her as well.  I think they felt her comfort and love.  And, she is this vat of knowledge when it comes to baby care.  She teaches (used to teach??) classes so you know I was loving getting to ask all those questions about how I am supposed to be doing things, or what is the latest research saying about x,y, or z.  Dana helped me stock the freezer with homemade baby food, helped us motivate to get a pool for the kids to get in- so fun (see picture below), and jumped in anywhere she could lend a hand or just have fun with Ruby and Owen.  We love her!

 They don't look that happy in this picture, but they had such a good time splashing around.  Maybe they are irritated that we made them stop to take a picture.

Next, Meegan Addy.  Aside from having to recover from a nasty bug the first 24 hours, our visit was awesome.  Meegan also was so comfortable with OT and Ruster as indicated in the picture below.  I am always so impressed when people willingly want to hold both of them at the same time.  It is hard.  They showered Meegan with smiles and really enjoyed our adventure in Park City- geocaching.  We found three caches and got a few tips on "textbook" spots to hide these things.  Meegan read books, played, and cuddled our kiddos.  We love her too! So fun to share these special new family additions with people I have known for well over a decade.

 Under the light base- typical hiding spot.  I would have never even known they came up.  

Behind rocks- another typical hiding spot.  I seriously don't know how she saw these things.  When I need another hobby, this could be the next one I take up.  It's like a scavenger hunt for adults!