Day One of the big trip!!!!

So after MANY MANY days of planning and packing we headed out. We decided that we would try to fit five adults and two babies in our minivan....Well we did it but it was hard!!! Many things didn't make the cut...The double stroller (the hardest thing for me to part with) and the travel swing were the first to go. But once we decided to only take the van it was almost more of a challenge to make it work.  My favorite thing about my caravan is the stow and go. The floor board comes up in the back and you have more storage space underneath. That was probably the only way we did it. Since we were going to be stopping lots and staying at different hotels all week, I packed a different bag for each day for the girls. In addition to that I packed a huge plastic tote of things we use everyday. I even made little tags for each bag with what day they were for...

Missing a few tags in this picture but you get the idea.

No I don't know how I have time to do it with twins. I don't!!!! I probably did it while they were sleeping and I was stressed and that kind of thing helps. Plus I thought they came out

 cute and I can use them again. Anyways, I'm loosing focus!  We loaded the van and were off. We left about 10:30 at night to travel while the girls slept. It worked very well. 

We got to Memphis about 7:30 in the morning. One quick stop at the travel center for the girls breakfast. We were ready to take on Memphis!!!!

Madelyn eating breakfast with Poppy!

When the girls were nice and full we headed to The Arcade for our breakfast.

 Let me tell you if you are ever in Memphis go have breakfast there it is AMAZING. I loved their pancakes. 

Kinley had enough of her carseat and wanted OUT!

Chris had been driving some of the night and looked super tired. 

Madelyn really wanting to try Daddy's food! 

Ok not really but getting tired of being in her seat too!!

After breakfast we headed over to this place called Mud Island River Park. It has this small scale river walk of the entire Mississippi River. Lots of kids were there having toy boat races. It was pretty neat just super hot.  Like I said the double stroller was ditched due to its hugeness so we got out the sling and carrier...

Until they decided that they preferred this mode of transportation.

Poor poppy got stuck with a girl more than once on this trip...not that he minded, I don't think. 

The "Mississippi River"

The girls playing in the water. Madelyn on the left, K on the right.

After a walk around the park and the museum Kinley finally had ENOUGH...and was sharing her feelings with us and everyone else in Memphis. We decided to go back to the hotel to rest. After a few hours of resting we headed back out and did some sightseeing around Memphis. At five we headed over to the Peabody Hotel to see the famous ducks. These ducks stay in the lobby of the hotel and are trained to leave when the duck trainer starts playing music...Anyways these ducks have been doing this forever and are famous so we thought we would go see. 

This is what we were supposed to see.

This is what we actually saw...Nothing!!! 

These ducks are really famous evidently and half the world showed up to see them.  

We had a nice dinner in downtown Memphis and a swim at the hotel and called it a night! Overall a nice time had by all! Next stop...ATL!! Don't worry I won't write this much about EVERYDAY! 

One year ago...it's not twins!!! HAHA

So most of you know that when I found out I was pregnant Chris was in Africa. I knew for about two weeks before I saw him. We headed up to the airport to pick all the travelers up. My brother was also one of the ones returning. I knew I didn't want to tell him in front of everyone, I wanted him to have time to let it soak in. So we headed back to our Church to sort bags and head home. I pulled Chris into a room and gave him a wrapped box. He looked confused and opened the box. Inside I put two onesies, a girl one and a boy one. He looked at it and looked at me and said really!?!?! We did all the normal stuff you do when you tell someone your pregnant. Hugged and asked questions. I then stated as he pulled out the onesies but don't worry it's not twins!!! Ok, really I didn't know but I NEVER in a MILLON years even thought I would have twins.  My Dr. appointment was not for a few more weeks. Anyways I thought I would share that story and a picture we took of the girls tonight in those onesies.  

Their eyes look huge in this picture. I think the flash caught them off guard. 

I don't think Chris knew how much those little girls would have him wrapped around their little fingers. He is totally in love with our two little twin girlies. 

Also right after he got back from Africa I was in a wedding. We, not knowing I was pregnant with twins at that time, had picked two names...a boy and a girl name. Canon and Kinley. In the wedding there was a flower girl named Kinley and the ring bearer was named Canon. How strange is that. Totally not common names. We had all these signs about two and I didn't even think about twins...not that I believe in that kind of thing. It was just funny.

Girls are 5 months old!!!

I can't not believe the girls are 5 months old. I have no idea where the time went. It seems like yesterday I was pregnant. We are having the best time of our lives playing with these little babies. I mean it's work but it's getting to be so much fun. Kinley weighed just at 11 pounds when we went to the doctors last week. I believe her and Madelyn are right close together in weight.  They are starting to take their entire bottle so maybe we will gain a few this month. 

Madelyn (Maddie, Mae Mae, Maddie MOO)

Wearing newborn clothes

At 5 months started wearing size 1 diapers

Has rolled over twice. Back to stomach once and stomach to back once. (both girls have only rolled over at Auntie Suz's house)

Giggling

Loves her paci, hands and just about anything in her mouth

Loves her bath

Does not like tummy time. 

Everyone says she looks like me

Kinley (K K, Kiwi, Kinwee)

Newborn clothes

size one diapers (woo hoo we can buy the big boxes now)

Rolled over once stomach to back

Maybe giggled once or twice 

Smiles all the time 

Makes the cutest, funniest faces. Expressive 

Loves her paci

Always likes to hold something in her hands

Likes tummy time

Always wants to stand up

Everyone says she looks like a cross between Chris and I. Imagine that!

Most of you probably read Suz's blog but if you don't go check out our fun filled day at the zoo with our quad friends. Man you want attention go to the zoo with a quad stroller. HA! We always have fun hanging out with the Steece's. 

Hey I don't know why the link won't work for Suz's blog above. http://thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com/

Ok so I'm trying!!!

I know the girls are five months old...but I never posted all their 4th month pictures. I am really trying to catch up. I have lots to blog about before I start on our trip. I'm really trying...

Kinley

Madelyn

I just got these from my brother's camera that he took from the weekend we visited our family. I thought they were cute. 

They are always holding hands lately.

My amazing friend who makes all their really cute stuff made them the tutu's and the lil and big sis oneies.  We love everything she makes us. Amber is about to have baby number three and doesn't know what sex the baby is... patience I could not do it!! She already has two little girls. Good luck little mama and we are praying for ya!!! 

One Year ago!!!

One year ago today I found out I was pregnant!! What a complete shock I was in. My husband was in Africa and was going to be for another two weeks. What was I supposed to do...Who could I tell. He was not where I could tell him nor did I want to tell him over an email or phone call. 

I just put my five month old twin girls down for a nap and realized today was the day. At that time I didn't even realize what was about to happen to our lives!!!

I was going to post pictures of the day I found out but can't find my cord for my old camera. 

Summer of traveling...Oklahoma

The girls and I have traveled lots this summer. Way more than I thought I would travel with baby twins. However when I heard that my Great Aunts (they are twins too) were going to Oklahoma I had to take the girls to meet them.

  My Dad is from a itty bitty town in Oklahoma and once a year they have homecoming. So the girls and I loaded up once again and traveled north. 

There is always a parade on Saturday morning. It is nothing but small town charm. 

The Girls at the Parade!!

Poppy went to get us an umbrella. It was so sunny and hot. 

Kinley and Madelyn after the parade. Sporting our cute hats from their BFF Savannah.

We had lunch with the family and the twins got to meet the twins finally. Yes they still dress alike. Well at least when they come to visit. Their mother, my great grandmother, had them when she was 44 years old!!!! They were number 13 and 14 of her kids. One weighed 6 pounds and the other 7 pounds. Crazy huh???

We didn't stay out side long because it was so hot and the girls were not having any of it. We went and took naps and rested. 

Madelyn taking it easy! Hands down one of the best things when we travel, our travel swing!

Uncle Andrew helped a lot with the girls this weekend. Kinley and him catching some Z's

Sunday was spent visiting with family and packing to come home. Uncle Andrew and I tried to get a few pictures with me and the girls. This was the best we got. 

Madelyn and Kinley

Madelyn

That is it for now.  We just got back from a HUGE road trip. Over 2400 miles!!!!! I have piles and piles of dirty clothes I need to wash then I will write about our trip. 

Our new friends...Pancake Bears.

Our good friend Falisha has been coming over almost once a week most weeks. I sometimes plan shopping trips or major errands I need to run when she comes so I have an extra set of hands... OK, I secretly do it so I have someone to talk too!! Ha I know she comes for the babies but I like having her come too. Last week she brought the girls a present, pancake bears. They are super cute but I had no idea they would LOVE them as much as they do. They are pretty flat and are safe for infants.

Madelyn loving on Mr. Bear!

Kinley sitting in her Bouncy!! They all of the sudden are huge fans of those. Falisha holding Madelyn

Kinley

Thank you falisha for our bears. Sometimes when the girls are crying all we have to do is give them their bears and they will stop crying. They also hold their pacifiers in too.