Breakfast

Every morning, as soon as these guys wake up, they're hungry and want a bottle. So I quickly make them each one, and they lay on the living room floor with each other gulping it down. Usually I can get diapers changed while they chow, and breakfast made for Izzy and I as well. But these were too cute one day to not take some pictures of.

"Ah - I love you Zach!"

"Are those your fingers or mine?"

"He did it!"

Loon Mountain Vacation

We just got back from our annual week in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Steve's family. Here's pictures from our week away.

The family at the Mt. Washington Hotel overlooking the scenic White Mountains.


Grandma Introne with Izzy.

What a cutie-pie! She loved the old-fashioned wooden rocking chairs on the patio at the hotel.

Just call him POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN! He's developed this affinity for sucking on french fries - doesn't eat them, just sucks on them.

What a happy girl!

Our big adventures this week were getting the kids outdoors. We went hiking a couple of times. The twins rode in backpacks and Izzy walked. She did all the hiking on her own - walking 2-miles one day, and 1.5 miles another day. The trails weren't hard, but there were some elevation changes. We were so proud she hiked that far on her own, but it wore her out! She's never slept so well!

At the Lincoln Woods trail.

Mommy carried Emily on the hikes.

Zach rode on Daddy's back...

...and of course fell asleep half-way through the hike!

Checking out a stream along the way.


Our other big outdoor activity was biking. We rented bikes with the baby trailers behind them. Z&E rode in one behind Steve, Izzy rode behind Melissa (and carried all the gear and lunches.) We did a 13-mile tour that took us down the Franconia Notch and through the town of Lincoln, NH.

There were a couple steep downhills, and we figured they cuddled up, grabbed on to each other and went to sleep to try and forget about how fast daddy was taking them down the hill!


At one point on the trail, we stopped to check-out a lake.

Overall, we had a great week. The kids are playing together so well these days!

Twins' 1st Birthday

Zach and Emily had their first birthday this weekend. Here's a few pics from their party. We were on vacation up in NH in the White Mountains, so it was just the family. We had dinner out, and then fun with cake when we got back to our resort.

Zach's not too sure about this stuff.

Of course our little garbage compactor scarfed it down - then ate all of Zach's piece as well!

Family Pictures

We just had new family pictures taken. It was craziness. When Steve and I were in the shot, it was fine, because we could hold the babies. Trying to do the kids alone was impossible. They kept trying to jump or crawl off the table. We only got 1 shot of all 3 together - thankfully it came out pretty good. Trying to do them individually was just as bad. Couldn't get Emily or Isabelle to sit still at all. Zach was the only one that lasted more then 2 seconds!

Grandma and Grandpa Wiens

We've really enjoyed having Melissa's parents here for the last month. They graciously (although they won't ever do it again!) babysat all 3 kids for a week while we went on vacation. Plus, my dad has put in a lot of work helping us build our 3-season room. Since they don't get to see us that often, living on the other side of the country, we enjoyed having all this time together, and the kids were spoiled having grandma and grandpa around so much.

Race weekend

Steve raced again this weekend. He just keeps getting better. Finished in 3rd place both days - YEAH! On Sat he was gridded 4th and on Sun made it as high as 2nd - starting on the front row of the pack. We're so proud of how well he did (even though his race on Sun ended up in a torrential downpour that got all of us soaked to the bone - babies included!)

Starting on Sunday, his first time on the front row, right behind the pace car.

Surgery at the track... Steve smashed his finger while working on the car. Luckily, one of our friends was there, who just happens to be a surgeon. So she relieved the pressure by, get this, drilling a whole in the fingernail with Steve's dremmel! No lie! I can't believe he let her do it - but I guess it hurt so much, he figured it couldn't get worse.


Zach can't wait to jump out of the stroller and get into daddy's racecar.

Grandma and Grandpa Introne bought the kids their own racecar. Goes 5mph, 2 gears, etc. Mommy had to try it out, sort of.

Izzy's getting her first taste of racing!

Swimming

The weather has been hot and HUMID lately, so we've been cooling off in the pool. Grandma and Grandpa Wiens bought the twins these boats that they love - except Emily is already crawling out of hers - while in the middle of the pool! The girl has NO FEAR! Did I mention in the last 2 weeks she's climbed the entire flight of stairs AND managed to climb out of her crib in the middle of the night. =)