Half Moon Bay

Jaron and I were able to get away while in CA for the weekend. We had a wonderful time in Half Moon Bay. The weather was a bit on the cold side, but perfect for snuggling by the fire in the hotel room. Jaron and I love to just lay around on vacation so this was a great place for us. We slept in and napped each day. We did get out and see the sights. The town was quaint and very quiet. We had some wonderful food while there, did a morning run on the beach, and took a great 5 mile hike in the Redwood forest reserve. Here are some pics from that hike.

The banana slugs were everywhere, we stopped to watch this one eat its mushroom breakfast:)

CA trip

At the end of summer we were able to visit CA for a quick week trip. It was a whirlwind of a trip:) My dad and step mom caravaned with us to Fresno...the boys loved riding in their car and spending the night in the "biggest and coolest" hotel they have ever seen. We arrived in Fresno on Wed afternoon. After a quick unloading and trip to my mom's to get another pack-n-play we were off, minus the twins, to go boating with my little bro Bradley and fam. We had a wonderful evening on the lake, we all tubed, Braden got up on skis on the first try, Nathan also got up on skis with Auntie Carroll in the water helping him start out, and I was able to ski on some wonderful water. Tyson enjoyed driving the boat and swimming whenever the boat stopped:) We were also able to watch awesome Uncle Bradley in action on the ski, knee board, and wake board. Megan their 4 year old also got up on skis that evening. We had to head in because the sun was leaving us but we sure had a wonderful time!! (pics will come as soon as I get them from my mom)

We returned back to my dad's in time to hit the sack. Braden said that he loved how fancy the house was and how every room had pretty things in them - lol!!

Thursday the boys hit the lake my dad lives on and fished and swam. Then we headed over to Uncle Bry's house to swim some more!! We spent a wonderful day there with the Berrett cousins, swimming and destroying Uncle Bryan's house;) That evening the older boys headed off to cousins camp with Noni and Popi and Nana. I was able to have a nice evening with the twins and cute niece Autumn.

The weekend was spent with the boys at cousins camp, the twins at Bradley's and then Bry's, and Jaron and I on a get-a-way weekend at the coast...so much fun! ( look for posts on cousins camp and coast weekend to come)

Monday was spent with Bry and family at the water park while the twins were again with Carroll and the girls.

We ended with a wonderful family dinner and grand kid pics with my mom's side.

It was a wonderful, crazy, fast trip. Traveling with twins is a lot of work and I promise I felt like I was going to loose my mind on more than one occasion. In fact I was quite scatter brained the whole trip. I am grateful for my wonderful older boys and how much they helped. My dad and DB for their generosity and help as we drove to CA and our stay at their house. My mom and her always prepared self that supplied me with baby food, cereal, clothes, milk, etc. I am so lucky to have such awesome brothers and spouses that are always willing to give. I wish we lived closer so we could be a part of each others lives more. I love and miss you all!!!

Oh what did we do in the Summertime???

Our summer has been a whirlwind and I can't believe it is over already. Here are some of our highlights, or at least some things we got pictures of:) As you saw before my mom was here for most of August, which was wonderful, Grandpa Wardle joined us for July 24th weekend and for the babies birthday celebration. It was fun to have them around! Shortly after they left my dad and his wife arrived for a short stay. It was wonderful to have them around as well. While they were here we were able to go with them up to Kennecot Copper mine, a first for all of us, except Jaron.

We couldn't believe how big it really was and Nathan LOVED the huge tractors.

We also did our 3rd annual Farr family olympics, the boys live for this every summer and enjoy trying to beat eachother and their own times from the previous years! Here are some pics of the free throw shot -

The high jump - ok so they get an extra bounce from the trampoline:)

The long jump launch...

We also went on a fun adventure to CA...that post to follow:)

First Year check up

7/31/09

7/31/10

Yesterday the babies had their one year old check up! Thankfully my mom was here and went with me to help hold, distract, and play with babies while we waited. They are each growing a ton and learning a lot. When I am out and about with them I get a lot of looks and a few conversations are started by twins, it is amazing how many people have twins or know someone with twins:) Yesterday at the doctor the lady checking us in did not believe they were twins, they are quite opposite, blue eyes/brown eyes, blonde hair/brown hair, big/small, boy/girl...however I told her that if she say my other kids the puzzle would all fit together!!

Justin continues to grow fast. He is taking his first steps and will beat his sister in the walking game. He is all boy, loving to be rough and wrestled with. He is very physical and likes to get his loves in (which I won't complain about)! He knows what he wants and already throws his head down and crys like a little tantrum. He loves to laugh and finds his brothers very entertaining. He is starting to sign "more" and says "dada" on cue. He is in the 50% for both height and weight coming in at 21lbs 9oz and 291/2 inches long. We love out little boy, he brings so much love and laughter into our home!

Jessica is such a princess, she is girl in every way. I love to watch her read her books to herself and anyone who will listen. She will sit on your lap content to just look around. She has her daddy and brothers wrapped around her finger already...boy what are we in for!! She is signing "more", shaking her head yes and no, and waving hi, she says mama, dada and kitty, and I swear the other day she said thankyou. She is our petite one, measuring int he 10% for length at 271/4 inches and 5% for weight at 17lbs 6 oz. She has a ready smile for her family and has brought much love and unity to our boys!

It is so fun to watch these two interact with each other. Justin is very much a button pusher and follows Jessica wherever she goes. Usually in the morning he is up first and gets so excited when she wakes up. He gets a huge grin and goes right up to her and hits her in the face. We are trying to teach him soft, but it isn't getting through yet. There are other times when he will go up to her and steal whatever she is playing with. Jessica has learned to fake cry when that happens which brings attention from whatever brother is near. Justins enjoys getting the reaction our of her and will touch her face or taker her toys just to see her cry...isn't that a boy for you:) I have seen them sharing toys with each other, handing them back and forth so I have hope that the toddler years will have some bright spots and not be filled with just fighting!

Happy Birthday Babies!

We are so blessed to live by family! At the birthday festivities were Grammie and Grandpa Wardle, all the way from CA, Jaron's parents, Jaron's sibs..Jeff and Brooke, Julie and family, and Marci and Wells! The older kids all enjoyed playing in the rain as we sat under the covered porch...they were quite entertaining as well!

Aunt Julie with Birthday boy and mom with birthday girl!

Aunt Marci with Justin and Grandpa Wardle with Jess

Time for cake...the babes each had their own cupcake shaped cake that grammie decorated for them.

Justin did his typical boy thing, attacking the cake and hitting anyone else that would come close. I think Braden and Nathan both got a face full of cake from Justin boy.

Jessica enjoyed picking at her cake as she does all her food, she is such a girl! I think she enjoyed eating the ice cream for Auntie Brooke better than her cake:)

Of course it was like Christmas with all their presents. Everyone was so thoughtful and giving. I don't think I have bought these two anything except for diapers and formula for the last year and at the rate they are going it will continue that way. Thank you to all that came and celebrated with us! Happy first birthday babies:)