It's one small step and one giant leap...

Well it is official. Both Madelin and Zachary have taken their first steps. They have been working on it for a while, but today we are going to say is the official day, b/c they took more than one step at time. Maddie is REALLY getting the hang of it! She is really liking her new skill. Zack however has to be forced to walk alone. He isn't having it right now. Below is the footage. Enjoy!!

Happy Birthday Auntie Crystal!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Auntie Crystal! Happy Birthday to you!!!!

It's a Twin Thing

Here are the pics from the party. I am going to go more in detail later. ENJOY!!

Happy Birthday Cousin Callie!!

First, Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl Callie! She is turning 2 today!
This past weekend we were all able to visit her for her birthday party down in SC. We packed up everyone and headed out on Friday night. To break up the trip we stopped at Mamaw and Papaw's house on Friday (thank you for letting us crash at your house!). Then we were up early and out by 8:30am to head to SC. The kids did really well for such a long trip. They pretty much slept most of the time (which was nice while in the car, but it did throw their schedule off for the day). We were there around noon and we got to spend a little time with everyone before the party. Callie is a huge fan of Elmo so her party was an Elmo theme. It was so cute, Amy did a great job. She made me feel all special when she said she was inspired by my Sesame Street party for Aaden, (seen here.) It was so much fun! After the party, Gram, Grandma, Grampy, Amy, Michael, Callie, Cayden and the all of us headed back the Rhymer's house for burgers. Grampy and Grandma had to leave and around 9pm Michael and I had to take the kiddies to the hotel to get them down for the night. The next day we went to Amy and Michael's church. This church was probably the biggest church I have ever been to. I think I counted 7 classrooms for infants-2 year olds. I'm talking HUGE!! It was nice! Then after lunch we headed back home. Thanks again to Mamaw and Papaw for meeting us in G'boro to pick up Trapper (they watched him for us on Saturday night)! We were home around 5:30pm where we all relaxed.

I have so good news...I received party pictures in the mail yesterday taken by Samantha McCaskill Photography. I am still reviewing them (there were quite a few!!), and deciding how I'm going to show them. I think there are too many to do a regular post so I'm going to try and put together a slide show today. (emphasis on TRY!)

Standing Tall

So while I wait for my pictures from Maddie and Zack's party. I thought I would share a picture from their actual birthday. This is them eating their cupcakes we bought them. It was their first taste of cake. Can't wait to show you how they ate their cake at the party.

Also, the next day on the 5th Maddie stood for the first time on her own. She just let go of the coffee table and stood for a while.

Quick note

I am super happy, excited and exhausted about the party yesterday. I can't wait to show everyone and tell everyone about the details, but I did not personally take a single picture. My wonderful cousin took the pictures for me. She does have a little teaser of pics on her blog: Samantha McCaskill Photography

Thank you so much everyone that came up. It was a huge success!! I also have pictures/video of their actual birthday on Wednesday with me and Michael. I will post tomorrow.

Zachary is one!!

At 2:21 am, exactly 17 minutes after your sister, you came into the world. I can honestly say it was the longest 17 minutes of my life. You weren't as willing to come along as your sister. You always seem to have to do what she wants huh? You are the other part of the duo that has helped change our world in every wonderful way possible. You are a thinker. You study things very carefully before you try it. But when you do eventually try things you do them like you have done them all your life. Your first official word was "ma-ma" and then came "da-da". And, while you don't say much now we know you are probably thinking things over and will be speaking in sentences before we know it. Over the months you too have learned so much. You are currently contemplating walking. While you still hold on to furniture, fingers, or toys we know that you are so close to going out on your own. We love your inquisitive mind. You are also extremely calm and laid back. We know that whatever the world throws at you, you will be able to handle with style.

Zachary you have brought us more joy than we could have ever dreamed. We love you so much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACK!!!

Madelin is one!

At exactly 2:04am 365 days ago you came into our lives. You helped change our world in every wonderful way possible. I have seen you grow and change in just a blink of an eye. You were so ready to enter the world that we almost had you in the car. You like to do thinks your way right? You have learned things quickly and your first word was "da-da", but "ma-ma" soon followed. We have seen you learn so much from holding your head up, sitting, rolling over, crawling and pulling up. Each task that you have learned we beam with pride. We love your conquering spirit. You never give up on anything. You are also extremely brave and daring. We know that you will continue to take on the world full steam ahead.

Madelin you have brought us more joy than we could have ever dreamed. We love you so much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE!!

Happy Birthday Madelin and Zachary!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful kids a mommy and daddy could ask for. Below are the portraits from a few weeks ago. Yes the "oops" day. Enjoy!