Birthday Fun!

Having twins really cuts down on the number of celebration days we get each year. Since we only get three days a year to celebrate five birthdays I try to make the most of it. This year was a no friends party one, so I had to make it special for them. The preparations started the night before, after the kids were fast asleep.JoshMattI love seeing their faces as they wake up and rush down to find a party waiting for them.Rich even managed to get another resident to cover his Saturday night call so he could sleep at home and enjoy a day going to church with the family and celebrating Josh and Matt's special day. Last year he was on call for EVERY birthday. It was high time he got to join in the fun.Can you say SPOILED? Thanks to everyone who called and sent goodies their way.Let the opening begin...They had two extra assistants watching closelyJosh was surprised when he unwrapped a fishing poleMatt was giddy over his new Indiana Jones toysGifts from Grandma and Grandpa Blackhair and Heather and Kris.Kung Fu Panda Monkey Staff and Sword of Heroes. Just what they wanted. Good work Grandma Blackhair.Trey said he'd happily help Matt play his new game. (What a saint!)The gifts just kept comingJosh loved his new batting helmetThe girls couldn't resist such a cool hatBrynn giggled as she tried it on and ate pickles at the same timeThe package from the Nances required some serious muscles and teamwork.Happy Birthday Josh and Matt. We are blessed to call you ours!

Big Number Seven

These two handsome boys are celebrating their birthday today. I can hardly believe that seven years ago I eagerly awaited their timely arrival. I had been on bedrest for a month and was so nervous they would be born prematurly and need extra care and an extended stay at the hosptial. Our prayers were granted, they were born large (Josh 7 lb. 2 oz and Matt 6 lb. 8 oz), healthy and we went home together the next evening. It was something I had hoped so long for, it felt like a miracle. I love these two boys so much. They are as different as night and day. From their physical structure to their passions, they are truly their own inviduals. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
JOSH

1. Gives 100%

2. Is the first on to pitch in and lend a hand

3. Is driven to practice and succeed

4. Loves to play baseball and all sports

5. Can't tell a lie, but wouldn't want to anyway

6. Loves dogs

7. Loves ice cream and snow conesMATT

1. Loves special alone time with me
2. Is a chatterbox, especially when it's time for bed
3. Loves to build and create
4. Has an intense love of the color green
5. Has a collection of action figures and weapons that could rival any
6. Lives on chicken nuggets and ice cream
7. Says the funniest things and keeps us on our toes

Happy Birthday guys. WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday!

To my dear sweet mother: Happy Birthday. Even though I am here far away in the Bluegrass and you are drifting out at sea in Alaska, you have been in my thoughts and hearts all day. You- my constant friend and confidant, my best cheerleader and supporter, my sounding board, my advice guru, my secret keeper, my aid through life- you deserve the happiest day possible. For you are beautiful from the inside out and I'm so proud and bless to be your daughter. I love you!

Swim Fast!

I can't seem to keep up with the posts this summer. Here is a recap of swim meets # 2 and 3.June 11, 2008: Home meet vs Equestrian WoodsJust before the start of the meet, our team demonstrates their enthusiasm with the “Pirate Chant.” The origins of this are not known, but you really have to experience it for yourself to appreciate it:
Oogy La Bamba!
(echo response)
Iggy La Piggy Wiggy!
(echo response)
Ethel La Gethel Wethel!
(echo response)
Ooh Ah!
(echo response)
Ooh Ah!
(echo response)
Pirates, pirates, Rah, Rah, Rah!
(echo response)

Matt and Josh are ready to swim fast!The 6 & under boys line up for freestyle.Josh and Matt were in the same heat- Josh lane 1, Matt lane 6. My camera only took one photo of Josh and told me it needed a new battery (which it didn't) but with the girls wrapped around my legs and video camera in the other hand, this was all I got for their race. They looked great.
Trey hanging out with his little sistersTime to swimTrey has been working on trying to breath more to the side instead of just popping his head up. He's doing a better job.I always like to see a smile afterwards no matter what place you got.Brynn was soon sporting this scary look. She actually took all her clothes off (except the diaper) but I managed to wrestle her shirt back on and secure it with a rubber band in the back. She is quite anti-clothes right now and it's killing me! Every day at swim practice Brynn complains that her diaper is wet (yes it is, it's a swim diaper!) and wants a new one. Since they are 50 cents a piece I make her keep it on until she's done playing in the water. Before I know it she's stripped down to nothing and asks for a diaper. She's crazy!I had to stay after and label ribbons. I knew it would take a while, so I brought along the DVD player to help pass the time.The boys proudly show off their new ribbons (I labeled) the next morning.
June 18, 2008: Away meet vs the Palomar Piranhas Luke, Matt and Josh are excited it is Wednesday: Race Time!This pool had a tiny pool deck, so the swimmers and parents were off to one side. The setting was lovely because it was green and beautiful and shady with a pond off to your left, but you couldn't really watch the meet. When it was time to watch your kids swim, we gathered by the baby pool to cheer them on. The pool was also a lot smaller than our pool. It was only a 25 yard pool instead of 25 meters. We just had to multiply their race time by 1.11 to get the equivalent of their other time on the longer pool. I took a few pictures of my heat sheet to record their times. (The times are in meters.)The girls brought their new chairs from Target and wore red to support their brothers.Josh is ready to go!Coach Phillip was showing some extreme Pirate spirit.Josh and Matt were both in the second heat.Josh only touched the wall twice and got first place in his heat.Matt dives in.He kept moving forward and looked good. Matt really has improved his year when you think he didn't dare swim on the lane line during those first few weeks of practice.But he still was mad he was the last one out of the pool.Here is pure truth in a photo. When you took first place in your heat, they gave you a squirt gun. Josh was thrilled with his new prize. Matt was a tad jealous of Josh's new toy.Thankfully he recovered quickly.Soon it was Trey's turn. With the shorter length to swim, he pushed himself and only took a few breaths. When he got done with his race, he found out he had taken first place and got a squirt gun too.The boys were so happy about their prizes. The parent volunteers that had to watch over the kids weren't quite as excited since the children kept running off to the drinking fountain to fill them up and chasing each other around shooting people. I can see why Pinnacle doesn't give out squirt guns at our home meets. Trey gets set for his 25 yard backstroke.He swam straight and took first place, earning his second water gun of the night.

Rich made it from work in time to see the boys swim and then stayed the second half of the meet working two (of our required 4) jobs. He was a timer and helped clean up the pool after the meet ended. Another fun meet to add to our memories!