Oh Christmas Tree!

Well, we finally got around to putting the tree up. Chris and I put the tree up Thursday night and Friday night Christian and Chris had a blast decorating it. When Chris got home from work on Saturday we took down the SuperYard and let the kids have at it! They loved the tree, but Christian was not pleased with they abuse of his wonderful decorating job. It was a hoot and the SuperYard is back up to protect Christian's fine work. Now all we have to do it run the lights outside! (Hmmm maybe next year?)

As always, additional photos can be found using the link on the right!

West Chester Christmas Parade

Sadly, no pictures, but Chris and Christian had a great time at the West Chester Christmas parade. Christian loved the bands and there was even a Latin dance troupe! He was so excited to see Santa arriving. Chris and Christian followed Santa to the steps of the courthouse where they were able to stand right next to the Christmas tree just as it was being lit. It was a wonderful time and Christian really loved it.

Playing in the leaves

Today Daddy was off and we got to play with him all day! We went for a walk around the neighborhood and then found a big pile of leaves. We had such fun rummaging through the leaves with Mommy and Daddy!

Additional pics can be found via the link on the right.

Grammy Visit

Well we all went to visit Grammy the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Uncle Bob was there and the kids had a great time tearing up Grammy's house. Ben was in LOVE with Grammy's rocker -- we have all heard it over the phone! I took a little video, but accidentally turned the camera and it plays on its side. but for those of you who know the sound, you will laugh anyway! Ben and Maddie loved having a turkey dinner for lunch and had nice naps on the way up and back. It was a great day!

Additional pictures can be found on the photos link to the right.

Porterhouse has a new home

As many people know we have been having problems with Porterhouse and the babies. With all his aggressive tendencies, it has not been possible to mix the dog with the kids. Well today we heard Porter snarl and snap and the Ben screamed. Ben just had tiny scratch on his middle finger, but that was the last straw. We called the vet and made an appointment to put Porter down.

When we got to the vet, he was able to find an employee who was willing to take Porter into her home and be his new mommy. Her name is Colleen and she was very excited to have him come to her home. We are all sad to see him leave us, but so happy not to have to put him down. Thank you Colleen and Dr. Scott Humphreys! If we can't have him with us, it is so wonderful to know that his new home is a loving one.

Photos from the Hospital

Well, I never realized that I did not get the babies' photos from when they were first born until... you guessed it! The photo company called me. They were going to delete the images and offered me a last chance offer. So I figured what the heck, I asked her to pic out the best picture of the kids and send them. Well it may have been the drugs or hot flashes, but I forgot how bad the photos were. Maddie looked like her Angelina Jolie lips got sucked into a pool drain and Ben was just miserable. I got a good laugh out of the pictures so i thought I would share them with you. I have added some of the good pictures that we took to show that they did not look like this at any other time. (but I still think they are funny!)

Deb -- yes, that is the bear you gave Maddie in her bassinet with her. She still sleeps with it and loves to listen to Brahms' lullaby before going to sleep!

Happy Halloween!

We had a nice day today and had some fun trick or treating! We started off with a trip to Aston to visit Aunt Michele and her mother and father. Afterwords, we went trick-or-treating in Mom-mom and Pop-pop's neighborhood. It was very busy, but the kids found their new favorite food.....LOLLIPOPS! Mom-mom gave them ring pops which kept them busy for a long long time. It was a big sticky mess, but so much fun!

Additional photos can be seen at the shutterfly link to the left.

The Dog Crate

The kids are now facinated by the dog crate. Yesteray they both kept climbing in and out of it. (Thank goodness it was clean!) Ben stopped after I ran for the camera, but had great fun in shutting the door on his sister when she was in the crate. It was hysterical to watch them run around with the dog toys too. (Again, thank goodness they just came out fo the dishwasher!)

Fun with Madeline in Media

I took the kids to the Halloween Parade in Media with their new friend Madeline K and Madeline's family! We had a great time and tried out our new wagon. (Thanks Aunt Tarri!!!) We even walked in the parade. The kids were dressed in their costumes, but did not sport that fabulous blue hair action from the West Chester parade. More photos to come as the paparazzi was there! (Chris Kelleher is the best!) Once their have their web page updated, you can check out the pics at Madeline K and The Kelleher websites. (see links) More to come as Halloween approaches quickly!!!!

It was really cute when Madeline joined Ben and Maddie in their wagon. It was a Cheerio party for all!!! Thanks to Chris Kelleher for the photo above that I took from his website! Click on the title line for a link to all Chris' fabulous photos.

West Chester's Halloween Parade

On Thursday night, I took the kiddies to the West Chester Halloween parade. Scratch that....my sister-in-law Tarri and I did! It was a very busy night, but the winds had died down and it was a great night. The kids loved watching the parade, and so many people complimented them on their costumes. They were dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat. It's amazing what some red sleeper and a little blue hairspray can do! We are waiting for the picture from Aunt Tarri's camera as I forgot mine. In the picture, they were just amazed at cousin Paityn's pink wig as DeeDee Doodle! We had a very nice time. Ben loves the drums of the marching bands, but Maddie was less impressed.

Thanks to Tarri for the pictures!

The Pumpkin Patch!

We all had a great time at the Milky Way Farm. Christian was so excited to be on a farm and loved looking at the cows and sheep. Maddie and Ben we just happy to be able to run around with him and their cousin Paityn. Given that so many people like this place, I was surprised that it was not busier. We took a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch and then the kids all ran around looking for their pumpkin. (We were lucky that they were all small pumpkins since we had to carry them back!) Paityn and Christian were a great help to the babies in their search for the perfect pumpkin. After the ride back everyone (over age 2) got to enjoy an ice cream and the babies got to enjoy a taste of everyone's ice cream too!

**Additional photos can be found on the photos link.

East Goshen Park

Today we all went to the East Goshen Park for the Fun Fest! Ben and Maddie had a wonderful time and were chaperoned by the best big brother, Christian! For anyone who has toddlers, this park has a very low play area and Maddie was able to climb all over it. Ben was more content to sit and watch until Christian came along and made him walk around. Way to go Christian!! Tomorrow's adventure will be to the pumpkin patch and hay ride. With Christian helping us out and Aunt Tarri and Cousin Paityn coming along there are sure to be some great pictures of this event.

We love Picture People!

Well, today we went to Picture People after having a rough time at Sears. The kids were crazy at Sears and the pictures did not turn out too well. Well, at Picture People, we got to sit in the room for a bit, let the kids run around some and get acclimated, and then the photographer came in. She was WONDERFUL!!! The pictures came out great. I created a link in the title so you can see the pictures.

While we were there, I saw this little hat that makes a baby's head look like a sunflower. Well, I know the kids are too old for it, but I could not resist! I made Maddie wear it and she was NOT happy about it. Well, check it out for yourself... then call Child Services. I just thought it was too cute and funny to see her try to get it off her head!.

Link to Photos

The link to the photos stopped working, but it is up and running now!

The "ugly shoes" comment

Well, I have gotten several emails asking me about the "ugly shoes" comment in the first post. After having the kids, I started having problems with my feet and was told to wear running sneakers, then use inserts in these sneaks, and so on and so on. On top of that I kept hearing ... "well it took 9 months to do this to you, it will take 9 motnhs to go away." So my goal was to be back is fabulous shoes by their first birthday party.. alas that did not happen. HOWEVER.... I am planning a trip to Nordstroms on the 9th with Momma and Tarri to get some non-running-sneaker shoes. Look out Stuart Weitzman! Here I come.

Needless to say that the feet are finally starting to return to normal. Thanks for asking!

Ben walks!

Well, I have no picture, but Ben has started taking a few steps. He started this week taking one or two steps before launching himself onto the sofa or into his mommy. Unfortunately it has been happening so fast that I have yet to capture it on film. (well, not film exactly!)

On Saturday the babies spent their afternoon with Aunt Michele and Ben was taking up to 6 steps and standing independently. Unfortunately he did not repeat this at Aunt Tarri and Uncle Jim's house tonight. I guess there was too much to hold onto at Tarri and Jim's.

More to come as he develops these skills and it gets captured on film (or is it card??)!

Look! It's plastic containers!

Well little Miss Maddie has been walking since early August and her brother took 3 steps on Monday. Today the two of them had free reign in the lower level and discovered uncharted territory - the kitchen cabinets! They had a blast and now that the changing table is sporting a new cover to prevent "shopping", they will be able to visit this new place often.

http://benandmaddie.shutterfly.com

But it's my toy!

Right after breakfast, the kids were fighting over the same ride on toy -- its not like I have two of them!! Oh wait...I do have two of them! I did not have a chance to clean them up and then they both turned and smiled at me at the same time. It was so unusual that I just had to take a picture.

Jimmy Johns

For Ben and Maddie's birthday party we all went to their favorite place, Jimmy Johns! They love the trains and will sit in front of them ... fascinated. Many thanks to those who came and help us celebrate this special day.

Photo of Ben courtesy of TheKellehers.com

Ben and Maddie's Birthday day

This past Friday we all celebrated the twins first birthday. I can't believe it came so fast, and I am still in ugly shoes! (so sad!)

We had a wonderful day on Friday at Grammy's house. We all drove up and went out to lunch. The kids were so excited to see Grammy and Maddie was so proud of her latest trick -- walking! She really got to strut her stuff for Grammy.

We all went out to lunch and had a lovely meal. At the end of their meal the restaurant provided the babies with homemade tapioca pudding. Did you know that this is made from egg whites? Well, I did not know this. After lunch we decided to take a lovely tour of the Hershey Medical Center. They are currently under construction and I think it will look lovely when done. And... we found out that Ben is allergic to egg whites. What a treat! Overall is was a really nice day and Ben made sure that we all looked like fools by laughing and maintaining his normal happy demeanor for all the nurses and doctors.

Happy birthday Ben and Maddie!