Easter 2011

Unfortunately, we had a very wet and soggy Easter this year. We got 12.5 inches of rain over a week's time. I was able to go out and hide eggs for Becca once on Friday evening in a brief period of sunshine.

Friday night, we started dyeing eggs and finished up Saturday morning while we were waiting on Pop and Karen to arrive. We'd planned on going to Wynne for the weekend, but just couldn't get it together. Thursday night rolled around and laundry wasn't done and backs weren't packed. Lee and I were just exhausted from the week and we couldn't bring ourselves to road trip. Thanks Dad, for coming to see us instead! Of course, it would have been nice if the rain had stopped for Becca to play soccer and hunt eggs. Instead, we had a nice visit cooped up in the house. We didn't even get to dress up in our Easter best because I wasn't getting them out to go to church in that mess. Six whole days of storms!! Crazy.

We took some video of Becca's first time to color eggs. I think she had a great time.

As fate would have it, it's probably a good thing we didn't leave town. Figured out we have hail damage on our roof--Lee had to patch it or we might have come home to a flooded house. The insurance claims guy was supposed to come on Easter Sunday, but couldn't due to more storms. Moved it to today, but he's had to cancel again due to MORE RAIN TODAY. So, hopefully next week? Hail damage on the truck, too. Woohoo.

Babies on the move!!

Still no new camera, although some progress has been made. Lee is researching which one to buy after his weekend trip to Best Buy. We want something that takes great photos, but won't cost us a fortune.

In the meantime, a perfect opportunity take some video of crawling babies! Evan is definitely crawling and Carley is still thinking about it. She is getting around in her own way, mostly scooting and rolling. I have a feeling things are about to get a lot crazier around here now.

Family Fun at the Aquarium

Last week was spring break at Kids' Day Out, so I also took a couple of days off to spend some time with the family. On Monday, we headed over to Tulsa to visit the Oklahoma Aquarium. I had been bugging Lee for a while to take us there, so I'm glad that I finally wore him down. It was a cool little place; Becca enjoyed it. It was fun that there were lots of stations where the kids could get their hands wet petting fish, feeding turtles and exploring sea life. The best part was the shark habitat that was enclosed in a see-through, walk-through tunnel! We didn't get there in time to watch the sharks eat, but at least we got there. Evan and Carley were very content to be shuttled around in their chariot and check out the scenery. It was a good way to spend an afternoon, and not too far from home. Here are some pictures that I converted from the video camera. In the video Becca is touching a sea cucumber.

My Sweeties!!!

We had professional photos taken in February. Here is one of the great shots we got. The kids did so great. Thanks to Kim Ginn at Sweet Portrayal for another great experience. She also took the twins' newborn photos.

Aren't my kiddos the cutest you've ever seen?

Kid Updates for March

We still haven't gotten a new camera, so bear with me. I'm just going to give a quick update and you'll have to use your imagination.

Something strange happened this month. My friends with twins have told me about it, and I thought it might have passed us by, but it didn't! I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and felt so refreshed! It's like we've crossed some mysterious invisible threshold. Maybe it's because the kids will sleep till 8:00am on a Saturday? It just sure finally feels like everything is getting easier. I've waited for this! Woo hoo!

Maybe I'm naive and it's just the lovely spring weather and sunshine. Ironically, the sermon at church on Sunday was about the Lent/Easter/Spring season and the symbolic time of renewal and new beginnings. It really spoke to me. Or, again, maybe it was the sun through the stained glass windows. Either way, I'll take it. It's our time of waking up and feeling refreshed here in the Bramell house. Guess we need to rest up because these babies are about to be on the move!!

Evan and Carley are 9 months old! At their March check-up he weighed 16.5 lbs and she 17lbs. They were 26" and 27" inches tall, respectively. They are still quite small for their age, but doing great developmentally. They both finally have their bottom 2 front teeth--Evan was first!

EVAN: still not rolling over (L-A-Z-Y)

Belly sleeper

Sleeps all night in his crib

Loves to give big, wet open mouth kisses

Has a weird quirk where he moves his wrist back and forth like he's revving a motorcycle

Thinking about crawling, but can't figure it out

First to say "mama;" says "dada" now, too

Already fighting each other for toys!!

CARLEY: rolling over great

Belly sleeper

Sleeps all night in her crib

Not much for cuddling or smooching

Her weird quirk is shaking her head back and forth over and over

She is also thinking about crawling

She still loves Becca and Fergie better than the rest of us

Jabbering "mama" and "dada" some, but mostly just screaming LOUDLY to hear herself

BECCA: can spell her name

Learning our street name/address

Great big sis!

Started soccer practice this month, but won't do anything but stand and stare--you know what I mean!

Still taking naps (Hooray!!)

That's the quick update for now. Gotta run; they are all waking up. And it's 7:45 on a Thursday.

Peekaboo!

So I heard that Grammy and Nanny taught Carley and Evan how to play peekaboo during the kids' recent visit. Both babies have been enjoying it at home now, too. Here is a funny video of Carley trying to play by herself after dinner the other night. She's almost got the hang of it!!

Fun times with the kids

Another video find from the big snow in February!