Our crazy Cmas Eve

The next 3 pics is our attempt at a family picture using the timer. Whoosh.

Our Christmas Eve festivities were eventful: 

We watched The Christmas Carol. Made cookies for Santa. Cut out snowflakes to tape to the ceiling. Skyped our family in Utah. Talked about the true Christmas story and sang songs. Opened pj presents. Fell fast asleep!!!

Great Wolf Lodge

J.R. had a week vacation just before Christmas so we decided to go on a mini vacay in Cincinnati to Great Wolf Lodge. We met up with our amazing friends the Clements and we all had a BLAST! Our only regret was that it wasn't long enough. We wish we would have stayed 2 nights. The water park was warm, fun and had safe spots for the babies to enjoy. They also had a "Magic Quest" game where the boys got to be wizards and defeat a fire breathing dragon with their magical wands. Elliot loved that part. I seriously slacked on my picture taking. I'm realizing it's impossible to be the photographer and mom of twins especially while swimming. Next time I'll remember to at least get 1 family shot.

Highly recommended....Shar and Erin, your kids would LOVE this place. ps: all my sibs would.   

Just a taste

What a fun celebration for babies and parents! We made it to 1 year!!!!

As you can see Miles loved the cake and spent the whole time licking the icing off the sticks. Jaxon on the other hand didn't love the mess. He was so bothered by the yuck on his hands that he could care less about the sweet taste. Such cute boys and such different personalities. I feel so lucky to have them both!

A little bit about the twins...

Jaxon:

-He's really good at standing...and standing...and standing. Occasionally will attempt a few steps, but mostly just likes to stand. 

Miles:

-Will cruise along the furniture and climb the steps, but has no interest in walking or even trying to walk assisted. He'll do it when he's good and ready.

Jaxon:

-He's a great eater. Will try anything and stays focused on getting it done till he's full. He's getting pretty good at taking a sippy cup...still not his favorite though.

Miles:

-Has to be entertained during the entire feeding "session." If he doesn't have a toy in hand he WILL NOT open his mouth. Sometimes it's hilarious to see his clamped mouth and emotionless eyes stare at you as if saying "excuse me, you know exactly what I want and I'm not giving in till I get it. I'll eat when I'm good and ready." Miles doesn't like his sippy cup. He'd rather chew on it or throw it then suck anything out of it. 

Jaxon: 

-Loves to cuddle and suck his binky on moms shoulder. But as soon as dad walks in the door, mom is left in the dust. 

Miles:

-Also loves to cuddle right after waking up from a nap. Hates binkies. Loves his daddy! 

Jaxon & Miles:

-Both love wrestling. If they see anyone on the floor laughing they are quick to crawl over and join the fun, trying to get to the top of the heap or smacking whoever's head is closest.

-Both sleep great (usually). 1-2 naps with 12 hours straight at night. It gives me precious time to focus on Elliot or get something done.

-Both love their older brother. Elliot is always making them laugh. He loves playing with them and showing them new things. He's in their crib in the morning. In their bath at night. BEST PALS!

-Both have stollen my heart. I can't imagine life without these boys and can't believe how much love can actually grow with each child. 

I can't believe a year has already passed. All moms of twins I've talked to have told me "Just survive the first year. It gets much easier after that." And although it does seems like a blur with not much sleep and lots of ear infections, I look back and feel proud of our little family embracing the new responsibility of raising 2 more beautiful boys. We've "survived" and are looking forward to more fun, more giggles, more hugs and more kisses!

Happy 1st Birthday Jaxon and Miles. I LOVE YOU!

I know, I'm behind...

Christmas is in 1.5 weeks...I know, I know. But, if I don't get these up before Christmas they'll never get up. And so....

Happy belated Halloween. 

As you can see - Miles hated it. Jaxon thought it was kinda fun (or maybe he just like the entertainment from mom and dad trying to keep him from crying) Too bad I cut out the other pumpkin too small so we couldn't get them in the same picture.

Thank goodness for warmer halloween weather. Enjoy!

Heart breaker. :)

This is about as happy as we could get him. What a cute face! 

Biggest boy. Stop growing up.

Daddy's at work...

Although this seems to be what we repeat all day everyday and most nights, it was fun to see these pictures as see that J.R. really is doing things that are down right COOL! Yes, I knew he was working hard. But I guess in the back of my head I imagined him doing lame busy work and occasionally getting his hands "dirty" all while being yelled at and bossed around by staff members. But in fact he's in the OR a lot and doing some very cool, difficult stuff.

My husband's an Oral Surgeon! We're not just torturing ourselves for nothing.
(sometimes I just have to remind myself what we're doing here and why it will all be worth it in the end.)

Way to go J.R.! I LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY!

Elliot Diesel

Jaxon

Lights up

Cutest boys. I can't believe they're almost 1. Crazy!

ps: remember when I was so good about reading books to Elliot before bed when he was this little...books just don't seem to happen with these boys. I need to be better, but getting them to bed before all heck breaks loose is like a ticking time bomb and books just don't fit in that tight time schedule.  (sigh) 

Lights got up. This year it seemed like more of a hassle then fun. I think J.R. is just on a really tough rotation and the stress from the resident and his wife is bleeding into our christmas fun. (deep breath... things will get easier...hopefully January will bring relief)

Putting up the tree

Elliot got bored. The babies were both sleeping- so up it went. I originally wanted it to be a fun family special night, but knowing J.R.'s schedule the chance of that working out with happy kids was very slim so Elliot and I went ahead. Some may think Nov. 17 is a bit early for the tree, but not in the Haynie house. :)

Elliot was very helpful putting up the ornaments till the santa airplanes came out then he was off in his own world flying santa around the living room. (too cute) He had a blast playing in the empty storage bin and insisted we both get in for a picture. We're so silly.

Love the tree. Love my boy. Love the season. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Surprisingly the twins left the tree alone. Granted I left a bare space around the bottom of the tree, but they still make no effort to reach the ornaments.

Weekend home.

One of the main reasons I came home was to see my little bro perform with the Young Ambassadors from BYU. Can't believe I didn't even get a picture with him. Lame. I guess the nieces and nephews are cuter. (ha ha. JK Dies.)

So fun. Great bday present. Thanks to Debbie and J.R. for taking the kids all weekend. I totally needed that. :)

ps: The YA's were AWESOME!

Of course I had to make a quick stop at my twins grave. 

Sadly the number of headstones around them grows much too quickly. It's almost hard to find them in the crowd. :(

Love my Miles

This boy smiles constantly! He's a super happy kid and I LOVE HIM!

Jaxon is so silly

I love these pictures. This is what Jaxon does all day. I'm not sure if he's ready to be a gymnast or a B-boy dancer (look at that perfect second position turnout) Or maybe he's just ready to walk and can't get his head off the ground. Either way I think it's hillarious and love it!

ps: I'm loving the bokeh capabilities on my new camera. Thank you J.R!!

Best bday present EVER

Just look at what a f/1.8 can do!!! Holy Cow, I'm in love!

(bugger nose, messy face and ALL)