Help from Heidi and Kelli

One of the pieces of advice I received when I found out we were having twins was to be willing to accept help. Kelli (Maya's mom) offered to bring Annika to VBS this week and I gratefully accepted. She had a great week and I didn't have to worry about loading and unloading all 4 kiddos. Annika and Maya having fun on the last day.

Heidi Barker has helped us out over the past couple of months. The kids have really enjoyed playing with her. Now she is off to Switzerland to work as a nanny for 3 months. We will miss her.

Can you tell Lauren is 2 and not into cooperating for photos?

Night at the Ballpark

No, not the Cardinals. . .the one and only Gateway Grizzlies. They were playing the Lake Erie Crushers. Nice view of downtown from the stadium. On the way home we saw fireworks over the arch as we crossed the bridge.

It was a perfect night - temps in the 70's and a beautiful sky. Karl carried both car seats into the stadium. All of the stares and smiles kept his muscles strong.

Annika and Lauren were very excited to bring their camp chairs to the game.

1st ballgame for the Audrey and Sami!

Mary and Larry, Jonathan and Sage, and us - quite the cheering section.

The view from our "seats."

Whose child is this? This is the same girl who sat on my lap and refused to sing with the rest of the kids at VBS this morning. I had no idea she knew these dance moves. . .(As you can hear in the background, Sage was highly entertained).

The Bouncer

Sami has figured out how to bounce herself. . .it makes us laugh every time. Once in a while she even switches legs.

It's so hard to say goodbye. . .

The McBrides have left to begin their ministry in San Diego (http://www.harborpc.org/v2/). We are very sad to see them go. Here are some snapshots from our last days together.

Ridley takes the wheel!

Annika and Lauren had to make sure the car seats were in working order.

This is one of 3 pictures of Mandy and me from the last 3 years. All 9,765 other photos are of our children.

Joseph's going to be a great big brother.

Our last few moments together and Annika says. . . "May I have a snack?"

Annika is battling her fears. . .trying so hard to have a good time.

Boys will be boys. . .

Pure joy. They are playing "let the grown-ups get way ahead and then run and catch up to them."

Hanging out in the bluebird nest at the Nature Center. Good thing they are all wearing their sun hats. . .

Taking a snack break in the shade on moving day.

Olivia, supervising the loading process.

Who woulda thought a moving truck could be sooo much fun?

July Happenings

Chugga chugga chugga chugga choo choo!

Sam's first swing. She's holding on tight.

A trip to the Garden with Grandpa and Grandma on a cool (a welcome change for July), rainy day in July.

The lilies are out in all their beauty.

Annika's trying to work up the courage to follow her younger sister. . .

Playground fun.

Annika can now pump a swing on her own - thanks for teaching her, Grandpa!

Qdoba picnic with Grandpa and Grandma.

Hiking at the Nature Center.

Grandpa, entertaining both babies while still in his pj's. VERY impressive.

Grandma isn't in her pj's, but she is entertaining and burping at the same time. Meanwhile, Annika kicks back and relaxes with her magazine.

Kingdom Group

This is our church small group - our family away from family.

We sang songs while the kids (and Katie, thankfully) played along.

This is afterwards. . .just in case you weren't sure, they are playing dress-up.

All the kiddos on the couch (minus Hannah and Ian).

More dancing!

4 months old

It seems like a lot longer than 4 months since the twins were born. It is definitely getting easier.

Back to tummy. . . Audrey is now sleeping in her crib (she had been sleeping in her swing b/c of reflux issues) AND rolling over (this is the first time we found her on her tummy). Way to go, girl!

Samantha: 14# 3oz (70%tile) 24 1/2" (50%tile)

Audrey: 15# (80%tile) 24 5/8" (50%tile)

Mommy and her girls.

Daddy and his girls. . .check out those biceps!

Good thing we have a wide angle lens.