We Survived Five!!

Hard to believe that we have survived five years as parents of twins. It has gone by so fast, but I have loved every minute of it (except maybe the potty training and binkie-weaning minutes). They honestly love each other so much. Each is so aware of the other, and knows exactly where the other one is at any given moment. When they are apart and come back together, it is always a joyous reunion. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of tousles, but there is no question that these two love each other tons.

They got tons of great presents (including Leapsters from G&G Stastny!) BUT the best part of the day for Case wasn't the presents... He was sick and "got to" stay home from church. In his eyes this was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!

Keeping with tradition, here are five things I love about each of them:

TESS

1. She loves to have her back tickled and often nuzzles up to me on the couch asking for a back tickle
2. Tess will be a wonderful mother. She is always surrounded by her "babies" -- Strawberry the dog, Lady the PillowPet, Polly Pockets, Build A Bears, Barbies, Webkinz... you name it, she is pushing it around in a stroller or telling us to be quiet because her babies are sleeping.
3. When she tries to be grown up and tells me "Dora is for babies"
4. She talks a blue streak when she wants to
5. Her "beautiful" singing voice (she calls it her beautiful voice when she tries to sing like Ariel)

CASE

1. First thing in the morning, no matter what, Case locates his mama and has to have his morning hug.
2. I love how he and Fisher are great buds. And I love the way Case says Fishaw.
3. Every week in Sacrament Meeting Case falls asleep on my lap. Do you think I could possibly get him to nap during the week? Never, but ALWAYS on Sunday.
4. How he calls pants "long-sleeved shorts"
5. His infectious laugh. Even when he's mad he's laughing.

We threw them a little party with their friends at the park -- can you tell they requested a green party?

Treasure Loop

On Veteran's Day we took an early morning hike with our friends the Maxwells. Their kids and ours all match up in ages and they all get along so well. And Jarad and I kind of like the parents too (ha ha).

The trail we were hiking is called the Treasure Loop in the area of the fabled Lost Dutchman's mine. Of course we played up the idea that we'll be looking for the lost treasure. So the kids scramble up the mountain and we stop for snacks at this natural playground. They had so much fun playing around on these rock faces. But no treasure was to be found.

On the way up

Tessie and Tommy

All the kiddos having their snack

Climbing around on the playground

Then just as we were about to leave one of the kids discovered a treasure box! With jewelry and coins and all sorts of fun stuff in it. Of course I'm looking at Micah wondering how she planted that box of goodies without me noticing, and she's thinking the same thing about me. Someone had left this cute treasure box, accompanied by a note encouraging families to replenish the treasure box the next time the make the trek up there so that other kids can "find" the treasure. What a fun surprise that was!

Showing off their treasure...

Animal Farm

We took our preschool to Superstition Farm for a field trip last November. What fun they had learning about chickens, cows, goats, horses!! Who am I kidding. The most fun they had was on the hay ride and drinking custom-flavored milk from the dairy's Milk Bar.

Here are a few pics of the kiddos at the "Animal Farm"

Tessie and her BFF Hailey

Tess and Case on the hayride

Tessie grooming a goat

Tessie holding a chicken

Case and his chicken