Navy Pier

After the Children's Museum closed, we walked along Navy Pier. The kids watched a performance on the stage, admired and climbed on an enormous noodle, and then found a fountain. I couldn't believe they still energy in them, but boy did they. They played and played in the fountain.

We got just as many looks, points, and whispers about the ghostly white 2 year-old as we do about the twins. Seriously...can you see where the diaper ends and he begins?

Chicago Children's Museum

Lots of pics here...we had SO much fun, and I didn't want to leave anything out. It was Free Kids Day sponsored by Target at the Chicago Children's Museum; so, we took full advantage of it. The kids had a blast. It was difficult to keep track of everyone because we had three mobile kids that wanted to do everything, but at different paces. We all really enjoyed it...even our sweet babies!!

The kids (dad included) played in water,

paused for photos

smiled, looked cute, drew much attention,

climbed

created travel journals

sculpted,

put out fires,

made and sold ice cream

and learned how to insert large red tubes into their ears...

All American

1 9 yr-old girl + 1 American Girl Place Chicago + 4 hours = 1 VERY happy birthday girl and 1 very broke mama!

Emma's birthday celebration started at 5am. I woke her and told her we were catching a train to town (Chicago). Grandma and Grandpa sent Julie, her American Girl doll, from Idaho. Emma was so happy to see her. I told her we had an appointment at 8:00am at the American Girl Hair Salon to do Julie's hair. She was SO excited!

After the Hair Salon appt, the doors to the American Girl Place opened. WOW...This place was amazing!! Emma begged and begged for a new doll. I told her she could spend her birthday money and some of her money from her bank account on a new doll. This brought tears to her eyes. I asked her if she was okay and she said, "Yes, I'm just so happy!" SO that did it for me...We went a shoppin'.

Emma's new doll, took a trip to the salon for an ear piercing...

And then we shopped some more.... a matching outfit for Emma and the doll and a carrying case for both dolls.

Even the bathroom was fun. What a fun place to spend her birthday! I have a feeling she will remember this day for many years to come!

The party continued at home. Our friends, the Caspers, spent the day with us. Then, after dad got home (about 10:00), we had cake and ice cream. Emma has not stopped playing with her dolls since. Last night I went to check on her and she was asleep with one doll on each side and her bitty baby on her belly. She's my very own American Girl.

TOGETHER AT LAST...

OH BOY ILLINOIS

Willis (was Sears) Tower

Movin' on up

Max is in SEVEN heaven

root root root for the CUBBYS

Max's B-day gift was a trip for the whole fam to the Cubs vs. Cardinals game

Kate and Lyza are now eight months old.

(They hold hands like this now all the time...so cute!)

They are so much fun! I still giggle when I check on them at night and see TWO babies in their crib. We are SO blessed!

HAPPY DAD'S DAY DADIO!!

Happy Fathers Day Dear Dad! We love you much!

Our Magic Number

First of all...proof that ALL of us have survived the past four months.

Here we are at the place where all your dreams come true.

I guess two is our number now days. Our baby Reed is now 2! Crazy how time flies. He is SO much fun...we love to love him! Happy Day Handsome!

TWO CUTE

Here's our sweet baby girls!!

Kate Judy

5lbs 10 oz

18inches

Lyza Grace

5lbs 2oz

17 3/4inches

I have been trying to get this posted for over two months now, but someone always needs to be fed or changed. :) Kate and Lyza (officially named by Emma) were born 11-30-09 at 1:09 and 1:12 am. It was an adventurous night that I would not have changed for anything. I felt some discomfort consistently 4 minutes apart about 3 times. I knew that I was already a 6 and 100% and knew from a VERY fast labor with Max that I shouldn't wait around. So, we called Uncle Dean to sit with the kids until Grandma Kirkham could get here from Blackfoot. As soon as Dean arrived, we were off to Idaho Falls. By the time we were on the freeway, I felt a lot of pressure and started to get very nervous. We put our hazard lights on and went 90 mph all the way to Idaho Falls. At one point we even considered stopping at BMH because I was afraid we wouldn't make it. We arrived in IF to Uncle Glenn (AKA Dr. Leavitt) waiting with a wheelchair outside the Dr. entrance to the hospital. I hopped in the chair and he wheeled me in while Brent parked the car. The nurses game me an IV while Glenn used and US machine to see if both heads were down. They were. I got an intrathecal. Glenn checked and I was dilated to a 10. He said to wait a couple of minutes for the intrathecal to kick in. Three minutes later Lyza was born. Three minutes after that Kate was born. IT WAS AWESOME!!! The girls were taken to the NICU where each one had three nurses working on them, and the Neonatologist was there to check them out as well. Thanks to Glenn we were in good hands! Kate was in the NICU for 5 days, and Lyza had to stay 12 days. That was the hardest part. I hated not having them with me every second, but we are making up for that now!

We are in heaven with these sweet little angels! I am constantly looking at them in disbelieve...there are two of them. Everyone asks if they are identical. We don't know. They look a lot alike and chances are they are. Kate has consistently been about 6 ounces heavier so she looks a little chubbier and is definitely longer. Things are definitely a lot different in our home. It has not been easy, by any means, but we are loving life with our newest additions. Everyone seems to have adjusted rather well. It took Reed longer than the others, of course, but he is sure surviving. The babies are now almost 8lbs. They are smiling and cooing and being all sorts of cute!! It only gets better from here! We have amazing family and friends that have helped us get through these first couple of months. Thanks to all of you for your help!