Twins are 1 year old

We did it! We survived the first year of twins. Looking back, it was pretty awful for 3 months and has gradually gotten easier since. Erin is a tremendous mother and carried a huge load very well.

Sadly, as 2nd and 3rd children their 1st birthday did not get much fanfare. We squeezed in birthday parties at other family gatherings and the boys missed most of the parties because they were napping or really crabby. On their actual birthday Erin worked all day and had a commitment at night, Jack was constipated, and we didn't do anything to celebrate.

We did make a train cake for their main party.

The boys were a crabby disaster all morning and slept through dinner, so their entire meal was birthday cake and ice cream. No complaints from them, though.

This is what happens when we try to have a photo session with them. Here was an attempt at 1 year old pictures.

First, mild compliance but not much time because they walk away almost instantly.
Next, distraction keeps them calm for another 10-20 seconds.
Then, the enforcer holds them down but things start getting out of control.
Finally, chaos.
And then the good child :)

Christmas Season

Having a 3 year old really adds fun to the Christmas season.

Zeeland had several Christmas events last week including a photo session with Santa. Evie did very well with Santa, but the boys were terrified. Take a look at the 0.1 seconds they lasted with Chris Kringle.

http://photos.marc-photography.net/p1071675699/h8C7EE1D#h8b1859

Last weekend was Elenbaas Christmas weekend. We hosted for the 2nd year in a row. 15 people in one house for the weekend was a lot of fun, but also resulted in some crabby moments. The 2 and 3 year-olds had a blast. The 1 year-olds were basically a mess. Oh well, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lights 2011

This post is a little late as my lights have been up for 7 weeks already. We had some really nice weather the weekend of October 22 so I put most of them up then and was finished by October 26. I didn't turn them on, though, until November 7.

My improvements this year were subtle but very important:

• Added semi-permanent clips to the house so putting up the lights in all future years will be easier.
• Replaced may of my old lights with LED.

The boys just liked being outside, but Evie was actually somewhat helpful.

So from the street, my light display didn't change much from last year but I improved my infrastructure for future expansions. I have certainly made a lot of gains since I started 6 Christmases ago.

2005

2011

The Ultimate Christmas Tradition

I have lots of traditions, and the Christmas season is filled with them. I think I have a new favorite. Erin and I made our own family Advent Tree. The tree and pouches are the handiwork of Erin's sewing and creativity skills, and every day of December leading up to Christmas has a Christmas themed family activity.

I hope our kids enjoy it as much as us.
DAY 1: Oops, Advent tree went up too late, we have to make this one up.

DAY 2: Make Christmas cookies together - Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies this time.

DAY 3: Have a sleepover in front of the Christmas tree. Will and Jack missed out this year and I have a feeling Erin will opt for her bed every year. Their loss! Evie and I had a blast.

DAY 4: Go through house and donate unnecessary items to Goodwill.