Twins what a joy

So this weekend I got a chance to photography wonderful little twins. It was interesting to see just how alike and how different twins can be at the same time.

Church update

So our third week in our new ward was horrible for me. I ended up loosing it in Sacrament meeting because I just could no matter how hard I tried get my kids to behave. The very sweet RS pres came up and gave me a hug and talked with me. She really is so sweet and I know I was being way over emotional crying because my kids wouldn't stop running in the hall. She told me that it was ok that my kids were crazy they had all been there and presided to tell me about the person giving the talk who has a bunch of kids and how crazy they were. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with insane children.

This last week at church they officially recognized us as being in their ward. I think this really helped because suddenly people were talking to me. The boys were just as unruly but it didn't bother me as much this week. After church one of Ethan's nursery leaders came up to me to talk to me and offer babysitting. I don't remember her name but she told me how they use to live in Mamie and didn't go to the ward they were suppose to so it was thought they were inactive. It was really embarrassing the day the missionaries showed up at there door to talk to them about the church she said. I can't tell you how much better this made me feel.
I've also been asked to help with the Christmas Workshop in November...I think I'm assistant something or other I have a meeting Thursday night I guess I'll learn more then.

So after almost a month in our new ward I think I can count at least one friend and maybe the potential for another. It's silly what a difference a friendly face can make.

Toledo Zoo

Ethans favorite part of the zoo...the jellies! We had to go threw the aquarium 3 times.

Ethan riding the Elephant
Danny in all his happiness


On Friday I took the boys to the Toledo Zoo since some friends of ours were going and I thought the boys would really love it. I had hesitated to take the boys on my own all summer fearing the worse but at last I decided there were friends there if I got in over my head I would have someone to help me out. So we got up packed our lunches and hit the road. Daniel slept all the way there and Ethan enjoy, yes enjoyed, the car ride. I was really surprised it went so well. We had a minor insistent when we got to the zoo and Ethan realized Daniel got to ride in the stroller and not him but it was over once he realized we were at the zoo. I looked for the friends I knew would be there but couldn't find them so I decided to go it alone. I was totally shocked it was so much easier going with just me and the boys than it has been in a group! The boys were great. When they got tired we stopped for a drink. Dan wanted out of the stroller so it was off to the play area no big deal. I also have learned that it is ok if we don't see all of the zoo, there will be other trips. It is much better to see half the zoo and have a wonderful time than to see all of the zoo with two cranky kids and wind up frustrated in the end. Ethan was so taken by the baby polar bear that he wanted to take one home with him of the stuffed variety. He picked out the $60 one at first but I talked him down to a smaller $7 version and felt rather pleased with my self. He also insisted that if he got something so did Danny...so he picked out a little giraffe (I'm pretty sure that's because we saw an 8 month old giraffe which was almost as cool as the polar bears). In the end it was the best trip to the zoo I've ever had and now I'm a little less hesitant to take the boys out on my own.

Frog Hunting

Ok I'm a little behind in posting this but this is Ethan and some of his buddies on the street frog hunting. Our neighbor dug out there pond this year and the boys have decided it's a great place to catch frogs. Ethan decided to go into the water to catch the frogs so he just peeled off his cloths and went strait in. He had a blast but as you can see he really needed a bath afterward. Good thing kids come washable.

A Year With Danny

Tonight I've been sitting here thinking about how grateful I am to have Danny and what a blessing he is with all his smiles and infectious laughter. He gets so much joy out of life you can't help buy be happy around him. So here is my tribute to my little man and how much he's grown over the last year.



Danny holding my finger two hours after birth.


Danny one month old dressed up as a frog for Halloween.


Danny two months old in his little snow suit to keep warm outside.


Three months old sleeping in his carseat after church.


A 7 month old Danny sitting up...his new trick at the time.


His favorite thing to do at 8 months was play peek a boo with his brother.


Danny 9 months his first ride in the swing.

10 months playing in the sand and doing his little Indian call (I don't know what else to call it)

11 months he discovered sports golf still seems to be his favorite

1 Year! His imagination has really started to come out this last month. The first picture he was making all kinds of noises when he put it to his mouth so funny...taken a few days ago. The last two pictures show more of his playful side. We were in the middle of a diaper change and he just rolled away and started playing so I grabbed the camera.

Daniel's 1st Birthday

Daniel turned 1 on Sunday so we had a few friends and some family over to celebrate. We laugh talked and had cake what a great end to the day. Here are a few pictures in memory of the occasion.

Second Week in our New Ward

Well this week went much better than last week, I know I know not saying much. In fact, Ethan made it threw most of Sacrament meeting. He was playing quietly next to me and would even turn every so often and comment on something the speaker had said. I was totally amazed and really proud of him. Daniel had a rough time of it because he was tired and couldn't sleep but it all worked out. Jared ended up in the hall talking to the RS presidents husband (who's name I don't think I ever got). The man really enjoyed Daniel and offered/told me he was taking him to priesthood. It was really quite cute. I've never really thought I need help at church with my kids but in this new ward people have started well helping without me even asking and it's made church at lot easier for me. I get so much more out of being there when I don't have to fight with two kids the whole time. I don't feel bad about letting them help because they genuinely enjoy my children which is not something I'm used to. I think over all this new ward will be good for our family. I know it's going to be great for Ethan. He is getting so much more out of Nursery it just amazes me. This week he came up to me proudly holding the picture they colored in Nursery and told me all about how the dog was helping the man to see and how we can help other people. I still don't have any friends yet unless you count the RS president who I've talked to a few times. Hopefully that will change soon.

Photoblog

Ok I've been working in my spare time trying to building a photo blog. It still needs lots of work and since the kids are both napping thought I would do some stuff to it. Anyhow I was looking around at some sights and found out my sight with two whole pictures on it evidently got on some hall of fame type list and rated really well so a ton of the users of the sight have bookmarked me. Kinda cool. Anyone who wants to check out my current work in progress feel free.

Through my Lens

Ethan's First Day of School

This is us dropping Ethan off at his first day of school on Tuesday. He was so excited he wanted to go to school at 7 in the morning. Finally when we did get to go to school I made him stand out front for a picture. You can see how trilled he was with that idea exspecially since there were kids looking out the window at us. He just couldn't wait to play. They sent the week just getting use to using the potty there and being there in general. I got my first piece of true refrigerator art today...Ethan painted me a picture he said was the water and the beach....so it's kinda a blue and yellow blob but we proudly hung it on the refrigerator where everyone could see. He was so proud of it and I was proud of him. I'm glad he is enjoying his school though he said he got in trouble today so I may have to talk to him more about that. Next week he has to bring in a baby picture and a picture of his family which sounds like fun. They are also starting to go over the alphabet which Ethan already knows but I'm sure it will be fun for him. They are getting snacks that correspond with the letters with the alphabet which is kinda cool...each day gets it's own letter this month so next Tuesday is B so they get Bananas at snack time so cute!

On different news I want to thank everyone for the kind words about the ward switch. Thanks for understanding. I think once I meet some people my own age things will be better...that will hopefully be tomorrow at my first Chelsea playgroup. I think my biggest problem was not really being mentally prepared for it to be different so now that I am this Sunday should go much better. I've already e-mail the RS presidency about starting a photography group since I wasn't very interested in the groups already going. I am going to make this work. I figure most of the responsibly of making this new ward be a great place lays on me so wish me luck here goes nothing.

First Sunday in a new Ward

So when Sunday morning rolled around I was actually a little excited to go on this grand adventure as I had started to think of it. I had high hopes for our new ward but I forgot to prepare for the fact that well they just were not Ann Arbor. Our new church doesn't have pews which shouldn't be an issue I mean going to church is not about the material things but I panicked thinking how am I going to keep my kids contained! Behind us sat a very nice family who I never did get the name of with two boys and a little girl. When Ethan started getting a little routy the boys started to play with him and we made it threw another 15 mins. They even gave Daniel a little stuffed zebra which he clutched like it was the best thing on the face of the planet. The problem came when it was discovered that the boys had not asked there little sister who's zebra it happened to be if they could share it so she was crying and when I took it away from Daniel to give to the little girl he completely lost it. Note to self take stuffed animal with us next week. So I went in the hall with Daniel...bad side the speakers are not as good as Ann Arbor and there just isn't as much space since it's a small building. There were a group of little girls playing out there who enjoyed paying attention to Daniel so all went well for at least 5 mins until Ethan joined. It was at this point that I wanted to hide in the car. So there is no closet just a bunch of coat hangers against one wall well Ethan loves hangers don't ask me why the kid is STRANGE. Anyhow he throws a fit because the hangers won't come off the bar and I'm thinking good you can't run off with them. He then proceeds to use the hanger to glide the length of the bar like a zip line. After this little treat he decides to hide under the entryway rug. When I pull said kid out from under rug he starts to scream bloody murder and I wanted to die on the spot. Thankfully that's when Sacrament meeting ended and we cheerfully went to nursery. Now here is a really great part of the day Ethan loved his new nursery! He was so excited to play and to be honest I think without all his close buds he got a lot more out of the lesson. He was so excited to show me the picture he colored and tell me about nursery after church! It was great. Usually all I can get out of him is I played with the bubbles. Sunday school went ok with the exception of well it was Daniels nap time so he was a little hard to deal with. I also learned that Ann Arbor spoiled me with Sunday school lessons I now need to actually read the lesson before Sunday to get as much out of it. Probably not a bad thing to motivate me. RS was well different. This is the part that made me homesick for my old ward. It was nothing like my old ward and I guess it's not really fair to compare the two but I really miss the ann arbor RS. Next week will be better though. My kids will not go crazy. I will be better prepared to deal with them. I will actually get something out of the lessons. Ok well that's my goal at least. Overall the people I meet are really nice but it doesn't feel like home yet. I guess that will take a while. It still feels like this is the right thing to do it's just going to take me a while to get used to all the change.