Swim Season

Lilly finished her second year on the swim team.  She was on the Training Squad and did kickboard in the swim meets.  Next year she'll be on the "real" swim team swimming with the 6 and unders.  Exciting!

Last year at the swim team banquet Lilly received the "Pretty Pretty Princess" award.  Um, ok.  I wasn't really thrilled since it had nothing to do with anything but ok, the kids who ran the Training Squad were super organized, sweet, and worked hard.  I'll cut them a break.  This year, Lilly go the "Most Likely to Marry Prince Charming" award.  Wha???  Seriously?? This bugged the crap out of me for a good week.  The award has nothing to do with her ability to swim or the improvements she made.  Other kids received real swimming awards but not Lilly.  In fact, she went from needing someone to hold her kickboard to swimming two laps of freestyle all by herself.  Isn't that worthy of something even if it's the "Works Hard" or "Breathes to Both Sides" award?  Ugh.  Anyway, she wasn't really clued in so I let it go after jabbering to Andy about it for an hour.

 Paparrazzi

 Lilly feeling shy.

  Luke and Gabe watched while eating soft pretzels. 

  

After the awards were handed out, the dancing began and Lilly danced the night away...

Last year I attended the awards banquet on the Monday after having the twins on Friday.  I remember it hurt so much to even walk.  This year was much more enjoyable!  We're proud of you Lilly!

Our Babies are ONE!

Our baby boys turned 1 on Saturday.  I still can't believe it.  Everyone told me the first year with twins would be a blur and I have to say it has been.  I have memories; many of them, but a lot of it is fuzzy!  Now, we have two little guys who are on the move and still so very sweet.

The theme of the party was balloons.  They wore little blue and white striped seersucker john johns with their initials on them.  They looked adorable and they were pleasant as could be.

 There was a heat index of 110 on Saturday.  I was worried we would need to move the party but it all worked out.  I tease that we like to have special occasions in the most extreme weather circumstances.  We were married the day two hurricanes converged over New Jersey.  We had tents, fine mist sprayers, a sprinkler, and a water slide to keep the kids (and adults!) cool.

 Papaw came from Virginia and Aunt Stephanie, Brooke, and Bailee flew in from Florida a few days prior to the party.  They visit each summer and I'm so glad they chose to coincide their visit with the boys' birthday.  I could not have thrown the party without Steph's help.  Once she arrived I was able to finish getting everything in order and organized.  It was such a nice visit, as usual.  We missed Sherry but know that summer is such a tough time when you have kids who are involved in activities and I'd never expect her to make the long drive.

 Thomas and Jackie were also so helpful picking up the cake and fruit.  We are so lucky to have them in our lives.

 Ella loved the bouncy house! 

I looked at this picture over and over to figure out why her rear end looks so strange and it dawned on me that halfway through the party I noticed she still had on a diaper from her nap (oops!).  I took it off and found it had exploded since it was so wet and diaper gel was everywhere.  Poor kid never even complained.

 We had a balloon man!  He was a huge hit.  The kids loved getting all sorts of animals, people, and devices made.

 The water slide saved the party.  An hour before the guests arrived our friend Joy stopped by to ask if we wanted to borrow it (she owns it) and I'm so grateful she thought to ask.  The kids loved it and it kept everyone cool.

 Some of the Davis clan...

 Andy worked so hard preparing the food for the party.  He made everything: pasta salad, baked (bbq) beans, bbq chicken, burgers, and hot dogs on the grill.  It was a very hot day to be grilling but he didn't complain!! 

 

Lilly waiting for her balloon.

 

 My favorite picture.  I love my baby boys so much...

 We lit the candles and sang to the boys. I thought they might cry with 60 people singing to them but they didn't!  They each had their own cake and we had a large cake for everyone else.

 The boys were gentle with their cakes.  They poked around and tasted the icing but never went too crazy.  Sweet sweet boys.

Love Gabe rubbing icing in his hair in the background.

 Stephie and Brooke hanging out with Gabey.  Such pretty girls.

 

The party was wonderful.  I think everyone had a good time and we sent the kids home with a bag of water balloons tied with special ribbon.

 

Tomorrow is the boys' 1 year well visit with the pediatrician.  I know they are thriving weighing in around 20-24 lbs.  They are good eaters eating most of what we offer.  They still wake at night to eat but once we're not sharing a room with them I will break them of the habit.  For now, we're embracing our bonding time during the night.  Luke started walking the day before his birthday but is still cautious taking only 5-10 steps before sitting to crawl.  Gabe is not far behind.  He's cruising along furniture and lets go with one hand while standing.  My life is getting crazier the more mobile they become but it's so neat watching them grow and learn.  Every day is a new discovery and I feel so blessed.  

We love you so much baby boys.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 It's been a whirlwind around here!  We were preparing for our boys' first birthday celebration which was not easy with four little ones in tow.  Once my sister Stephanie arrived I was able to finish up all I needed to do.  Pictures and blog to follow.

Last week we went to Target and when we were loading our car a man approached us from our minor league baseball team The Camden River Sharks.  He offered us free tickets for the game that night telling us it was Finley, the mascot's, birthday and there were many fun activities planned for the kids.I said, "No" and Andy said, "Yes."  I lost.  Jackie and Thomas were so generous and stayed home while the boys slept and we headed out with the girls.  

We had a great time.

 *Philadelphia skyline in the background.

 Added bonus:  Hooking up with good friends at the game.

 I love eating at baseball games.  We enjoyed fries, pretzels, hot dogs, soda, and lemonade.  Yummy.

 Finley (the shark) having some fun.

 It was hot...

My camera died midway through the game but a friend took some pictures that I hope to get a hold of.  The kids took carousel rides, ate ice cream, and watched fireworks after the game.  

It was a perfect night!