Santa 2013

You may remember Santa visits in the past going a little something like this...

Well this year Camden and Donovan were pumped to see Santa.  Lists were ready in their heads- a computer, a telescope, and a transporter.  We got all ready, headed to Bass Pro Shop for their free Santa event where we were to meet friends of ours.  To our dismay, Santa wasn't there (we called and they said 10-3... wrong!).  The boys were so upset, "but we weren't naughty Mommy".  Aww, break my heart.  They had fun anyway riding the carousel and playing with the race track

A few weeks later we traveled back to Bass to try again.  This time we had the time right.  We met a few other twin families there and waited in line.  Success!

We also went to Cookies with Santa at Lewis University.  What a great (free) event they put on.  Camden and Donovan actually got in line twice because the first time they forgot to tell Santa what they wanted!  After seeing Santa they decorated cookies and watched a Christmas movie.  What a great morning!

Karsyn is 4 Months Old!

Karsyn is 4 months old today!  She is growing so fast.  At her check up she weighed 15lbs even and was 25 1/4 inches long.  Dr. Schulz said she's just perfect- growing as she should and hitting all her milestones.  She is working hard to roll over, has done it twice but I think that was an accident.  Here's her new trick- she tries to sit up when in the bouncer seat, car seat, even when laying on the floor!

Right before her 4 month mark she appeared to be teething- drooling, gnawing on her hands, and pretty fussy.  She had several nights of frequent waking and didn't nap too well.  Mommy even took her to the dr to make sure it wasn't her ears bugging her.  Dr said her gums were a bit inflamed so we assume it's just teething.  

We are still trying to figure out sleeping patterns for this little lady.  Once a week or so she will sleep through the night (6:45pm to 5:30am) but the rest of the nights she wakes once to eat and gets up for good about 6:15.  Naps are very inconsistent- she falls asleep all on her own and we've learned her cues that she's tired.  However the length of nap varies quite a bit.  Sometimes she will sleep 2-3 hours, other times she's up after 45min and it's obvious she's still tired.  Hopefully we can help her fall into a good napping pattern soon.  It's a little difficult to do this though since we're always on the go with preschool runs and other outings during the week.  

We are really looking forward to Karsyn's first Christmas in a few weeks!

New Cousins

We've been anxious for the arrival of Auntie Alli and Uncle Brandon's new babies- triplet boys!  We were hoping they would keep growing in Auntie until January but the boys had other plans.  Early in the morning on Dec 2nd they made their arrival at 29 weeks.  Karsyn and I were able to go visit Auntie, Uncle, and Cousin Natalie at the hospital the afternoon they were born.  We were surprised and excited to get to meet the triplets as well.  They were tiny but so perfect.

Baby A- Eli Charles 2lbs 12oz

Baby B- Colin Keith 2lbs 10oz

Baby C- Owen Patrick 2lbs 12oz

A Time to Give Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving this year at Grandma and Grandpa Reyelts house.  Uncle Glen and his family was there too.  It was such a mild day that that the kids were all able to enjoy plenty of ride-on-toy fun in the driveway and tractor rides with Grandpa.

We had a delicious meal of ham, cheesy potatoes and yummy desserts.  Grandma and Grandpa monitored the kids table

While the "grown ups" got to eat in peace (between urging their kids to eat more, giving a timeout or two, and taking kids potty)

 

 Zachary enjoying his meal

 Mmmm!

 What a ham!

 We finally got a good family picture with all the kids!

 Proud Grandparents with their 5 grandkids!

Family of 5 routine

**Not the most exciting post but some day I will look back at this and will be so glad I documented our routine!

Karsyn is now 3 months old and I can finally say we're falling into a nice routine around here.  

6:30am Karsyn typically wakes up (she is waking once most nights about 2:30 to eat- she's a quick eater and I'm back in bed 10-15 min later).  She eats, has a diaper change, and then has playtime.  She is so happy at this time in the morning, where she gets all of Mommy's attention while her brothers are still in bed. 

7:15 Camden and Donovan get up and dash to the breakfast table "I'm so hungry Mommy.  My tummy is grumbly!"  Karsyn usually sits in the kitchen while the rest of us eat.  After breakfast she's about ready for her first nap of the day.  Swaddled up she lays down and falls asleep all on her own, such a good girl!  She'll nap until about 8:45 and then she's ready to start the cycle again- eat, play, sleep...

While Karsyn naps C&D get ready for their day and have some playtime.  Tuesday and Thursday we are out the door at 9:10 for preschool.  Other days we are busy doing chores, playing, or heading out for a "field trip" or playdate with our twin friends.  I try to save my errands for a day they are at school- so much easier to tote one kid around than 3!  

On preschool days we are back home about 1:00- the boys have a quick cereal bar and milk before heading up for nap.  I then feed Karsyn and enjoy some quiet time with her. On non-preschool days C&D have quiet reading time in bed at 12:45 then lights out at 1.  Karsyn is typically back in bed about 2/2:30 for another nap- this nap is proving to be her good nap of the day.  She will sleep 1 1/2-2+ hours.  Everyone is up about 3:30 for snack and afternoon playtime.  

The dinner prep time... oh joy!  By 5/5:30 Karsyn is ready for one more power nap so it's back up to bed for her.  C&D will either play in the basement or watch a cartoon while I get dinner together.  Dinner is done and Karsyn is up about 6 and it's time for family playtime.  Karsyn's usually stretched out on the floor chatting with us while the boys play cars around us.  

Bedtime... finally!  Karsyn is upstairs for a bath and last feeding 6:45ish.  She easily swaddles and goes to sleep all on her own (after some snuggles from Mommy or Daddy in the rocking chair for a bit).  Camden and Donovan are into the shower about 7/7:15 and then to bed after that.  By 7:30 the house is quiet... Ahhh

Karsyn turns 3 months old

Our baby girl is 3 months old! 

Our Little Pumpkins

Halloween 2012

Pumpkin Farm Time!

Yesterday we went to the pumpkin farm with one of our close twin-family friends.  
It was a muddy mess but we had so much fun!

 First we headed to the pedal tractors

 Wrong color tractor there Camden!  Don't let your Grandpa Reyelts see that!

 

Then it was off to bounce on the big pillow

 

Next the kiddos hopped on the cow trailer ride.  What fun!

 

The Ring twins between the Kane twins

 The guy told us it would be a 12 minute ride- we said go around twice... we'll go for a hot chocolate!

Of course the boys wanted to climb all the way to the top for their picture

 The Kane girls said no way boys, come back down!

 

Playin' in the corn pit

 

Pony Rides!

 Both sets of twins on the pony ride

 

After a picnic lunch the boys got their face painted then we hopped on two different wagon rides

A fun day was had by all!  5 tired kids ready for naps!

After nap we decided to head back over since the pumpkin farm is just across the subdivision from us and we still had our wristbands on.  The place was PACKED when we got back but the boys eventually found 2 open pedal tractors to play on while Mommy, Daddy and Karsyn watched

 

 The boys had a blast moving pumpkins around with the little wheelbarrows

  

 

Trying out the kiddy corn maze

 

Daddy and Karsyn on the wagon ride

 Mommy and her kiddos on the wagon ride