Hide and Seek...

This morning after breakfast while Chris and I were cleaning up the pancake and egg mess we had in the kitchen, the boys were roaming around playing as usual. Since I have gates up blocking rooms they don't need to be in and cabinets and outlets are babyproofed, I only glance at them every couple minutes. All of a sudden, I noticed they had gotten very quite. My boys, quite? Never- they are always talking to each other and laughing! So I walk toward the living room when I noticed Jonas standing in the foyer, looking at me and smiling. I say, "Jonas, where is your brother?" Jonas just smiled! I thought, oh no, its starting...I thought I had a good couple months left! So I repeat, "Jonas, where is your brother?" Jonas walks to the coat closet door and gets up on his toes and opens the door like its the easiest thing he's ever done!

Jonas "here he is momma" except it was actually sounded like some babbling and grunting! Nolan thought it was funny! He walked right out laughing! I couldn't believe that while he was shut in the closet in the dark, he didn't make a sound!! Lord knows how many times Jonas had locked him inside and let him out already!

The boys playing in the coat closet. They continued to play and shut each other in and out of the closet which had Chris and I laughing ourselves silly!

My biggest fear- the boys can open the front door! They are not tall enough to reach the dead bolt yet, though I know that time is approaching fast! (Don't worry, on the door leading to the basement stairs, we have installed a lock that the boys cannot unlock!)

There goes Nolan. Jonas is trying to decide if this is a time to follow or not! I couldn't help but laugh...but rest assured, the dead bolt will always be locked at our house! Hopefully our house will sale and we can move off this main road that is always busy with traffic!

Nolan was so proud of himself for getting outside on his own! He is such a stinker and I adore that smile :)

Loving on each other thru the window. They LOVE each other. Chris and I often talk about how jealous we are of their bond! Its amazing just to watch them! Their pediatrician informed us that twins usually don't speak words as fast as other children because they have developed their own language early on that only they understand! Its true! While the boys do say single words like momma, ball, duck, and so on- they still babble to each other and fully understand what the other is saying. Its really amazing!

My 3 year anniversary surprise from my husband!!

Every year on our anniversary, Chris and I take a trip...some where new and different for just the 2 of us so we can celebrate our special day! Its kind of our tradition that we look forward to each year! Not to mention that its fabulous to get out of town in the winter and still have the summer to look forward to! Hint- get married in the winter and look forward to a vacation every 6 months :) Usually, I plan the trips. Last years was going to be hard to beat and I knew I had my work cut out for me. We went to Ashville to the Biltmore, Grove Park Inn, and had a wonderful couple days just being us with no kids! So I started searching for the perfect place to go this year when Chris told me not to worry about it- he had it all covered! I was shocked- Chris has NEVER planned any trip for us besides our honeymoon- but I knew if he did as good of a job as he did on our honeymoon to the Bahamas, I'd be in heaven! I immediately started racking my brain trying to figure it out. All I could come up with was a play- he had asked me a couple weeks ago what play I would go see if I could see any play in the world- I said "Wicked" without hesitation! For those who don't know me well, I LOVE plays! I have taken Chris to several around here and told him how much I LOVED New York City because of the fabulous Broadway plays! (If you've never been to a Broadway show, put it on your bucket list- its a must!) "Wicked" is a story of the good witch and the wicked witch of Oz! Last time we were in New York, it was sold out and we went to see "Cabaret" with John Stamos which was amazing!! (Click on previous "Cabaret" to watch a clip- and to imagine, I went with my mom, stepdad, and sister to see this! Its very revealing! Its about entertainment during the war- it was stunning!) Anyhow, I have wanted to see "Wicked" forever! Well, Chris had promised me that he would tell me all the details of our trip during our Friday night "date night"- however, I came down with the flu and we ended up staying home! But he didn't disappoint- he came in and gave me a card. In the card were airplane tickets to New York City, hotel reservations, and Broadway tickets to "Wicked"- I was elated!! He totally exceeded every expectation I had!!! So we're flying to New York for 4 nights to celebrate our anniversary in December! He's already planned the trip- Central park carriage ride, Visit Central Park Zoo (I'm a zoo fanatic!), shopping, Ground Zero, and a second play!! "All My Sons" just opened and Katie Holmes is starring in it, so its a must! Chris- you are so amazing and wonderful and on and on...you have kept me on my toes for 3 years and I look forward to many many more years with you! And I'm too excited for words about NYC!

Opening my surprise...

Broadway tickets!!!

Plane tickets!!

We've reached our excited silly point!!

We are 16 months old!!!

Jonas & Nolan are officially 16 months old! I just can't believe it! They are growing so fast and learning at what seems like the speed of light, I just look at them in awe and amazement. I find myself saying, "what did I do to deserve 2 beautiful, healthy, and wonderful little boys?!?" They are so perfect! I guess I am partial, but I love those lil guys more than anything in this world! God is good :)

My big boys before leaving for school. Nolan is upset because I took his bink out of his mounth!

Nolan "ok, I'm better- Now you can take a picture"

Nolan has got some moves!!!

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Every morning as soon as I put the boys in their high chairs, I turn on the ipod! I clean the kitchen while the boys eat! After breakfast, we dance! Here is a video of Nolan's new moves!! Enjoy!!

Our 1st set of wheels!!!

Last Tuesday, Chris' parents invited us up for dinner. They also had a surprise for the boys! The surprise- 2 4-wheeler power wheels!! Ok, so maybe I was more excited than the boys! Jonas jumped right on but would only go about 3 inches at a time! Nolan was terrified and it took some time to get him on and used to the idea. In no time, they were off! Here comes trouble! Now if we could just teach them to steer! As of now, they just run into things and wait on someone to come turn them around! After the excitement wore off, Daddy & Papaw took the boys for a ride on the farm while us girls finished dinner. Nana & Papaw- thank you so much for the 4-wheelers! We love them :) Enjoy the pictures!!


It took Nolan a little while to get on

Turn, Jonas....or hit the stone wall

Nolan decided he had had enough of riding

Playing with their adventure table at Nana & Papaws

Daddy & Papaw taking the boys on a ride in the gator

Off they go riding down to the farm

The boys LOVE their uncle Moe!

Clowns, Tigers, and Elephants- Oh my!!

Saturday, after a very successful yard sale, we decided to take the boys to the circus at Thompson Bowling! Mimi had given us tickets for us to go and we had been looking forward to it! When I picked the boys up from daycare on Thursday, they each had a ticket to the circus as well which gave us 2 extra tickets! So we asked Mimi & Poppy to go with us since they had gotten us the first set of tickets anyways- not to mention I knew Mimi & Poppy would be so excited to go! They have been waiting for the boys to get big enough to go do fun things like this and I can only imagine whats to come! The circus was CRAZY!! I had not been since I was small and I was amazed at everything they had! We enjoyed popcorn and cotton candy, watching the parade, and watching the animals! Chris may have even loved it more than the boys :) After we left, we hit up Rafertys for some food! Noone does fried mushrooms like Rafertys- and the boys LOVE fried mushrooms! Amazing, I know! Enjoy the pictures- I didn't take a lot...there was just too much to watch! Mimi & Poppy- thanks for the tickets and for going with us! We really enjoyed it and look forward to many more outings soon! Love you both!

Daddy & Nolan waiting on Poppy- Nolan is Poppy's lil boy!

Mimi & Jonas waiting to go in...

Before the circus started, they had pony & elephant rides

The boys watching the tigers with Mimi & Poppy!

The elephant riding a barrel...the boys loved the animals and Chris turned into an amazed 5 year old!

Chris & I after the circus at Rafertys eating dinner- one of our favorites!!

Yard Sale!!!

Yep, thats right...our final yard sale! Ok, we only had 2, but still! Tons and tons of baby stuff- yes, mostly boys with the occasional neutral outfit. Housewares, dishes, mens clothes, juniors & womens clothes, decorations- you name it, me, Beth, or Leann have it! Its in our subdivision Saturday morning from 8am-noon!

Jonas & Nolan at 15 months!!

Its Sunday night & I'm finally getting a chance to play "catch-up" on here! Things have been so busy at the Raymond house! Ok, maybe not so busy- just too busy enjoying our boys to get online! That happens around here a lot lately! Jonas & Nolan are growing so fast, so each free minute Chris and I have, we soak up being a family! We are well aware of how fast time is flying and really don't want to miss a thing!

Jonas and Nolan are doing well in daycare! They get so excited when we arrive! Both of them walk right into their class like "here we are, let's get the party started!" They LOVE their friends and their teacher which makes it so much easier! Their teacher tells me everyday how well behaved they both are. She says they are great boys, always sharing their toys and helping other kids...sorry, it was a proud mommy moment! They make so much artwork and have really seemed to grow a lot over the past 3 weeks...

At home, they are so much fun! They have become very creative with their toys and eat so well! I'm so proud of their healthy appetites! They still LOVE taking baths and LOVE LOVE LOVE to brush their teeth! They are just too stinkin cute for words! People always say "you must have your hands full" but I swear they are the 2 easiest children I have ever saw! They play so well together, entertain themselves, and love to curl up with mommy & daddy and give lovins! I couldn't ask for better boys :) Enjoy the updated pictures and a brief look into our lives!

Jonas fell asleep at lunch! I guess mommy & daddy wore him out- playing is sooo hard :)

A closer look!

Finally- a picture of the boys right before leaving for "school"... such big boys!

Yummy breakfast- waffles & fresh peaches!!!

Lazy days at home = 3 hour naps + running around in a diaper and tshirt + snacks & sippys on our mat in the living room....life as a toddler!