Happy Birthday Girls!!!

This year we did our own little family thing for the girls' birthday which was on a Monday and then had the whole family over on Saturday to celebrate!  

For their birthday we did simple cupcakes and gifts.

 

2 is always such a fun age as they're just starting to understand the fun of opening presents.

Aubrey and Maddie

We went with swim suits, a splash pad, and some dress up things as they literally need nothing and I can barely stomach buying more toys for this house.

Maddie was all about dressing up.  Aubrey on the other hand claimed the remaining items and tried to sit on them so that her bigger sisters wouldn't take them. :)  It can be rough being number six and seven.

Aubrey

Maddie

Like I said Maddie loves to dress up right now so she insisted on trying on her swim suit.  Luckily the weather has been beautiful!!!

On Saturday we celebrated with the whole family.  I made the girls a Twinkie cake, as that is what they've affectionately been nicknamed by their Daddy, and Auntie Katie brought a pinata filled with Twinkies.

Waiting for the party to start.

Maddie

Aubrey

Aubrey, Maddie, and Tommy

When we all get together these days there are A LOT of cousins.  Our current total is 14 under the age of 11.

The Kaufman's were sweet to bring the girls gifts.  Autumn just couldn't pass up the super soft Unicorn blankets at Costco.

Pinata Time!

We really have such an amazing view.

Quite a few Twinkies were sacrificed as a result of these shenanigans but everyone still snagged a few. :)  Thanks for the fun idea Auntie Katie!

Cake Time!

What a year this has been...  2 years old?!?!  Just how????  

It feels like just months ago we were wide eyed taking these 2 tiny 4 pound babies home from the hospital, wondering how in the world this was going to work, and then suddenly we have toddlers.

People always ask if things are getting easier and I have to say Yes and No.  Some things are definitely easier.  They've always been amazing sleepers but they are finally able to be trusted outside a little bit more and they're a little more independent and flexible over all.  They play pretty nicely most of the time and their bond seems to only be getting stronger.  It's the sweetest thing to hear them say each other's name, or giggling in their beds, or laugh hysterically at some silly little trick the other one is doing.  They go to the nursery together on Sunday's happily, then can follow directions pretty well, and they are starting to communicate more and more so that I know what they need and all of this is so amazing!

BUT...

They also fight a lot more.  They can pull hair and sit on each other and just be little pains to one another.  Sometimes nobody wants to ride in the shopping cart which puts Mommy in a bit of a predicament and we've had to move Aubrey to the back seat of the car because of the amount of fighting and screaming and biting that was happening when they were together.  They are both pretty stubborn which can be hard, they are by far the worst climbers we've ever had, and when you have a sister that thinks you're hilarious when you're being naughty you can imagine how tired Mommy and Daddy and even the bigger siblings are at the end of some days.  

So... YES and NO but we love them and I don't think we will ever forget these early years.

Happy Birthday Girls!  

These past 2 years have honestly been some of our greatest!!  You've taught us to only worry about the important stuff cuz that's literally all we have energy for, to take one day at a time, to worry less about what other people think, to laugh at ourselves a little bit more, to trust God a little bit more, and to embrace this one crazy blessed life we've been given.

We love you and can't wait to see what fun memories this next year will hold!