First Birthday: The Set-Up

On Saturday, the girls woke up to discover they had aged overnight.

Elli: I don't know how I feel about this "getting older" business,

but at least I have a birthday bib.

Anni: Who's idea was it to get up so early? Oh, wait...

To make ready for our guests (3 sets of grandparents!) we had a lot of work to do. First, make decorations.

The Banner. Much cooler in person.

Floating polka-dots!

Then we needed to make food. (It had to be pink, red or blue to make it on the menu. I'm very committed to themes.)

The Menu:

Artichoke Dip, Chicken Salad with Cranberries,

Crudite with a Yogurt Sauce, and Fruit Salad

Chocolate Trifle Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Next we had to make ourselves pretty. We donned our ladybug onesies, with ladybug wings.

Elli and Anni in wings.

The rear view (Elli).

Wingmen.

Finally, we needed to make the day perfect by talking to Daddy on the phone!

A surprise call from someone who really does have wings!

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa B for hosting our party!

And to Grandma and Grandpa A for our wings and bibs!

Stay tuned for a peek at our presents!

Miscellany

A few miscellaneous moments from our stay with Grandma and Grandpa A! Thank you so much for hosting us!

Little Liberaces

(Thanks for our ruffle-butts, Grandma and Grandpa!)

Anni reading with Grandma.

Glass cleaner required for this discovery.

Elli discovers social injustice.

Elli watering "The Garden" with Grandpa.

The girls help "pack" our bags.

Off to Grandma and Grandpa B's we go!

Local Flavors

While visiting Grandma and Grandpa A, we visited some favorite local hotspots.

The Mongolian BBQ,

We love paper products in all forms.

The Big Apple (Daddy's favorite place for breakfast),

Elli would unbutton her pants if she could.
Anni doesn't know what to do with a whole pancake.

And, of course, Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen table.

Unwritten Park Rules

Having more than one set of adult hands made our first visit to the park possible!

Being Park rookies, we had much to learn about unwritten park rules. For example, Unwritten Park Rule #4: If your tush is not actually connected to a piece of equipment, the equipment might be commandeered at any time by a person under 3 feet in height. Or, Unwritten Park Rule #4b: If a piece of equipment has been commandeered, do not attempt to engage a person under 3 feet in height in a discussion about fairness.

Tire Swinging With Grandma, Riding With Mama,

"Kicking It" With Grandpa

Elli Has A Little Lamb

And, so does Anni.

Discovery!

After our successful park trip, I came up with my own unwritten park rule. Unwritten Park Rule #32: Following any park trip, a bath is necessary...

...even if you ARE skeptical of Mr. Duck (Elli),

Or behind-the-ear cleaning (Anni).

You're Invited!

In less than 2 weeks, the Doubleshot twins will celebrate their first birthday. You're invited to come back to enjoy the pics!

I sent out the e-invites today to our immediate family members. (They are really the only ones in town, but, if you are too, let me know and I'll make you a cupcake!)

(If you know my dad's work, then you know why the date and time is yet TBD.)

Trafficking

Are these the faces of criminals?

Elli & Anni

I don't think so. We scowl at the thought.

Nonetheless, we were pulled over for suspicion of drug trafficking just outside of Chicago last week. (Thankfully, this was determined to be untrue... though no one searched the diapers.)

We've braved miles of traffic to travel over the river and through the woods to visit the grandparents for a month. Stay tuned for our exploits!

Bond Girls

Bond...

Baby Bond.


> Insert Bond theme music. <


Shaken;


Not stirred.


Thanks to Aunt Liz and Uncle Dave for our tunnel!

Shenanigans, Part 2

While Daddy was home, he spent most of his free time building our deck. The girls learned to watch for him out the window.

Window Gazing.

They also spent some time learning about flying from him.

Flying Lessons.

(I assure you that Elli loved flying up until
2 seconds prior to this video.)

And, let's not forget all of the shenanigans...

Good Daddy. Good Lucy.

Giddy-up, Daddy. Giddy-up, Lucy.

Observe, then eat.

Come again soon, Daddy!

Daddy's Girls.