loved

This past week I was away working at a conference for three days so when I came home I really missed both of my guys. I came home on Saturday night and they had a nice fondue dinner all ready for me and even a cake in the oven! They sure know how to make me feel loved!

That night when we put Liam to bed he scooted over and patted the pillow next to him and said "Mommy's spot." How could I resist? I snuggled up next to him and he just smiled at me. It was nice to know he was glad I was home. "Close eyes mommy." I could have fallen asleep right there but I knew the toddler sized mattress would not be comfortable for long. I hope my little guy always loves me this much!

On Sunday evening we got to visit with Tim & AnneMarie and Ari & Kaia again. How babies change in a week! I am so glad they are nearby so we can be here as they grow up. When I look at them I am just so amazed at how they beat all the odds and are actually here, two healthy little girls. Praise God!

These are the hats I made for them! I embroidered their initials on the brim so we know who's is who's. This lovely photo was taken by Ella Joy Photography, a relative of the family they are living with.

what a hallow-week!

Our halloween festivities began on Saturday with a family costume party with our friends from church. We have been doing it for years, since before any of us had kids, and it keeps getting better and wilder! This is the first year most of the kids could run around so it was pretty fun! There was much swapping of props, ie: a fairy with a football, a monkey with a light saber, a quarterback with a magic wand...Liam's football helmet was a hot item that had to be tried on by every two-year-old in the room.

Ready for the party!

Liam "trades" his helmet for Owen's candy bucket while he's not looking 

Liam is eating candy, Jack the monkey is passed out, and Owen is still oblivious...still no one is smiling for the camera.

The next day Liam made some presents to bring to the hospital to meet his new cousins...

On Monday, halloween day, we all headed to the hospital to await the arrival of Tim and AnneMarie's twins!

Saying hi to Auntie Anne before they roll her away

After a couple of hours in the waiting room, they arrived!

Ari Jeannine at 3 lbs 11 oz 16 inches long & Kaia Patricia at 4 lbs 10 oz 18 inches long!

Both were born healthy, just small. What a praise! Ari was taken to the NICU right away to monitor her body temp and weight so Tim went with her. Kaia was able to stay with AnneMarie the whole time.

Ari in the NICU

Kaia getting her pumpkin that Liam made for her

Liam holding Kaia. He can't hold Ari yet because no little kids are allowed in the NICU

Later that night the girls were reunited and got to wear the pumpkin hats their mommy made for them

After what already felt like a long day, we changed into our costumes in the hospital bathroom and went straight to our church halloween carnival. This was the first time we had attended since Liam is actually old enough to enjoy it now. He went down the giant inflatable slide, played carnival games, and did some trick-or-treating in the paring lot. It was the most beautiful halloween night with crisp leaves scattered all around and the bare trees silhouetted the foggy moon.

We went back to the hospital to visit pretty much every day that week. AnneMarie and Kaia got to go home on Thursday but they came right back to be with Ari. It has been hard not to get to hold Ari yet but she is doing great and growing every day. AnneMarie and Tim get to hold her and feed her (she was able to start nursing right away!). Hopefully it won't be much longer until she gets to come home and we can all enjoy both of these precious little ones together!

Grandma Patricia (Patty) and Kaia Patricia