Meredith Girls!

Living so far from away I rarely get to see people from home other than family and the a few friends, so i was SUPER EXCITED to be in town when my college girls were getting together for Christmas. I also took this opportunity to bring my "Future Meredith Girl...ie Nora Burns" to meet my friends and have a little girl date. Don't worry, Holden spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa Caudle and had plenty of fun getting spoiled rotten!

Anyway, the Christmas party was at Michelle's house. Michelle has a son, Jace who is 4 months old. He was also there posing as the man of the house! It was great getting to catch up with all the girls, we were only missing a few--Amanda, Tara and Heidi. Before we all left, our wonderful photographer, Megan, set up a "photo booth" for us to take pictures. We used to do this in college, only on a way larger scale with lots of props...wish i had an old picture to show, but they are all at home in Hawaii. So enjoy the pics from the day

Michelle and Norasweet boy

Nora and Meggo

scrunchie faces

"petting" Jace

Nora playing her new birthday present from Auntie Megan

all of us

lt to rt: Megan, Michelle, Jace, Sarah Lynn, Kayla, Jennie, Dee, Me, Nora

gotta love the silly ones!

Love these ladies!

i want your hat, Auntie!

Bye Bye Auntie Jenn

Auntie we love you, oh yes we do,

Auntie we love you, and will be true.

Whey you're not with us, we're blu..uu..uuue

Oh Auntie Jenn, we love you!

I took Jenn to the airport yesterday so she could go home for Christmas and then, in her words, "be a grown-up again". After 4 months of living with us, helping us and hanging out with us we are really going to miss her! Thanks Auntie, for all that you did for us! We love you!

We're Back!

in good ole' NC, and man oh man it's cold! It's not even the initial shock of cold air that gets ya, it's more like the constant cold, cold to the bone, cold all the time unless you're taking a hot shower cold that is taking some getting used to.

Anyway, the flight over was just eh... not terrible, not great. We were the annoying people with crying babies sometimes, but not too much and for the most part the babies were very good considering being forced to sit in the same place for like 14 hours or so.

We are currently taking it easy trying to get everyone back on East Coast time. Hopefully it won't take too long!
Here are some pictures from our travels!

waiting for our stroller to get scanned

we had to pull our hats out at Charlotte...it was cold even in the airport!Baby Stella wore a hat too!
Bojangles biscuits for everyone! Jenn looks more excited, but the babies love them too..they were just too busy eating!

New Toys

We're loving our new toys!

Such a fabulous day!

We had a really great day today, and i would love to tell you that i have plenty of pictures to share, but i don't. Sorry. You'll have to be satisfied by my writing alone. Eh.

First of all the babies hit a new record of sleeping until 9am this morning. Mommy and Auntie were very grateful. I am sure it has something to do with yesterday's vaccines, but we'll take it.

Once they got up, we fed them breakfast and loaded in the car to go to Hanauma Bay (a popular snorkeling spot on the island). Jenn has been really wanting to get back over there before she leaves and we are running out of days, so today was the day--rain or shine. Thankfully it was a gorgeous day.

Jenn and I neither one ate before we left so i took this opportunity to stop in to one of my favorite little restaurants that I NEVER get to go to because of how far away it is from everything else in my life--Cha Cha Cha Salsaria. It's Mexican, but island style or Caribbean style i should say. It is yummy.

Today at the restaurant, when the twins were exactly 1 year and 3 days old, i ordered them a meal off the Keiki (kids) menu! 1 cheese quesadilla and refried beans. And man, did they eat it up. See Nora below for proof. They both also spent a lot of time staring at this wall and it's amazing artwork. Nora kept waving at the Tiki Man. He never waved back though. Although lots of passersby stopped to wave and talk to the babies. It never fails that we draw attention wherever we go. If you plan to hang out with us while we are home, be prepared.

After lunch we headed to Hanauma. Like I said it was a beautiful day and we really should have taken pictures, but managing 2 babies at the beach is a lot of work and it just didn't happen. We got in the water for a little while, but it was super cold for some reason today--which totally worked to my advantage, because when we got out of the water the babies both snuggled right up to us and took a nice nap. The times where they sleep in our arms and few and far between and I cherish every second that i can get. Of course, top it off with a spectacular view, sun beating down on your back and a nice cool breeze...could anything really be better?

After that it was a beautiful drive back home, the scenic long way to avoid traffic of course, then dinner baths and bed for the little ones. They really were in terrific moods all day. Smiling, laughing, talking...i love taking them out for fun special days when even though naps are pretty non-existent they can still be my sweet babies in super good moods.

But here was the best part of my day...and i SO WISH i had my camera around to document it. But Nora, on her own accord, took her pacifier out of her mouth, bent over and kissed Holden multiple times while he laughed and reached up to touch her face. It was so so sweet. Then again, after reading our good night book, we take time to kiss and hug each other. Usually we initiate the kisses and just put the twins heads together to "kiss" each other goodnight, but tonight for the first time, Nora initiated her kisses with Holden first, then Jenn, then me, then back to Holden again. It completely touched my heart and was the perfect end to my fabulous day.

Luau Time

After 3.5 months, Jenn and i finally went out and did something together without the babies. We went to a luau!. It's actually been a little while since i have been to one and we had a good time. we did however forget our cameras...i know, tragic. Thankfully i had the good ole' iphone to capture the occasion. The sunset was spectacular and the best part was that Jenn got picked to go up and dance on stage. I have attached 2 videos at the end. Sorry for the loud screaming ...i just wanted to show her some support!

Helping Mommy Pack

I actually have got a head start this year with the packing...well at least the babies stuff. They are really into helping me while i do it. They just love crawling over my folded piles, dumping the socks all over the floor, hiding shoes and pulling clothes out of the suitcase as i am putting them in. I am so grateful for their helpful nature.

Occasionally I would try something on one of the babies to see if it would fit or not...Holden ended up in a hilarious outfit that reminded me of (excuse me but it's true) a male stripper outfit. He was cracking me up in his boots and no pants. Happy as could be!

and Nora was not very happy with my suggestion that she ride in the suitcase so that Mommy wouldn't have to hold her the whole time on the plane. I'm not sure what she was so upset about...

Oh baby girl, no need to give me that look...i'll hold you the whole way--just please promise to sleep some, okay?

How We Spent Our First Birthday

Mommy made us sausage and banana pancakes....

This is my, "i'm not sharing with you" look "Hey! do you mind? i'm eating here!"
mmm...mmm...good Then we went to to the zoo...it was a nice day, sunny but not too hot. Our friends, Lily and Evan and their Mommy, Britta, came to the zoo with us.

it was hard to see the animals in a lot of exhibits, but the keiki zoo area was perfect...we got to see fish, and llamas, sheep, goats and miniture horses

we loved petting the goats...they are kind of like our cats!

Mommy and I took pictures with this very calm giraffe while brother slept...he didn't take a nap like he was supposed to on the way to the zoo so he was very tired.

zzzzz....

Here i am with my friend Lily, one day i will walk like her!

Once we got back home, we opened our presents and cards

i am SO GOOD at opening presents!

thanks uncle kevin and aunt megan!

We also got fun music card from Grandpa Sam, Holden was very confused about where the music was coming from!

it was a fun day! when do we get to do this again?