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Crazy Kids

Just thought it was about time to update the blog...Sorry...Life has been busy and my computer + photoshop have been fighting!

I usually am PRETTY conservative when dressing my little ones...pretty classic, modest, no frills...basically like the way I dress...however, I will say I had lots of fun punking Kathryn out for the NICU reunion! I absolutely LOVE her in her tutu and combat boots!!!



Garrett has an extreme obsession with the vacuum! He LOVES it. He has his play one but it sure doesn't compare to him being able to use the real one!
I figure his future wife will thank us!!!!

GRAND OPENING!

Today, Feb 1st 2010, marks the opening of MOORE INSURANCE GROUP! Brad has always wanted to own his own business and after 5 years at Boley-Featherston, he has decided to go out on his own. This has been a long and prayerful decision and he couldn't be happier. God has lead him in this direction by constantly opening doors and providing opportunities he couldn't pass up. It is a big day for us! (Well, I say us because his "new office" for now is HOME!) I actually haven't seen him much at all today because he has been so busy. (We have even still sent texts to each other - most of the time he is on the phone so I was just checking to see if he was needing anything without interrupting.)
I will update with the kids later...Garrett has bronchitis, Kathryn has a bit of a cough too but not as bad, they both have had their hair cut (adorable) and they are now 16 months old!!

Happy New Year

I will return to blogging one day soon. I have lots to post from the holidays of course. In case you didn't get our Christmas card...here are the twins pic to enjoy-they turned 15 months yesterday!! I just can't believe it.

51 Days Until CHRISTMAS!!!!

Now, Now, no one PANIC! I by NO MEANS am on top of the game here! Haven't bought a thing, don't know what I am going to buy, actually haven't thought about anything Christmas at all -- other than -- "It's not even THANKSGIVING yet"...

But here is the reason for the post...I am looking for some new traditions to start on the Moore side of the family. We want to start some fun things that eventually the kids will look forward to as well as the adults and that neither my family or Allie's family does...

So, if you read this and get a chance, post me your "traditions" or you can email them to me too brad.mere@gmail.com

These are all chronologically out of order...the first should be the last...etc...etc...but you will get to see our busy Halloween Day!
All ready for bed in our Glow-In-The-Dark Skeleton PJs...RayRay and BobBob came over after TrunkorTreat at WV.

The Cagles Pumpkin Patch Trunk: The day we were supposed to go to the Pumpkin Patch it was storming - so we never got to go...Luckily, the Cagle's had their "trunk" decorated just perfectly!

We celebrated Allie's birthday at lunch on Saturday. We got a quick picture or two of Emily the Princess, Will the Dragon, and the little sock monkeys...

Mimi had gotten the grands cute Halloween wear so another wardrobe change (I was exhausted from all the dressing and undressing yesterday!)

Finally, the way we started the day...at a Halloween Party at the Pattersons...SO FUN!

Happy Halloween

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Monkey Monday!

Some Kind of Bedhead!

Kissin' Cousins

Fun times with our cousins...G and K spent the day with Aunt Mamy and couldn't wait for Abby and Mallory to get home from school...Garrett was obviously too happy...I LOVE this pic...

Kathryn was clearly comfy in MalMals arms :) What a serious face! Big News around here...WE ARE BOTTLE FREEEEEEEE!!!!! So great! I spent a couple of days trying to wean them but I am not good at weaning them so we just cut them cold turkey...just like with the paci, the swaddle, breastfeeding, etc...I think I am an ALL-or-NOTHING kind of girl...the good news is my babies always seem to do well with this practice. They haven't flinched since we took the bottles away-not even their bedtime bottle. They aren't fans of COLD-out of the Fridge-Milk, but let it warm up for about 5 minutes and guzzle, guzzle! They are proving over and over just how easy they are overall. They are still taking GREAT naps and sleeping PERFECTLY at night which is such a blessing! They crack me up eating b/c they eat SO well...they LOVE their veggies-broccoli, brussel sprouts, peas, carrots, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, etc...they LOVE them. Kathryn especially LOVES meats too...They sit in their chairs and will eat and play for an hour or more...it is a great time killer unless we have something to do and then it is a whipin! Garrett has figured out that he likes whatever is on our plate and wants to eat that too...Tonight he had chili, cornbread, etc...Kathryn also loved the chili...hilarious.

Ok, that's our update for now...I STILL need to post B-Day party pics...later...later...

In Sweet Memory...

We have been so saddened this week to learn of the Jacobs family's loss. For those who don't know this family, Chelsea lost her baby boy, Chase, in utero at 34 weeks due to a bloodclot in the umbilical cord. Although I will never understand "why" these things happen, I know sweet Chase is in Heaven surrounded by the angels and in God's presence.

The Jacobs decided to have a private family service, plant a garden and release blue balloons. They were kind enough to let us all participate in this release...Thank you so much Mark, Chelsea, Kendall, Carlie, and Abby Kate for allowing each family to honor Chase.

Here are K and G as they released their balloons to Chase...

I have a quote on my board here in the office from The Message that I read quite a bit. It has been read everyday - multiple times a day - this week...thought I would share it with you...

"I do not promise that my children will not suffer in this life, but I assure you that through every experience, I will love you with love that is everlasting! I will constantly draw you to myself with my loving kindness in spite of anything you are experiencing."

WE ARE ONE!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Kathryn and Garrett

Happy Birthday to you!

I CANNOT believe my sweet little babies are ONE! I am so happy and so sad about it. I love this stage and they are SO MUCH fun...but they are also not my "babies" anymore! It is hard for me to realize that my baby stage has come to an end...I'm not doing it again, so all of the sudden I am sad about only using sippy cups and no more bottles and almost having walkers and just all the baby stuff. But I am so thankful they are strong and healthy.

Kathryn weighs 19 lbs and is 30 1/2 " long. She is the HAPPIEST EASIEST baby and brings joy to me all day long. She is still very independent and plays great alone but loves to play with G. She is really into PeekABoo, throwing the ball, her babydoll, and most of all WALKING & HOPPING on her knees...scroll back up to see the still picture of her on her knees-she honestly walks on her knees...I will post a video soon b/c it is so funny.

Garrett weighs 20 lbs 1oz and is 30 3/4" long - he is still low on iron so back on the supplements we go. He overall is a happy boy-just not at the moment. He has gotten 4 new teeth in the last few weeks and is working on more. His poor mouth is just making him miserable. His favorite thing to do right now is swing at the park. He carries around my cooking utensils most of the day but if he gets lucky, he will get his hands on a remote and be so so happy. He also thinks the vacumm is the FUNNIEST thing invented and squeeeeels with laughter...same with the dustbuster!

So, Happy Birthday again K and G! We love you!!!

(I will post their B-day party later)

RayRay's Birthday Party 9-11-09

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Labor Day Wrap-Up

Dance Dance Dance! Aunt Mamy and Abby were dancing with the kids...we fired up the old Jukebox and danced away. Granted we only danced to one CD b/c the key broke off in the door during the move and we can't open the thing yet...but we still danced the afternoon away to some good country tunes! We did a lot around the house as far as hanging pictures and mirrors and different pieces...it was so fun and K and G loved helping...they got all kinds of smudgy fingerprints all over the mirrors!

Here we are ELEVEN MONTHS OLD!!!!!!! Just breaks my heart to think they are going to be one in less than 20 days now! What an amazing year-all for another post of course! We have good happy babies that we can't seem to love on enough. Both are crawling EVERYWHERE. They have figured out opening drawers and cabinets now-urrrr-and they seem to explore all over the house now. They get a big kick out of simple things like the diaper drawer or the bib drawer-they will sit forever and just pull them all out. Garrett is OBSESSED with the remote...oh my word...it is crazy...that is all he would prefer to play with but we don't let him. Both have officially thrown temper tantrums...very vocally expressing their discontentment over having something taken away or getting a diaper change. I laugh right now inside but I am sure that this will NOT be funny after a few more times. Most of all though, they are extremely healthy - we have yet to have an ear infection thankfully and have only had that one cold! Garrett has 6 teeth now and poor K only has 2 still...any day...any day!

Here is just a sweet picture of Kathryn at my mom's house. She loves looking out the windows there because they go almost to the floor! She was so happy and just laughed and laughed as she looked outside.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

Another Year Gone By...

I turned 31 on Tuesday...bummer...I didn't mind 30 but 31 is yuck because now I am IN my thirties! And that makes me feel old...Nah, I really never feel older...but taking in all the things that have occured this last year, sometimes I feel like I have aged...So, I am going to list the important things that I have learned or been reminded of this past year...

1. I have been reminded of the POWER of PRAYER.
2. I have learned what incredible people I have in my life.
3. I have been reminded of how much I truly love my family-unconditionally-through the good and the difficult.
4. I have learned how hard I want to work at good communication with the ones I love.
5. I have been reminded of how important it is to build one another up and not tear them down.
6. I have learned what is really valuable in life.
7. I have been reminded that I need to be in the Word everyday.
8. I have learned that all the "stuff" in life doesn't matter - the people in your life do.
9. I have been reminded how important it is to have strong role models to help guide you and encourage you.
10. I have learned patience, forgiveness, optimism, and faithfulness can get me thru most things.
11. I have learned what true friendship is and how I want to be a better friend to those I have.
12. I have been reminded that each day we have is a gift and things can change so quickly.
13. I have learned there is NO SITUATION that God cannot get you through!!!!!!!
14. I have been reminded just how thankful I am for everything in my life.

I could keep going but I will stop there. I am going to try each year now to reflect on the important things and make goals for the next year. Have a great weekend!

We have been so busy lately -- I have been working quite a bit (well, more than my short-one-day-a-week bit) which I have REALLY loved. I miss the kids but I love getting to work and also LOVE coming home b/c Kathryn and Garrett get so excited to see me. Now I know how Brad feels when he comes home and they both light up. I think it has been good for all of us, really.

We also have been having a lot of playdates lately! ALSO LOTS OF FUN! We just went over to Ava and Rachel's house. Ava was born 4 days before K and G (they actually tried to come the same night but we held them off a few more days). We also had Samuel there and little baby Austin. Of course my kids tackled Samuel but thankfully Austin was safe in his carrier...although Garrett was pretty curious about him.
July 19th was my PopPop's 89th Birthday so we went over to there house to visit. It was of course joyful chaos with all the kiddos but PopPop really seemed to enjoy it. Here he is with 3 of his grand-daughters and 8 of his GREAT grand-kids...pretty special...I am thankful to have this picture.

Kathryn and Garrett loved sitting with PopPop in his chair...I love this picture too b/c of PopPop and Garrett's big grins...I just missed Kathryn's grin...

I love these two boys...Garrett just MELTS my heart most of the time with that grin...he sees the camera and TURNS ON THE CHARM...quite hilarious. Ironically, I dressed Garrett in a new outfit and then Brad came out to go to church wearing a matching outfit...totally unplanned but it made for a great photo.

We went over to Mike and Jennifer's on Friday night...I was too busy chasing the two babies to get more pictures ... I think Jen got a cute one in the pool ... but I LOVE this one of Mike feeding Garrett. He was making airplane noises and feeding him baked beans...which G loves...they both were having a great time.

Born To Be A WILDCAT, anyone??? Not so much...the kids were NOT happy about their photo shoot. One by one they all either crawled away, fell over, or just cried. They all ended up SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER and we were all laughing so hard we couldn't pick them up to rescue them...

We will have to try again - although I am tempted to submit this to the ACU Today for publication!!!

Last but not least, and I might have already posted this, but my old roomies came over to see us. It was lots of fun and sweet Lindsey is having a baby girl this fall so we are very excited! I love both these girls...Sterling and I met our freshman year at ACU and have been friends ever since-she is an incredible friend!

I guess that wraps up the last few weeks...I haven't taken their "10 Month" picture in the chair but I will...oh, and if I haven't mentioned it...GARRETT is crawling too - started about 2 weeks ago-WooHoo! Life is so fun with two mobile babies...it hasn't made things harder at all - I love it!

Have a great week!!

I gave Kathryn her first "haircut" a couple of weeks ago...nothing major...just a little trim around her shaggy bangs.
TaDa!! It isn't that short-it is just combed to the side afterwards...

She is pulling up on everything-her favorite is the jumbo car we have because it is just the right height.

Here is our luxury resort in the backyard...hey, when it is high noon and there isn't much shade, you make some...they had a blast in the pool and I didn't have to worry with sunscreen and junk!

Happy Swimmers!

Overall, we are doing well. We have survived our first colds this past weekend-Kathryn first, then Garrett and I, and then finally Brad got it. We were all pretty worthless and napped A LOT this weekend. I have separated the babies for naps to see if they sleep better since they were waking each other up and it seems to be helping. Garrett is actually asleep in his swing right now which usually is an indicator that he is getting more teeth! Oh boy! OH-and he is also crawling too!! It is fun to see them both crawling around now - Kathryn is still a speedster but Garrett is catching up fast to her.

Have a great Tuesday!

There are moments when life is harder than others...and then there are moments in time that you just want to freeze and hope that the happiness you feel right then will last forever...I am in one of those times with Brad and my babies...I just can't seem to get enough of them. We are at such a fun stage of laughing and smiling and blabbing and trying new things-they are so great. One thing I LOVE is dinner time. We all eat together as family now and while at times it can be hectic it is so fun now. They eat everything we do pretty much which totally cuts down on making homemade baby food now. They LOVE everything! Kathryn isn't a big eater all the time but Garrett will eat and eat and eat - we often think he is going to pop. K's favorite thing is still her fingers!

Garrett having fresh steamed Spinach for the first time - he loves it like I love ice cream!

I will catch you up on lots of pictures the last month...Fourth of July we headed to the lake...it was pretty quiet b/c it was only us and my parents - none of the rest of the rug-rats were there. We had the BEST fireworks I have ever seen so I look forward to many more 4ths down there. I have been WAITING and WAITING to put the kids in these outfits and they are still a little big so we will wear them at least thru Labor Day!!

I love this picture of Kathryn thinking Garrett is SO HILARIOUS! She was TRULY thinking he was the greatest thing!

Oooooh, did you see that boat...it was fast!! This picture absolutely cracks me up because the neighbor next door came over and she "didn't have her teeth in"--which makes me laugh anyways. But they were really trying to figure her out and thinking she was a little strange!

HAPPY FOURTH of JULY!

Sweet Garrett!

Happy Kathryn! In our flag tees! Couldn't keep Kathryn still for a picture-this is the best we got!

"Oh daddy! I love when you read to me." Kathryn absolutely LOVES her daddy! He will read a page, she will look at the book, then up at him, then back to the book, then back at him...all with that sweet expression! So adorable...

I have SO MANY OTHER PICTURES to post...but babies are up and ready to eat I'm sure! Have a great weekend!