Eyes

While taking an "Intro to Digital SLR Photography" class during the summer of 2010, I learned that when taking a portrait, it is important to use manual focus to focus on the subject's eyes. It's something I've been practicing, using Emily and Addison as my subjects. It's hard because they are constantly moving, but here are a few practice shots from the beginning of September.

Big Girls Sitting Up

Two days after Emily started sitting, Addison showed us that she was ready to sit on her own too! Here they are on September 4th, a Sunday morning, sitting in their pjs with bear and monkey.

Sweet Potatoes for our Sweet Potatoes

In the month since the girls tried their first rice cereal, they have sampled quite a few pureed delicacies, such as sweet potatoes, peas, butternut squash, pears, apples, and bananas. 

Here they are a few days after trying rice cereal for the first time, getting their first taste of sweet potatoes.

Addison is trying to decide if she likes them 

Emily's had her first bite. Is she sold on this new meal?

Mom and Dad are going to have their hands full with two hungry babies

DeeDee gets a turn!

Emily's ready to start playing with her food

Yep, Addison, you've definitely put me in the mood for some pureed sweet potatoes!

Children's Museum

Last month we took a trip to the Denver Children's Museum with some other twins and their mammas. There's a great baby play area, where all these little darling doubles got to meet and us moms got to hang out.

As the morning wore on, Addison decided she wasn't giving up her morning nap, so as the other babies played, she got comfy and slept!

More twins came to play, and still, Addison slept on!

Emily got to hang out with the three bears and sit in Goldilock's basket

Playtime with Dad

One of our favorite times of day....evenings with Dad!

A Little Something We Like to Call Giraffe Tongue!

It's Exersaucer Time!

Yes, we have two exersaucers in this house. We got the first one a couple months ago from a neighbor, and Addison liked to be in it when Mom was busy doing other things and couldn't help her stand up. Then as Emily's standing skills progressed, she also enjoyed being in the exersaucer, so DeeDee gave us hers so both girls could stand and play.

I have envisioned a giant twin exersaucer that would kind of look like a figure 8, so that the girls could play with some of the same toys....but moving that thing up and down the stairs and around the house....forget about it!

Cousin Callie is Dedicated, and Addison Leaves a Surprise

Callie was dedicated at her church last month, and the family gathered for the special occasion.

Britney, Callie and Dylan

What a cutie!

Family

Look at that precious face....she's just waiting for the perfect moment to let it all go

Yep, I needed a new outfit

Grandma Hicks and Emily, two pretty ladies

6 Months Old

Almost exactly a month ago, the girls turned six months old. Can you believe it? For their half birthday, they received a very special present in the mail from CeeCee and PopPop in Michigan. Emily and Addison each got their very own Sophie the giraffe. They have enjoyed a month of chewing and squeaking ever since the arrival of this great teething toy.

The girls Skype with CeeCee to say thank you for their presents

Hi CeeCee!

We headed out on a walk to the park on this beautiful birthday, and stopped to take some pictures in the long summer grass.

Emily and Addison are taking this photo shoot very seriously

Addison Marie

Emily Christina

Sisters

As we continued our walk, we came to some unusual farm animal statues. Are they for climbing or just for decoration? Chris decided they were meant for playing on.

Later that day, the girls got to Skype with their uncle Mike. What a great half birthday!

Rice Cereal

On August 25th, Emily and Addison had their first taste of real food. We started them off with a bit of rice cereal. Did they like it? You be the judge.

Quality Time with DeeDee

The girls always love when Grandma DeeDee comes over. They light up with the extra special attention they get.

Some New Friends

On Tuesday mornings, we go to Mom's Group, where Emily and Addison get to hang out with some friends that are all about exactly the same age. I met these moms through a new mom's group at the hospital where the girls were born. This summer, we've been spending our Tuesdays at different parks in the area. On the fourth Tuesday in August, we met at a park near our house.

Morning Babies

Chris was cracking up over this statue act Emily was putting on one morning as he checked in on the girls before leaving for work. Of course, he got some great video so we could all crack up over it! :)


And here's Addison, she's awake and ready to start the day!

Pool Play Date

Callie and Enslea came over for some pool fun last month. I can't believe how much those two have grown, and that they're walking, talking, two year olds now!!

Emily models her super cool hat from Auntie Liz 

Addison's thinking she'll wear her hat a lot next summer when her head's a little bigger!

What's in here Auntie Abbey?

Enslea's done with sunscreen and ready to get in the pool!

Misty Creek Invitational

Every year our friends the Smiths host the Misty Creek Invitational, a frisbee golf tournament on their North Fort Collins property. Last year, I was just beginning to tell friends I was pregnant, and this year we got to bring the girls! With a swing set, kiddie pool, and lots of kiddos to play with, it was a fun day for everyone!

Ah! Mom it's too bright!

Hangin in the shade with our cool new visors and new friend Lori

Amanda and Chris play with the girls

The girls relax with Porter and Mason...
Four kids looking towards the camera...it only took 4 tries! 

Feelin' Fancy

This weekend, we needed to run some errands, so we decided to get fancy. :)