The big holiday, part 4 - San Diego Zoo

We all went to the San Diego Zoo while we were on holiday (except Granny who stayed home to watch the dogs). It took a little while to get there, so by the time we were there, it was already hot outside. Sometimes instead of walking around, Michaela hitched a lift with Auntie Ivanna.
The first place Michaela wanted to get to was the elephants, which of course was about the furthest away from the entrance as you could get!
But when we got there, one of the elephants decided to head directly for us, which was so exciting for Michaela.

We got to see lots of animals, including koalas, camels, meerkats and birds. Probably one of the highlights for Michaela was getting to meet the Hippo walking around.
They also had a children's zoo section which had a play area (leading to a bit of a fall out between Michaela and Mommy as she didn't want to stop playing) and also a petting zoo. There were sheep and goats to touch there. Michaela got to pet a goat.
And another goat decided to come up by Mommy and the boys (Isaiah left, Alex right).
And Michaela and Auntie Ivanna had some fun.
Even though it was really hot and a really long day, all the kids did so well. Especially the boys, for sitting in their buggy for all that time. There were quite a few hills, so it was a bit tiring pushing them both up hill, but definitely worth it.

The big holiday, part 3

Just a few days hanging around the house now. As I said earlier, Kali has been so great with the boys. Here's Isaiah sitting right next to her and they're happy as can be.
The park up the road from Auntie Ivanna's also kind of doubles as a dog park - the neighbours all meet up at certain times for their dogs to run around and socialise. The first day there, Michaela met Coco and just loved her. So Coco came over one day to play for a bit. Think Michaela took a shine to her with her pink around the collar.
And here's the park again. Michaela has been a brilliant big sister and was helping Daddy push the boys in the swings.
Both boys have always been really good in the pool. Here they are floating and splashing away (Isaiah with the tree over him).
We've discovered it's really hard to get any decent pictures of the kids in the pool, but we had many, many attempts at it!
About two weeks before his birthday, Alex cut his first tooth. Here's the first decent picture of it.
Walking back from the park - how cool does Michaela look? We borrowed this double buggy off a friend and thank goodness, it was so useful in America and especially for the travelling!
Alex has got really in to climbing and he was so chuffed with himself when he realised he could use the chair to get onto the couch.
The boys are going to be so embarrassed by this when they're older, but here's Isaiah giving Alex a kiss. They do this occassionally and they both just giggle about it - it's soooo cute!
Isaiah was particularly obsessed with throwing balls. He could just get a ball, throw it, and follow it around for ages.
Phew, part three done, but I think this will be in seven parts, so hope to get the next instalment up and running soon.

The big holiday, part 2 - The boys turn 1!

The morning of the little boys' birthday and here they are eating up their breakfast - Isaiah left, Alex right.
Already, by day two, Alex had struck up a good friendship with Kali. And Kali was so patient with Alex, as you can see!

The day of the boys' birthday, we were having a huge celebration as cousin Samantha's birthday is just a few days before. And since all the US relatives hadn't seen Michaela, Shelby decided to make it a birthday party for her too!
Samantha just loved being able to do all the things her big cousin Michaela could. When Michaela splashed in the pool, so did Sammy. But of course, as we would find out time and time again, Kali had to be there as protection whenever anyone's in the pool.
Auntie Jean and Uncle Hop were still out in America for the birthday party, so it was great to see them again after soooooo long! Here's Auntie Jean with Isaiah splashing (with Uncle Hop, Shelby and Sammy in the background).
We had a great meal - honey roast ham (Mommy's favourite), potato salad, beans, salad, macaroni cheese, etc. So much more than we could all eat. I think Alex was feeling pretty luck to be sitting with Uncle Hop and getting so much food to eat.
Here's Sammy's Dad, Dave, holding Isaiah. There was a house full at Auntie Ivanna's - All five of us; Granny &, Auntie Ivanna; Shelby, Dave & Sammy; Auntie Jean & Uncle Hop; Yvette; Sammy's other granny and one of Auntie Ivanna's pals.
After all the swimming and eating, we finally got down to open presents. Surprisingly, the boys did take a little bit of interest in opening presents, but there were so many, they couldn't open them all. Thank goodness big sister Michaela was there to help out!
And Sammy, all tired from the exciting day, cuddled up watching her favourite DVD.
It was a brilliant day and so fantastic to have so much family around to help celebrate. Unfortunately for the boys, with everything going on, we ended up only eating the cake after they'd gone to bed!

The big holiday, part 1

This will be an extremely large blog as we have so many photos from our holiday to Auntie Ivanna's house. So, I'll be splitting it into quite a few parts. This is just the first full day at Auntie Ivanna's house.

Alex and Isaiah eating up at breakfast time (Alex in red, Isaiah in blue)

Some of you may already know that we, as a family, generally don't take too well to heat. And it was really hot! Here's the little boys having their nap (with a ceiling fan on too) - Alex left, Isaiah right.
And one of the things Michaela was most looking forward to was taking the dogs for a walk as she can still remember taking Akilah for walks when we were out in May '08! Lucky for her, both dogs are really well behaved on their lead, so she could do it by herself.
And to the play park at the end of the street. How fantastic that it's only a two minute walk up the road and most of the time when we went, it wasn't busy. Here's the boys swinging - Isaiah left, Alex right.
So day one was Mommy and Daddy's anniversary and we got to go for a late lunch/early dinner by ourselves while Granny and Auntie Ivanna took care of the kids. It was lovely and we went to the Olive Garden which is one of Mommy's favourite places to eat. Jet-lag wasn't too much of an issue on the way out, so we just got straight into California time.

August

Okay, quick August update as it's late and I've got lots to do tomorrow! Here's Alex using the baby walker. The boys are just discovering about walking around using it, but still definitely preferring to crawl (or still belly slide sometimes if you're Isaiah).
Michaela's pal Owen came up for a holiday for a little while. Here he is playing with Michaela and Alex.
Our neighbours have a little girl who is fantastic with our kids. Here Celestine is playing with Isaiah. We let Celestine take Michaela to the play park and they both seem to enjoy it loads. Quite handy having another helper around!
Michaela obviously pushing Alex hard on the swing!
And Celestine with Isaiah.
The house gets to be a manic mess most of the time the kids are up, but generally they're having a great time, so who really cares? It all tidies up in five minutes. Here's Michaela, Alex and Isaiah.
At the Sandwick nursery, Michaela got to make a kite. And here she is flying it.

Little scamp Alex.
Michaela loves to try out pretty much anything and Daddy let her have a shot of his electric guitar. Noisy, but fun!
Now the boys are a bit bigger, we've finally moved them up to their forward facing car seats. The back of our car is so full now, it's crazy. This was the first day of all three in the big car seats in the back. Isaiah on the left, Alex on the right, both sleeping after being at the swimming pool.
Michaela has now started going to nursery at Dunrossness Primary School. She absolutely loves it so we'll be sending her as much as we can. This was the only photo I really got of her first day and it was just as we were leaving.
Alex has decided to be quite adventurous with his climbing - and he's so proud of himself for managing!

And Isaiah, not so much. Much better to just keep both feet on the ground.
We normally have to shut the boys out of the kitchen because they just get into everything. One morning Alex poured out half a litre of vegetable oil while we were both standing right there - amazing! Here's a silly photo of Alex pressing against the kitchen door.
Daddy decided it was time the boys got some of Michaela's old, bigger toys. And straight away the boys loved playing on the cars. We still have a few accidents, but they love it anyway. Alex right, Isaiah left.
And what kid doesn't just love playing inside a cardboard box? Isaiah left, Alex right (Michaela middle!)
Anyway, there's my quick update because we're off to see Auntie Ivanna in about 30 hours and I've not even started packing. Will have loads of holiday photos once we're back.

Rest of June and all of July update

Loads and loads of photos uploaded onto this one. Just having a hard time remembering where we're at with it all. Anyway, the boys are certainly on the move now. They can get anywhere pretty much, so there's lots of closing doors and stair gates that goes on in our house. Leave them alone for a minute and it's mayhem. Unlike their sister, the boys (particularly Alex) have discovered opening drawers and cupboards in the kitchen - oh yeah, and Alex's discovered the bin! Here they are playing in a kitchen drawer. Unfortunately, it ended badly for Isaiah (left).
June was glorious weather in Shetland, so we made the most of it by being outside lots and got the paddling pool out finally (which Nicola bought for Michaela a year or two ago). Here's Michaela playing with Cerys in our garden. You can just see St. Ninian's Isle in the background.
At the end of June, the Bigton Hall ran a fun run from the Hall to Maywick and back (4 1/2 miles) or from the Hall to Vatster and back (2 1/2 miles). It was another gorgeous day, so we took the kids and entered. Michaela, Daddy, Michelle and Cerys went to Vatster and back, but Michaela was apparently a grump for most of it. And Mommy and Nicola took Isaiah and Alex to Maywick and back. Afterwards there was a barbeque and prize-giving at the Hall. We're hoping it'll be an annual event. Here's Michaela on her way back from Vatster, with Michelle having to push a buggy and Cerys in the trike behind.
Michaela with her medal.
And Alex and Isaiah with their medals.
Another outing for Daddy and Michaela down to the beach at Ireland.
And looking in the burn.
And our youngest member of the Bigton Rowing Club (see www.bigtonrowingclub.co.uk). Michaela is desperate to come out for a row. We know the life jacket fits, it's just finding a nice day to go out and other willing rowers, since practices are too close or after bed time.
Sometimes our boys can be the messiest eaters - Alex ......
and Isaiah
Luckily for us, all the kids seem to enjoy bathtime. Alex (left), Isaiah (middle) and Michaela (right).
Michaela is very keen to show her independence now, so we allow her to wash her fruit in the sink. Here she is washing her cherries.
Here are some pics of the boys at 10 months old. Isaiah .....
Both playing with a book ........
and Alex.
Alex.
Isaiah (with a reflection of Alex in the glass).
The Bigton Regatta was on the 18th July this year. The weather looked to be atrocious, but somehow it stayed dry and not too windy for the races. Lots of wind and rain before and after. But it gave us a chance to take the kids down. Here's Michaela with her first face painting.
And Isaiah and Alex in the buggy on the beach.
And finally our little girl who is so scared of the sea, managed to go in herself. She found a new friend to play with and that little girl loved going in the sea, so Michaela joined in. We're really pleased so trips to the beach will be a bit more fun now.
A few days later and the weather came back to being gorgeous. There was a basking shark spotted so Mommy took the camera out for rowing practice. Unfortunately, it was gone by the time practice came, but I took a few photos anyway. Here's a picture of the village. Our house is a little bit to the left of the middle (good luck in trying to spot it).
And as usual, I try to take self-portrait photos. Thought this one wasn't too bad.
One day we went for a visit to see the other twin boys that will be in Isaiah and Alex's class at school. Their Mom took a great photo of the four of them, from left to right, Lewis, Alex, Isaiah, and Cameron. They're exactly 26 weeks older than our boys. Poor teacher.
Daddy took Michaela to the beach and got some good photos. Here's our beach on the walk down to it. See Oscar Charlie (the coastguard helicopter)?
And a new favourite - building sand castles.....
and destroying them again!
Daddy and Michaela had a camp out in the garden. They're hoping to go camping and fishing soon, but we had to try it out in the garden first. All went well, so next available weekend, they'll be off! Of course Michaela had to take lots of her dolls with her to bed.
Michaela and Daddy 'sleeping'. Spot Michaela's cheeky smile as she pretends to sleep for the picture.
And on the 29th of July, it was the toddler group's annual visit to Trondra Farm. Mommy was working so couldn't go, but Michelle took Michaela with her and Cerys. Here's they are with Jacob feeding the hens.
And on that note, I suppose the only other big news is that Mommy went back to work. Started back on the 1st of July, three days a week. It's been a promotion as well, so it's busy busy busy for us all. The boys have settled into nursery no problem and Michaela always has been good going there. And Granny Up-By takes care of Michaela one day a week and all three of them one day a week! Lucky us for having Granny nearby.