All Aboard for Birthday Fun!

Baylor and Hudson are one!  When we found out we were having twins, everyone we talked to who had twins told us just to survive the first year and it would get much easier.  It's hard to believe, but we have officially made it.

The babies started their special day at the ballpark for Griffin's first coach-pitch baseball game. 

 

Later that afternoon, we had our families over for a train-themed birthday party.  I had fun making this train cake for them, but I probably should have waited until their 2nd birthday when they would have appreciated it more!

 

  Baylor and Hudson did not like their birthday hats...but they quickly

forgot about them once they got some cake on their trays.  

 

I had planned to give them each a cupcake, but Matt did not think that was very fun and really wanted to let them tear into a big piece of cake.  I'm glad I let him convince me because they loved their cake!  As soon as I put it down in front of him, Hudson grabbed an oreo (a train wheel) and bit into it.  Baylor was a little more timid with his--he touched the icing with just his little finger a few times before getting his whole hand into it.  Even then, he just felt it and played with it for a while.  Mimi helped him put his finger up to his mouth to taste it and that did the trick--he started shoving handfuls in his mouth.  Hudson finished his oreo and then also dug into his cake. I don't know how neither of them threw up because they ate a lot of cake!  Look at these sweet, messy faces!

After we cleaned them up, we let them open presents...although it really turned into Griffin opening their presents for them.  They got a lot of cute clothes for the summer.  They also got two walkers since they are cruising but not officially walking yet.  They were very interested in this alphabet train (it starts as a walker, but has a seat that attaches so it becomes a riding toy later) as soon as they saw it.  And as soon as Matt got it out of the box, Hudson grabbed on and took off across the room.  

Hollins came over to check out Baylor and Hudson's new toy, but then she became more interested in Hudson and his teeth.  Although she is 6 months older, she only has 4 teeth compared to Baylor and Hudson's 8 teeth.  She was "talking" to Hudson and kept trying to look in his mouth. 

When Griffin turned one, he had crashed by the time his party ended.  However, Baylor and Hudson were still going strong even after all of their guests had left...probably still on a sugar high! 

Spring Break

Griffin and I both had Spring Break the week of March 19-23.  We spent Monday-Wednesday in Wears Valley with Aunt Holly, Uncle Jason, Harper and Hollins.  On Monday, we went into Pigeon Forge for some shopping.  Tuesday was a beautiful spring day so we were able to get out for a hike at Laurel Falls with all of the kiddos. 



We have done this hike several times before--with Griffin in the stroller when he was little and last August with Baylor and Hudson in their Baby Bjorns.  This time, Griffin and Harper hiked together like the big kids they are becoming and the babies (Hollins included) rode in their strollers.

After hiking, we went into Gatlinburg for lunch at Smoky Mountain Brewery and then putt-putt at an indoor play center where we could manuever the course with the strollers.  Luckily, we were playing inside because by the time we were about finished with our round some pop-up thunderstorms had moved in.  Matt walked to get the car, but there wasn't a place for him to pull over to pick us up in front of the putt-putt place (and loading 3 kids into the car isn't the speediest thing).  So, pushing the double stroller and with Griffin on my back, I ran up the street through the pouring rain to the nearest hotel where we could wait under the cover until Matt could get there.  I caught some funny looks as well as a "Go, momma, go!" cheer from a man hanging out on a covered bar patio.

Back at the cabin, we filled the jacuzzi with bubbles for Griffin and Harper to play in since the weather was keeping us indoors for a while. 

Both nights, we grilled out and then made s'mores for dessert (if you can actually call them that since Griffin liked his without marshmellow and Harper liked hers without graham cracker). 

Griffin and Harper were excited to have a "slumber party" together on the pull-out sofa.

On Wednesday, we went to Cades Cove for a picnic.  Griffin and Harper played in the creek--they didn't seem to mind, or even notice, that the water was still freezing!