One Year Ago Today...

So, exactly one year ago, we held our babies in our arms for the first time.  It's all on our photography blog today, so hope on over and relive the memories, and see a few new family pics!  Click HERE!

First Christmas Tree with Black and White Memories...

I know, I know...I've been terrible.  I haven't updated anyone.  I guess I figure most people follow me on facebook and follow our family adventures there, and I get lazy.  But just for fun, I thought I'd post pictures from our first Christmas preparations as a family of 4.  It's so strange to think that this time last year we had seen their faces, but had never held them.  We had been dreaming about them for years, but had no idea what to expect when we finally met them.  And here we are a year later, putting up a tree together, in anticipation of my favorite holiday!  I decided to make it all black and white today.  At heart, I am a documentary photojournalist, but sometimes I forget my roots.  I love shooting weddings, and setting up beautiful, fine art portraits, but for this post, I got back to the good stuff.  I just took pics of the kids and Wes as they worked and played.  I love seeing the curiosity in their eyes, and the excitement of something new in the house.  Even Blue got in the action.  Such a great dog!  I hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into a few of our family moments!

Okay, so maybe it's not a real tree, and you've got to get the right size branches in the right spots, but it's still pretty when all is said and done! 

They are not really allowed to touch the tree or ornaments now that it's up, but for the first few minutes we let them explore.  

Alex loves to say, "Wooooowww!", now.  So cute!

I think Eliana had just pushed Alex's hand away from the tree, and I made her say she was sorry, and give him a hug.  

All our babies with Daddy.

There is no one they get more excited to see than Daddy!  Eliana is our little hugger.

Lately.....

Lately, Alexander & Eliana have been growing and growing.  They are talking up a storm.  I don't know what they are saying, but they are saying a lot.  They walk, and run, and LOVE to go through grass and fields.  They just turned 16 months old, and life is exciting and fun for them.  For us too!  Here are just a few shots from the other day.

Oh how they grow....

People are always commenting on how quickly Alex & Eliana are growing.  I look at them myself and think, "They look just like they did when we first held them!" 

It's difficult for me to see the changes when I am with them day in and day out.  But every once in awhile, I step back, and see what is really happening to my tiny babies....they are growing.  They aren't so tiny anymore, and when I look at these pictures we took yesterday, I realize that they are getting so much bigger. 

Both of them are walking (Eliana started 3 months after Alex...she's her own woman, and nobody get her to walk but herself!).  They eat like little piglets, no matter what we put on their plates.  They talk all the time, but we still don't know what they are saying.  They are quite good at signing, "Please, Thank you, Milk, Banana, and I love you."  And as you can see in the pictures below, they LOVE being outside, and they are quite the little dare devils.  Oh how I love our babies!

We continue to be quite amused by our little comedian.  She's a laugh a second.

First time on the slide, and she went for it over and over again.

Alex also loves the slide.  Isn't he nice and squeaky clean?

This is what happens when Mamma & Daddy don't catch them at the bottom of the slide.  Face plant.  That boys mouth is FULL of dirt.  I LOVE this picture!

They love walking through the grass, especially with Daddy.