Thanks for the Stuff...

...that we don't have room for! Thanks for the tripping, and the toe stubbing and the injuries (stepping on a Lego is NOT fun). Thanks for the loudness, the battery-powered chaos, the tiny pieces, the possessed Elmo book that goes off with delightful music at 2 a.m.

In all seriousness, thanks to everyone for a great birthday for the twins. Grandpa Johnson said it best: "Your Great Grandma Boettcher puts us all to shame!" with her monstrous monetary gift. Thank you, Great Grandma! That kind of gift is always welcome!

For my birthday in October, I think I'll ask everyone for a downpayment on a new, bigger house. With a soundproof toy room.

A Happy Birthday, Indeed

August 9 turned out to be a GREAT day. A ton of family and friends showed up to celebrate Evan and Owen's second birthday. And spoiled is putting it lightly. They made out like bandits - especially in the cash department. They got ride-on cars, a picnic table, guitars, bubble stuff, Play Doh sets, Lego sets, a train set, Elmo chairs, Elmo books, Elmo blankets, Elmo games... Many people were obviously well aware of the Elmo fascination. Our group was so large we devoured an entire half-sheet cake!

The next day they played with all their new stuff, and I think their favorite thing was the Elmo sprinkler Grammi got them. Or maybe the guitars. Or maybe the Elmo chairs.

They certainly feel like BIG boys now. We're using their 2-year-old status to our advantage. Big boys are much easier to manage than whiny babies. And big boys can put on their own shirts (they really can!) and shoes and throw things in the trash and help feed the dog and cat and share and say "thank you." Pretty darn cool.

And, of course, I can't let an August 9 go by without thinking of Grandpa. He would have been 90 today. And he would have had a BLAST at the party.

The Latest Buzz

It's so fun to be like daddy!

Our awesome Aunt Jenni usually cuts our hair so we look like little George Clooney heartthrobs... But Daddy was using the clippers and we just had to join in the fun. Now, in the words of Great Aunt Mary, we've got heads of bone!

Unfortunately, this haircut will not make things easy for the people at our birthday party on Saturday. We look a LOT alike right now! Guess who!?!?

A Pair of 2s! What do I Win?

Man, my parents were right. Time does fly. The twins turn 2 on Saturday, and we have a big party planned at Mr. Gattis.

Nate came up with the theme - a "pair of twos."

The postcard reads:
On August 9, deuces are wild.
Be sure to set the date.
The Reynolds twins are turning 2.
Help make their party great.

We were proud of our creativity. You gotta capitalize on the fact you've got something - twins - most people don't have.

It seems like yesterday that they were just learning to sit up without the assistance of a Bumbo. But then things happen to put things into perspective and you realize how far you've come. Josh and Karlee had their second baby Monday, August 4 - a gorgeous baby girl, Halle. Halle weighs a healthy seven pounds... but holding her I couldn't remember ever holding something so small. And to think the twins were only five pounds! Seeing little Halle made me realize we've made it through a lot of milestones. And, to be honest, we might be going through the terrible 2s in the worst way possible, but at least the kiddos sleep through the night and can (finally) tell us what they want/need... I feel for Josh and Karlee - they're starting all over with the HARD stuff! But, as they say, sleep is overrated.

Wish more family could come to the party. Amarillo is too darn far away. But Mom, GB and Dad will be there along with the whole Reynolds clan. I'll take lots of pictures for the Boettchers and Johnsons who can't join the fun and gain weight along with the rest of us at Mr. Gattis. All I have to say is "coconut pizza." Heaven by the slice.