The Daily Grind

This makes coming home from a long day of work so worthwhile. Better than a cold beer!Welcome home Dad!

Criss Cross Applesauce

Making applesauce with the twins. Maybe Holden is crying because he can't eat any?

Refuel - the rest of the story

Apparently the last post was so long that a "Read More" button appeared about half way into it.  I decided to break it into two posts this morning....all while listening to the ocean and feeling the Trade Winds!

While in CA, Fred & I took a trip down memory lane to our old house...
good times memories on York Mountain.

 We'll never forget the look on the movers when they realized they were moving all of our stuff from Memphis down this road!

 The drive way to the old house.

 Jody the Pony's red barn!

 The road to the Kate's house back in the day.  Such good memories.

 Then we went to on of our favorite spots - San Simeon.

 With Hearst's Castle looking over our shoulder.

 And then we were off to Hawaii!  Now that is refueling Aloha style.

Thanks to Snappy Blog's guest writer - Elizabeth!  

She is a wonderful ghost writer and with every post of those cute babies we can't wait to get home.

Time to Refuel

Snappy and Papa are on a re-fueling trip before twin care starts in less than two weeks.

What can be better than time with family?  Zachary, you are making everyone so proud.  Cam and Kali you could not be cuter or sweeter. J.P. and fam, thanks for a wonderful dinner - I am still full!  Ted and Sarah, you have the cutest kid ever.  Curt, loved our short time together and Kate, you are food for my soul - I love you so much and wish I could see you every day.

A little winery visit

 I don't love cats but have to admit this one is pretty cool. He showed up when Jake died and he has quite the personality.

So fun to share Karly wedding with good friends Jaynee and Jeff.  It was fabulous all you Orcutts!  

Thanks for including us.

Snuggle

Love Fall

Snappy and Papa may be enjoying the tropical weather in Hawaii, but here in Oregon Fall has truly arrived. One of the best parts of fall, at least in my opinion, are cozy sweaters so I couldn't wait to get Griffin and Holden in theirs. We "cozied" up and headed out for a quick trip to Group Mackenzie and a great lunch with Alison.

Daddy Day Care

On Sunday Mama had a night out to dinner with girlfriends while Dad stayed with the twins. Luckily, G and H were so tired from a busy day at their friend Audrey's first birthday party, a trip to Costco, and a phone call to their Auntie Ash that they slept 3 out of the 3.5 hours mom was gone. Dustin took a few photos before the battery on the camera died (oops!)

Fall Clean Up

Friday and Saturday have been Fall clean up days at the White house. Soaking in the last few rays of sun while enjoying temps in the high 70's with cool crisp nights. Friday the babies enjoyed a snooze while mama raked leaves and told them how in their house girls are expected to rake leaves and mow lawns just like boys help give babies baths and make breakfast on Saturday mornings (oatmeal, raspberry, chocolate chunk in case you were wondering!)

Snappy Style

Soft, Sweet, Southern, Snappy Style! Just for you Snap!

Chubba Bubba

Since I am ghost writing for Snappy while she is away, I am going to toot my own horn here. Breast feeding twins is by far the most challenging thing I have done, so seeing my babies fatten up is by far the best reward! Here are some pictures of the nice fat legs, arms, and Buddha belly on Griffin after his bath. (Holden was still in the tub with Dad).

Double Dip

Connor's new favorite thing is to dip his food. BBQ sauce, ranch, catchup, you name it he dips it. The consequence is a dip in the tub to clean him off!

Ohana

Ohana means family in Hawaiian. The end of September in Oregon means a surplus of tomatoes. So to celebrate Snappy and Papa's departure for Hawaii we got together for family dinner BLT style. Connor tried to dress the part to see if Snappy and Papa would take him with them. They said they would but his mother said they would have to take her too and they declined that offer. :) Have fun Snappy and Papa. Your Ohana will miss you!

Every Stitch A Prayer

Today we visited with our "stocking lady" Jean before she leaves Oregon for a permanent move to Palm Springs. Jean is our dear friend Ian Olsen's aunt and an experienced knitter. Several years ago she agreed to make Christmas stockings for the next generation of our family. ( Side story: All of Anne's 4 siblings, their spouses, and children have stockings knit by their aunt Betty. Ironically, Elizabeth and Emily both married men with the same stockings. The pattern we have discovered came out of a 1940's women's magazine. Since no one in our family knits that well Jean stepped in to create the stockings for all the new spouses and babies that have joined the family over the last few years.) Before Jean and her mother Margaret head to the desert, we picked up one last stocking, shared a glass of wine, and passed around cute babies. Jean made sure we knew as she has told us before that her motto is "with each stitch a prayer". She has thought about and prayed for each little person (McCaslin, Callaghan, Sloan, Cameron, Kali, Connor, Lilly, Holden and Griffin) and big ones too ( Jonny, Vanessa, and Angie) as she has created these heirlooms for us. We appreciate all her work and the prayers have certainly paid off. We will think of Jean every Christmas to come!

Lunch Bunch

Guess who had a lunch date today?  As usual the twins were PERFECT.  The business crowd at Clark Lewis barely knew they were there.  Elizabeth and I ate one-handed with a baby on our laps.  This is my kind of lunch.

Papa's Favorite Treat

Papa thinks the best thing for babies is a little whipped cream - straight from the can.  Just ask Savannah..it was her first treat courtesy of Papa too.  After a delicious minestrone and homemade bread from Emily, C picked all the strawberries in the garden and then Papa felt he was old enough to have a special treat.  Looks like he liked it!

Playgrounds aren't just for Kids

Just ask Papa!

 I see you!

OOOPs.  There was a puddle at the end of this slide but C did NOT care.

 How about these swingers?

 Headed home pretty tired.  C's comfort is to put his finger in his belly button.  Weird, huh?  But look at that face - he is relaxed and ready to call it a night.

Sunday Funday

What kind of adventures can we find on a Sunday afternoon?

How about some big rocks in the park?

Da-ta-da-taaaa!  Look at me!

Where to next, Papa?