Busy Day

Saturday morning, we went to My Gym for gym class and Grams and Gramps joined as well. Avery and Ryan seem to be getting a hang of the class and are really enjoying it. Afterwords, Mom and I were able to head out to do some shopping while Dad and Andy held down the fort at home. We had a great time shopping and found some good deals. That night Andy and I had a Date Night while Grams and Gramps had babysitting duty. Before heading out we got to watch some of the Carolina game which, I wasn't too sad to miss it while we were out since we were behind, but ended up missing a somewhat exciting ending. Mom bought Avery a cute Carolina cheerleader outfit and it fits perfectly! So cute!

Ryan on the exercise ball


Avery and Ryan on the the stairs - they are definitely improving on the down part

After naps, it was time for the splash table and playing in the yard

Ryan loves playing with the rocks

Daddy and Avery

Avery in her Carolina outfit trying to find the game on the tv

Ryan watching some football with Gramps

Grams and Gramps Arrive

Grams and Gramps Luehrs arrived from NC today and were so excited to see Avery and Ryan (and us too I guess)! The last time they saw them was when they turned one and need less to say, they have changed quite a bit.

Avery and Ryan playing with their new musical instruments from Grams and Gramps

Grams and Ryan watching some Elmo

Avery cornering Ryan to give him a her version of a hug

Wild Avery
Happy Ryan

Avery checking out pictures of herself on the camera

Enjoying a nice night out on the deck. Andy grilled us buffalo burgers and corn -yummy!

My Gym

We started our first class at My Gym today! We are looking forward to the Saturday morning class this fall. They did great in their first class and just love running around and checking everything out. Ryan's favorite was the ladder and Avery's was the slide. The hardest part was getting them to sit still when we had circle time, especially Ryan. So, we will have to work on that! Andy's parents were able to join us before they packed up and headed home. We had a great visit with them and Avery and Ryan really enjoyed seeing them the whole week. Ryan was so cute and would run to Grandpa and give him a big hug!

Ryan and the big fitness ball



Avery checking out the colorful cones

The infamous ladder

Towers and the Zoo

Andy's parents arrived back from the mountains on Thurs. evening. Avery and Grandpa built a tower together and Ryan helped with the demolition! On Friday morning, we headed to the zoo. It was great weather to stroll around. It is amazing how busy it is no matter what the day of the week. I think Avery and Ryan's favorite part was the Elephant show. After the zoo, we headed to Steuben's for lunch. They did well and we all enjoyed a great meal!




Avery and Grandpa



Avery, Grandpa, and Ryan



Strolling around the zoo

The family in front of the elephants

Grandma and Grandpa with the twins

18 month appt

We had our 18 month appointment on Saturday and they did great. We decided to count the words they know prior to the appointment and came up with about 30 for Avery and 25 or so for Ryan. It is amazing to watch their vocabulary develop on a daily basis! Dr. Middlemist was pleased with their development. At the last appointment, Ryan wasn't interested in walking and now he is running everywhere! They had one shot and barely cried, which was good! Ryan had a great weight gain stretch and gained around 1 1/2 pounds and Avery gained about a pound, so they are now only a 1/2 pound apart and the same height.

We did get the talk to end the pacifier use for Ryan. We decided we should probably do it sooner rather than later. He really only uses it in the crib when he sleeps, but it does get pulled out to use when we are out and he is not a happy camper. On our way back from the mountains, we decided we might as well give it a try that night. I cut off the tips of the pacifiers (he goes to bed with two) when we got home. When it was time for bed, I put Ryan in his crib and he grabbed one pacifier and stuck it in his mouth and it fell right out, he tried again with the same outcome. Then, he tried the other one, no such luck. He kinda looked at us with a funny expression and we just shrugged and said "night night". He was pretty tired and fell right asleep. We didn't hear a peep from him all night and haven't caved in. I think we are pacifier-free!!

Mountains

Andy's parents arrived on Saturday afternoon and we left on Sunday to head up to Snowmass. We were much in need of a vacation and were looking forward to the week off. We got a great deal at the Viceroy, a new resort at the base of the mountain. When we checked in they upgraded us to a 2 bedroom, which was great because Avery & Ryan got their own and also they let Avery and Ryan each pick out a pair of sunglasses!

Ryan enjoying the car ride through the mountains

Avery sucking down a fruit smoothie

Avery and Ryan checking out the balcony

Daddy and Ryan

Ryan at dinner (they had Boon highchairs, which worked out great!)

Strolling in Aspen with the grandparents with a little bit of drizzle

Some downtime

Avery answering the "phone" and sporting her new Aspen sweatshirt from Grandma and Grandpa

Another cute pic of Daddy and Ryan ( his mini me)!

Mommy, Avery, Ryan, and Grandpa after dinner at Boogie's Diner in Aspen

The weather was much nicer on Tuesday and headed straight to the park after breakfast.

Then some pool time. Avery and Ryan loved their floats and we basically had the pool to ourselves!

We did a walk up to Snowmass Mall and had a great view down. We also checked out the new Base Village, which is quite nice. Andy and I got out for a date night, while the grandparents babysat. We had a great meal at Gisella's in Aspen.

We headed back to the park after a great breakfast in the hotel.

Ryan looks like he is ready for the track team. He is one happy guy when he just runs and runs!

Avery eating some watermelon!

Mommy and Ryan

Group photo outside of Woody Creek Tavern. We headed back to Denver after lunch and Barbara and Sandy stayed an extra night. We had a great time and hope to make it back soon to ski!

Uncle Greg's visit

Greg was able to do a layover in Denver Saturday night on his way to Sturgis for work (his client is Jack Daniels). We hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving, so glad it worked out to have him in town for a quick visit. But, made us miss Shyloe, Taiten, and Greyson even more.

Greg brought the kids a new book and some microphones. They were all a hit. We decided to go to Cantina Laredo for dinner, which is a new Mexican restaurant at The Streets of SouthGlenn. We were able to get a table outside and enjoyed some delicious guac and enchiladas. After dinner, we grabbed some ice cream. Ryan wasn't that interested and instead wanted to run up and down the sidewalks. He was having a great time until he went downhill and his feet got ahead of the rest of his body and he took a little spill. He got a little scraped up, but overall wasn't that phased.

Sunday, we went to Lucille's for breakfast before Greg had to head to the airport. We had a great time and timed it well before there was a wait. Avery and Ryan did so well with Greg and were showing off several new words and signs, including saying Greg. The cutest thing is that Ryan loves saying Avery's name repeatedly. He also likes to walk over to Raleigh and say her name and give her one of her bones or toys. So cute! Avery has said Ryan's name as well, but not nearly as often.

After sending Greg off to the airport, we headed to Wash Park to enjoy the swings and have them run around. They had a great time and wore themselves out!


Avery and Ryan with Uncle Greg at dinner

Ryan running and Greg trying to keep up with him

Ryan and Greg

Breakfast at Lucille's

Avery and Greg

At the park

Avery being silly

Ryan flushed from the heat and running around

Worn out!

A full rainbow Sunday night