One Year Re-Do

Ben and Sam's birthday was a total fail picture-wise. I had great intentions of doing a little shoot with each boy, but here we are three months later with nothing. 

It was lovely tonight, though, and the little boys were so delighted to be outside. It was a perfect opportunity for a birthday shoot re-do.  

I mean, come on. Have you ever seen a cuter over-the-shoulder shot? (Disclaimer: I'm completely biased.)

Seconds before I took this one Ben and Sam were giggling together about something. Best part of raising twins may be watching their little relationship with each other.

Sam yells when he's having fun. 

SO MUCH FUN!

Ben claps a lot. 

Here's a good shot of Ben's hair situation. 

I caught him mid-geeky laugh. 

Branson: Day Three

Friday was beautiful weather for boating. Jeff spent most of the day taking groups of kids/adults on boat rides around Tablerock lack. 

Joseph, Adam, Ian, Kanon

Isaac, Liz, Lily

I spy a fist pump.

Adam.

Joseph

Eli, Julie, Josh, Taylor

Kelly and her boys.

Gracie, Amelia, Anna

Branson: Day Two

Silver Dollar City was a favorite of ours last time we were in Branson. So we were excited when everyone     

expressed interest in going. The weather was ideal (high 60's) and almost everyone stayed until closing.

Anna decided to get wet on the splash pad, but definitely regretted it later. Poor girl was so cold.

Ben and Kelly.

Sam, Nate, Kanon.

In the dryer. (I took pity on the wet kids.)

Best ride of the day, Powder Keg. Kanon, Jeff, Nate and Adam. 

All of us waiting for the roller coaster riders. Annabelle, Matt, Liz, Sam, Joseph, Anna, Kelly and Ian.

Victorious! Adam was so brave.

Right before closing all the girls went back to ride the big coasters. Julie, Sarah, me, Liz and Kelly (missing Michelle). I love these ladies!

Dan, Lily, Kanon, Jonah, Adam, Joseph, Ian, Caleb, Ollie, Elsa, Gracie and Jacob.

Best moments of the day:

- riding beside my mom on Thundernation roller coaster. She actually convinced me to go since I had a headache. Loved sharing that moment together.

- bumping into family every where we turned. Loved that there were so many of there.

- running around with my sisters at the end of the day. Loved connecting with them without little ones hanging on our legs.

- spending the day with my best friend. Loved every moment with Jeff.

Branson: Day One

My siblings and I have been talking about getting a bi-yearly family vacation  for a couple of years. We finally made it happen this year in Branson, MO. Jeff and I volunteered to head up the first vacation and picked a location that was fun and made sense for us.

We stayed at the Mansion on Tablerock. It was pretty amazing. Everyone arrived in the late afternoon and got right to work exploring.

All my siblings except Matt and his wife, Amanda, were able to come.  (We missed you guys!) 

 

Anna and Amelia were such good friends when we lived in Virginia near my brother. I wondered if they'd click again. It took about five seconds (seriously) before theywere connected at the hip. 

The view was spectacular. 

Jeff and I were in charge of dinner the first night. (Each family was headed up one meal during our stay.) We took advantage of the awesome deck and lovely weather and had a barbecue. 

Ben, Sam and Oliver are the same age. 

Six Year Old Anna

Anna, A-da, Slamma, Bammer, Missy Moo. Gosh, we love this girl. Anna shares my love of birthdays, parties and planning, so it was especially fun to plan the big day with her.

She was so thrilled to come down and find the kitchen decked out just for her.

Anna got to open one gift before going to school. It was a new outfit that I thought she wouldn't be too excited about, but she LOVED the colored hair barrettes that I added last minute. (They're not really my cup of tea, but her best friend wears them and she wanted them SO bad. I debated whether or not to get them, but I'm so glad I did.)

After Jeff got home we opened the last of the presents.

This picture cracks me up. Who knew a diary could bring so much joy?

We surprised Anna with her own camera. 

Jeff picked up a "special birthday cake" on his way home. Yeah, mom-fail on that one. Cake making just didn't happen this year. But I think you can tell in these pictures how Anna felt about it.

Don't mind the redneck baby in the background. 

We left for our big Branson family reunion the next day and some cousins stopped at our house for a pit stop. It was a perfect end to Anna's birthday. We live so far from all her cousins, it was a special treat to have them here. Sweet Aunt Kelly even brought a gift for her.