Well Traveled Tots

We're back from our whirlwind of travel. In the past three weeks, Lucie and Ryan have ventured from Duluth, MN for cousin Jayme's wedding , back home, and then to a week visiting both sets of grandparents. They did great on all the travel, especially the two legs that I flew by myself with both kids. When it comes to travel with toddlers, we've learned that the lower you set your expectations, the happier you'll be with the results.

The trip had many highlights for Lucie and Ryan, many relating to their favorite new phrase "Up! Down!" From flying up in a plane, to watching the aerial lift bridge over Lake Superior in Duluth, to climbing up and down the cabin on Papa's boat - this trip had many occasions for L & R to sing out happily, "Up! Down!"

We had a wonderful time with family, and we're looking forward to more time together later this summer and fall. But first, I think we'll all take a good, long nap.

Congrats Uncle "An-dew"

Lucie, Ryan and Tate broke out their best party clothes (thanks Gigi!) to celebrate their Uncle Andrew's recent college graduation. Though they were only around for the last part of it, L & R had many great times with their uncle during his college career. Andrew was one of the first family members to meet them when he took the campus shuttle to the hospital (expecting only to see a pregnant sister, not twins!) on September 19, 2005. He helped me juggle squirming, screaming babies as we took them for their first Santa photos that December. Since then, there have been countless trips to the park in the middle of the week, a broken cell phone (thanks to Ryan's drool), lots of help accompanying us on airplane trips with infant twins, and many, many hours laying on the floor entertaining his niece and nephew.

As a graduation gift for their uncle, L & R learned to say his name, alternating between "An-dew" and "Age" (for AJ). Though we know he must join the working world soon, we sure will miss his flexible student lifestyle and the time that lifestyle allowed him to spend with us.