Really, August?

Nearly 3 weeks later, I return. August seemed to have gobbled us all up. Busy month, but more of the same (if that makes any sense at all!)  Turns out, I took a not-so-unplanned Blogcation to enjoy life a little!

With August being the last month off before returning to work and school (school next week, and work the week after - boo!), I have been sucking the most out of each moment with my little loves. The twins are TWELVE weeks old today. I cannot believe that.

My loves, appropriately dressed in Minnesota Twins attire (Maddox & Kellan - 12 weeks, Emersyn - 3 years)

 At 12 weeks:
Maddox: 13 pounds (7 at birth)
Kellan: 11 lb 8 oz (5.15 at birth)

They are both wearing size 1 diapers and in 0-3 month clothes, though Maddox will very soon be in 3-6 month size only. He is 1.5 lbs and about 1.5 inches bigger than his brother. This size difference seems HUGE in person. Kellan is a tiny and short little peanut. Each boy has their own personality and I love them both in a BIG BIG way! Maddox has become very chill and happy. He smiles at me all day long (when he's awake!) Kellan is also a very relaxed baby and only complains when he is hungry or poopy. I have been very blessed. We made it through our first 3 months with flying colors! I am proud of myself, my family, and my children. All three of them. Emersyn amazes me daily with how she has handled this big transition.  Bless her little heart.  She loves her brudders and is excited for them to join her at her daycare home in 2 weeks.

I have been playing around trying to learn my camera and some new editing software!

We went back to North Dakota a couple weeks ago. We, as in - the 3 kids and I. (Travis had to work). To say it was a miserable drive would be an understatement. It took us TEN hours on the way there (opposed to the usual 7). The last 45 minutes included at least one of three kids crying screaming at any given second. Traveling alone with 3 little kids requires some creativity. We stopped 3 times to use the potty and so I could nurse the boys. I really appreciate my minivan even more after this trip - even if it did piss other drivers off sometimes.

(She will one day hate me for this photo I'm sure)

Once we got there, the ten hour drive was clearly worth it.

Emersyn had a ridiculous amount of fun with her cousin Nolan, who is 9 months older than her.  (She split her lip the day before we went back home, poor honey!)

The twins got to meet their Great Grandpa Merle (my grandpa) for the very first time.  It was a beautiful moment captured on camera!

I just love this picture!  Everyone looks so happy!

Emersyn just LOVED spending time with her grandma and grandpa!

 My mom and dad SERIOUSLY have the BEST backyard in all of creation!  This is just one part of it.  Emersyn had SO much fun with all the little hills and steps and especially that cute little playhouse up on the hill!

What is now my parents' backyard, used to be my grandparents backyard.  I have many memories back here from childhood as well (though it looked much different, was still very neat as I remember!)

A friend of mine came over one morning and snapped some pictures of us.  Here's my favorite! (Thank-you Cassie for your great work!)

(I wish Travis could have made it in the family pics.  Boo.)

Our week in North Dakota flew on by.  Though we weren't on any time constrictions, I found that after 6 days, we were ready to come home.  The kids were missing their environment and we were all exhausted.  Being up, alone, with the twins overnight threw me off!  They sleep at least 6 hours, and up to 10 at a time now.  HOWEVER, with Kellan still being quite small, he needs that extra feeding his bigger brother can skip so he's up earlier.  By the time I'm done feeding him and have him back down (about an hour), it is getting pretty close to feeding time for Maddox and we do it all over again!)  We got to see many friends and relatives we hadn't seen since our last trip home in February, and the twins got to meet a lot of new people.  Of course, there were many people we would have loved to see but just didn't have the time to do it all.

The drive back to Minnesota went much smoother, as we left from Fargo this time and shaved 100 miles off the return.  It only took us 7 hours to get home (from Fargo) which was still plenty, but more feasible. 

We were so happy to be home and I vowed I will not be driving back for leisure trips anymore.  Weddings and funerals will be the extent of our travel for a long time, I'm afraid!

Next up:  my little brother's wedding on New Years Eve.

(Right after we get back from our trip to Wisconsin Dells - coming up THIS WEEKEND!  We are so excited!  This is only a 3 hour drive.  Phew!)

Happy Monday blog friends!