THE Truck

As mentioned previously, Grandma Starr gave Gabe & Ari a Ford F-150 truck for their 2 year birthday. They love it. No really, LOVE. Gabe doesn't know how to steer it yet, so we just let him drive it around the park in concentric circles, while barely pressing the pedal because he is several inches shorter than most 4 year olds (because he is 2!). He is quite the big boy in that truck. And Ariana is just the happiest passenger you've ever seen. She's actually sitting up really well in it, to my surprise, and she laughs and waves pretty much the entire time she's in the truck. Yesterday, Gabe wanted Ari to drive, because his foot was getting tired so he kept pointing to the driver's seat and saying "Ari chair!," so Ari got to drive them home (I pushed the accelerator while she "steered" & Gabe just went along for the ride). I can definitely tell that we are going to get Grandma's money's worth out of this toy.

ThE TaYLoR tWiNs ArE 2!

My babies aren't babies anymore! This past week was birthday mania. When two very loved kids under one roof have their birthdays on the same day, it's just crazy (in a very good way). Gabriel and Ariana loved every minute of birthday festivities. They reveled in the birthday song, enjoyed reading and rereading their birthday cards, had a ball with tearing open gift wrap, obsessed over each and every birthday gift, and of course, savored their birthday cakes as if they were heaven-sent.

The kids had some awesome moments and got some super presents. I won't attempt to recall and name everything that they did & got, but some birthday highlights include: Sprinkles cupcakes from grandma, reading birthday cards with stickers and tunes, doing the birthday princess parade around the neighborhood, playing at the park, catching up with friends at the party, Gabe chasing grandpa, & yummy party food. Some birthday present favs include: 'Cars' DVD, adorable summer clothes, pretend dishes & makeup/accessories for Ari, a dresser & nightstand, Maddacrawler, Swim n Float bathing suits, pretend aquariums, a potty for Gabe, sand toys, water toys, bubble toys, art toys, and the king of the birthday present jungle... a Ford F-150 truck.

Thank you to everyone who made this day(s) special for us!

Gabriel's cupcake experience
Ariana's cupcake experience
Princess Parade

BiRtHdAy PaRtY!

Birthday Girl

Birthday Boy

Isabella
Tumbleweed Park Playtopia

Cake again

Valentines Day

This Valentine's Day was special for me. I think Jake was trying to convince me that corny Hallmark holidays really do mean something to him since they do for me. He did a great job. Jake surprised me with a beautiful chocolate dipped fruit bouquet and scrumptious sugar cookies. We spent the day hanging out as a family at a birthday party and then Tempe Town Lake. The weather was beautiful. Later that night, Jake took me out to Wildfish, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Scottsdale (he even had reservations!). After, we went dancing in Scottsdale to commemorate how we first met. We picked the wrong night for dancing (it was NBA All Star night) but it was so fun just to be out with him anyway. I love him.

"HOPE for Ari" Button

<center><a href="http://jaketaylorfam.blogspot.com"><img border="0" alt="HOPE for Ari" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/BloggerBoutique/Elisa/button2.jpg" /></a></center>

Maddacrawler

It wasn't easy, but I finally got a Maddacrawler for Ariana. I met some resistence from Ari's physical therapist, and of course, insurance put up a couple hoops, but I was bound and determined to get this for Ari, and darnit -- I did it! I think I'm more excited about it than she is. She's still a little short for it, but she'll grow into it. Gabe and Ari have already started having crawling "races" down the hallway. I put "races" in quotes, because I don't want to give the wrong impression that Ariana is actually crawling in it. She's not, yet. But she will get there! Grammy just bought her some knee pads to help with the traction issue. Other than that, it's also great for bench sitting, and this she does love.

Bounce Jungle

Last weekend, we took the kids to Bounce Jungle. It was tons of fun for the twins and a total workout for us. At first, Gabe was overwhelmed by the huge inflated playground and all the commotion. But it didn't take him long to realize that this was his personal heaven on Earth. Ari was sold from the get-go.

Gabe loved jumping & dancing on the giant jumpolene that played music.Ariana bounced right along with a little help from Mommy. Ariana peeked out from within the bounce maze to wave to Mommy.

Daddy climbed up the slide dozens of times; rope in one hand, toddler in the other.Gabe slid down the 20 foot slide all by himself.Ari loved the slide so much that she would whine whenever it was Gabe's turn.