By Geri Imler on 2/22/2009 7:49 PM

So even though the girls turned two this past week, they had not had a haircut yet because it took so long to grow the little bit that they had that it was hard for me to cut any of it off!  But, alas, they were starting to get "tails" in the back where it was longer than anywhere else, so I thought it was finally time to part with a bit of that precious hair.  After Tim got home from work today we got them ready and headed out to a place called Cookie Cutters, which is a place for kids to get their hair cut.  In the waiting area, there was a small playground, which the girls loved.  And then when it was time for the actual event, the girls got to sit in a car (Abigail) and train (Emma) and watch a cartoon on a television that was right there at the hair cutting station.  Abigail was completely patient with the whole thing, mostly just watching the TV and not paying much attention to what was going on.  On the other hand, Emma did not want to get in the train, did not like getting her hair wet with the spray bottle, and most certainly did not like sitting still for her hair cut.  I tried to distract her and get her to look at the cartoon, but she was very preoccupied with the fact that she was strapped into the train and that someone was messing with her hair.  Of course, after the hair cuts were done, the girls wanted to get back up and play in the car and train, even though they both wanted out of them just minutes before!  The girls also got balloons when we left, which they were happy about.  Overall, though, it was a good experience as both girls got a hair cut, there were no tears, and they are still such cutie pies! 

ABIGAIL

    

   

EMMA

   

    

By Geri Imler on 2/19/2009 7:36 AM

Yesterday we celebrated Abigail and Emma's second birthday.  Their day was packed full of activities, including their two year check-up with their doctor.   Just so you know, they are healthy and still growing!   When they got out of the doctor's office, there was a fire truck in the parking lot by our car (not sure why it was there).  The girls then got to see the fire truck up close and even got little firemen hats, which they thought were super cool!  We also went out to dinner with Tim to Red Robin, which they love as it has balloons, crayons, kid cups, and great fries and grilled cheese!  After dinner, we came home to sing to them over a small cake.  Again, as we sang "Happy Birthday" to them, their little faces lit up, and Abigail even started to dance in her seat.  They did an awesome job of blowing out the candles, and then devoured their slices of cake!  Emma even tried to climb onto the table to reach the cake for seconds!  The girls opened all of their cards from people, and then it was off to bathtime.  Overall, it was a wonderful birthday for the girls.  Here are some fun photos from their day of celebrating!

   

The girls sit with Daddy after dinner at Red Robin.  And the girls smiling as we sing "Happy Birthday" to them.

   

Abigail (left, in pink) and Emma (right, in green) enjoy their cake.

     

Abigail                                                                                                                 Emma

Emma trying to sneak in seconds of her cake while Abigail looks on.

Opening some of our cards

Thanks everyone for our birthday wishes!

By Geri Imler on 2/18/2009 8:16 PM

We just wanted to thank everyone for all of their warm birthday wishes!  We are so lucky to have wonderful family and friends in our lives!  Mommy said she would post more photos from our fun day tomorrow, but we really wanted to just send out a big heart felt THANK YOU tonight to everyone.  We had a wonderful birthday!    Love, Abigail & Emma

A Family Photo (taken with a timer on a camera -- can you believe we all looked and smiled?!?)

Emma, Tim, Geri, and Abigail on the girls' second birthday.

By Geri Imler on 2/18/2009 8:14 AM

Today is a special day for us.  Two years ago the girls were born today, February 18th.  It is hard to believe they are two already!  Our family has two wonderful years filled with happy memories that make our hearts swell like the ocean.  Thank God for our little miracles!  I couldn't imagine life without them!  Though it was a bit of a rocky start, and quite the surprise of an arrival, the girls today are growing, happy, healthy, loving sweethearts.  I guess what I am trying to say is...

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, ABIGAIL & EMMA!

Two years ago, this is Abigail right after she was born and taken to the NICU.

Abigail upclose right after being born.

 

 

Abigail today...two years later!

Two years ago, this is Emma right after she was born and taken to the NICU.

Emma upclose right after being born.

 

 

Emma today...two years later!

This morning, as the girls eat breakfast, they wonder..."What is so special about today?" 

Well, today is your SECOND birthday!  Yeah!

By Geri Imler on 2/17/2009 8:36 PM

On Saturday we had a birthday party to celebrate Abigail and Emma turning two years old.  (I can't hardly believe they are TWO already!)  It was just a small party in that it was immediate family (parents, siblings with spouses and kids) and a few friends.  Last year for their first birthday we had a huge party with a ton of people to help celebrate the milestone, but this year it was fun to just have a bit of family and friends over for the special occasion.  We had a big lunch of all kinds of yummy food, followed by homemade cake and cupcakes, and then opened lots of fun presents.  There were a lot of kids here as all of their cousins were able to come, as well as their other twin friends, so it was neat to watch them all interact.  Everyone seemed to have a great time just playing and chatting.  It was so fun to see the smiles on Abigail and Emma's faces when we sang to them.  Then they actually blew out their own candles this year, which of course is quite different than last year when they hadn't gotten the hang of birthdays yet.  The girls wanted to play with each toy, of course, so opening presents was a bit of a struggle to keep moving along.  One thing that was a huge hit (and you'll see in some of the photos) were the ring pops someone gave them (which then we gave out to all the kids).  Their big present from Mommy and Daddy were two new bikes for them, personalized with their names on them and everything.  They got helmets to wear, and even though it was a bit chilly, they got to try them out in our cul-de-sac.  The bikes are a huge hit!  Some of the great other gifts they got included: lots of cute clothes, including swimsuits with flip flops and sunglasses, books, a bowling set, a tea party set, the Little People car and scooter, an abacus, a Mr. Potatoe Head family set, their very own name books, chalk and chalk mats, a hand-me-down crib for their babydolls, clothes for their baby dolls, chairs for outside in the summer, Madagascar 2 DVD, and so much more!  We can't thank everyone enough for being here and for all of the great gifts!  Needless to say, we have a lot of new things to help us make it through the end of winter!  Overall, the girls had a great time, it was a wonderful party, and many memories were made! 

 

"Happy Birthday to You!  Happy Birthday to You!  Happy Birthday Dear Abigail & Emma....Happy Birthday to YOU!!!"

Make a Wish and Blow Out Your Candles!

  

Opening Presents (Abigail on the Left, Emma on the Right)

The girls got so many fun new things!

   

More Fun Presents!  And Mommy reading a card to Emma.

  

Abigail checking out the abacus.  The girls getting their new bikes...notice the sunglasses and ring pop!

   

Testing their new bikes out inside the house.

  

All geared up, they are ready to head out!  Here they go outside on their new bikes!

   

Abigail enjoying her birthday gift.

     

Emma enjoying her birthday gift.

   

Back inside, Abigail goes for the other gifts while Emma gets a cupcake...both still with their helmets on!

After the party, everyone was pretty tired out!  Here are Austin, Abigail, Ethan, and Emma cuddling and relaxing.

By Geri Imler on 2/12/2009 8:30 AM

We know that Valentine's Day is not until Saturday, but we wanted to send out lots of hugs and kisses to our family and friends!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

    

Emma and Abigail giving each other (Valentine) hugs!

By Geri Imler on 2/5/2009 9:02 PM

Gramma and Grandpa Imler sent the girls a box of goodies for the upcoming Valentine's Day.  We decided to open it early and take advantage of some of the things in it to have a little craft time today.  Two of the things we opened included foam door hangers and foam stickers of cats and dogs.  The girls selected the color of door hanger they wanted (both chose blue), and then they started handing me a cat or dog that they wanted to put on it.  I would peel the sticker off the back of it for them, and then they would stick it down where they wanted it.  I had to help a little with that as some stickers ended up half on the floor or on top of another one, but mostly they created their own little masterpieces.  They had no idea that they are door hangers, so instead they wore them as bracelets and even danced around the kitchen with them on.  I just wanted to share the crafty talents of my girls with you all!   Thanks for the goodies, Gramma and Grandpa!

         

Abigail with her creation on her wrist and then dancing in circles with both of them.

         

Emma checking out what she made, and then dancing around with it.

   

Their Creations: Front and Back (They put stickers on both sides, of course!)

By Geri Imler on 2/3/2009 12:27 PM

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share just how cute the girls are!  Today, since we are snowed in again, we played inside the house.  At one point, I looked up and saw both girls in the kitchen, coloring....under their table.  They were just as content as could be, sitting there next to each other, sharing crayons and books, and being too, too, too cute!  They sat under that table and colored for a good amount of time, so I snapped a few photos.  Then, Abigail came out to sit in her OSU chair they had brought into the kitchen, and the next thing I see is Abigail leaning down to give Emma (sitting in front of her on the floor) a hug, and then rubbing her back.  TOO ADORABLE!  I luckily still had the camera by me and snapped a photo (though I was in another room so it is not very bright)!  Then, Emma showed her Sissy something in a coloring book, which they "talked" about for a minute, before heading back under the table to color some more.  Just a very nice, sisterly moment that I wanted to share since I was fortunate enough to have witnessed it.  Enjoy!

    

Notice the selection (mess) they made for themselves in front of the table.  Abigail is in pink, and Emma in purple.

    

When they thought I wasn't looking....Abigail giving Emma a hug, and then Emma showing Abigail a book. SO CUTE!

By Geri Imler on 2/2/2009 3:42 PM

Yesterday, before the Super Bowl, we took the girls to play in the park as it was a bit warmer here and there was still a ton of snow to play in.  We had to forge paths for them to be able to walk from the slide around to the steps, though, as it was pretty deep, and they didn't like to walk in it at first.  They of course loved the swings, as usual, but then Tim came up with the idea to build a snowman for them.  Now at home, we have books that have snowmen in them, but the girls have never seen one upclose before.  Apparently the snow was great for rolling, and the girls watched in wonder as Tim made his masterpiece.  It was so funny to watch them look up up up to the top of it!  And Abigail tried to carry on a conversation at one point with it, though I don't think she got very much out of the snowman!  After a while, Abigail decided to trudge off through the snow on her own, making her own path and enjoying it.  She is definitely our explorer and adventurer!  Emma just kept going down the slide and around the path back up to go down again...that girl sure loves a slide!  Overall, our pants got really wet but, boy, did we have a great time out there!  Now, today, when the girls see the snowman in the books we have, they have been so excited and shout about it since they have now seen one in person. 

    

Abigail waving by the swings while Emma gets ready to push one.  And the girls coming over to see what Daddy is making.

       

The girls checking out the snowman in progress.  Daddy and his girls, Abigail & Emma, with his snowman creation.

I love this photo!  Abigail and Emma (pointing) looking up up up at the top of the snowman as Daddy tries to put their hats on it.

    

Emma using the path we made for her to go back to the slide over and over again, while Abigail forges her own path through the playground.

All of our "snowprints!"  Daddy's, Mommy's, Emma's, & Abigail's

By Geri Imler on 2/2/2009 3:04 PM

Last Wednesday, the girls got the chance to spend some time here at our house with their friends, Kirsten and Addie.  Their mom and my friend, Hayley, was at the hospital having a baby!  It had been a little while since our last playdate so the girls had a lot of fun playing together again.  They got out just about every toy we have, had a picnic dinner here of mac-n-cheese, and just enjoyed being toddlers.  Her girls talked our ears off by repeating everything I said, which was so adorable!  Then, on Saturday, we headed over to their house to help celebrate Kirsten and Addie's second birthday.  I can't hardly believe they are two already and that the girls will be two in a just a few weeks!  Over there, the girls did a great job of nicely helping to open presents, loved the cake and ice cream they got to have, and boogied down on the piano with their buddies.  Needless to say, the girls didn't want to come home for bathtime and bedtime as they were just having too much fun not only playing with their buddies, but playing with all of the fun toys there!  I got some great birthday present ideas for Emma and Abigail, too, from seeing what Kirsten and Addie got from others!  Overall, the girls have had a blast being with their pals again, and I just love seeing them together as it seems they are all growing up so fast! 

At our house: (left to right) Abigail, Addie, Emma, & Kirsten

Abigail and Emma sitting down to enjoy some cake and ice cream at the birthday party.

     

Emma                                                                                                Abigail

Too funny!  The girls LOVED playing the piano together.  They danced and shook their shoulders to the prerecorded sounds.  Here they are with one of Hayley's sisters and her mom helping to hold them all up to play and boogie together.