Ahhhhh...Paradise!

Those were the first words out of our mouths as Bryan and I arrived in Aruba for out first extended vacation since before I was pregnant with the triplets. Needless to say, we were MUCH over due for a relaxing vacation away just the two of us:-) We decided on a six day trip to Aruba in the southern carribean and it was AMAZING! It is a beautiful place and we felt completely safe everywhere we went. Here are some (ok, alot of) pictures from the trip:

We stayed at the Marriott Rennaisance Marina in Oranjestad and it was perfect! One of the reason we chose this resort was that it has a private island that a boat takes you to when ever you want to go. The boat actually comes into the hotel lobby to pick you up as you can see here:

Here is a view from the beach at the private island...paradise:-)

Bryan and I liked to sit out at the end of this penninsula...sooooo relaxing!

Here is one of the iguanas that live on the island...you actually see these all over Aruba.

Here is our hotel as you go in on the boat.

Heading back from a "rough" day of relaxing on the island;-)

As you come to the island from the boat...

We decided to have a really nice dinner at the amazing place called Pinchos. The restaurant is at the end of this pier so you are completely surrounded by water. It was a beautiful dinner and we got to watch the sunset as you can see in the next picture...

On our last full day there, we decided to rent a car to tour the island. It was super cheap to do but we quickly found out that was because of the type of car. Thank goodness my first car was stick shift or we would have been out of luck! Driving was definitely interesting there but I am so glad we did it.

Here are some ruins from the ancient tribes on the island.

Here I am at the Natural Bridge...well what used to be a natural bridge. It actually collapsed into the water about 2 years ago but it was still an amazing sight to see!

Bryan and a huge cactus! Aruba is actually a desert climate so there are cactus everywhere.

Here we are at the top of the rock formations...it was a great view of the island!

Here I am with the infamous car..I had to include this picture;-)

Bryan feeding the flamingos that lived on the private island...they were such cool birds and super friendly with the people!

Unfortunately, this one got scared of the storm that had come through earlier and flew out into the ocean...it was quite entertaining watching the workers round this bird up:-)

This was our last view of the island as we prepared to leave for home. As you can see, a big storm was coming in so it made it a little easier to leave. Well that and the fact that after 6 days we were definitely ready to get back to our three little munchkins:-D

2 years old already...

Yes, our three little miracles are now officially two year olds! Well actually they turned two over a month ago, but as usual it has taken me forever to finally get the blog updated. I tried so hard to get it done before Bryan and I left for Aruba (pictures comine sooon!) but just ran out of time. But here they are...better late than never!

Olivia, Harry and Madeline LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so we decided to throw them a Mickey themed birthday party. It was a wonderful day and we were surrounded by our closest friends and family...such a blessing:-) Thanks so much to all who came! Amanda took pictures for us again so here are a few of our favorites from the day:

The Fam:-)

With Grammy and Grampy

Looking for Daddy...so cute!

They LOVED their Mickey balloons!

Madeline...with her Mickey ears

Olivia

Madeline with Aunt Leah and baby cousin Evan

Harry playing with the boys

Harry and Nana

Their Birthday Cake!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you....

Yummy, Yummy!

Harry wouldn't even touch his cake last year...a lot changes in a year!

Harry

Opening presents...note the fit Harry was throwing. Of course, since they are two now they have to act like two year olds!

What did I get?!?!

Oh! A Mickey Mouse puzzle!!!

The day before their birthday party, Amanda took pictures of Aunt Leah, Nate and baby cousin Evan over at Nana's house. We took the triplets over to get family pictures also. Here are a few of those pictures too:

Our three 'lil miracles!

Olivia

Harry

Madeline blowing kisses with Mommy:-)

My little gardener!

Olivia with Mommy

Harry and Daddy

Madeline and Harry...so cute!

Nana with all four grandkids

The whole family!

The triplets with Evan...Olivia is not so sure about him crying!

Me and Bry...we actually look like pretty sane parents in this picture, huh?

Aruba pictures soon to follow!

2nd Birthday

Well here they are:

My three lil' two year olds! It is SOOOO hard to believe that Olivia, Harry and Madeline are now officially two years old. In some ways it seems like a life time ago that these three little miracles were born over 12 weeks early weighing in at just over 2lbs. each. And it seems like a life time ago that we called the NICU at Clarian North our home away from home for almost 11 weeks. It also seems like forever ago that we would be up for an hour and a half every 3 hours trying to feed three tiny preemies who took forever to finish a bottle. And time has continued to fly by while we have watched these three amazing kiddos changes SO much and beat SO many odds that were against them in the beginning. Now they are turning into little people....definitely not babies anymore! They love to run and play and chatter (they get that honestly!) and say 'no'. They also have decided that now they are two so they can throw tantrums like two year olds are supposed to;-) We have been more blessed than we can ever thank God for!

Here are some pictures from the birthday festivities. Bryan took Thursday off since it was their actual birthday and we decided to take the kiddos for a picnic at Ft. Ben Harrison State Park. Here are some pictures of the trips have fun on the playground:

Off they go!

We then had our family over Thursday evening for pizza and cupcakes and to watch the triplets open their presents. Here is Madeline giving her baby cousin, Evan a hug.

And Harry giving him a high-five...they will be such good buddies some day!

Opening presents with Aunt Leah

Madeline trying out her potty:-)

Harry playing with his awesome new trucks his Nana got him!

Madeline and her new baby doll

Olivia with her new baby doll

Playing with our new toys with Daddy...he's so much fun!

Their new kitchen from Grammy and Grampy!

Olivia talking on her new phone...they sure start early!

Harry:-D

Madeline with her new Hello Kitty purse

Opening presents!

Opening thier cards from Mommy and Daddy

On Saturday, we threw a Micky Mouse Clubhouse themed birthday party for the triplets. We invited our closest family and friends to join us in celebrating their birthday. Thank you SO much to everyone who came...it was amazing!

The kiddos LOVE balloons right now! Here are Olivia and Harry with their Mickey Mouse balloons.

Harry and Mickey:-)

Sweet Madeline...what a pretty birthday girl!

And here's my other pretty birthday girl, Olivia!

Playing with Grampy and our balloons.

Here is the cake we had made for the party...pretty cool, huh?

And here is the birthday trio! Happy 2nd Birthday Olivia, Harry and Madeline! We love you sooooooo much:-D

We had Amanda take pictures for us again at the party so as soon as I get those I will be sure to post them!