The Twins!

We were so thrilled to be able to spend a week in Billings, Montana, with our new nephews!! We know we're biased, but Jaden and Cody are simply adorable! It was fun cuddling with them and getting to know their little personalities. And Kim's sister, Amy, and Matt's brother, Jason, are doing a fabulous job as parents. It was fun to see this dynamic parenting duo in action. They handle the chaos of TWO babies with wisdom, perspective, and good humor.

After spending time with the (identical) twins for a few days, it became easy to tell the two of them apart. That said, we're only pretty sure that we've labeled all of these pictures correctly. Please correct us if we're wrong, Amy and Jason! Jaden and Cody, we loved holding you! Ian loved giving you kisses! We can't wait to see you again soon!

Ian giving Cody kisses

 (Cody)

(Jaden)

 (Cody)

(Jaden)

 (Jaden)

(Jaden)

(Jaden)

 (Cody)

(Cody)

 (Cody)
 
 (Jaden)

The twins even helped their Mommy and Aunt Kim make some shower invitations for Aunt Sarah. (Hey, they're as excited as Ian and Ryan about meeting their new cousin in just a few weeks!)

The twins' baptism also provided the perfect opportunity to see ALL members of both Kim's and Matt's immediate families. Since our family members are scattered across the country, it's rare that we all get together more than once a year. What a fun treat this was!

The family members who had been here around the time of Ryan's birth commented on how much he had grown in two months! Ryan was excited to share his smiles and coos with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Thanks to everyone who spent time cuddling with Ryan ...

Grammy

Papa

Aunt Amy

Uncle Jason

Aunt Chelsea

Uncle Jon

Grandma

Grandpa

 Aunt Sarah

Uncle Andrew

Uncle Andy

 Aunt Beth

Ryan was mellow most of the time we were in Montana. He smiled a lot ...

partly because Jaden and Cody were happy to share their swing! :)

Now that Ian's getting older, he was counting down the days (literally ... with a paper chain!) 'til he could see his grandparents, aunts, and uncles in Billings. Thanks, everyone, for all of the time that you spent with Ian during our time together!

Aunt Amy let Ian help her blow out the candles on her (belated) birthday cake.

Grammy and Ian made Rice Krispies treats together.

Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea helped Ian to learn proper basketball technique.

Grandpa and Grandma brought a whole trunk full of toys for Ian to play with while we were in Montana. Some of Ian's favorites were the outdoor toys, like this weed whacker and big wheels trike. Thanks for your creative packing, Grandma and Grandpa, to help Ian have so much fun!

Some of Amy and Jason's friends have a little boy who's about a year older than Ian. They were kind enough to let us borrow some toys, too. (Thanks, Bolls!)

Not surprisingly, Ian's favorite toy we borrowed from the Bolls was a huge Thomas train set!! He spent a LOT of time making various track configurations.

Uncle Jon brought Ian some fireworks to try. It took Ian a little while to catch on to using the Poppers, but he eventually got it and thought they were pretty cool.

Ian wasn't as sure about the sparklers, however. When Momma asked him if he liked them, he said, "Not really." When Momma asked why, Ian replied, "Because there was FIRE at the end!" (Duh, Mom!)

Uncle Jason let Ian help water the flowers.

Aunt Chelsea helped Ian make a domino tower.

In true Jon-and-Chelsea form, they came up with some new, creative things for Ian to try. Uncle Jon thought that Ian would enjoy riding through a car wash for the first time. (He did. :))

Uncle Jon gives good piggyback rides.

High five, Grandpa!

Ian is always happy to have extra story-readers around!

hugs from Aunt Amy :)

Uncle Jason fixed Ian a s'more! Needless to say, Ian was in heaven and asked for a s'more for dessert at every subsequent meal. :)

playtime with Uncle Jason ...

 

... and Papa

...and Grandma and Ryan

 

tennis in the cul-de-sac with Grandpa

then some golf in the backyard

hangin' out with Uncle Andrew

Uncle Andrew taught Ian proper form for somersaulting ...

...then Ian did it all by himself!

We were able to go on some special outings during our time in Billings, too! One highlight for Ian was going to Billings' brand-new water park, Oasis. This is the first water park Ian has ever been to!

We were a little surprised that Ian's top choice of activities was this big water slide ... especially when the lifeguard at the top said he'd have to go down all by himself. So, Daddy stayed up top with Ian and Uncle Jon came down to meet him in the pool at the end. The force of the water turned Ian onto his stomach on the way down, but he loved it ...

... and wanted to go down again ... and again ... and again!

Here's Daddy catching Ian at the bottom. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for treating Ian to such a fun outing!

 

We went on a few walks together. Here's Cody on his first-ever walk around the neighborhood. He did great. :)

We also went to a fun festival in a local park. They had artists, booths, and carnival food.

Ian got to paint a picture

Ian enjoyed a gigantic pickle,

Daddy, Jon, Ian, and Grandma enjoyed snowcones,

and Chelsea and Kim split a crepe! Thanks for treating us to some yummy things, Grandma!

Uncle Jon pushed Ian VERY high in the swing.

Of course, the BEST outing was the reason we were all in Billings ... the twins' baptism. It was extra special since both grandpas were also involved. Grandpa baptized Jaden Michael, and Papa baptized Cody Andrew.

What a crew, huh?

Matt, Kim, Chelsea, and Jon are sponsors for Jaden.

And, of course, NO family gathering would be complete without a million family pictures. :)

The Schleicher side

The Walquist side

cousin-line-up (sorry, Cody! It looks like you're in timeout!)

Turns out it was a little bright to try the outdoors shot ... :)

Grandpa & Grandma with their four grandsons

The secret to this shot was having the vacuum running loudly right near the couch.

It was only appropriate for Beth and Andy to wear their favorite team's apparel on their visit to Billings. :)

Thanks, Jason and Amy, for a wonderful time! We appreciated your hospitality and kindness and absolutely loved spending time with your precious double blessings!