First day of 4th grade.....

Yesterday was the first day of 4th grade for the princess - Madisen! I cannot believe how quickly this summer has gone. The first day really came up on us fast! Here are some pictures of Madisen on her first day of 4th grade. I can remember my 4th grade year. It is strange because I can only remember bits and pieces of other grade school years, but 4th really sticks out in my mind. I had a hard teacher, but it had to be one of my favorite years too.

Madisen is in a 4th/5th grade split class. I really like her teacher and I am impressed with her organization skills!! It will be an interesting year, and one that I KNOW Madisen will be challenged. Good luck princess!! We love you!!!

So yummy!!

Yesterday I gave the boys a cracker while I mixed up their cereal and other food. Rylen of course went to town on the thing. He loved it! Caysen on the other hand was very upset when he was too rough with it and it burst into several small pieces. Heaven help me. These boys are so different in personality; which of course is a good thing.....

Caysen has also found his "tongue". So - he has been sticking his tongue out at everyone, but especially me for the last two days. Gotta love it!!!

Madisen and Caysen
Madisen and Rylen
Rylen and Caysen after eating their vegetables & rice cereal!!
Caysen showing how he feels about taking an afternoon nap!
Rylen loving his cracker!!

So they all rolled over.......

....and the little ones said..... Hey mom! Watch this!! Enjoy! I caught both the boys rolling on video today! Rylen has rolling "down", but Caysen will only do it if it is "his" idea....I wonder who's kid he is sometimes!!! :0)

Now it's Rylen's turn.....

Today after having a "break" of about 1 week from "tummy time" - Rylen looked at me, smiled and then turned from his stomach to his back. I was SO excited for him that I almost made him start to cry. Sorry buddy - but mommy is loving these milestones you and your brother are giving me. It makes for twice the fun!!

5 Months....Seriously....Already????

So with today being August 5, 2009 - my twins Rylen and Caysen turned 5 months old. Before they were born several wise and experienced people told me that with twins, the time seems to go even more quickly - so take lots of pictures. It is amazing to me that they are already 5 months old, but sometimes the days just drag!!!

All of the kiddos are very healthy and for that I am very thankful. We know that the day is fast approaching when their "infant" car seats will be a thing of the past. Jared wanted to weigh them today, so here are the stats:

Rylen Mills Andersen
17.4 lbs.



Caysen Jared Andersen
17.4 lbs.



Madisen Andersen
71.6 lbs.



I cannot believe that Rylen and Caysen weigh the same. No wonder I can hardly carry both of them when they are in their car seats!! Happy 5 month birthday boys! We love each of you so much!!!

It has happened.....

.....tonight after I got home from work, I was playing with the twins on the floor. We were having some "tummy time" which I must mention is not a favorite for either of them. Both of the boys have been trying really hard to roll over on their own. Well it happened.....Caysen rolled over on his own. I really thought it was a one time deal, so when Jared came back in the room, I put him back on his tummy and guess what - he rolled again! Heaven help us for many of us know what comes next!!!! MOVEMENT!!! Way to go Caysen! I am sure that Rylen is only a day or two out for his first solo roll!!

The week of July 24th, 2009.....

With Madisen being out of school, I have really tried to find some fun activities that we can do together. I am not really good at this because I have always worked. Madisen asks me all the time, what can I do....and please don't say "chores". I cannot blame her. I absolutely hated "chores" growing up. Well, I have been scouring the little newspaper that comes with the weekly ads for free stuff to do. If we had a lot of money, then finding things to do would not really be a problem. I have loved the challenge of finding fun summer things to do that are free!! Yes - my maiden name is "Mills"; therefore I am allowed to pinch pennies. :0)

We have visited a few splash parks or hope to visit them before school starts. We have walked the neighborhood and found some "pretty cool" yards that we did not know existed. We also found a fun activity at the South Towne Expo Center before the Pioneer Day parade on July 24th. It was the parade float preview. It was free and was way awesome. Madisen loved being with her cousins to take part in this free fun and liked getting up close to the floats. Her favorite float was Murray City's. It had ballet shoes on it and Maddie was in heaven. She also liked the Days of 47 Royalty float and expressed her desire to someday ride as the royalty in the parade. Heaven help me!!!

On Saturday we spent the day at Lagoon. Yes I know this is not free - but I did find awesome discount tickets for the park through my work. We had a lot of fun and I learned that my 9 year old is a lot more brave than I am. She rode many of the big rides and roller coasters that I could not even think about riding! Way to go Madisen!!!

Here are some pictures from the float preview. Enjoy!