Cupcakes and Sprinkles

June 29, 2014

We've finally recovered from the girls' first birthday party last weekend. What a wonderful celebration with friends and family! I hope Devyn and Kinley grow up knowing how many people love and care for them. And if the endless guest list and garage full of gifts weren't enough evidence, the fact that our blog has passed 40,000 views should take the cake, or rather, the cupcake!

Our 1 year old cupcakes!

Devyn (left) Kinley (right)

We hosted a cupcake-themed party at the house last Saturday. We had a house, backyard, and garage FULL of people that braved the 106 degree heat to celebrate with us. Grandma and Grandpa Marsh and the McDevitt family came all the way from New Mexico, and Grandma Carol was here from Minnesota. Thank goodness everyone was here to help!

 Cupcakes and everything SPRINKLES!

I think I used about 8 jars of sprinkles in all!

 

Pictures from our NICU days.

(What did non-creative people, like me, do before Pinterest???)

Clothesline of preemie outfits in the backyard

 What do the Marsh girls do on their birthday? Take a motorcycle ride!

Must take after their Grandma!

 

 Uncle Aaron with the birthday girls

 Kinley relaxing in the backyard

Serious business... playing bean bag toss

When it was time for cupcakes, I gave Devyn hers first and we sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Kinley was either freaked out by the noise, or she REALLY didn't like our singing! Then it was Kinley's turn. She calmed own eventually, but it took her a while to warm up to the cupcake.  Devyn, of course, dug right in! She must have a sweet tooth, just like her mommy!

 "Why does SHE get to go first?" -Kinley

 

 Kinley's turn for the Happy Birthday song.

 Family Photo

 

 Kinley's warming up to this cupcake idea....

 

 Complete destruction!

 

After dessert, it was time to open gifts. Their interest in the gifts lasted about a minute....then they preferred to eat the cards and tissue paper instead. These girls are so spoiled! They received a red wagon, swimming pool, water table, ride-on cars, singing teddy bears, clothes, activity table, and so much more!

 

 We just started, and Kinley is done!

 They have enough vehicles for everyone who comes over now!

"Umm...who put this together? How am I supposed to drive without a steering wheel?" -Devyn

 

 

And finally,  because you haven't seen enough photos....here are a few of my favorites from the girls' cake smash photo shoot:

 

 

The Big ONE!!!

June 17, 2014

Our sweet girls turned one year old today! Their birthday party is on Saturday, but I couldn't wait to post pictures of all we've been doing this past month!

First off, Auntie Nichole came to visit us over Memorial Day weekend. What a blast we had! We did plenty of shopping and even had a pool day!

 

 What we learned about Devyn: she LOVES popsicles and lemons.

She doesn't even make a sour face!

 

Pool party!

 



I finished up the school year and then the family immediately took off for Minnesota. My nephew, Gage, graduated from high school. What a perfect opportunity to take the girls on their first trip to Mommy's home state!

 Kinley was very proud of her cousin, Gage! Devyn....was napping.

 

Reunited with Courtney and Nana!

We had such a wonderful time celebrating Gage's accomplishments and reconnecting with friends and family! It was obvious everyone had anxiously been awaiting our arrival....our family had been busy buying and borrowing baby gear so that everything was ready for us when we arrived.

 One of the many toys Auntie Kim had waiting for us. Hold on Kinley!

 

Playing in REAL grass with Gage.

 

It has been 6 months since they've seen Grandma and Grandpa Ferson!

 

We took a trip to Oxbow park, a local zoo.

Kinley liked the black bear.

 

Daddy and Devyn practicing her walking.

Swinging with cousin Noah

 

 

After a wonderful trip it was time to head home. Daddy had returned home earlier to get back to work, so Grandma and I brought the girls back home. What an adventure that was! After an airport shutdown, two missed flights, an overnight hotel stay with no luggage, and two flights including a 4-hour flight with twins, we made it home just in time to take Dad out for Father's Day dinner. 

 

 Snuggles with Daddy

 

 Daddy and Kinley working out.

  

And to top off the past four weeks, today we had a mini birthday celebration. Dad brought home an ice cream cake (perhaps more his preference, than the girls:-).  

 

 Before....

 



After!!!

 

(I think they liked it! Kinley enjoyed splashing hers all over herself, the floor, and walls. Devyn actually preferred eating hers.)    

11 Months Old!

Monday, May 19

How is it possible that these young ladies are almost one?!?! It seems like just yesterday we were watching them on the ultrasounds and anxiously awaiting their arrival. I'm not sure if I should be excited or depressed about planning their first birthday celebration!

What a fun month it has been! We celebrated my birthday by taking the girls swimming for the first time. It took Kinley a few minutes to adjust, but soon she was absolutely LOVING it! She was splashing herself (and everyone around her) and didn't even care! Devyn took a bit longer to warm up to the water. The water itself was a little chilly so after a short swim she started trying to escape.

 "This is awesome!"  -Kinley

 "Let me out of here!"   -Devyn

 "Well, maybe this isn't so bad."  -Devyn 

After our swimming adventure, we tried to get some photos of the bathing beauties. Apparently modeling isn't in their future. They were NOT interested in having their pictures taken. I guess most females don't appreciate being photographed in a swimsuit. But I couldn't help it! They have all these adorable swimsuits to wear and they've already outgrown some before they even had a chance to wear them!

 Devyn (left) and Kinley (right)

One week after my birthday, it was time to be spoiled again on my first Mother's Day! Dad and the girls took me out to brunch and that evening we took a ride on the High Roller, the new observation wheel on the strip.

 Ready to hop on the wheel. It doesn't even stop!

 Here we go!

 Heights don't bother Devyn.

Kinley loves it too!

500+ feet

Devyn continues to be our busy girl! She is constantly moving and investigating. She is very curious and prefers to play with everything in the house that is NOT a toy. She is pretty good at holding her own bottle now...a nice break for Mom and Dad.

 Devyn's favorite project...turning off the TV during the best part of the show! Then she watches the screen as it turns blue, and then turns to look at you with an evil grin!

  Dad trapped her in the exersaucer. If you can get her to sit still for a moment...this is what happens. 

More proof that sitting still makes Devyn fall asleep. She face-planted on her high chair! 

The only thing slowing Devyn down these days are her new sleeping braces. We picked them up last week and haven't been getting much sleep since. Poor baby screamed nonstop the first two nights, was a bit better the third night, and then somehow managed to kick them off completely last night. I'm told she will eventually get used to them, but I feel awful knowing how uncomfortable she is. 

Our tough little girl!

Kinley continues to make great progress in physical therapy! She is now moving her left arm more and is starting to gain some balance and the strength she needs to sit up on her own. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she can do so by her birthday). She has been qualified for early intervention services, which means that soon therapists from the state will start coming to the house to work with her.

Kinley Grace, 11 months old

 She must be thirsty!

Practicing eating with her left hand.

And just a few more....

 Devyn eating her first baby cookie, pinky up and all! 

 Devyn and Mommy in the pool

 Devyn is always stealing the show!

 Our big girls!

Devyn thinks she can handle Daddy's cup!