Final Update: Happy Birthday Ethan and Elizabeth

THE New Family Twins were one year old on June 11, 2013! Happy Birthday E².

Update: The rest of the gifts are pictured below.

It is amazing how they have developed over the last year. When they first came home, they slept almost all of the time, interacted very little, and were largely unaware of the world.

Now they spend far more time awake and are engaged with everything they see, including their Parents, but especially each other.

Their faces just light up when they see each other for the first time every morning. It makes Dad a tad jealous.

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The theme of the Twin's party (held earlier for the convenience of friends and family) was garden party inspired by their favorite toys. Cool weather forced them inside.

Look what beautiful "cabbages" we had in our patch in 2012.

A blue eyed girl

A brown eyed boy

Family and friends were very generous with gifts. More on that later.

Everyone sings the Happy Birthday song

Heidi's brother and sister-in-law Dave and Heather graciously hosted the Twins party at their beautiful and spacious house. Heidi's sister Lisa, and two of her three children were able to attend.

The New Family also had a baby dedication, a public profession to friends and family of their intent to raise the Twins in the ways of the Lord. Publicly stating an intent creates accountability from those present. Heidi's 8th grade teacher Kathleen officiated.

Of course there was food.

Chips, salsa, fruit and a yogurt/Cool Whip blend.

Chips, veggies and dip.

Italian beef

 Dad bought the Italian beef, but made his own "awesome jus."

Italian meatballs and BBQ beanie weenies

Beans in the crock were not the best way to prepare them. They needed to be baked to remove excess moisture and caramelize the sugars. As they were they were too soupy for Dad's taste but the Parents needed convenience and the guests seemed to really enjoy the food.

A ladybug flower cake for "Buggy's" birthday

A bumble bee flower cake for "Buddy"

Dirt cake with worms for everyone else

Thank you to Aunt Lisa for making the delicious cakes. Kim decorated all three cakes (Mom adds, "New Family guests must work for their food, ha ha.")

And there were two family friends, Kim and Jessica, in attendance for the dedication/birthday party. Both of whom were in attendance of the The New Family's wedding ceremony and are integral parts of The Twins lives as well.

Heidi and Kim hold a ladybug and bumble bee.

Kathleen and Heidi with EJ and Liesel.

Jessica (Heidi's childhood friend) and Heidi with the Twins.

The Twins waiting on the traditional first birthday cake smash event. The New Family Parents actually stripped them down to their diapers before letting them dive in, thanks to the advice from "Auntie Kim" an experienced mother of four boys (okay she is married to the oldest one).

And check out the resemblance of Heidi's infant face and EJ's.

Pictures of Heidi's 1st birthday
The sequence shows gifts (she's holding a bow, cake mess, then a bath)

Is that not EJ if he were a girl?

Now! Gifts!

Fisher Price camera and book from Dave & Heather. Driving toy from Jessica.

Dad especially appreciates the book. It is the story of a father and son competitively measuring their love for each other while doing their bedtime routine (spoiler alert, the dad wins).

Song book from Dave and Heather. Electronic ball from Jessica.

Bubble machine from Kim. Doodler from Dave & Heather.

Personalized picture book from Lisa

A tower of blocks from Mom and Dad

Onesie from Grandma

For him too.

From Aunt Laurie, Uncle Brian, and cousin Pearl

They love it.

Also from Aunt Laurie and family.

Also from Kim. Not pictured: sippy cups, snack cups and snacks

Bathtub bubble machine from Grandma, other bath toys from the Wells.

Outfits from Dave and Heather.

Wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Woodall

From Missi

Many friends and relatives unable to be in attendance sent cards and money which was deposited in their savings account.

That money will be used to teach financial management like tithing, investing and saving.

The New Family thanks everyone for their generosity. 

Lady Bug in her costume:

Bumble Bee in his:

It was a long day, they were tired as the sugar high abated. 

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