Mommy Time Out
Like I mentioned before, my parents came down for a visit so on a day that Steve wasn't working, we headed down to the wine country in Temecula for some fun! We hit 3 wineries and had some lunch. We figured we'd take lunch to dump the good buzz we had going on. By the end of the afternoon, we were all wined out. You get 5 tastes as each winery. It was a fun afternoon and one that I don't get to enjoy much since my parents live in Washington State. It was also a nice break away but I missed the kids the entire time. We showed their pictures to anyone who would look. This one lady asked how old they were and I told her they were both 1. She said, "no wonder you're here drinking." That gave me a good laugh.
It's Summertime
My parents came to town this month and we decided to get out of the house and head up to Victoria Gardens which is an outdoor mall/shopping center. We had called to ask about a playground. We got their and it was pretty skimpy to say the least. It was also in the direct sun so the equipment was pretty hot which made it impossible for the kids to play on. Grandpa decided to take Brooke over to this water fountain. It is this circular thing and on top it has water that comes out and flows over. He took her over and put her right on top of it. For those of your who don't know, Brooke is an absolute NUT for the water. Any chance she gets, she's in it. She was getting all wet so thank god it was warm out. We let Kyle play in it too. We then decided since they were already wet to take them over to the interactive water fountain. It's one of those things that kids can run through and the water shoots up. Brooke of course was in heaven. She was out there with the big kids and didn't care much that one of them knocked her over. She just got back up and kept on going. It also didn't phase her when she tipped forward and the water shot her right in the face. Again, just kept on going. Grandpa took some pictures with his cellphone as I forgot my camera and my cellphone was in the car. Nice!!!! We decided a few days later to take the kids back again so I could get some pictures. It sort of reminds me of the kids who play in the fire hydrants back east. Here are some pictures from our second trip.
Kyle did a lot better the first time with the water. He is a bit more cautious when it comes to stuff. Brooke has NO fear whatsoever and just does it. So Kyle got a little wet with daddy but mostly hung out with him. After Brooke had purple lips we decided it was time to go. How fun it is to be a kid!
OK, so here is a video of Brooke in the fountain. She was not afraid to get in there with the big kids. I have NO clue why dropshots has blurred the video. They have made some updates...urrgh! Don't fix stuff that isn't broken!
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Kyle did a lot better the first time with the water. He is a bit more cautious when it comes to stuff. Brooke has NO fear whatsoever and just does it. So Kyle got a little wet with daddy but mostly hung out with him. After Brooke had purple lips we decided it was time to go. How fun it is to be a kid!
OK, so here is a video of Brooke in the fountain. She was not afraid to get in there with the big kids. I have NO clue why dropshots has blurred the video. They have made some updates...urrgh! Don't fix stuff that isn't broken!
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It's Official......AGAIN!
On July 20th, exactly 4 months from our original court date in Russia, we had a court date in San Bernardino County Superior court to re-adopt Brooke and Kyle. It was pretty cool! My parents and Janet (their godmother) were in attendance and it was a pretty informal affair. The entire process took less than a half an hour. The judge came down from the bench to give the kids 2 teddy bears. It was really cute and everyone in the courtroom was very happy for us. The reason we chose to do the re-adopt is so the kids can have birth certificates from the state of California. Here are some pictures from the day:
After it was all said and done, we filled out some paperwork to have their birthcertificates mailed to us and then went back to the house. We had a little dinner celebration and John, their godfather, was able to make it over after work. It was a very nice night with family and friends.
After it was all said and done, we filled out some paperwork to have their birthcertificates mailed to us and then went back to the house. We had a little dinner celebration and John, their godfather, was able to make it over after work. It was a very nice night with family and friends.
Family Picture
While Steve's parents were in town, they wanted to have a professional picture taken with the kids. We went to Sears. I had some great pictures taken of the kids for Father's Day so we went back there again. I am so glad that we did. They did such a great job! Here are some of those pictures. The single shots of the kids are the ones I had taken for Steve. We had other pictures taken of the grandparents and the kids, all of us and then one of the 3 boys. That was a great idea and Phyllis thought of that one and I'm glad she did.
Our First Haircut
It's so fun to post all of their firsts. It seems I type that a lot!! I am glad to be here for all of those!
So, Steve has been pestering me for the longest time about getting the kids' haircut. I was really nervous about doing it. I don't know, perhaps it's my own issues with getting MY haircut. Yes, I have had the same haircut since high school. I just didn't want to have this screamfest somewhere and have the kids' hair all jacked up. So, the other day, the kids and I were out running errands and I walked past this haircut place for kids. It's called Cool Cuts 4 Kids. They obviously cater to kids so I grabbed a card. Well, I made the appointment since we were having a family photo taken the next day. It went really well. I scooped them up after a nap, threw them in the car and headed down. Brooke went first. I figured if someone was going to go south is was going to be her. She did really great. The lady who was doing the hair cutting had a Baby Einstein video and put it in. Brooke was actually trying to look past her to watch it. She didn't even really care that she was cutting her hair or even wetting it down with a squirt bottle. Here are some pixs of Brooke:
Kyle was up next. Since they hadn't had lunch yet, I brought their bottles. Well, once I gave Brooke hers after she was done, of course Kyle wanted his. I stuck it in his mouth and I'm glad I did. He was a bit more freaked out since he got the shearer tool on the hair and not just scissors. The one picture where he is crying is because I took the bottle out of his mouth. I wanted to have one picture where he didn't have it in his mouth. Silly me. Anyhow, his hair turned out soooo cute. I called Steve and told him that if I'd known that it was going to be this cute, I wouldn't have put up such a fight. Here are some pixs of Kyle:
The kids did great and mommy got a keepsake to take home. The place took a polaroid of the finished product and then kept some hair. It's now sitting on the mantle of the both of them. I will definitely be going back there. It's a super great place and the gals were super nice. Free advertising for them!
So, Steve has been pestering me for the longest time about getting the kids' haircut. I was really nervous about doing it. I don't know, perhaps it's my own issues with getting MY haircut. Yes, I have had the same haircut since high school. I just didn't want to have this screamfest somewhere and have the kids' hair all jacked up. So, the other day, the kids and I were out running errands and I walked past this haircut place for kids. It's called Cool Cuts 4 Kids. They obviously cater to kids so I grabbed a card. Well, I made the appointment since we were having a family photo taken the next day. It went really well. I scooped them up after a nap, threw them in the car and headed down. Brooke went first. I figured if someone was going to go south is was going to be her. She did really great. The lady who was doing the hair cutting had a Baby Einstein video and put it in. Brooke was actually trying to look past her to watch it. She didn't even really care that she was cutting her hair or even wetting it down with a squirt bottle. Here are some pixs of Brooke:
Kyle was up next. Since they hadn't had lunch yet, I brought their bottles. Well, once I gave Brooke hers after she was done, of course Kyle wanted his. I stuck it in his mouth and I'm glad I did. He was a bit more freaked out since he got the shearer tool on the hair and not just scissors. The one picture where he is crying is because I took the bottle out of his mouth. I wanted to have one picture where he didn't have it in his mouth. Silly me. Anyhow, his hair turned out soooo cute. I called Steve and told him that if I'd known that it was going to be this cute, I wouldn't have put up such a fight. Here are some pixs of Kyle:
The kids did great and mommy got a keepsake to take home. The place took a polaroid of the finished product and then kept some hair. It's now sitting on the mantle of the both of them. I will definitely be going back there. It's a super great place and the gals were super nice. Free advertising for them!
New Walking Video
OK, so I added to the walking video and put some new stuff on there. I still haven't quite figured out why dropshots makes the video stretch out. I also have no clue as to how to post it from the program I made it in. Oh well!
In only a short month she has gotten a lot better. She walks all over the place. If she wants to get there faster though, she does this crab crawl thing. Kyle is beginning to let go of things but falls shortly after. Once he starts in, I will of course be making another walking video. Although, I must admit, I am getting a little tired of Fats Domino. Anyone have another walking song?
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In only a short month she has gotten a lot better. She walks all over the place. If she wants to get there faster though, she does this crab crawl thing. Kyle is beginning to let go of things but falls shortly after. Once he starts in, I will of course be making another walking video. Although, I must admit, I am getting a little tired of Fats Domino. Anyone have another walking song?
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Jungle Gym in the Kitchen....Who knew?
OK, so my daughter enjoys climbing through the kitchen chairs. Well, that is until she gets stuck and ends up pulling a chair through the kitchen. I took some video of it. This was her 6th or 7th time doing this in a row. I was sitting there eating my lunch and she just kept climbing through the chairs. So I of course decided to grab the camera!
So, Kris this is for you and all the gals who keep talking about your HUGE play yards in your backyard. Here is MY jungle gym that cost me $75 at a garage sale. A bit more ghetto but what can I say?!
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So, Kris this is for you and all the gals who keep talking about your HUGE play yards in your backyard. Here is MY jungle gym that cost me $75 at a garage sale. A bit more ghetto but what can I say?!
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Jumpin' in the Pool!
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I created this video of the kids jumping in the pool. All we have to do is put them up on the side and they throw themselves in. They just can't get enough of the pool/water. Our "ghetto pool" as Steve calls it out back is the same way except there is an inflatible step. The kids climb up on it and then fall off of that. It's hysterical to watch.
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July!!!!
Well, it's that time of year again which can only mean...yup....PARTY AT THE BOUCHERS! This year Steve's parents were in town so we loaded up the Yukon with all of us and the kids' crap and headed out. We spent the day over there in the pool. The weather man said is was going to be 107! Yikes! I can't really remember it being that hot around here. The river yes...rancho cucamonga...NO! It was a fun day. Hot dogs, hamburgers, the works. I forgot the kids' bottles of formula and gerber food. They found out what hot dogs tasted like. They really liked the taste of them. They ate fruit and they always love fruit. I'm trying to give my kids better eating habits than mine!
The kids' outfits for the day were very cute. I bought them months ago at Toys R Us. I called Janet after the fact and told her that I'd purchased the kids' outfits for the party. Her response was, "what party?" Every year, everyone always wants to get together at the Bouchers for the 4th of July! When we were in Seattle, Fred and Sandy gave us these cute little American/USA bathing suits. Of course they had to wear those. It was Brooke's 1st bikini! Look out! Here are some pixs:
Brooke is our "little brown berry" which means, she tans. That girl can be in the sun for 5 minutes and be brown. Kyle on the other hand has senitive skin so he burns with 50 on. Hence, he's wearing one of those swim shirts and a hat. He didn't really particularly like the hat at first which always amazes me since he was wearing TWO when we got him. Perhaps he has flashbacks and that's why he doesn't want to wear them anymore. When I would tell him to "leave it," he usually would and it stayed on his head. We had a great day eating, drinking and swimming at the Bouchers(who are also the godparents to these 2). We brought the pack n plays so the kids could take a nap. Brooke is usually my great sleeper well, this time, Nikki came out and said, "brooke's crying." WEll, Lauren had tried to sneak in the room and Brooke saw her. It was over from there. Steve got her up and what did she want to do....get back in the pool. So we threw on a swim diaper and back she went. Our little naked girl. She just loves the water! 
Grammy and Grandpa Bierbaum hanging out in the pool with the kids!
It was a great day but like all of those, they must come to and end. We loaded everything back up into the Yukon and took the kids home so they could sleep in their own beds. They were tired pups from all that swimming! Thanks Aunti J and Uncle J! We love you!!!
Well, it's that time of year again which can only mean...yup....PARTY AT THE BOUCHERS! This year Steve's parents were in town so we loaded up the Yukon with all of us and the kids' crap and headed out. We spent the day over there in the pool. The weather man said is was going to be 107! Yikes! I can't really remember it being that hot around here. The river yes...rancho cucamonga...NO! It was a fun day. Hot dogs, hamburgers, the works. I forgot the kids' bottles of formula and gerber food. They found out what hot dogs tasted like. They really liked the taste of them. They ate fruit and they always love fruit. I'm trying to give my kids better eating habits than mine!
The kids' outfits for the day were very cute. I bought them months ago at Toys R Us. I called Janet after the fact and told her that I'd purchased the kids' outfits for the party. Her response was, "what party?" Every year, everyone always wants to get together at the Bouchers for the 4th of July! When we were in Seattle, Fred and Sandy gave us these cute little American/USA bathing suits. Of course they had to wear those. It was Brooke's 1st bikini! Look out! Here are some pixs:
Brooke is our "little brown berry" which means, she tans. That girl can be in the sun for 5 minutes and be brown. Kyle on the other hand has senitive skin so he burns with 50 on. Hence, he's wearing one of those swim shirts and a hat. He didn't really particularly like the hat at first which always amazes me since he was wearing TWO when we got him. Perhaps he has flashbacks and that's why he doesn't want to wear them anymore. When I would tell him to "leave it," he usually would and it stayed on his head. We had a great day eating, drinking and swimming at the Bouchers(who are also the godparents to these 2). We brought the pack n plays so the kids could take a nap. Brooke is usually my great sleeper well, this time, Nikki came out and said, "brooke's crying." WEll, Lauren had tried to sneak in the room and Brooke saw her. It was over from there. Steve got her up and what did she want to do....get back in the pool. So we threw on a swim diaper and back she went. Our little naked girl. She just loves the water! 
Grammy and Grandpa Bierbaum hanging out in the pool with the kids!
It was a great day but like all of those, they must come to and end. We loaded everything back up into the Yukon and took the kids home so they could sleep in their own beds. They were tired pups from all that swimming! Thanks Aunti J and Uncle J! We love you!!!
Our Colorado Visit
We also made a stop during our travels so the kids could meet Grandma & Grandpa Bierbaum. We also had a birthday party here and this is where the kids tasted cake and ice cream for the first time. They were in heaven and of course Kyle could have eaten it until the cows came home. He went in with the cake with one finger, then one hand and then once he figured I wasn't going to get mad....he went in with BOTH hands. Guess he figured he could get it in faster that way. Take a look! 
As you can see, the look on my face says it all!
We also had a BBQ and Steve's parents had some of their good friends over and their daughter too(Myron, Linda, and Samara). It was a fun day and the kids were exhausted by the end of the day! Brooke actually got her first bling bling. Grammy B got her a bracelet and necklace for her birthday!
(Myron & Linda Recob from Wyoming)
As you can see, the look on my face says it all!We also had a BBQ and Steve's parents had some of their good friends over and their daughter too(Myron, Linda, and Samara). It was a fun day and the kids were exhausted by the end of the day! Brooke actually got her first bling bling. Grammy B got her a bracelet and necklace for her birthday!
(Myron & Linda Recob from Wyoming)
We love the Water!
The kids have come a long way in the past few months. When we first gave them a bath back in Orenburg, Brooke screamed like you wouldn't believe. What a difference. You can't keep her out of water now. We figure that's why she wants to put her hand in the dog dish 24/7. I bought them a pool at Costco. Of course I didnt buy the Wal-Mart cheapie...it had to be BIG! They love this pool and I have to admitt, one day after coming home from Lowe's with the kids and it was over 100 that day, I put the kids down for their nap and I hit the pool by myself. 
It's always an extra special day when we get to go to a friends house with a pool. Auntie J has a great pool and we have been there a few times now. We like to sit on the side of the pool and throw ourselves in. The kids have no fear about this. We count to 3 and then they go in but as of late, they don't even wait until 3, they throw themselves in once we sit them on the wall. Kyle is too funny about throwing himself in. When he knows he's going, he shuts his mouth and squeezes his eyes shut. He's no dummy. He knows how to keep the water out! They have some floaties that they can sit in but they have quickly figured out how to get out of them. Guess swim lessons will be soon to follow. 
We also went down to my friend Windy's house for the day and she also has a pool. After we'd been in the pool for awhile, we stripped them down outside to change them into their dry clothes so they could take a nap. They decided they wanted to run around naked on the patio!
Check out the nude poser, which is Kyle. He looks like one of those guys who poses for an art class and they draw him naked! Too funny!
It's always an extra special day when we get to go to a friends house with a pool. Auntie J has a great pool and we have been there a few times now. We like to sit on the side of the pool and throw ourselves in. The kids have no fear about this. We count to 3 and then they go in but as of late, they don't even wait until 3, they throw themselves in once we sit them on the wall. Kyle is too funny about throwing himself in. When he knows he's going, he shuts his mouth and squeezes his eyes shut. He's no dummy. He knows how to keep the water out! They have some floaties that they can sit in but they have quickly figured out how to get out of them. Guess swim lessons will be soon to follow. 
We also went down to my friend Windy's house for the day and she also has a pool. After we'd been in the pool for awhile, we stripped them down outside to change them into their dry clothes so they could take a nap. They decided they wanted to run around naked on the patio!
Check out the nude poser, which is Kyle. He looks like one of those guys who poses for an art class and they draw him naked! Too funny!
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