Kollage of Koen

Even though Koen is the younger out of a set of identical twins(by 1 minute) this doesn't stop him from having his unique personality, behaviors and interests. Koen, so far, has proven to be left brain. Always thinking of strategies and ways to achieve the things that he wants. He is very resourceful and loves his big brother Kael very much! If Koen is awake while Kael is sleeping he will go and wake Kael up so they can continue with their projects of fun, creativity and yes, destruction.

In this pic Koen is 15 months and we are staying at Grandpa White's house. The boys like to push Hannah's baby strollers around to help them learn how to walk and balance which apparantly works because in 4 we capture on tape his first steps.
Koen is very facinated with his surroundings. He studies his surroundings and even his toys. In this pic Koen is 14 months and I left the light on in the oven while dinner was cooking inside and Koen was very curious in the cooking process. He loves to help me cook and he even loves to push the buttons and close the door on the microwave. It's his way of helping out around the house. This was taken a little later the same day. I just love capturing everything they do, it's amazing. They love to play with cars, love the movie cars, loves to play in mom and dad's vehicles, they pretty much love anything with 4 wheels.
Koen loves to help whenever he can. Whenever Barry or I mow the lawn he goes and finds his mower and also travels back and forth down the yard. He is 2 in this pic, actually this pic was taken on his 2nd birthday.

In this pic Koen is 21 months. We took the boys for a walk just outside our condo on the Colorado River. Just off the river was a small pond of which Kael just sat on the bank and threw rocks in, because that's what we all love to do around bodies of water. But Koen just kept trying to walk straight in. After numerous attempts of Koen not seeming to notice the change from earth to water Barry and I wondered if he would walk in or stop at the edge and play. We let him go and watched him walk right into the water without stopping and got all muddy. He became at the feeling the water and dirt left him with. At least he answered some of the questions brewing in that little noggin of his. I am so blessed to have 2 beautiful, mellow, happy and loving boys. They are very low maintenance and easy going and love to smile and interact with each other and their family.
Koen is 8 months here and just simply enjoying some relaxation time in his bouncy chair. Koen is 8 months, just came out of the tub, smelling fresh and lookin' good!
Koen is 16 months here, just woke up from a nap and hugging his bear. Koen and Kael each have one which they absolutely love to snuggle with and give hugs.
This lovely mess was Koen's first attempt at feeding himself. He is 10 months old and the item on the menu was plums. I even bought bowls that suction cup to the tray so they can't throw their bowl on the floor. My plan semi worked. It failed as soon as I saw them both figure out how to release the bowl from it's grip on the tray. I succeded because of my choice of a sweet food as opposed to what I think w0uld be a gross food that they would rather see on the floor than in their mouths. They were able to empty nearly all the contents of the bowls by way of spoon, hands and tongue before the bowls hit the floor. Nearly no mess.

Koen 21 months old, enjoying a backpacking ride through the Windham home in Aspen, CO we were taking care of.
Also, 21 months old. I absolutely love this pic of Koen. It shows his soft, gentle, curious side of him observing the world from inside his bedroom window.
Koens Discovery (19 months) Climbing into one of the toy bins is the best way to reach a toy that's on the bottom.
22 Months. Koen loves to snuggle in blankets and pillows which there just happened to be a huge pile accumulating in the living room from packing to move back to Utah in a few days. 6 months old. Koen loves to play with his uncle Bubba, especially when he makes him run really fast and jump.

7 months old.
"Mom, I really do hear voices in my head!" 1year old. Koen reaches over the side of the bassinet to get a better view of his brand new cousin "Munchy." He was very soft and gentle with her.
1 year. Koen hanging out with Grandma Michaelson at the Nield reunion at Bear Lake.
20 months. Just discovered the purpose of the rocking horse.
8 months. Taking a bath and liking it?

1 year old and just as giggly as can be.
19 months old and quite a healthy appetite. These 2 eat more than all their older siblings.
7 months and feeling pretty proud learning to sit up on his own.
22 Months and trying to get over his fear of slides. He climbs to the top numerous times and sits there, than climbs on down. He repeats this many times, looking like he's going to slide anytime, but not this time.

Kollage of Kael *need to finish post*

Kael is the older of the two (by 1 minute) and definately takes the big brother role. He looks out for Koen and always shares with him. Whenever Koen is sleeping Kael does his best to accomodate him and make him comfortable and keep quiet. In August '08 they had both gone down for a nap and they both climbed out of their cribs and played for a little bit in their room. Koen ended up falling asleep on the floor. Kael had found every available pillow and blanket in the room along with the surrounding toys and had layed them on top of the sleeping Koen. When Barry had walked in to check on them he found a pile of blankets and toys with Koen underneith and Kael quietly sitting by his side, keeping him company. He's our little sweetheart.
(9 months old)
14 months and training those legs to walk. Right now he works out his muscles and starts walking on his own a month later.
20 months. Just swinging for a bit and loving every minute of it.
21 months. Taking care of the Windham House in Aspen. 28 million dollars, 15,000 square feet. Every square foot is custom made and the only thing that Kael is interested in...........................
.......is the mud puddles outside.
Visiting Grandpa White's, Kael falls asleep for his nap sitting up with a blanket on his head.

22 Months. Kael loves to go and put on his shoes. Sometimes their not always matching or on the right foot.....or even his own shoes......but at least these are on the right foot.
8 months old and Kael loves to stick his tongue out all the time. It was the tongue phase.
Playing with Grandpa White making another tongue smile.
Peeking through the crib bars (16 months)
Family trip to Bear Lake, just hanging out on the beach with Dad. (1 yr)

Visiting Grandma Nield's and Kael keeps crawling around after Willie, trying to take his toy.
This goes on for a little while. Of which he almost succeeds many times, but Willie's too quick.
Kael 1 yr. One of my favorite shots of Kael standing by the tub waiting to take a bath.

Carpooling

Kael and Koen love to ride their bikes and car. When they both want to play on the same toy they usually find a way to share. If they want to ride the same bike, one of them will sit on the back while the other one pedals and steers.
Their getting too big to sit side by side so the only other way is to sit on laps!

HUGS!

Unrolling a roll of Toilet paper, 75 cents. Emptying a box of cereal, $1.89. Hugging your brother after pushing him, Priceless!!
Koen had pushed Kael and after we told him to "be nice," he goes up to his brother and gave him a hug....and another....and another. So cute! Since the beginning these two have been the best of friends and always look out for each other.

Dallin Highlights

Just a few Dallin Highlights. Since I started this blog I'm not going to go back and start from the beginning. I'm just going to throw in some favorites and then pick up from here.
8 months old, hanging out and drooling.
Our little princess? For Hannah's birthday she got a bunch of pink girly princess stuff and this crown was part of a jewelry dress up set. When Hannah opened it she was excited and started to put on the items. Dallin, seeing the excitement and wanting to share her joy, had grabbed to crown and put it on. He wore it for the remainder of the day and didn't want to part with it. This pic was taken when I got within a threatening distance for crown removal :) note the stink eyes. (20 months) 15months old and getting ready for Halloween. We broke out the costumes for fun and Dallin found Aidan's old pirate hat. He absolutely loved it and kept putting it on and taking it off. (15 months).
I'm seeing a pattern now with Dallin and hats....... Here is another time he found a hat and had fun with it. I think it's safe to say that hats make him happy.
(14 months) Grandma and Grandpa Michaelson sent Christmas outfits for Hannah and Dallin so we dressed them up and took some pictures. He looks very handsome and festive! (5 months)

All clean! I love pics of babies in towels. Plus, the hood helps hide his gy-normous head :) (6months)
Annual Bear Lake trip, 2006. Dallin is just chillin on the beach, snackin' and havin' a good time. (1year)
Bear Lake 2007. I love this face. (2 years old)
A day at the park, playing on the swings in Glenwood Springs, CO.
2 years 15 months and already playing the piano!

Stuck in traffic! (21 months) Playing with the sibs. (21 months)
11 months, first self feeding. Main course: Mac -n- Cheese.

Just sitting at home snapping a few shots. Dallin had just woke up from his nap and was trying to keep a straight face the whole time. I believe I won. (2 1/2 years)

Twins First Birthday

We held a small get together in a park for the twins. When the cake was first put in front of them they were hesitant. Up until now, mom hasn't let them have any refined sugar. After they got their first taste, the eyes lit up and they both went to town. Kael went through his piece and started on the rest of the cake that just happened to be placed within his reach. Koen, on the other hand, was very tidy and his mess was minimal. It's so amazing to watch them grow up and see all the differences in their personality and likes and dislikes.

Aidan also had a fun time chasing everyone around with a squirt gun and then running away. We all left a little soggy, but definately fun was had by all...