Vegas, baby. VEGAS!

Been a while since I've written a blog update. What can I say, time just gets away from us both. Seems it's a whirlwind of activity from the time I get home in the evening and walk in the door. It's dinner time for the girls, dinner time for Jeni and I, bathtime, and then bedtime for the girls. Needless to say, we're tuckered out after that...

Anyway, here's an update on our lives over the last 2 weeks...

Playing around with Mommy on her Summer Break...

First off, as the title of the update indicates, Jeni & I went to Vegas. As you may know, I do College Recruitment for my company and there was a National Conference being held in Vegas for recruiters and colleges. So I booked my trip and since Jeni was out of school, she was able to go with me. We also invited several of our friends to take a trip to Vegas at the same time.

We stayed at Caesar's Palace for the first time. It was nice, but not nearly as nice as the Bellagio, where we stayed the last time. Guess we're spoiled after that...

This trip also marked our first time of being away from the girls overnight. Adding to that, the girls spent the week away from home with Nana Sharon & Papa Rick. Needless to say, we were a little concerned about how they would adjust.

Luckily though, the girls did quite well. Both girls went to bed pretty well, and slept nearly all night, every night.

To help Jeni and I adjust to being away from them, we asked Nana Sharon to email us pictures of the girls that we were able to see on my mobile phone. Hey, can you blame us? Have you seen how cute they are? :)

Here are some pics of the girls on their toys they got while at Nana & PaPa's house (these are similiar to the ones that they sent us while were in Vegas)...

Olivia...what's hangin' DUDE!????????????

Sydney...those pinup girls have NOTHING over me! :)

Overall, in Vegas had a great time. Had some wonderful dining experiences at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris and at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in Caesar's. Jeni and I both did well in the casinos. I did well in the sports book with some baseball wagers and cleaned up at some table games across the street at O'Shea's. Jeni hit several decent mini-jackpots on the slots... In general, I'm pretty sure we came out ahead. Or at least we won enough to pay for our expensive dinners...

Oh, and Jeni made one request: With our Vegas winnings, Jeni requested that we buy a Nintendo Wii. She wants the Wii Active to help her get into shape. I agreed with the purchase so that I can get some cool games...

While we were gone, the dogs went and stayed with Uncle Mike. Apparently Cassius adjusted well, while Sugar did not. Probably a bit too much change and excitement of being there for 5 days with Mike's puppies, Kai & Tai.

Sadly, before we left for Vegas, Jeni's Grandma Cook, who lives out in Seattle passed away. She will be missed.

It's really amazing how quickly the girls are growing! One big change is that they've graduated from their baby bath tub to big girl bath chairs. This has made bath time for the girls VERY FUN! They enjoy the bubbles, their rubber duckies, and their other bath toys that squirt water!

Playing in the tub...best part of the day! :)

This is what happens to us when Daddy does bathtime! :)

Olivia....

Olivia...participating in one of her favorite parts of bathtime...chewing on the toys!


Oh my goodness Daddy, you are funny!

Olivia, Just Chillin' in the tub!

Sugar, 'helping' give Olivia a bath (it's easier to sneak in on Olivia's side of the bath tub)!

Sydney.....

This is hilarious!

Playing with Daddy in the tub..so fun, and silly too!

In other developments, as Jeni mentioned a few posts back, we've been looking for a church near us. So, on Father's Day we visited Christ Community Lutheran Church in Columbia, IL. Yes, {GASP} we crossed the river to go to church! Actually, it's only about 10 minutes from our house, so, very convenient. We really enjoyed the service and the congregation. The service was very relaxed and casual and everyone was very welcoming of us. The girls did quite well during the service and actually fell asleep near the end. We will definitely go back but may try a couple of other churches in the area before we decide where to make our home church.

Speaking of Father's Day, it was quite action-packed. At least for Jeni it was... After going to church, we made it home and had to get the house ready. Mom, Rick, Dad, & Vicki were all coming up to celebrate Father's Day with us. I frantically cleaned the house and took care of entertaining the girls while Jeni made the lasagna that I requested. Normally, I grill for our Mother's Day and Father's Day get-togethers. However, if you've been in St. Louis lately, you know it's been ridiculously hot & humid. Not fun being outdoors in OR standing in front of a grill either...

This was really a great Father's Day for me. Obviously being a Father for the first time, it was extra special. I really enjoyed spending the day with those in my life who are so special to me and especially spending time with my girls. There truly is nothing better than cuddling with them, blowing raspberries on their necks, and making them laugh. Their giggles are my favorite sound ever. To round the Father's Day off, Jeni and I watched 'Father of the Bride' while giving the girls' their last bottles. Even though my girls are a long way away from the events in the movie, I can totally identify with Steve Martin's emotions in the movie... I know it's selfish, but I really wish they wouldn't grow up!

My big Father's Day present was surprise professional photographs of Jeni & the girls....here are 2 teasers....the rest can be found at http://www.stephaniecordle.com/ choose private galleries and your password is twins.

Another present of mine was an edible arrangement....

Olivia was/is afraid of the balloon!

PaPa Gale and Grandma Vicki brought us some cute clothes for Father's Day...here are the girls in their new swimsuits....

The girls and I...



Olivia...

Sydney....

Well, we've got a busy few weeks ahead of us. We have the 4th of July weekend, the girls' first birthday (and party planning to do), our 6-year anniversary, and a visit from the west coast segment of the family... Even with all of that, we'll try and keep you all updated!

Here are some pics from their 1st Birthday invite...photo shoot....

Sydney.....

Olivia....

Take care.

M