School Pictures 2013

We finally got our school pictures that were made in June and wanted to share them with you. They really should let a Mom know the color of the backdrop for the picture, so she doesn't send her kids to school in a shirt that is almost the exact same color!!! Enjoy!

Best friends, Mark and Jack!

Jack David

Jack

Mark

Mark Douglas

Saturday Afternoon Fun in the Pool

On Saturday afternoon, after Daddy finished mowing, we got the pool out for the boys. They enjoyed splashing around and playing for awhile. Here are a few pictures of the fun they had!

Jack

Jack

"Who said we can't fish in our backyard?" -Mark

Mark

Mark

Jack

Jack

Mark

Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles

Sometimes, it's the simplest things that are the most fun. On Saturday, the boys had tee ball practice at 9am immediately followed by a game. Then, they wanted to go to the ball field at SAS and get some more practice in. We left there and went out to lunch. When we got home, the four of us played a game in the house for awhile. Then, Daddy went out to mow the lawn. While he was mowing, the boys and I had fun with some bubbles. I think they would run around in the yard and chase bubbles for hours! They absolutely love it. And, it is so fun to watch! Enjoy the pictures!

Two brothers, chasing bubbles together. What fun!

It's like a bubble wonderland!

Mark jumping up high to try to catch the bubbles!

One big bubble, two little hands! So sweet!

Look at the excitement in those eyes!

Just having fun!

2nd week of Tee Ball

Well, this week's tee ball practice was more organized that the first week. This week the boys learned the alligator technique for catching ground balls. They should put their glove done and then bring the other had down on top of the ball so that their arms are like an alligator's mouth trying to eat the ball. Pretty good analogy for kids we thought!

Practicing the alligator catching!

Sometimes, when you hustle, you end up on the ground! :)

Mark throwing back to the coach during practice.

Jack running the bases for their drill at this station during practice.

Game time -- look who's playing first base today, our very own Mark!

This weeks game was really exciting for the DeVaults as both boys hit a home run! They played such a great game. At one point during the game, a kid hit a foul ball. Mark was on first base and started running to second. When someone yelled "foul ball," Mark immediately turned around and ran back to first. Several parents were shocked that he knew to do that. Parents were talking to us complimenting how much our boys know about the game of baseball. It's obvious they've been to a lot of games!

Another Baseball Game - USA College National Team vs. Cuba

On Tuesday night, July 23rd, we went to Durham to see the USA College National Team play Cuba. There were 2 NC State players on the USA team -- Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner. Carlos was the starting pitcher on Tuesday night, so Jack and Mark wanted to make sure they were there for that. We had not told them about the game, so they were most excited when Craig told them on the way home from school. When I got home from work, they both ran to the door and couldn't tell me fast enough about us getting to go to the game and who was going to be playing, etc. Their excitement was really cute! We even had one lady stop by our seats and say, "How are those cute twins doing? It is so good to see them again! My husband and I enjoyed watching them at the home games this Spring!" We couldn't really disagree...they are cute and fun to watch at sporting events! Their love for sports is quite amazing for such a young age! USA won 5-2!!!

Jack at dinner before the game. We ate outside at Mellow Mushroom right beside the stadium!

Mark at dinner before the game.

Mark and Daddy enjoying being back at the ball field!

Mommy and Jack enjoying a nice night at a baseball game!

First Tee Ball Practice / Game

On Saturday, one of Jack and Mark's dreams came true. They played on a real tee ball team for the first time. These guys L.O.V.E baseball. They play baseball every day. They talk about baseball all the time.

On Saturday morning, we took them to their first day of tee ball practice / game. They are playing for I9 sports in a league for 3-4 year olds. They have practice for 30 minutes, followed by a 30 minuted game. Jack is number 3 and Mark is number 4 and they play for the Giants.

Let's just say Jack and Mark knew way more about baseball than any other kid on their team or the other team they played. During the game, Jack and Mark would field the ball and immediately tag a kid on the other team out before they reached the base. Jack would try to take a lead off of first base in an attempt to steal second base. These are not allowed in tee ball, so we will have a little to learn about the differences between tee ball and baseball.

This week, Mark got the sportsmanship medal for the week. He was proud; as were we! His coach said that he got it this week for being a great teammate and allowing another guy on the team to bat before him. It was really sweet, how Mark just stepped aside to let the guys have a chance to bat first; even though you could tell Mark was very excited and ready to bat.

Once again, I was so proud of my boys! Here are a few pictures from the first game day:

Jack before practice, when he first put his uniform (white for the home team) on! He loved it!

The boys listening to the coach before practice started.

Jack at batting practice!

Mark with his batting helmet on, getting ready to bat.

Mark concentrating as he is playing 3rd base; ready to field the ball!

Jack wearing the helmet with a mask as he played 1st base.

Mark, so proud of his sportsmanship medal!

4th Birthday Letters from Mommy

Dear Jack!

Wow…your fourth trip around the sun has been amazing. I knew that being a Mommy would be exciting and rewarding, but I never could have imagined just how wonderful it is! You continue to amaze me and make me so proud. You have the sweetest personality and it is noticed by everyone who interacts with you. I get so many comments about just how sweet you are. Your teachers at school are always complimenting your behavior and wishing that they had a whole class of kids like you. And, I know why! You really are a good kid!

You are so into sports…and I love it! Who would have thought we could take you and Mark to a football game that started at 8pm and you would still be awake and happy at the end of the game after midnight! Who would have thought we could take you to a four hour baseball game and the only reason we left then is that it started raining! We have so much fun as a family going to sporting events! And, this year, a dream came true for me a Mommy. I had always dreamed of seeing my son play in his first sporting event and that happened in January when I saw you play your first soccer game. I was one proud Mommy when I saw you on that big field! I have to say that your athletic skills have been very impressive so far. You can shoot a basketball unbelievably well, you can hit balls pitched to you out of our yard, you can hit a golf ball out of our yard. Everyone who sees you is amazed at your abilities! You even got a legitimate hole in one at putt putt this year!!

I have loved hearing you talk and ask questions this past year. You have learned so much and our conversations are just priceless!I love hearing all of your questions. I love talking to you about your day while we have dinner at night or just talking to you about anything while we are in the car just to hear your thoughts! I have also loved being your Sunday School teacher this past year at church. I love to see you listen so intently during circle time when we have the Bible story and watching you concentrate so hard while working on your crafts each week. I also love to watch your relationship with Mark continue to grow deeper and be so close. You two truly are best friends and look out for each other. I hope that will continue as you get older. It often times almost brings a tear to my eye to see you guys interact.

You learned to write your name this year, you learned all seven continents names and locations on a map, you learned some of the major organs of the body and their locations, you can sing the national anthem, etc. …absolutely amazing.

I have truly been blessed beyond measure to be your Mommy! I love you more than words can say.  I pray that God will continue to bless you and I with health and that we can share many many more years together. I can only imagine what the future holds. I look forward to many more fun times and memories to be made. I love you with all my heart, every ounce of my being, my Jack-a-roo!

Love, Mommy

   

Dear Mark!

Wow…your fourth trip around the sun has been amazing. I knew that being a Mommy would be exciting and rewarding, but I never could have imagined just how wonderful it is! You continue to amaze me and make me so proud. You have the sweetest personality and it is noticed by everyone who interacts with you. I get so many comments about just how sweet you are. You have also developed quite the reputation of being a silly guy who is always looking to get a laugh out of those around you. But, you really are a good kid!

You are so into sports…and I love it! Who would have thought we could take you and Jack to a football game that started at 8pm and you would still be awake and happy at the end of the game after midnight! Who would have thought we could take you to a four hour baseball game and the only reason we left then is that it started raining! We have so much fun as a family going to sporting events! And, this year, a dream came true for me a Mommy. I had always dreamed of seeing my son play in his first sporting event and that happened in January when I saw you play your first soccer game. I was one proud Mommy when I saw you on that big field! I have to say that your athletic skills have been very impressive so far. You can dribble a basketball unbelievably well, you can hit balls pitched to you out of our yard, you can hit a tennis ball over the net on a regulation court. Everyone who sees you is amazed at your abilities! You even got a legitimate hole in one at putt putt this year!!

I have loved hearing you talk and ask questions this past year. You have learned so much and our conversations are just priceless!I love hearing all of your questions. I love talking to you about your day while we have dinner at night or just talking to you about anything while we are in the car just to hear your thoughts! I have also loved being your Sunday School teacher this past year at church. I love to see you listen so intently during circle time when we have the Bible story and watching you concentrate so hard while working on your crafts each week. I also love to watch your relationship with Jack continue to grow deeper and be so close. You two truly are best friends and look out for each other. I hope that will continue as you get older. It often times almost brings a tear to my eye to see you guys interact.

You learned to write your name this year, you learned all seven continents names and locations on a map, you can sing the national anthem, etc. …absolutely amazing.

I have truly been blessed beyond measure to be your Mommy! I love you more than words can say.  I pray that God will continue to bless you and I with health and that we can share many many more years together. I can only imagine what the future holds. I look forward to many more fun times and memories to be made. I love you with all my heart, every ounce of my being, my Markie!

Love, Mommy

Birthday Parties at Children's House

On Monday afternoon, Mommy and Daddy went to Children's House for Jack's and Mark's birthday parties with their classes at school. We had a special snack for them to share with their friends - their favorite sugar cookies! It was so cute to see the boys pass out the napkins and cookies to their friends. And, then their class sang Happy Birthday to them. And then, the birthday boy got to take the first bite of the cookie before their friends got started. Each party was pretty short and sweet, as they are in preschool now and can't take too much time away from their lessons and class time for birthday parties! We did Jack's party at 4:15 and Mark's at 4:30. Here are a few pictures from each party:

Jack passing out the napkins to his friends.

Jack and friends enjoying his party!

Our sweet Jack-a-roo!

Mommy, Jack and Daddy at his birthday party in Children's House D!

Mark passing out the napkins to his friends.

Mark and friends enjoying his party!

Our sweet Marky Mark!

Daddy, Mommy and Mark at his birthday party in Children's House C! 

Birthday Minute Pictures

4 years ago, the night before Jack and Mark were born, this is what I looked like:

So very thankful that this was just a temporary look!

However, these little guys were worth every bit of the 9.5 weeks of modified bed rest, all the swelling, all the indigestion, all the congestion from pregnancy rhinitis, and everything else that came along with carrying twins for 36.5 weeks. I would do it again for them in a heart beat!

Then, on the morning of July 15th, 2009, we were blessed with the births of Jack David and Mark Douglas at 8:43am and 8:46am, respectively. The three minutes we were waiting for Mark for the longest 3 minutes of our lives! Here is a picture of them just a couple of minutes after their birth:

Jack at the top; Mark at the bottom.

In keeping with tradition, like we like to do, we took the annual birthday minute pictures on Monday morning at the exact time that the boys turned 4 years old.

Jack and Daddy at the very minute he turned 4 years old - 8:43am on July 15, 2013.

Jack and Mommy at the very minute he turned 4 years old - 8:43am on July 15, 2013.

Mark and Mommy at the very minute he turned 4 years old - 8:46am on July 15, 2013.

Mark and Daddy at the very minute he turned 4 years old - 8:46am on July 15, 2013.

We can't believe our little guys are already 4 years old! We are loving this journey of parenthood and feel so blessed to be Jack's and Mark's Mommy and Daddy! We are so very thankful that our prayers were answered when we were blessed with our two sons!

Family Party at Dinner

After opening gifts, we had lasagna for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the boys' birthday with family. As dessert, we had a baseball birthday cake. Jack and Mark have never showed much interest in cakes, but Mommy thinks that everyone should have a birthday cake. So, we did. However, when the boys saw it, they were SO excited! They loved the baseball field and how real it looked.

Before the candles were added! We were so pleased with how the cake turned out!

With the candles on and lit! Ready to surprise the boys!

Our family as we sang Happy Birthday to our boys!

Blowing out the candles!

A quick pause for a family picture! All smiles for this joyous occasion!

Diggin' in!

After we sang and took a family picture, Mark asked if he could eat the baseball. We quickly said, "well sure!" Then, we asked Jack if he wanted to eat the bat. He quickly did. Then, they went for home base, first base, second base, third base, the pitcher's mound. It was so cute to watch them talk about everything on the cake and scoop it up and eat it. Since it was just family that was going to eat the cake, we let them have some fun with it! Then we offered to cut them a piece of their cake to eat and they surprised us and wanted one!

Jack enjoying a piece of his birthday cake!

Mark enjoying a piece of his birthday cake!