Meet the Carpenters

This probably should have been my first post, but I was so excited that I was able to sit down and get started, it just wasn't :)  I am the mom, Mandy, and I am married to the strong & handsome Zac, and together we have four little boys:  Cael, 4, Gable,2, and "the babies" Lincoln & Louden, 1.

 To say that our family grew much faster than we had aniticipated is a huge understatement.  Right before our 1st anniversary we found out that we were expecting a surprise bundle of joy.  On September 26, 2007 we celebrated the birth of our first son Cael King Carpenter. 

Cael Bug



Spider Cael

 
Cael is a lover of learning.  He loves to watch documentaries on lizards, frogs, dinosaurs...basically anything reptilian, amphibian, or dangerous :)  If it were up to Cael we would go to the zoo on a daily basis, or live in a jungle surrounded by lizards and snakes. He has a better memory for facts than most adults I know, and the best imagination.  He loves Spider-Man, and most super heroes.  Cael is fun and silly, he so rough and wild, but also the sweetest snuggler.  I can't imagine my life without this sweet boy.


When Cael was about 10 months old we decided it was time to add another sweet Carpenter baby, and on April 13, 2009 we were full of joy when Gable Arthur was born. 

Gable <3



Gable with his "puppas"





Gable the tool man



Gable is the sweetest, silliest, and most quietly stubborn child I know.  He is a "man's man", or in his case and "boy's boy".  He loves anything dirty, messy, and hands on.  His grandpa Carpenter is convinced that he will either be a foreman or a drill sergeant, because he is bossy and once he has his mind set on something there is no negotiating with him.  He loves his "puppas", tools, and the avengers.  He loves to play with legos, play-doh, and anything messy.  He LOVES chocolate, and he loves to snuggle with just about anyone who loves him.  He is a little mean, but has the sweetest heart.


The day after Gable's first birthday, I found out that I was pregnant again, and I was not ready.  After getting used to the idea of a third child, we went in for an ultrasound, and to our surprise found out that we were expecting not one, but two babies.  WOW!  All we could do was laugh, then cry a little (me), and then feel blessed that God thought we were awesome enough to bless with twins :)  On November 12, 2010 we breathed a sigh of relief when two healthy, crying boys were delivered 5 weeks early.  We named our precious babies Lincoln (baby a) and Louden (baby b).  They were so tiny, and the first couple of weeks...or months...were HARD, I wasn't sure how we were going to survive, but with lots of prayer and supportive family we did!

Lincoln (L) & Louden (R)
Newborn pictures taken by Molly VanWagner Photography

Lincoln

Louden

Lincoln and Louden are so different, not only in looks, but also in personality.  Lincoln is sensitive and likes to be held.  Louden is a little more independent and a little bit of a bully.  Lincoln loves to throw anything, but calls everything a ball.  Louden loves to play with the toy kitchen and accessories, and is constantly "making" me food, and "feeding" me :)  They both LOVE soft blankies, and brooms.  The babies have recently discovered how much fun it is to play outside, and stand at the sliding glass door and say "side".  Although the first year with twins was difficult, we are so thankful for our two sweet boys.



Our Family

This is our family, and we have been so blessed with a house full of chaos and lots of love.  Does anyone else have similar stories?  Anyone else have unexpected twins?  Or 4 babies in 3 years?  I love to hear about stories that are similar to mine!