2008.. What a Year!!

So, I didn't get a letter written this year to send out in Christmas cards like I have tried to do in years past. We've been a bit busy... go figure.

2008 has been an amazing and tough year for our family. As you all know by now (I'm sure), we welcomed two miracles into our family on Feb. 5, 2008. Our twin daughters, Aurora Lynn Hanna and Abigail Lee Hanna, made their appearance ready to change the world forever! Their birth was the greatest miracle that Michael and I have ever witnessed in our lives! And, who knew that two tiny babies (barely big enough to fill our hands) could so completely control our lives and hearts. If you haven't heard the story that goes with the birth of our angels, be sure to ask someday. It's a touching story that brings me to tears each time I think of it. The girls, like I mentioned before, have changed our life so completely that Michael and I cannot imagine what our life was like before diapers, bottles, tripping over toys, and precious hugs and kisses. Our children have taken two people in a marriage and transformed us all into a family. There is a sense of completeness now. We have laughed and cried together as we have watched our children grow and learn each day. We have held our children while they were sick and prayed that God would grant healing. We have rocked our girls to sleep and known a piece of Heaven. Michael and I have, through much trial and error, been thrust into parenthood and found our way. We have family and friends who have supported us, laughed with us, cried with us, sat up long nights with us and just loved us. We are so blessed! Daily we have new stories of happenings in our home; like the day that Aurora discovered that Abigail's belly-button is different from her own. She pinned her sister to the floor to investigate the difference (Abby has an outtie and Rory has an innie). Poor Abby spent the next few days lifting her shirt to check and make sure her belly-button was still attached. We have rejoiced at all of the firsts for our girls. Their first smile. The first time they rolled over. The first time they sat alone. The first time they crawled. Their first words. Their first steps. It is so amazing to watch them grow each day into amazing little children! Each day is a new adventure that Michael and I are excited to share with our two precious daughters! We look forward to all the excitement that 2009 promises to bring!

Although by far the most interesting happening in the Hanna household in 2008 was the birth our our daughters, Michael and I are still thankful for all the many other blessings that have been given to us this past year. Michael is still teaching Latin... and loves his job. At the beginning of this school year, he was asked to become a mentor teacher for his campus. What an honor!!! His superiors voted that he is an excellent teacher and that incoming teachers should be placed under his supervision during their first year. Of course, this new position means more meetings, paperwork and overall a greater workload, but Michael has taken his new tasks in stride and has been completely successful (as I knew he would). This year is Michael's 5th year teaching. He will receive his 5 year pin at the end of the year. Time does fly when you are having fun!

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. It has been such an amazing experience for me. I love, love, love having the opportunity to be with the girls all day and watch them grow and mature. I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom like my mother because I know the special bond that my mother has with my sister and I as a result. I plan to return to work as a teacher after the girls start school, but now is the time for being a mom. In April, I found out that I had developed a blood clot in my right leg as a result of my c-section. Thankfully, my doctor was able to detect it early enough that it was treatable and there were no major complications. As of October, I was cleared completely of any further blood clots and it was confirmed that the original blood clot has been successfully dissolved! What an answer to prayer!!! Overall, I couldn't be more fulfilled doing anything than what I am doing now!

There is so much more that I could share about our year. We have so many stories and memories from this year. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us and prayed for us throughout 2008. You will never know what a blessing you are to our family. We look forward to sharing 2009 with everyone! May God bless you and your family this coming year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

~ The Hanna Family~

All the Twins

Abby sitting pretty in the little chair
Rory has big smiles for everyone!!

Michelle and I with our Twins

Proud Mommies of the Twins

(Yes, we mixed up the babies just to mess with everyone's head)

Lyndzi, Rory, Abby and Levi

Austin, Braxton, Rory, Kaylin, Abby and Blake

Abby, Kaylin and Rory (hiding behind her dress, of course)

Taira, Abby, Rory, Granny, Brianna, Michelle, Brenlie

Granny with her twins

(notice everyone in the mirror.. that's the really funny part of all these pictures)

Abigail Hanna, Aurora Hanna, Brianna Truttman, Brenlie Truttman

(Note that not one of them looked at the camera)

Four Generations of Fun!! Taira, Abigail, Aurora, Shandra, Granny, Braxton and Cinda

Four Generation Picture

Brianna Truttman

Brenlie Truttman

Aunt Kay and Uncle Ed with all the girls

This last weekend, we were able to take a special trip to Oklahoma City to visit with some of our family that we don't get a chance to see very often. My Granny came from Arkansas to visit and we thought it was the perfect time to see our relatives from my mom's side of our family. It was an exciting time because it was the first time that our family had both sets of twins together. My cousin, Michelle, and her husband, Jason, had a set of twin girls, Brianna and Brenlie, three months after our girls were born! Not many families can boast of two sets of twins in one family so close together! It was good to get all four girls together! We had such a wonderful time getting to see everyone and visit! Abby even decided to show off for everyone and take her first step at Uncle Ed and Aunt Kay's house!! We were so excited to get to share this special moment with our family!!! This trip was also the first time that the girls have stayed overnight out of town. We stayed in a hotel in Oklahoma City. What a fun time!! The girls did absolutely wonderful on the trip. They sang to the music and slept most of the way (which we were thankful for)!! Every time that we stopped, Rory would take roll-call when we got back in the car saying, "Mama, Dada, Abba (which is what she calls Abby)." We had to prove to her that Abby was in the Jeep every single time. She was very concerned that we might leave Abby somewhere. Rory is very protective over her sister!! We had a wonderful time and hope to get a chance to see everyone again soon!!!

Our First Christmas

Rory and Abby in their special rocking-chairs that Uncle Jackson and Aunt Ingrid gave them for Christmas!!
Rory in her rocker

Abby's thinking very hard about something

Braxton, Abby & Rory

Aunt Rachel, Abby and Rory

Great-Grandma Hanna, Abby and Rory

Great-Grandma Hanna and Rory

Rory catching a nap at Gigi's house

Abby gave out after the present opening marathon at Gigi's house

We Love Our Dance Tower!!!!

Daddy trying to put all the toys together. Toy makers are sadistic individuals.

"Excuse me. I'm trying to have my morning cup of tea!" ~Rory

Abby's diving into the presents

"Are you sure it's ok to go near the tree Mom?"

"Mom, why are we up this early again?" ~ Abby

Abby's not conscious yet

Daddy and Rory trying to wake up Christmas morning

Abby on Christmas morning

Rory on Christmas morning

Daddy holding his sleeping angels. They've been entertaining 7 adults all evening!!

Rory opening her gift from Aunt Rachel

Abby opening her gift from Aunt Rachel

Mimi Sue and Abby

Grandad (Michael's Dad) and Rory

Grandad, Rory, Mimi Sue and Abby

Abby with Great-Grandpa Brauchi. They are great pals!!

This Christmas was by far the best Christmas that I can ever remember. I'm sure that you can't guess why. I will never forget the precious memories of watching the girls open presents, paricipate in family traditions and be with our friends and family during this special season. Not to mention, on Dec. 23, Rory took her very first step!!! We were so excited!!

We attended our annual Christmas Eve Candle-Light service at our church this year. As I held one of my beautiful daughters and sang the hymns, I got choked up thinking about how blessed we are and how I never thought that I would be holding my own precious baby at such a special service... and this year, I held two precious baby girls that I share with the most wonderful man in the world. Even thinking about it now, I get all choked up.

We spent Christmas Eve with Michael's grandparents, parents and sister. We all had such a wonderful time!! The girls opened their first Christmas presents there (it didn't take them long to get things figured out). It was so good to see everyone there... especially Michael's sister, Rachel. The girls have taken to really enjoying being around Rachel very quickly. What a special time!! We had our family Christmas (just the four of us) at home on Christmas morning. Michael and I took down the play-yard from around the tree and just let the girls attack their presents. What a fun and amazing time together!! We spent Christmas day with my family and opened presents for quite a while. The girls were so tired afterward that they fell asleep on the couch. We spent the afternoon at Michael's Grandmother Hanna's house. We had such a good time seeing everyone there, as well. The day after Christmas, we were able to spend time with Michael's parents, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Jackson, Aunt Ingrid, Uncle Greg, Aunt Apryl, Chesley and Stella. It was a fun time!! I can't tell you how excited we were to get to spend such a wonderful time with everyone!! The girls, of course, loved getting to open presents. They got all sorts of special goodies from so many different people!! We were also able to spend some quality time with both Rory and Abby, as well as so many special people. I could go on and on about how special this time was for Michael and I (and the girls). We have been blessed more than we could have ever imagined possible. We have two absolutely perfect and adorable angels. We have friends and family that love us and mean the world to us. We have each other. We have our faith and an awesome God. We are truly blessed!!

Daddy's Home For Christmas!!!!

"I'm outta here" ~Rory

"It's too early to be up and looking this good." ~Rory

"Mom... is that camera permanently stuck to your face?" ~Abby

Waiting for Daddy to arrive... and he has!!!!

We love our Daddy!!!!!

"DADDY'S HOME!! DADDY'S HOME!! HE'S COME TO RESCUE US!!!"

Abby and Rory found my bag of Christmas bows. Needless to say, the bows didn't make it.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Rory and Abby absolutely adore their Daddy (he's a pretty good guy). When he calls us on his way home from work each day, I open the front door so the girls can look out and watch for him. And, oh, does the excitement level rise at our house. They know that when Mommy opens the door, Daddy will be home soon!! When they see his car pull up in the driveway, there is no containing their excitement. I just had to post some pictures of this fun time.

The girls wore their beautiful Christmas dresses to church this last Sunday. Once again... they were a hit!! We won't be able to go to church next Sunday because we will be visiting family, so they wore them this week. Of course, I couldn't wait to see them in all of their frills and lace. I always promised that if I ever had a little girl, she would be dressed up... especially on holidays. Well, I got my wish ... times two!!

Is that a Smile I See?

Rory loves to play with Daddy when he comes home from work!!
What an ornery smile!!

Beautiful Abby Smiles!!

This afternoon, Michael was playing with the girls when he got home from work. They love to play with Daddy!! Abby starting laughing and smiling all over the place. I just thought that I would share these special pictures with everyone. The happiest time of the day for Rory and Abby is when Daddy gets home from work. Today, they were all smiles!! And, yes, that's a smile you see on Abby's face!!