Oh Christmas Tree

So I sold my soul this year...We bought a fake tree. I miss the smell, but not the mess. Although suprisingly, artificial trees still shed quite a bit. But we like it, and it will pay for itself in 2 years. The kids loved playing in the huge box that came with it. And decorating the tree with Connor and the Twins was an adventure.

Visiting Santa

So we were driving into town the other day and Connor and I were talking about how many days there were until Christmas. Then, in a very concerned voice, he said "But Mom, how is Santa going to know what I want?" Santa didnt come to our ward Christmas party this year, and I'm not really the "Mall Santa" kind of person, so thankfully, the community library was having Santa come to story time. It was nice having Travis there, and since the community library out here is the same as the High School Library, Trav's Mom was able to run over between classes. Connor was so excited. He told Santa that he wanted G.I. Joe Cobra toys for Christmas, and that he has been "really good" this year.

Andrew wasnt sure about things, but he sat on Santa's lap, and repeated everything Trav told him to say.

 And Samantha wanted nothing to do with any of it. She stayed on her dad's lap and covered her face whenever Santa tried to talk to her. At least she didnt cry. Each of the kids even got a book from Santa.

Finally!

So I just finished a post about our trip to Vegas in January. But since I started it a month ago that is the date on it. AND since I have been hearing quite a bit lately about my need to update my blog...I just want everyone to know I listened. So enjoy!
P.S.- Does anyone know how to make adding pictures to a post easier? I doubt I'm the only one who thinks it is a pain to get them where you want them. Thanks!

Las Vegas

So out of the blue a few weeks ago, Travis asked me if I wanted to go to Island Park the upcoming weekend or to Las Vegas. Once I recovered from the shock, I said "Vegas, of course." So after talking to Darcy, Trav's oldest brother, we planned to leave on Wednesday afternoon. The kids were surprisingly good on the drive, although they don't like to sleep in the truck. We stayed with Darcy and Penny; that way the kids could spend as much time playing together as possible. Thursday afternoon we went to Leis Children's Museum. They had an entire floor for kids 2-5 years. So it was perfect for the kids. There was also an area for the babies to play as well. That night we went to a buffet, which was an adventure in itself with 4 adults trying to wrangle 5 kids, ages 3 and under. But the food was great and the twins ate pretty well. We left a large tip for our waitress, because of the HUGE mess that covered the floor.

Friday, we took the kids to the neighborhood park and then the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium. It was very cool, and the kids had a blast. Connor still talks about the sting rays that went right over our heads, and the Komodo Dragon with its forked tongue. That night Trav and I put the babies down and went out to the strip. But since we don't drink, party, or enjoy gambling...there wasn't much to do. So we just walked around for a few hours being happy with the lifes we live.

Travis and Darcy spent a few hours golfing on Saturday morning, and Penny and I took the kids to this great park a few miles away from their house. But since it was a Saturday there were so many people there. I had anxiety attack every time I couldn't see Connor, and the babies just stayed in the stroller. I know I'm crazy... but he kept running off and didn't understand that it wasn't OK. I had an especially tough time when he climbed to the top of a big rock (like 12 feet high) and tried to hangout with a bunch of 11-12 year old boys. They had a toy gun, which he kept trying to take from them. We survived though and the kids had fun.

Sunday morning we packed up the truck and started home. It was a great trip, but the kids were starting to have a rough time, which usually means "time to go." We timed the trip perfectly, because the next week Vegas had snow and freezing temperatures. It was great to visit the family and get a break from the Idaho winter.

Family Pictures 2010

A few weekends ago, after my younger brother came home from his mission in New Zealand, I asked my cousin Sandee to take family pictures for us. Trav had a football game to officiate on Friday night, so I loaded up the kids and met him in Idaho Falls around 10:00 p.m. From there we drove to my parents house in Fruitland and finally crawled into bed around 3:30 ish. And with pictures at 9:00 o'clock the next morning, it was bound to be an adventure. We had a lot of cousin help keeping the kiddos happy, and smiling. Although we didn't get many pictures of the twins' huge smiles. But there are a few of those split second captures that are just adorable. Thanks Sandee! They turned out great. Now if it is up to Trav... no pictures for another 2 years. (not going to happen) ;)

They would not sit still for more than a second

This was the only one of her actually smiling

Andrew hates sitting in the grass. But I was shaking a box of crackers at him.

We were trying our hardest to keep Connor happy

My favorite picture of Trav and I

All three of our rascals

So I cant decide between these two family pictures. I'm open for input.

I just can't decide...

Sammy and her Daddy

This is Andrew's amazing smile

Who Told My Babies They Could Turn 1?

So on August 19th 2009, life as we knew it dramatically changed. Although obviously we knew we were going to have twins, it wasn't supposed to happen for more than a month. So when the nurse told me that I wouldn't be going home after my 35 week check up and I had better call my husband, I was more than a little shocked. Just over an hour after Travis made it to the hospital we had 2 beautiful babies. Andrew was healthy, and within a few hours Samantha was too. And we have been recovering from that day ever since.

In all reality we have been so fortunate to have such wonderful babies. I was once told if I can survive the first 6 months then it gets better from there. But what I worry the most about is when they both start running in opposite directions. What am I to do then?

Andrew and Samantha are both such happy babies, and they are so different from one another. Samantha is such a girl and is very dramatic. She loves to jump and dance and clap, and her constant smiling just lights up the room. Andrew is a busy little guy, and can scream like a banshee. He and Connor love to wrestle and play with cars and tools. And Andrew just talks and talks.

Their birthday was really a great day. We just had a small family barbecue, the twins each had their own cake, and Connor "helped" with all of the presents. Their very individual personalities were so easy to see when we placed the cakes in front of them. Andrew dug right in and made an absolute mess. But Samantha, in her very prissy way, slowly licked frosting off her index finger and finally got to the cake after 10 minutes. Although by the end of the endeavour they were both covered from top to bottom. I just love the pictures. They are seriously worth a thousand words.

Trip to Utah

Earlier this week I spent a few days in Utah with my oldest sister Marie and her family. She had their 6th child a few months ago, and I, the closest sister, (geographically) have been a total slacker and have not yet visited. I wasn't even able to make it to the blessing. So, to make up for my slackerness, I loaded up the kids and we spent 3 days north of Salt Lake. It was so much fun to get to spend a few layed back days with Marie, and Connor had more fun than I can even explain playing with all of his cousins.

The second day there, we loaded up the crew and went to Kangaroo Zoo. It is this great bouncey house/miniature golf/party place that was just a blast. The kids ran, jumped, slid, climbed, and all other sorts of things for several hours. The relaxing night that followed was much needed.

The next day we wrangled all of the kiddos and we put together a package for my brother Paul, who is serving his mission in New Zealand. It was actually his birthday, and the kids were so excited about it. After hitting the post office, we spent some time at Marie's best friend Jackie's house and then Connor, the twins and I headed home. It was a great trip. We all had fun, and amazingly actually got a bit of sleep as well. Thanks Rie! I love you!

One of THOSE Days!

I would bet that every Mom out there knows what I mean when I say "one of those days." And thus far today has really made it to the top of the "those days" list. So, please forgive me for this, but I just need to take a minute to vent. I think list form is the easiest way to do it, so here goes: (my sister teases me that I'm such an english teacher some times.)

1. A minimum of 5 poopy diapers a day. (no joking)

2. Little Andrew makes two sounds, adorable jabbering and screaming. (you can guess which one I have heard the most of today)

3. A three year old who thinks that when the babies are crying or screaming he needs to make just as much noise.

4. The word "why?" (any person who has been around a pre-schooler knows what I mean.)

5. Not being able to find even 15 minutes to shower.

6. A living room (not to mention entire house) that almost always looks like this...

Wow, that list really wasn't as long as I thought it would be. I'm actually sitting here trying to figure out what else I need to add to it. But the only reason I'm here is because all of my children are currently napping, and should be for the next hour and a half to two. Looks like #5 isn't a complaint anymore. The only things I can think of now are the reasons why I'm so lucky. Now for a very different kind of list:

1. I'm getting really good at diaper-trash ball (my version of basketball these days).

2. Andrew's (and Sammy's) adorable jabbering.

3. A very helpful 3 year old. (for the most part)

4. I get to see my husband so many times during the day.

5. Hour and a half to two hour long naps.

6. The fun we have making the house looks like this...

7. And last but not least; the company I keep...

So, apparently the tough things help me remember how grateful I am for the good things. Thanks for letting me vent. This is no longer one of "those" days. (At least for the next hour to hour and a half ;).

8 Months & Counting!

So I can hardly believe that the twins are already 8 months old. Time just flies when you are going crazy. No... we really do have a ton of fun. I finally got their 7 month pictures on my computer, and they turned out so adorable I have to put a few of them up. So enjoy!

Just to Clarify

I had a few people ask if the twins sleep together in the same crib. And if that is a tough thing to do? I do know a number of parents who have their twins sleep togther, but I'm not one of them. They each have their own crib, and have never slept together; at home anyway. The picture of them in the same crib actually was after they woke up and were both in the best moods. When I put Sam in with her brother they both made the funniest faces. Because it was something they had never done before. They do share a room. But they usually don't wake each other up. For me, it is just hard enough to get them to take decent naps that I think sleeping together would make it next to impossible.