Christmas Magic.....

Christmas was magic.... So much magic I haven't been online in forever. NO posting, no peeking at blogs. Unheard of I tell you. I hope you all enjoyed Christmas as much as we did. There was a Wii waiting for my kids. I guess Santa felt we shouldn't miss out on the whole experience. We love it. Jacob cracks me up playing it. No one can beat that kid at bowling. He spins his arm and gets strikes every time. His arm is getting sore, serious fun. The twins were quite impressed with the non appearance of Santa himself and the stuff left behind. The Barbie cruise is well loved (although not recommended by me) and the Twin doll house is being played every day all day (I do recommend). I got spoiled too and will be enjoying my new Canon elph power shot. I needed a camera to keep in my purse (although will remain loyal to the Rebel).
Alan is enjoying a new flat screen t.v. I almost had a panic attack seeing it installed and the furniture all moved but have to admit the new t.v is nice and sleek.

Off to catch up on all your Christmas fun....

Dear Sydney and Hailey...

Today we went to Costco. It was a disaster. You both cried the whole way there over different issues, one being a buckle that could not get buckled ( we waited to drive till you got that sorted out)and the other was a toy that was not being shared. Once we arrived in the store it was laughing and giggling which turned to screaming and crying far too often. There was coats that were thrown out of the cart, shoes being dropped. Items being begged for. We tried every sample there was and the mess that followed. When we walked into the cold area's we snuggled all together to keep warm (you both love that part). When we put the pickle jar in the cart you would have thought Christmas had arrived at your excitement. Then there was the aggressive shampoo lady who made all three of us smell her shampoo. She insisted she put it in our cart even when I said, "no thank you". You must have been making a scene because all the while people are stopping us asking if your twins, if I have my hands full, etc... I honestly felt I was at my whits end. The costco trip was long, you were both silly and cranky and it was really hard. Per routine we always get our drinks and lunch followed by the normal fighting over who gets to give the receipt to the lady at the door (for the record Sydney did it). We go to Costco so often, its the only store where I can contain both of you from running off but, for some reason this trip was exhausting and my patience was very thin. As we were walking out to the car the snow was falling and the bitter wind was blowing so we had to get our coats on, and snow boots too (that took a long time).I put my coat on and pulled my hood over my head, you both laughed till you were snorting. I have no idea why it was so funny to you but it was (maybe I look bad). It was a lot of laughing because we parked so far away. Pretty soon I was laughing too and thinking how someday our Costco trips will end, I won't be battling you two for peace and I'll be walking the aisles alone. You won't be asking why Costco doesn't have doors and pickle jars will loose all their magic. Oh how I love you my little girls.

Menu Planning...

As mentioned in a previous post... I hate making dinner. I think its because I am a poor planner and my family is very picky. So to combat that and because making dinner can't be optional I tried to organize the whole process.

First I sat down with Alan and made a list of dinners (he is picky too).
Then I listed all the things I needed to make them, plus snacks, breakfast and lunch items. Oh and with Christmas around the corner the extra stuff to make and enjoy too.

I then set out to first Target to finish off the Christmas shopping I bragged was done (its never really done).
Then onto the grocery store and finish with Costco. All in one day, mistake #1.

All organized and bought I have tons of food. Fridge needs to be cleaned out etc... The twins were terrors at Costco and the store was a zoo (mistake #2). I put them down for nap time and laid on the couch in defeat. We are going out for dinner tonight.

In seriousness I am putting the list of meals down (ingredients are bought for all) as they are used they will be crossed out. This way for the next 8 days I will have meals already purchased ready to prepare. I can just choose which one for which day as needed. It should work, in theory. Right? So how do you plan and prepare you meals? What makes your system easier? What do you do when someone hates the meal? Do they skip dinner? Can they make an alternate item? I'd love your thoughts.

Oh and in the interest of updates. I am getting braces on January 7th. Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments!

A visit to Santa-Photo story Friday

We began preparing for our visit to Santa last year. Minutes after a scream fest that was our visit to Santa. In the summer after their birthday Santa was big on their mind. They could not remember receiving their gifts last year so the whole idea of waking up to toys sounded pretty magical. One problem to overcome was, to get that kind of magic, they were told it required a visit to Santa and finding the courage to actually tell him what you wanted. Every week Sydney would talk about her desire to see Santa and that she would actually do it, you could tell she was trying to talk herself into it. She was worried. Hailey talked about it too and she seemed more confident of her ability to overcome her fears. This has gone on for months. On our way to Thanksgiving dinner Sydney suddenly got panicked, "Is Santa coming here"? No we told her. "Oh good" It was clear she wasn't going to Thanksgiving if he was coming. She even told us she did not want the Twin dollhouse she has been planning on if it meant seeing him. That Saturday was the big day, we always go see Santa that weekend. The whole way there the girls seemed like they were planning on doing it, they wanted the toys badly. We got out of the car and got in the small line that was forming. Suddenly the jolly old man came from the house waving to all the happy children, except mine. Sydney and Hailey began screaming in unison, clinging to every part of me, desperate to get away. Telling me over and over they wanted no toys at all. Well being the mean mom I am, we were going to see Santa it's tradition screaming and all. As our turn came up it became more clear to me that there was NO WAY the girls would go sit with Santa at all. So I told Alan we would have to stand behind Santa and hold the girls. So we headed in. I had Sydney and she was literally clawing me even being near him. Santa looked over to her and told her, " I am the nice guy. I bring toys. Don't you want toys, etc..." that was it. All the the sudden Sydney said, "I want to sit on his lap". What? I could not believe my ears. I thought we might escape the picture if we could get Hailey in it too. That was not possible, all her big talk was just talk. She did, however, tell him what she wanted. Success or close to it. Amazingly I liked the picture we were forced to take as a family. Maybe that is our new tradition, why not?
Here are few other shots of our Santa visit 2008.
This week while interviewing preschools one boasted that Santa comes and the kids all get to sit on his lap etc... I had to laugh, even now, that is the twins worst nightmare. LOL!

For more Photo story Friday's go here...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Thursday's thirteen.....

1-Looking at preschool's this week for the girls next year.
2-Working on Christmas cards steps... photoshop it, print it, assemble, and mail. I am on the needing to assemble stage. After 3 trips to Costco it finally looks right.
3-Visit to the orthodontist. I am getting braces come January.
4-Trip to Nordstrom's. A pair of my most expensive jeans got a hole in the inner thigh. How does that happen there anyway? Of course I was horrified. All is good- because Nordstroms is amazing. I now have $200 to spend on new jeans (probably from the Nordstrom Rack to optimize my money).
5-Getting ready to buy tickets to Wicked tomorrow at 6am. They are coming this spring.
6-Got a haircut and color this week and the world feels brighter and I look better too.
7-Piles of laundry and cleaning still screaming for my attention. Slowly I will get to it. If I did not have those darn Christmas cards needing me too.
8-Last week I read three books in one week. The Hunger games, My sister's keeper, and The adoration of Jenna Fox. That was more than I read in a year last year.
9- Saw Four Christmas's and found it funny and enjoyable. Loved Australia too totally recommend it.
10-Getting Photoshop CS4 because of a great miracle.
11-Got a new toaster. How a family of six lived without a four slice toaster this long is beyond me. Seriously wonderful. We are easily pleased.
12-Need a dinner plan. Something that requires no work and everyone will love. Oh that doesn't exist. I am SO tired of someone, and sometimes everyone, not liking the dinner I worked on. UGH!
13-Wondering where all my commenters have gone?

Would you get braces at my age? Do you hate cooking too? Are your Christmas cards mailed? If you are waiting for my Christmas card it looks an awful lot like my header so enjoy that in the meantime. Your's will arrive in due time.

Husband tag...

A friend tagged me...
Before I do this tag I have to say that looking through old photo's etc... I can't believe how young and clueless we were. Little did we know the life that would be ahead of us. The joys and challenges we would walk together. The girl in those pictures was young and hopeful but looking at her I am happy with who I am now. The life I am now leading, the challenges I have walked through, have given me greater depth and greater character. I am so much more comfortable in my own skin and with who I am now. I feel I have found blessings and love beyond anything I would have hoped for. I feel lucky.
Husband tag... a few of our engagement photo rejects.

1. Where did you meet your husband? In a class in college. When I found out he got all A's I made it a point to study with him. He then began giving me rides to school etc.. ( I did not have a car). He always jokes that his mustang is what got me hooked.

2.How long did you date before you got married? Just short of two years. We were young 23 and 24.

3. How long have you been married? 11 years, 5 months

4. What does he do that surprises you? It's hard to surprise me. I figure things out very easily and notice everything. Probably when he buys me gifts.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? He is tall.

6. What is his best quality? He is very dedicated and hard working.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Not anymore but when we were dating he called me "ya ya".

8. What is his favorite food? Steak.

9. What is his favorite sport? Football. He loves all sports.

10. When and where did you first kiss? Jan 11th in my apartment. When he left his car got towed and he had to walk home. He did not tell me that till the next day.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to go to movies. We also watch The Amazing Race, The Office and Survivor together.

12. Do you have any children? Four wild children.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Alan can figure almost anything out. He always surprises me with his handy man skills. He is also amazing at arguing politics and other subjects that interest him.

14. How old is he? 35

15. Who said I love you first? Can't remember but it was in St. George and I think it was a conversation that happened mutually. I remember he had gone running earlier that day and fallen down a red rock canyon.

16. What is his favorite music? 80's music.

17. What do you admire most about him? He puts church first and is dedicated to going and doing all that is asked of him. He works very hard. He plays with the children and has a very "hands on" approach and a special relationship with them.

18. What is his favorite color? He's surely say Silver and Black for the Raiders.

19. Will he read this? Maybe

I tag Lisa, Angie, and anyone who wants to participate.

Book Review- The Hunger Games...........

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book had a very interesting premise. The story revolves around Katniss and her partner Peeta. It is fast paced and compelling through out. Forcing you to think about what you would do to live or die, how much of your integrity would be worth your life, if any. The issues are very thought provoking. I could not put the book down. I read it in almost one day. Days after completing the book I am still thinking about it. Highly recommend it.


View all my reviews.

Midnight madness...

Because we all take stimulating the economy so seriously we were willing to skip sleep to help out...
After eating all our Thanksgiving meals we met up at my house for midnight madness. When we arrived at the outlets it was packed. We actually had to to take another exit to avoid the hour traffic jam. It was a blast.
At the last store (around 4am) we were shocked to walk out to see huge snow flakes sticking the road. The outlet center we were at is nestled up in the mountains so this unexpected weather made the drive home scary. About half way down the mountain it turned to rain, whew. We then went to still another mall. We arrived home around 6:30am. I thought I would just collapse into bed not so... I could not fall asleep. I ended up getting up again and not going to sleep till 2pm that afternoon. I think my diet coke at 3am really affected me.

It was a great time. Can't wait till next year.

Christmas Kick off...

Tonight I made roast beef and mashed potato's and we ate it in the dining room. There was Christmas China and Christmas music. I don't think we have been able to eat in the dining room with all four kids. They were thrilled. We decorated the Christmas tree's... its beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.
Tomorrow there will be lot's of cleaning oh and I have to finish our Christmas cards, followed by girls night. We will be seeing Australia. Enjoy your day!

Thanksgiving week...

The week began with Alan finally going to the doctor. He had the bad flu a week ago and it had gotten worse, much worse. He was diagnosed with Pneumonia received several shots and prescriptions and was given orders to rest. By Tuesday he still wasn't better. Wednesday was spent at Urgent care (they we useless) followed by another doctor, more shots, more prescriptions... hoping to avoid the hospital. Thursday was surprising better. Alan was doing somewhat better and we were going to my Aunt's house for dinner and I brought nothing but ourselves. I spent the afternoon relaxing and reading The Hunger Games (which I highly recommend). I was trying to prepare for midnight madness and a night without sleep (can you really prepare for that?).

It was a great day. Filled with family and love. I am glad Alan was well enough to join us, although it totally wiped him out.

My sister Holly and me

My brother Stephen and Alan

Jacob and me

My sister, Diana and her husband...

Stayed tuned for midnight madness...

Christmas shopping...

This year I have all my Christmas Shopping done early. I have several projects to make but the shopping part is mostly done. My kids are getting one big present so that eased the shopping somewhat. Anyway, I got to thinking about toys that have been successes and toys that aren't so I thought I would share what toys have been hits here...
Leapster

This one has been a favorite in our house. We got one for Lindsey around age 5 and she is just outgrown it now at 9. Jacob loves his too. I think its best for ages 4-7. It is educational and fun.

Pop up tents

Barbie's and Disney princess

Interactive toys...
Dress up's
Kitchen
Kitchen food
Grocery cart
Doll Stroller
Trucks to dig outside
Scooters
Power wheels
Bikes
Sports equipment (basketballs, soccer ball)
Sleeping bags
Baby dolls
Webkinz
Digital Camera's
Art supplies
Disney movies
My little Pony (all forms)

I'll add more if I think them.

What are your kids favorites? You know the toys that get played with year after year. Which toys have bombed?

Mama....

This conversation took place when I was doing her hair this morning. She talks to much she almost forgets to breath.

Mama Remember last night (last night is anything that happened before today) when I was sick and my legs were broken and I could not walk and you took care of me?

Mama is Santa going to give me a good check mark or a bad one?

Mama I love your make up it makes you pretty.

Mama last night I was a princess for Halloween.

Mama I want to be a Mommy when I grow up too. I am going to have babies. Who will work at the store? I don't want to work at the store because I will be a mommy. Will you miss me when I am a mommy?

Mama I like you.

Mama do I look pretty...

Mama I have lots of names. Sydney, Sydney bear, baby B, Elizabeth, our last name (She said it but I don't share it).

and it went on Mama mama mama...
Makes all the bad stuff a little easier to deal with today.

Twilighter....

It's official I am acting like a teenager. I love Twilight. I have read all the books (and reread them). I was crazy over the movie coming out. So when Thursday came I was all over the midnight showing. We headed out and brought our books to discuss at dinner, a very long dinner. After that we headed out to the movie. It was packed to the rim! Thank goodness my theater always only does reserved seating. I was glad to see there were grown women a lot crazier than me dressed up in Prom dresses (that would never be me) etc ...

I loved the movie. Every minute of it. The only thing I would have wanted as well, more... Having read the book you know what is missing (isn't that always the case). So some of my favorite scenes were missing, moments gone. I figure those having not read the books would not have such high standards.

I'll be back.

Is there anyone out there as juvenile as me? Well, considering the crowd of adult women at the movie, I think I have my answer. I think I love Twilight book series because it brings me back to high school, to those feelings of young love the excitement of it all. I once read that Twilight was about finding first love, New Moon was about loosing it, Eclipse was about choosing it, and Breaking Dawn was Life with true love, I agree with that description. I know a lot of people did not love New Moon but having been through a painful break up I fully related to Bella and her feelings.

Waking up the next morning at 7am after getting to bed at 4am was a good way to remember who I am and that my life includes little ones and not much time to be so silly.





Thanks girls who joined in on the fun!

Getting my groove on...

I need some new music. I have BIG plans to download some new music from ITUNES for my work outs. So I need some help. Please share your favorite work-out songs (or not work-out). Please.

I'm open...

Calgon take me away...

Oh wait I can't take a bath,my bath tub is literally filled with dissolved soggy toilet paper!

Who knew toilet paper could cause such a nightmare? The girls were bathing I was in the room talking on the phone. Watching for someone to go underwater too long, or stand up and fall, those normal kinds of bath time risks. What I did not see was one of the twins slip a brand new full roll of toilet paper in the bath. That is, until I go to wash their hair and it is covered in white chunks. At first I thought it was conditioner (chunky) because its not within my experience to imagine toilet paper ever looking like that. I touched it was tangled and impossible to get a hold of, and it was toilet paper. Dissolved toilet paper. I thought I was mad but I still had no idea how terrible it was. I tried rinsing it out with the shower sprayer. I tried washing it out (like 10 ten times). I tried conditioner. None removed it. Their hair and scalp were coated. After several attempts and brushes I removed them from the bath and began using a fine tooth comb. Still toilet paper was found every time through. Looking more and more like lice. An hour later they are in bed... in BIG trouble. I go to check out the bath.
5 barbies with hair also coated in the toilet paper (which can give you a small idea of what I was dealing with). I was too involved to take pictures of the girls hair. The tub is white clouds of the stuff. The drain is whole other project I have been cleaning out. What a disaster.

Don't look to closely at the girls and if you do rest assured their hair is VERY clean and they absolutely don't have lice.

Oh my what will they think of next?

Wordy Wednesday- The BIG haircut...

Last week I took the girls to get their first real haircut (we had a slight trim once before). This time we cut 5 inches of Hailey's hair and 4 inches off of Sydney's hair!

The girls love to look at magazines and t.v shows and pick who they want to be. It's so funny.

Before

During

Sisters turnAll that hair was painful to see on the floor!

Sydney after

Hailey after...
It was fear that this hair cut would grow them up (in looks) and it did. They had so much hair that it was killing me to make it cute and it was always in knots. I think it looks cute and is so much more manageable. It still can go up and do all sorts of styles. Win win.

For more wordy Wednesday click here...