Oh the torture( i mean joy) of family pictures

Family pictures is a huge ordeal when it comes to our family. I didn't train my kids from early age to sit in front of the camera and say "cheese", even though I wished I had.  Family pictures are very STRESSFUL but I suppose someday I will glad that we did them. I didn't get them done in time for the family Christmas card but hey at least they are getting on the blog now (note BEFORE CHRISTMAS might I had add.)

Here you go....I will add scan our Christmas Card soon for those of you who didn't get one.(sorry I probably didn't have your address or didn't want to send it half way around the world.)

 

 

 

And you can tell by the end they were done. Yes Ethan is pulling on Bekah's dress for some reason and Jakey is sliding off the lap while Kimee pulls his shirt... All good times..

Pictures and its only the DAY after Halloween

I know shocker, its the day, not month(s) after halloween, and I have posted. Am I sick? No but kids probably will be when I am done as they are enjoying their candy while I take a few minutes to update this.

This was a trip to the pumpkin patch by our house.

"Ironman" Ethan.

Any guesses on who these two are?.. besides cute.
















Frankeystein Monster High Kimee (minus a front tooth)

The whole crew, although it appers Miss Muffet is a bit confused as she is the one bugging the spider who sat down beside her..

Eating her "100 grand" in peace.

They were a bit sick of pictures can you tell...

All the cousins.

They had a good night and got lots of candy. The two little ones stayed behind after a while with me to hand out candy. Jacob didn't get quite get the idea... he cried and threw a fit every time I gave trick-o-treaters our candy.. I guess he wanted it for him... Trust me, he had more than his fair share..

Another moment after collecting all their loot, the kids are walking home with dad and the conversation went like this.

Kimee: My bag is too heavy, I can't carry it.

Daddy: Well I guess I will carry it and eat your candy and throw the rest away... (paraphrasing..)

Ethan: Daddy, "No bag is too heavy for IRONMAN." As he puffs out his chest and lifts his candy bag..

I guess you just have to know Ethan but he says the funniest things..

All and all a good halloween, now to deal with the aftermath of the sugar high and the dealing with all the candy..Hope yours was a safe and sugar infused holiday too.

A built-in friend, for good or bad

THIS IS AN OLDER NEVER POSTED POST

I haven't posted pictures lately due to our new change in technology at our house and I don't do deal well with technical change well.. We received a nice gift from our work and bought us a new desktop computer with WINDOWS 8.. I am glad and thankful but have its taking some getting used to. The other computer we were using was Carl's and was around before I was... so it was at least 8 years old.. I am not sure what that would equate to in computer years, other than OLD.

So lately, everyone seems to be asking me... is it getting easier with the twins?  The answer is NO. I guess because they were such great healthy babies, ate, slept, and played well. I think I decided I am in the chaotic survival stage right now.. I wrote in my journal a few days a few things.  As the days past and I continued writing I realized those first few days were repeating themselves... turning into now at least the last 2 weeks.  These entries were becoming all too similar.

People ask, what are the twins like, you must be getting into a routine? HA. Well, I have you ever read that book Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.  Sometimes I feel Alexander, nothing is going my way.

You really want to know what is like having twins, that are the 3rd and 4th children... Well, wonder no more. Please let me vent. I don't usually do this, so I can use as it as proof for the twins when they older and can remind them why I have gray hair.. They were NOT perfect angels. Also for the day, when they tell me what their kids are like and doing I can sit and watch from the sidelines as grandma with a smirk...(sweet revenge???)

One day...They are 22 months.
July 25th,

Its 11:30pm and even though I am totally exhausted, some how can't sleep.  Its is probably due to the fact that this is the first time I have sat down all day. Today, as have the last few days, was total and utter chaos. I think the kids know I am trying to get stuff done so they are extra crazy and mischievous. (Isn't that how it always is? They know...) Before I go much further you might think how do these children have access to all this stuff... well they have 2 older siblings who don't help matters.

The day started about normal, waking up about 9:00. I wanted to exercise so I left them in the crib till 9:30. They don't climb out of their crib yet, knock on wood.  Day went something like this..

9:30 wake up to find he pulled all the clothes out his top 2 dresser drawers.
9:45 found chapstick that older sister left out and used it as war paint on eachother, I found Bekah so kindly adding it to Jacob's hair and face since she had so nicely done her own.  Figured a little baby wipe cleaning would do for now

10:00 While changing Bekah's diaper, I see Jacob wondering around with the toilet brush brushing his hair.

10:03 While changing Jacob's diaper, I see Bekah sucking on a tube of diaper cream.

10:30 They have successfully dumped all the toys out of the big Tupperware bins and are climbing in them.

10:40 I am trying to frost cupcakes for a birthday party, I leave to get the door, (dang summer sales people hit our neighborhood constantly when the other kids open the door thinking its their friends I can't really avoid them,, maybe a no soliciting sign... ) Dragged kitchen chairs to counter Bekah in the frosting more on her than in her mouth and Jacob was sticking his finger, making a nice hole, in the middle of each cupcake.. (we later called those the "surprise" ones because they had extra filling..to fill the holes) They had both also coated themselves in the powder sugar. my fault I forgot to put a away after frosting. Inspite of Bekah licking Jacob's face clean I thought they should have a real bath.

11:30. Bath time. The second Jacob gets in, he pees... Move them both to the other tub... While I am draining the water from the other tub, I come back to find NUMBER 2 in the tub. Again, moved their naked little bodies to the other tub I just finished cleaning.. (Thank goodness for 2 tubs)  Only to find Jacob peeing again, this time onto the floor...

The rest of the day was all a blur... I don't know I must have fallen asleep because I didn't finish the entry..I am sure any mother with more than one kid can relate.. This "two" shall pass right?

Gak,Slime, Goo no matter the name its all the same...

I have tried a lot of recipes and a lot failed.. This is so simple even I can do it and it turns out EVERY time I have made it. Seriously, I have made it probably 15 times in the last 2 weeks. This measurements make a decent size. I tried once to double it (some how my measuring was off or the chemical reaction doesn't quite happen as it should), so I always make another batch, which is fine because we get to do a different color.

My kids will play with it for at least 45 minutes.. something about it holds their attention. Here's to a mom who needs ideas for a boring summer day. I can't remember the site I took it from...but here it is.



What you need:

3/4 cup cold water

1 cup Elmer’s glue (about 1 bottle)

liquid food coloring

1/2 cup hot water

1 teaspoon borax (you can find this in a box in the laundry aisle)



Directions:

step 1: in bowl 1 – mix together the cold water, glue, and food coloring. set aside.

step 2: in bowl 2 – mix together the hot water and borax, until the borax is completely dissolved.

step 3: slowly add glue mixture to borax mixture. mix well. pour off excess water.

Store in an airtight container and have some fun! Ours has lasted about 2 weeks, 4 weeks-old is getting questionable. The blog is not letting me update pictures so you will just have to trust me.

Its about time... I know..

It has been forever since I blogged I know.. I thought all I could give my mom for Mother's Day would be update pics on the blog.. It sounds easy and simple enough right?  Well its the end of May and I just got some time to finish the post I started the beginning of May and post it.. Oh well. Such is life. I am used to it now, everything taking longer than I expect.
Did I ever mention that I hate the stage where kids want to feed themselves but can't.  I am learning patience and I am sure they will learn EVENTUALLY.. but until then, for the record, I don't really like cleaning up messes..

Before

 After.. did he get any in his mouth? He's sad because I hurt his feelings by telling him he needs to put the food in his mouth..

 Bekah, on the other hand. I don't have a before but she is much cleaner...she has work

 Then there was "the SPEGETTI" night. My camera had a fingerprint it on it (imagine that) so the pictures are a little fuzzy but I think you get the idea.

Jakey I think got some in his eye and Bekah well she is happily chowing down.

Again, who knew spegetti sauce made such great face paint..

 At least she is trying to use her spoon...

Then we went a while go to feed the ducks at BYU botany ponds.. Ducks weren't too interested so we walked around a bit..

We asked the kids if we could take pictures to send to Grammie and Grandpa.. Most of them cooperated.

Jacob and Bekah love summer since they can actually walk now.
Jacob is totally happy, smiley, go lucky kind of boy.

This totally says it all. Bekah is very mischievous and always plotting her next plan of attack.

 Jacob, again, lying in the grass.

Kimee wanted to be by the waterfall for grammie.

Ethan- MIA he didn't want to cooperate.



March St.Patrick's Day and Easter

Happy Late St. Patrick's Day.  I tried to serve them this for breakfast... They won't eat it any other time but I thought I might get lucky...with the holiday. No such luck.

 So we went with this. Its hard to tell but green milk, green french toast and green eggs. A little food dye never killed anyone right?

 Eating their "green" breakfast.

 HAPPY EASTER!! The Easter bunny came from a far and delievered Easter Sunday Best for the kids. Thank you Easter Bunny.

This was a test picture but he just reminded how fast he is growing up. Don't mind the scrape on his head.He was driving his dump truck and wasn't paying attention to where he was going..

 This is the best we got with all the kids.(Notice correct birthorder...)

 They wanted to show Grandma and Grandpa what a big brother and sister they are by holding the twins.

I blinked, now they are 18-months

Yes, our twins are 18-months now and we have survived.(its harder the older they get..the next year will tell  hopefully we will make it) There are not too many things I like about this age... It is a very busy age and every time I turn around it seems they are emptying something out, ( Bekah emptied all her clothes drawers and most of Jacobs all while I was changing Jacobs diaper, this is becoming a bad daily habit, emptying all kitchen drawers within reach); climbing onto something (like into tub and getting Ethan to turn on the water while their fully dressed or the TOLIET, the water I guess tastes good); scooting something over to climb onto something (the chairs to climb onto the bar, stool over to the vanity to clean the sink with toothpaste and brush Bekahs hair with a  toothbrush full of toothpaste in which they bit the tube to get the toothpaste out), pulling something apart, (the buttons off the TV remote), and overall spreading disaster, (Bekah trying to share/ feed Jacob her oatmeal, spaghetti, applesauce, only to find Jacob covered in food and none in his mouth.);hauling anything that is not a toy (the toilet plunger would be Jacob's favorite toy if we let him.); the golden question, are you done? Right now the answer, "yes, maybe, and possibly never".  Are you starting to see why this MAY not be my favorite stage..?

BUT at this age a wonderful thing does happen, NURSERY (yes they went on Sunday for the first time and loved it, they fight more with each other than with the other kids so we might have to separate classes, which won't be a problem because we have 3 different nurseries in our ward.. we will see.)

Here are their stats
Jacob
Weight: 22.29 (up only 0.29 pounds from 12 months-- 23%)
Height: 33.5 (up 3 inches from 12 months-- 84%)
Head: 18.75 (up 0.25 from 12 months--57%)

Bekah
Weight: 24.28 (up 1 pound from 12 months--60%)
Height: 32.75 ( up 2 inches from 12 months--79%)
Head: 18.75  same as at 12 months but now in the 84% instead of the 92%,little better on the ego)

They are growing well. They both are walking. Bekah started about 14 months and Jacob was about 16 1/2 months. (We thought he would be the only one crawling in nursery but he pulled through)
They don't say a lot of words but they do mumble jumble all the time. They are starting to get the "Twin" language.. Bekah grunts and Jacob goes and gets her the toy.. Or Jacob cries and whines and Bekah gets him a toy. No, serious, they do have their own way of communicating with each other that I can't really explain. I always heard about this phenomenon with twins but never really believed it. They learn the concept of "mine" much sooner too unfortunately.

Did I mention they are into EVERYTHING? This day, it happened to the Carrotcake Cupcakes.  As you can see they really enjoyed them.The pulled them off the table.  (newsflash, they can reach the table)


  
Thse aren't the best pictures but we got a few snapped AFTER I cleaned the biggest part of the mess.

They tried to scrape some off the floor with a spatula and then attempted to put in the bowl. Got the right idea I guess just an interestng way of going about it.

 This is what was left of my much anticipated carrot cake muffins..

Oh well, what ya do? Wait for another day and another new messs, I guess. 

Its March, last months in review

We are excited it is March because that means Spring is on its way.  I realized I haven't blogged for quite some time and I went to pull the pictures of the camera and between Januray and now I had a whopping total of 17 pictures... I guess we are really are that BORING...(beware this post could put you to sleep..)

We have done a few things. We bought an excursion. It is a beast, about 12 miles to the gallon on a good day (too bad gas prices just went up  $.40 cents in the first two and half weeks we owned it..) It BARELY clears the garage door height and length takes the whole garage...serious. The final test was to see if it would fit in the garage. If it did, we could buy it. The dealer even let us drive it home first to test it because it was going to be that tight of a fit. It feels big, even coming from expedition which is a big car. It hauls all the kids and MORE. I love the extra space behind the third row. I can actually go shopping and have room for the kids AND the groceries... (Maybe that is not a good thing because now I don't have an excuse to get out alone by myself to the store)
We don't have super good pictures yet. These were taken by Carl's phone.

 The twins are 18-months and I still have them in the same crib just for my selfish sake. I think it is so cute.I started to realize for Jacob puts up with a lot of kicking and pushing.. (Of note we have recently seperated them as I didn't realize how bad it was.)
These pictures were taken while they were sleeping one night.

Apperently Jacob makes a good foot rest.....

annd head rest.
 
Bekah enjoyed the new car ride. Sleeping like a baby.

 She gets her back pack on every time we take Kimee to school.

 Our church moved to 1:00 and this is usually what happens about 5 minutes before we get out.

  

Yes, the twins are still A LOT of work. (I don't understood those moms who say it gets easier as they get older.. maybe older when they are 20.) They are just so busy because they can walk and reach things on the counter, and haul things around, undress themselves but can't dress themselves,can't feed themselves but won't let you feed them so every meal time also turns into bath time..etc. 

This a Jacob after one those meal times where more oatmeal was on him and Bekah than was in their bellies. Right after the bath with bath hoodie.. How could I get mad at a face like that? Some how this small moment made the 2-hour food fight, bath bananza and new clothes and diapers event all worth it. 

Jacob is totally a Daddy's boy in more ways than one. Did I mention they are a lot of work?

Kimee lost her first tooth. This picture makes her head look huge compartively but you get the picture.



 We had enough now this winter to build a snowman.. Not sure why the orange on the head but whatever.

The twins couldn't go outsiside with us so they are watching from inside. Its hard to see with all the reflection but I love Bekah's face.

We took the kids to the a UVU basketball game. All they cared about was the cotton candy.

This picture was taken at the sacrafice of Carl's nachos and drink which he had been waiting for all day and never got to eat. The Wolverine mascott ruined Carl's lunch by spilling his food while trying to get beside the kids.. Silly Wolverine...Obviously my indoor flash setting wasn't working right but for those of that were there this picture is worth a thousand memories.